gamestop
Latest
Don't bother tonight, see Gamestop's Gears video here
Select Gamestop stores are hosting a special Gear of War event tonight after closing up shop. Why didn't we tell you about this earlier? There are two reasons. First, they're only showing video of the game, it won't be playable -- yes, we're excited about it ... but not that excited. Second, the giveaways are pretty weak: lanyards and pins. Where's the free shirts or -- even better -- demo discs? Really, exclusive video content? Isn't this what Xbox Live was made for?Since we're loathe to recommend that you run down to your local Gamestop on a Saturday night to crowd in and watch video of a game you've undoubtedly pre-ordered and will be playing in a couple weeks, we're extremely pleased to present you with ... the very same video footage they'll be showing tonight! So, unless you have a real hankering for those lanyards and pins, and an absolute void where your social life should be, we think you oughta skip Gamestop tonight and start practicing for playing Gears.Video is embedded after the break, in two parts. One of the exclusive footage and the other is a clip of CliffyB telling folks they won't find that exclusive footage on the internet ... you mean, this internet?[Many thanks, geneticdefect!]
BC:CE back online at Gamestop and EB
A couple readers have noted that the Burning Crusade Collector's Edition is back up for preorder online at Gamestop and EB Games (both sites are run by the same company). Which looks like I was exactly right about it coming back up soon.Why this is happening, we're not sure. Most likely it's that Gamestop's buyers keep getting extra or different information, either from people at Vivendi or Blizzard. As far as we know, Blizzard hasn't released actual numbers on how many copies they're planning to sell of either the CE or the regular edition (although common sense says there'll be a lot more of the regular edition to go around). From my own experience (via a year and a half as a Gamestop store manager), I know that the company does send out notices to stop and start selling preorders based on demand. But I also know that the website is usually run by a completely different distributor than the stores, and that when release time comes, preorders are only as good as the copies that show up-- usually things go OK, but due to shipping or estimate errors, a preorder might not guarantee you a game on time.Long story short, if you want the CE, I'd say get it while it's hot. There may be, as we were originally told, plenty to go around. But than again, this might be your last chance to pick up that special TCG stuff and the Netherwhelp pet. I got mine-- Outland, here I come![ Thanks to everyone who sent this in! ]
It stops: GC Zelda DOESN'T go poof [update 1]
Nintendo of America's offical reply to all this nonsense: Online reports about the Nintendo GameCube version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess are incorrect. The amazing game will be available at retail outlets nationwide on Dec. 13.Apparently, Gamestop and EB Games used a separate SKU for preordering. Since preorders had been maxed out, the SKU was removed. However, this confirmation is news in itself: it looks like America won't be receiving the EB Games-only Aussie treatment or online-only Japan treatment. Sweet! We'll try to refrain to excessive commentary in this post ... similar topics have been covered in regards to Japan and Australia ... but now North American major retail chains EB Games and Gamestop have reported that the Gamecube version of Twilight Princess has been mysteriously deleted from their computers. The SKU is simply gone. Though we might refrain from calling this an outright cancellation, the only other conceivable option is for the game to sell exclusively through Nintendo's online store, as they've decided to do in Japan.(sigh) Comment as you will, but try to keep it civil. What the eff, Nintendo. [via Joystiq]
Wii demo kiosks to be under supervision?
We suppose any Wii is better than no Wii, but having to battle it out in a round of Excite Truck with a proudly-pinned employee watching over each shoulder just seems a bit idiosyncratic. While we already know that Wal-Mart isn't planning on hiring any more smiling faces to oversee the presumably fractious gaming crowd, you just might find a few "helpful staff members" at your side while flinging the Wiimote in your local GameStop. Nintendo's George Harrison has insinuated that all Wii demo stations will feature untethered controllers, but store personnel will be eying the players to ensure the nunchuck isn't used as a weapon (and that it doesn't leave in unauthorized pockets). He also noted that the big N has spent "considerable amounts of time" in designed the forthcoming kiosks, and mentioned (vaguely) that they "could be found at retail outlets, malls, the Nintendo Fusion Tour, and other consumer events." While we still aren't exactly sure where you'll wind up finding that ever-elusive Wii demo station, be sure to mind your manners when you finally do.[Via The Wiire]
Deal of the Day: Me and My Katamari $20 at EB/Gamestop
If you never got a chance to play Me and My Katamari this is a perfect opportunity to do so since EB Games/Gamestop just lowered the price to $20 in store.The game currently has a 75 metacritic score and IGN said "Its small stage design, propensity for backtracking, and obvious slowdown and camera issues certainly keep it from being one of the premier PSP titles -- but that doesn't mean it isn't fun."However, you can't really go wrong with spending only $20 on a solid PSP title. If you have no idea what the game is about check this out and it will explain everything to you.[Via Cheapassgamer - Registration required]
Gamestation becomes 360 mecca
Alex Donaldson (AKA APZonerunner), writer for RPGSite in the UK, sends us news that the GameStation in Birmingham (again, UK) has been completely remodeled ... by Microsoft. GameStation is a multiplatform gaming store akin to GameStop here in the US, and apparently the one in Birmingham is huge -- are there game stores in the US with more than one floor? Alex was walking in to purchase a DS game when he noticed that there was green everywhere. Downstairs, there were twelve 360 demo kiosks on the bottom floor. What's more, the demo kiosks were all networked, allowing customers to play matches of Perfect Dark: Zero. The kiosks are all hooked up to high definition televisions, and some of them have bean bags or green and white couches in from of them. In the future there are plans to hold tournaments at the store (don't forget to bring your Live account on a memory card). Truly a 360 gamers paradise. Of course, there was one PS2 demo kiosk, but it was broken. Even though GameStation is a multiplatform store, it looks like Microsoft is hoping to make an impression on potential Wii buyers this holiday. Follow the read link for lots of pictures. Any of our UK readers been to this store yet? For that matter, can we get something like that in the US, please?
See GOW Live this Saturday!
What are you doing this Saturday? Would you like to see sneak peek of Gears of War? Then you'd best call up your local GameStop. This weekend, GameStop will be hosting a special Gears of War preview event. Held for one hour after store closing, participants -- 17 years or older -- will be treated to exclusive Gears of War video content and get some free swag to boot. It may not be as cool as, say, actually getting to play the game, but it's pretty sweet nonetheless. As an added bonus, GameStop will also be selling 3-month and 1-year Live cards for $5 off retail price. If you'd like to attend, call your local GameStop for details. Snap some pictures while you're there, and we'll post 'em right here on 360 Fanboy.[Thanks, delerious]
Wii Kiosks
We could have named this post "Wiiosks", but we have more respect for you than that. Anyway, in IGN's generally uninformative "Nintendo Minute" section, George Harrison takes the opportunity to reveal a few of the more specific details about the upcoming Wii kiosks. The rumored Gamestop/EB Games exclusivity might still be true, as it appears that the pre-built, completely self-contained units will only go toward "certain retailers". However, many other retailers will simply receive a Wii console and Wiimote or two, and will be left to their own devices in regards to display and setup. Also, despite some worries about safety and theft, it appears that the Wiimotes will indeed be wireless. This could be some clever wordplay--a Wiimote tethered by a non-electrical cord is still technically wireless--but we'll give George the benefit of the doubt. Now, when will these kiosks be rolling into stores? Your guess is certainly at least as good as ours.[Note: the picture shown is not necessarily of the final unit, or in fact in existence at all.]
Why living in a college town sucks
And the answer? There are too many intelligent, dedicated people. As such, way too many gamers knew exactly what moment the local EB Games and Gamestop would be taking preorders, and our little town of Gainesville didn't seem to be of high priority for those little gremlins over at corporate.
The Wii-order experience
It's Wii preorder day! But is it such a cause for celebration? Unfortunately, it seems a bare few fanfolk walked away from their local EB or GameStop this morning clutching a receipt for the Wii. Reader e-mails are pouring in, lamenting the reserve numbers -- which in some cases were even lower than the number of PS3s allocated to a given store. Disappointment is rampant. For those of us who arrived early to spend hours cold lamping with our brethren, it was a tense morning, because no one really knew what would happen -- except that some people would go home empty-handed.Reader Matthew Ryan snagged some pics at his EB Games in Virginia, near Washington, D.C. That store had 30 systems available for reserve (far more than many other stores), but nearly double that showed up in hopes of slapping money down on a system. And this blogger snagged a few shots herself at a nearby store. Check out the full story after the jump, where we've tucked a few of Matthew's pictures as well.
We Wait for Wii (Boston edition)
After confirming yesterday there would be 32 units available at two downtown Boston locations -- the GameStop at the Prudential Mall and the EB Games at the Copley Mall (which are right across the street from each other) -- it seemed like a good place to tell two different stories. And they certainly were two different experiences. There was no corporate directive on how to handle this day.
We wait for Wii (Maryland edition)
At 8 a.m., these four hearty souls waited with me in the near-freezing weather for the Wii preorders to open up at the EBGames on Route 198 in Laurel, MD. University of Maryland students Adam McClure (second from left) and Tristan Edmondston (far left) had been driving by the store to check for potential lines since midnight, finally parking to stake out the location at 5 a.m. Their main motivation for coming out: There was nothing better to do. "It's more of an adventure than anything," McClure said.
Sorry Canada, gotta wait 'til Monday
Oh, hello Canadians, didn't see you there. How are you? Good? Great, we're glad to hear. How's that Swiss Miss treating you? Oh yeah, we love marshmallows in ours as well. Oh, you're getting ready to go sit in the cold, long lines outside your local GameStop/EB so you can pre-order yourself a Wii? Sorry, but you're going to have to wait until Monday. I know, I know, life is truly not fair.So while you're performing your weird, almost satanic Canadian rituals cursing all of the United States of America's citizens, down on your knees, head raised to the heavens, loudly crying out that you, and you alone, will in fact destroy everything they hold sacred, at least you can feel good about, well ... about something. Sorry, we're a bit taxed from our lack of sleep in having to get up early to pre-order our Wii.
GameStop/EB accepting Nintendo Wii pre-orders tomorrow
Okay, considering there's already some crazy things happening on eBay, and knowing full well that PlayStation 3 consoles will undoubtedly be a hot commodity in a few short long weeks, you might just need to reevaluate those plans of waltzing into your favorite game shop on November 19th and leaving happy. Nintendo's Wii isn't that likely (right?) to be sold out everywhere come launch week, but for those who don't enjoy pressing their luck (or camping out in the cold), American GameStop's are indeed accepting pre-orders starting tomorrow, while Canadian venues start October 16th. We had good suspicion that things would pan out this way, and our pals at Joystiq are now reporting that GameStop newsletter subscribers have just received official word that $50 will quasi-guarantee you a shiny white box come launch day -- but only one unit per "household" can supposedly be claimed, and the company even warns that allocations are likely to vanish "within minutes." We weren't counting on this year's "budget console" playing hard to get, but if all these sudden reports of imminent scarcity are eventually proven accurate, maybe getting your name on that list wouldn't be such a bad idea after all. [Via Joystiq, thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Gamestop Wii pre-order confirmed for tomorrow [update 1]
[update 1: Gamestop has just sent an e-mail to newsletter subscribers confirming that stores across the U.S. will be taking Wii pre-orders for $50 tomorrow. Only one reservation will be accepted per household and the e-mail warns that allocations are likely to sell out within minutes. The e-mail also confirms that Canadian stores will be taking pre-orders for the Wii and PS3 on Monday, Oct. 16]While we still haven't received official official word from Gamestop in the form of an e-mail alert or press release, reports from Gamestop and EBGames employees across the country confirm that the major retail chain will indeed be taking Wii pre-orders when they open on Friday, Oct. 13. Word apparently filtered down through an e-mail sent to the chain's 3,600 stores late last night. Three different stores confirmed to Joystiq that $50 down would be enough to reserve a system.Reports on how many units are available per store vary -- one employee told Joystiq they'd be receiving 36 units, another said 32, yet another told us "under 20." Still other stores seem unwilling or unable to officially confirm the pre-order date or units available without the official word from Gamestop corporate. Regardless of what your local store tells you over the phone, though, tomorrow is definitely the day to line up if you want to reserve your Wii. We recommend you start packing your pup tent now.
On the phone with GameStop ... and GameStop, and GameStop ....
Looks like we weren't the only ones who were frustrated with waiting around for information on U.S. Wii preorders. 1UP 's Dan Dormer took the quest for the truth a step beyond and called a GameStop or EB in every single state. After all, the more answers, the more likely a pattern will emerge from the chaos and the truth will be revealed, right?Of course, now we know, and instead of hunting for clues, we're free to hunt for the humor ... not that we have to look very hard. From the hardcore salesman to the clueless counterjockey, the responses from stores across the nation, the various responses offer an entertaining cross-section. Check after the jump for a few of the best.
Rumor mill take two: preorders Friday?
Just yesterday, we were waxing hopeful that Wii preorders would kick off today. And believe me, we were ready, money clutched in our grubby little fists, and were turned away by bemused GameStop employees. Well, it's a new day and a new rumor, and today's word is that Friday is Wii Day at GameStop and EB. But we're going to try not to get our hopes up too much, though The Wiire promises that a GameStop rep confirmed to them that this is it, for real, there will be preorders on Friday. We're going to check tomorrow too, just in case. Wouldn't it be something if everyone said Wednesday or Friday, and it turned out to be Thursday?[Via Joystiq]
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]
Wii pre-orders at Gamestop Friday?
Wii news site The Wiire is reporting that an unnamed contact at Gamestop/EBGames says the retailer will start taking pre-orders for the Wii in North America on Friday, Oct. 13 (spooky!) for a $25 to $50 down payment.A representative at Gamestop's corporate office refused to comment on pre-order plans, but a local Gamestop employee told Joystiq he was "being told to tell you to call back every morning" and that pre-orders would be available "some time this week." This echoes previous rumblings from around the internet that Gamestop would begin taking pre-orders this week.The official word on Gamestop's PS3 pre-orders came less than 24 hours before the doors opened on Tuesday morning, so be sure to keep checking Joystiq for confirmation as soon as we get it.
GameStop's holdin' out on us?
The fellas over at Joystiq sibling blog PS3 Fanboy debunk the rumor that 80% of PlayStation 3 stock was sold out in yesterday's GameStop presale event. They've done the math, and if their pencils are sharp, only about 10% of North America's 400,000 PS3 allotment was sold yesterday. Where are the rest of the units? Some significant portion of them are probably sitting in a GameStop warehouse awaiting bundling, mega-bundling, and super-ultimate-mega-platinum bundling. Retailers last year (GameStop included) offered Xbox 360 bundles that cost well over $1000. Expect GameStop and other retailers to pull the same shenanigans this holiday season as they extract payment from impatient early adopters flush with more dollars than sense.
