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Crowds lining up for Super Mario Galaxy in Japan? Not so much
Siliconera's Spencer Yip took a short tour of electronic shops in Akihabara, Tokyo's famed shopping district, this morning to capture the masses that've skipped work and camped out in anticipation of today's Super Mario Galaxy release. Considering that this is one of Nintendo's biggest titles of the year and a much-hyped new entry to the company's most popular franchise, you would assume that the head count would surpass or at least rival the crowds that often gather for Dragon Quest titles, right?Well, according to what Spencer saw at the there stores he surveyed, while a few people queued up outside of shops to snatch themselves a copy, there weren't any of the huge lines that we've come to associate with major releases in Japan. In fact, a few of the guys in the photo above were actually waiting on Ace Combat 6 for the Xbox 360. Perhaps everyone is waiting to pick up Super Mario Galaxy after work? Or maybe everyone preordered the game in advance to avoid the lines?
In the line for passes at BlizzCon
I think we were just plain unlucky-- right at 5pm, we hit the big rush for BlizzCon passes, as the line started way outside the convention center, and slowly moved inside to the checkin area. But there was lots to see, including the WoW Radio guys doing their thing, the All Access pass (the guy I took the picture of was very suspicious of why I was so interested in a picture of Arthas at BlizzCon), and the official BlizzCon Staff t-shirt (featuring, yes, an item called the BlizzCon Staff).All that and more in the gallery below. Who knew something as boring as picking up a pass could be so exciting somewhat interesting?%Gallery-5482%
E3 2006's Wii line in real time
As we go ready for E3 2007, to many the Wii is just as elusive as it was back in May of 2006 -- before it was even released. With the festivities (or doldrums) all set to begin next week at Min-E3, it's time to take a little look back at the thing which really stood out at E3 2006: The Wii Line. From the beginning of every day at last year's E3 until closing that line of Nintendo Wii touching hopefuls snaked and stretched. The people at the back of the line spent half their day just waiting to get their hands on a Wiimote -- then they had to wait in another line once inside the Wii rotunda. So enjoy the video, which we've kept in real time (except for a tiny edit which takes out less than a second) to give the full impact and length of the monstrosity. Just let it wash over you and don't forget to check out the super special ending.
Line forms anew at San Francisco Apple Store
By 10:10AM local time -- just 10 minutes after opening -- this was the scene at Apple's downtown San Francisco outpost. You know, hundreds of iPhone owners waking up this morning and saying to themselves "zomg I need accessories" or "zomg this thing sucks, I'm returning it." Think of it as the "day after Christmas" effect.
iPhone multi-city lineblog
This is it, iDay. Nerds from coast to coast will be lining up at their local Apple and AT&T stores to snag what's essentially the most anticipated consumer electronics launch ever. So what else is there to do but live blog those lines in whichever cities we can? Check back throughout the day as the iJinx ensues in the final run-up to the iPhone. Update: things are really heating up at The Cube, the store is being filled with iPhones, as seen above, and the line has started to move. Keep an eye on this post (after the break) for the latest.Update 2: Here at last.
Knoxville is waiting for iPhones
Hey, it ain't no big thing! Just the biggest launch since Macintosh, the most fundamental deliberate shift of one of the most iconic companies to ever build an empire upon Earth, right? Honestly, I was pretty surprised to see any line here in Knoxville, Tennessee. But the West Town Apple Store had a pretty decent crowd, and even the little ol' AT&T store had a showing.But that Verizon guy? I really wanted to hug the poor dude. See the gallery for the gory details.%Gallery-4406%
Line Report: Broomfield, CO Flatiron Crossing
Unfortunately, I'm the in the minority non-linewaiting party here at TUAW today. The "real" job has claimed my soul until 5pm, and then I'll be heading off to the Michigan Ave. store in Chicago to grab some interviews and pictures. But until then, my old high school buddy Josh Gray is stepping in for me-- he visited the Flatiron Crossing Apple Store in Broomfield, CO and took this short but sweet Flickr set, including the little gem above.It doesn't look too crowded-- people are stretched out on the floor right now. But it is interesting that they've got the barrier headed all the way out of the mall. Jobs said they were opening the doors at 6 to let people from work have a chance to get there, and my guess is that as work lets out on this Friday afternoon, the lines will fill more and more.
Well. I'm in line. (Oakbrook Mall)
Alright. I'm here. I'm set. 5 a.m. No wasting time, man, no wasting time.I'm sitting in front of the Apple Store Oakbrook here in Oak Brook, IL., along with sixteen other crazies. The first in line, a nice lady by the name of Jamene Reynolds, got here at 3-freakin-a.m. The rest trickled in a little after that. It's no Michigan Avenue line, but it continues to grow with each passing minute. One kid's getting paid $15/hour, saving a space. Another says if he doesn't get an iPhone, "he'll have to go streaking" (but he may have been joking...?). iPhone Hysteria seems ripe.We managed to organize ourselves into a stable line -- the Apple Store employees are no help as of yet; they stand at the door, mocking us with their insider-ness -- and things seem orderly. And we're all excited.Stay tuned with TUAW and our beloved bros at Engadget for the bestest iPhone coverage on the 'net. Only thirteen hours to go. Let iDay (lame) begin![Update:] If anyone's at -- or will be at -- the Oakbrook store, I'm about the eighth person in line, wearing a black hoodie, probably sitting on the floor, and most likely fiddling on my MacBook Pro. Feel free to say hi! I forgot how boring these lines actually are.
iPhone madness hit or miss in Chicago
We just stopped by the Chicago Apple flagship store and were greeted by chaos -- at least 35 to 40 people in line and a media frenzy of interviews taking place. Tyler Tessmann, the first guy in line, had gotten there at 2:30 and was holding court with NBC 5, while the rest of the media patiently waited to pounce. The store seemed busy but ready -- employees told us that most of the prep was done, and that the store was closing down tomorrow just to manage to crowd flow.
Not much going on at San Fran's Apple Store
So far, the throngs of iPhone-demanding humanity beating on the glass shells of Apple Stores across the globe haven't materialized -- at least not here in Apple's backyard. At this point, the line consists of about one woman, four gentlemen, and three clowns. For whatever reason, we were expecting more (way more) people and generally fewer clowns. Are the contract requirements and price keeping the buying public at bay? We'll know tomorrow! Stay tuned for more updates live from the San Francisco outpost.%Gallery-4371%
iLoser retains place in line, crisis averted
Rarely does a reader-submitted tip appear so urgent that we feel the immediate need to leave the comfort of our cushy home office, but when we heard that Greg the iPhone Camper [a.k.a. New Jersey highway maintenance worker and professional line sitter Greg Packer] -- affectionately dubbed "iLoser" in the media -- had been dragged out of line at Apple's Fifth Avenue store along with the rest of the wackos hopefuls, we were obligated to spring into action and investigate. Well it turns out that the reports of Greg's preemptive removal were greatly exaggerated, as the man himself was right there yucking it up with reporters and curious passers-by just like he has been since Tuesday morning. Keep on reading for more pictures of this unlikely internet celeb, along with a few shots of the madhouse that the corner of 58th and 5th has become...
Featured Friday Video: Line Rider does Super Mario Bros.
Ever since the announcement of Line Rider for the Wii and DS, we haven't heard much else on the title. As such, our eager fanboy minds turn to speculation, as we imagine how big the lines will be and how awesome the riding action will look. Since we're only left to imagine how this title is to be, we turn to the internet for more videos on the game. The included mash-up of Line Rider and Super Mario Bros. past the post break does a good job of calming us down and putting a smile on our face.
London police gear up for midnight PS3 launch
In the wake of the somewhat chaotic crowds surrounding the U.S. PS3 launch, London police are taking steps to make sure the midnight sale at Virgin Megastore's marquee Oxford Street location goes smoothly. GamesIndustry.biz reports Sony and Virgin are working with police to make sure the crowds of PS3 fans wont clog up the streets and subway station entrances on March 23. Police are also suggesting special precautions so gamers attending the midnight launch don't become "an advert for muggers," as an unnamed source on the Westminster Council put it. People queueing up should bring a friend and a mobile phone, carry as little cash as possible and carry the system home in an unmarked bag, a police spokesperson said.Don't want to worry about becoming mugger-bait? "Don't attend the launch event," the spokesperson suggested. "Pre-order your console and pick it up during the daytime." Hey, you Europeans have waited this long for the PS3, so what's a few more hours?
My sister's quest for a Wii
I was rubbing the sleep from my eyes after waking up way too early for a Sunday morning when I got a call from my 13-year-old sister, Paige (pictured to the right). "How's it going?" I asked. "Not good," she said.Paige wasn't that excited about the Wii when it first came out, but sometime in mid-December the hype (and the promise of a new Wario Ware game) hit her like a ton of bricks. Since then, she's been clamoring for the hard-to-find system in a big way, constantly working the phones to nearby Rockville, Md., retailers and scanning sites like iTrackr in the hopes of catching a shipment. After a few weeks of fruitless hunting, Paige was begging me to ask my "Nintendo girlfriend" (a.k.a. my PR contact) to send her a system. When I told her it doesn't quite work that way, she told me to use my "sexy looks" to sway her. Apparently the search for a Wii had made her delusional.I knew I probably shouldn't be encouraging my sister's compulsion, but when I saw all the chatter on Joystiq about retailers holding Wii systems for sale, I had to tell her. After poring over the available data Saturday night, we developed a plan to wake up early and stake out the most likely candidates before they opened on Sunday morning. Paige and my mom would hit the Rockville stores, I would try the retailers in my local Laurel, about an hour away (yes, I got recruited into camping for my sister. Yes, I am a sucker.)
Line Rider to hit Wii and DS
In looking to bring the fun and quirky Flash-based game to Nintendo's gaming systems, inXile Entertainment is hoping to exceed the success of the game on the internet. They plan on releasing the adaptation by spring including some sort of multiplayer aspect, but one must ask exactly what they are planning on doing to justify the cost of the title beyond that?Considering one could just access the student-created application online whenever they want, why would DS and Wii owners, in their right mind, purchase inXile Entertainment's adaptation? Also, considering that the Wii browser's free trial starts very soon, why wouldn't Wii owners just play it that way?[Via Joystiq]
Line Rider to hit DS and Wii
In looking to bring the fun and quirky Flash-based game to Nintendo's gaming systems, inXile Entertainment is hoping to exceed the success of the game on the internet. They plan on releasing the adaptation by spring including some sort of multiplayer aspect, but one must ask exactly what they are planning on doing to justify the cost of the title beyond that?Considering one could just access the student-created application online whenever they want, why would DS and Wii owners, in their right mind, purchase inXile Entertainment's adaptation? Also, considering that the Wii browser's free trial starts very soon, why wouldn't Wii owners just play it that way?[Via Joystiq]
PS3 shooting victim is unemployed eBay profiteer
A few weeks ago, gamers across the country were shocked at the devotion of a Connecticut man who was shot and hospitalized during his wait for the PS3. Such a man must be extremely devoted to video games to risk his life for the latest next-gen system, right?Wrong. A follow-up article by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette reveals that 21-year-old Michael Penkala was waiting "not because he's a fan of the popular game system but because he saw a business opportunity." The unemployed Penkala, whose "only means of income at the moment is selling T-shirts, Beanie Babies and New England Patriots plush toys on his front lawn," was carrying $2,600 in cash to purchase four PS3s to resell on eBay (with the help of three friends waiting in line).What's more, after being shot by the fleeing would-be robbers, Penkala's first instinct was to make sure his friends got the money to purchase the systems. "For some reason I wasn't thinking about my wound, I was all about those PlayStations," Penkala is quoted as saying.The eBay proceeds from the four PS3s Penkala eventually picked up likely won't cover the hundreds of thousands of dollars in health care costs for the uninsured Penkala. Despite this, Penkala rejected the idea of pimping out his auctions as "the system he got shot for." Classy.[Thanks Avias]
Today's hottest game video: homeless people in line [update 1]
A North Carolina newscast about smart -- or exploitative -- entrepreneurs drew the most views of YouTube's game videos. These gamer-hustlers drove homeless people to local stores and paid them $100 a day to wait for the PS3.These console launches bring out the worst in people, but this situation is more ambiguous. Does everybody win, with homeless people being paid and the organizer scoring an eBay-able PS3? Or are there more ethical questions to consider?Watch the video after the break.[Update 1: Thanks Kozwiz for the spelling fix.]
A special message from Nintendo Wii Fanboy
It's here, folks. For many of us, years of waiting ends tomorrow at 12:01 AM, a mere twenty-four hours from now. And indeed, perhaps almost as fun as the Wii itself will be the camping out, braving the elements with your fellow Nintendo die-hards. But, a word of caution.As you very well may know, the PS3 launch was horrendously chaotic. Reports are still coming in from around the country on various shootings, robberies, mayhem, and general discourtesy. It's true that Nintendo will have a larger initial stock, but the demand is no less. We at the Fanboy kindly ask that you show patience and kindness during your launch-day festivities, and remember that you're all there for a common purpose. Should you fail to claim a system on the day of, please, show respect and courtesy to those around you regardless. A few days truly isn't that long in the grand scheme of the things, and the last thing we want is to see someone get hurt over something designed to bring enjoyment and fun to the masses.And with that out of the way, it's time to rock this thing. Nintendo Wii, here we come!
PS3 crime spree, part II: Fall of man
So, um, the PS3 is out today. Had you heard? That's right, that shiny box which has had been subjected to the harshest criticism, the loudest praise, and a shortage of epic proportions, has finally made it's way in -- and out -- of stores on this launch day to end all launch days. We got a pretty dang good idea of how ugly things were going to get last night, but who could've predicted 12:01AM would be greeted by such violence? We've got ourselves an actual shooting (none of this BB nonsense), hospitalizations aplenty (due to the genius who lined up 300 people to make a run for the door in the pic above), an armed EB holdup that netted 5 PS3s for the thieves, pepper ball riot control and an escaped convict just to spice things up a bit. Plus, all these suckers missed last night's episode of The Office -- how dreadful! Jim and Pam fuhevah!Read - CT man shot outside Wal-Mart, suspects still on the loose. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Read - Armed robbers steal 5 PS3s from Ohio EB Games store. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Read - Riot breaks out at Circuit City. [Thanks, John C.]Read - Police use pepper balls to control crowd in Tyson, VA. [Thanks, Troutman]Read - Escaped rapist apprehended in Best Buy PS3 line. [Thanks, MrMarvey]Update: While not actually criminal, last night's award for cruel and unusual went to PC Gamer, who were on hand in SF to try to convince a card-carrying line-waiting PS3 fanboy to swear off Sony forever. In exchange for a $7,500 Falcon Northwest PC rig, dude had to sign a legally binding contract to not purchase or ever own a PS3, under pain of death paying back $7,500. Some guy named Neil, who'd been waiting for 40 hours, signed his life away -- pic after the break.