Wii pre-orders at GameStop/EB begin this Friday?

We're not really expecting PlayStation 3 or even Xbox 360-level scarcity for Nintendo's Wii come this holiday season, but just in case you want to be certain-sure of a Wii on launch day, and won't be around NYC to grab the console from the very hands of Reggie Fils-Aime at the Nintendo World store, GameStop and EB Games look like they'll be offering up pre-orders for the system this Friday. Apparently The Wiire just got confirmation on the October 13 date straight from GameStop, but our pals over at Joystiq haven't quite had that luck, only confirming that pre-orders will begin sometime this week. It'll cost you somewhere between $25 and $50 to get your name on the list, quite a bit less than the $100 you'll have to fork over for a PS3 -- which is to be expected.

[Via Joystiq]

[ECM @ Oct 11th 2006 2:36PM]

I couldn't be bothered for PS3, but I will be in line for this one.

[Surfman @ Oct 11th 2006 2:12PM]

this is great news, it seems like i've been waiting for preorders for an eternity.

[mike @ Oct 11th 2006 2:19PM]

I just called my local gamestop last night to ask too, i will be there friday after work, i hope they still have some by then, they should...

[Austin @ Oct 11th 2006 2:29PM]

Why would i preorder it for even MORE money!? just wait till it comes out, then buy it for the regular price....But i guess, for those who must have it ASAP it's good.

[JC @ Oct 11th 2006 2:47PM]

Pre-orders (at EBGamestop) means you put money down and that money comes off the price, it doesn't add to the price of the system. DURR!

[TVGenius @ Oct 11th 2006 2:32PM]

The $25-50 is a deposit that's applied towards your balance when you pick the thing up. Just like reserving a game.

[Peanut @ Oct 11th 2006 2:38PM]

I don't believe there is a need to pre-order a wii. Already they have what? 3 million systems already made? I remember reading at joystiq something like that. Also when you put money in for a pre-order you use that as a deposit for the system or game unless you don't buy the system. So it doesn't really cost +$50 for a wii if you pre-order it, it will be the same price. I just put shade in my room because the enormous amount of sunlight I get and we all know wii is a vampire :X

[Austin @ Oct 28th 2006 1:21PM]

hey dude, read the comment and you'll understand what i'm saying...DURRR: "It'll cost you somewhere between $25 and $50 to get your name on the list, quite a bit less than the $100 you'll have to fork over for a PS3 -- which is to be expected"

[brandon @ Oct 11th 2006 2:53PM]

wii preordered at coconuts on Sunday

[oracle @ Oct 11th 2006 3:00PM]

Hmm...I asked my local EBgames and they keep saying that they aren't doing pre-orders whatsoever. Calgary, Canada, to be specific.

[Cowboy Bob @ Oct 11th 2006 3:16PM]

im goin to EB games saturday night, i hope that they do pre-orders that night...

[dep @ Oct 11th 2006 3:19PM]

Yep. I just called one of the GameStops here in Chicago. They're still scrambling to get a final confirmation on this. Nothing yet.

[cam @ Oct 11th 2006 3:20PM]

Why exactly are we taking shots at Joystiq? Not very professional...

[Miles Mendelson @ Oct 11th 2006 3:42PM]

I called the GameStop on Buford Hwy. in Atlanta and I was told they are doing pre-orders on Friday!

[dep @ Oct 11th 2006 3:48PM]

Called another GameStop location here in Chicago. The guy didn't seem to know anything about it.

[Chase @ Oct 11th 2006 4:17PM]

If you are planning on waiting in line on opening night do you really need a pre-order?

[Drew @ Oct 11th 2006 4:26PM]

i just checked at my local EB and they aren't sure but think it will be sometime this week or early next week
i live in toronto

[Nick @ Oct 11th 2006 5:09PM]

I went to my local store and the guy just smiled and said we will see, I asked him if he knew, he said he did but couldn't tell anyone

[Dimitri @ Oct 11th 2006 5:14PM]

Nintendo World Store in NYC has been taking pre-orders (Guaranteed as well) for weeks. I pre-ordered one September 18th.

Of course you have to go there in person.

I don't really think that there is any risk that these will sell out. They will be popular, but selling as few as 4 million or as many as 9 million before Christmas is pretty unlikely. It's not like the PS3, where we are seeing fewer than 10% of the Wii's numbers. Then again, I know that I want one badly enough that I am not going to risk not having one preordered.

[Cory @ Oct 11th 2006 5:43PM]

I asked at the local GameStop, and the manager said next Tuesday. But, myself, I'll check the email for the "Gamestop newsletter". One came out Tuesday morning saying that the PS3 was available, so I'd assume the same will happen with the Wii.

[cooper shields @ Oct 11th 2006 8:56PM]

called my gamestop in cedar rapids iowa they also said friday

[Sentience @ Oct 11th 2006 10:39PM]

"I asked my local EBgames and they keep saying that they aren't doing pre-orders whatsoever. Calgary, Canada, to be specific."

Yeah, but Canada is just an extension of the US market, really. Yeah yeah, you guys are you're own country, but what I'm saying is that if the US is getting a shit load, the Canucks and mounties won't have any scarcity issues getting one.

[oracle @ Oct 12th 2006 12:14PM]

Pre-orders start in Canada on Monday Oct 16 at EBgames.

[Chris @ Oct 13th 2006 11:00AM]

It's true that the Wii is avalible for preorder today! I just picked mine up from my local GameStop. I got there at 9:15 (they open at 10:00) and I was number 17, the last number they had. Apparently the guys who had the first numbers were there since 5:00!

[brett @ Oct 13th 2006 2:22PM]

I was 5th in line to get my pre-order. Does anyone know how many each store would be allocated? Thanks.