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Toys R Us summer toys list contains up to one video game
Toys R Us has put out their list of the top 24 hottest toys for this summer, and, surprisingly, there is only one video game on the list-- and even that one's kind of a non-game, according to some people's definitions. Nintendo's brain-teasin' hit Brain Age represents the entirety of our hobby in Toys R Us's summer marketing campaign, despite being a game about math problems, and despite being over a year old. Technically, they also advertise the Leapster, but ... don't worry about the Leapster..Are we seeing early signs of a Japan-style Brain Age phenomenon? Should we start hoarding DS Lites? [Via Game|Life]
Toys 'R' Us will have Wii in stock Sunday
If you're looking for the Wii, and we know a lot of you out there still are, you'll be happy to know this Sunday Toys "R" Us will have them in stock. Get there early, the announcement will be in this Sunday's flyers and you'll want to beat the rush of moms to the store after they drop their coffee, shove the bagel in their mouth and bolt out the door.Wherever people fall on the Wii shortage being intentional or unintentional, not to mention the controversy among Wii owners about the gaming drought, that little console made from two duct taped Gamecubes is selling like sellin' is going out of style. It still looks like Nintendo won't back up these amazing sales figures with some real, original Wii titles for quite some time. We'll just have to enjoy this constant string of Gamecube ports and mini-game based Wii titles apparently.
$50 gift card with a Xbox 360 purchase
In an act of undercover retail leakage (no, not that kind of leakage) DigitalSomething posted scans of next Sunday's Toys R Us ad. And after paging through their images we noticed a pretty cool Xbox 360 offer. Beginning April 1st at Toys R Us you can grab a free $50 gift card with any Xbox 360 console purchase. Though, it really doesn't compare to this past Christmas' offer, but that was then this is now. Not too shabby of a deal especially if you're looking to buy a specific game or peripheral that isn't included in the various bundle offers.[Via Digg]
Rumor: Another stash of Wiis coming to Toys R Us
... and another Matthew Lesko picture to summarize our feelings. Tipster HexiJosh was spot on about the last TRU Wii hoard, so we have no reason to disbelieve him now when he tells us that Sunday, March 18 is the day to queue up. Still, we're marking this as a rumor just to be safe.He says that Toys R Us stores are getting even larger shipments this time than last time-- his store is getting a minimum of 12 systems-- and that TRU is planning to sell them bundled with Sonic and the Secret Rings. We hope these bundles don't cost full price-- bundling is only fun when there's a discount involved, and even then it's kind of annoying.But complaining about bundles misses the point, which is HEY THERE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO BE SOME WIIS FOR SALE. Plan your next weekend accordingly![Thanks, HexiJosh!]
Ubisale at Toys R Us
There have been a lot of sales to report lately! If you picked up a Wii at Toys R Us yesterday, you now have an opportunity to get some relatively good games for a decent price, from now until the 10th.Toys R Us is offering three Ubisoft-published Wii games for the price of two. Your choices are GT Pro Series, Open Season, Rayman: Raving Rabbids, Red Steel, and Monster 4x4: World Circuit. This offer is valid online, but we aren't sure about its status in TRU stores. If there are three games in that list you're interested in, or two games you're interested in and one you think you could get a decent price for on eBay, then you are in luck![Via QJ.net]
Rumor: Target and Toys R Us hoarding Wiis for Sunday
We are a little wary of Internet rumors, but if they help someone get a Wii, we think it's at least worth giving you the heads-up. According to tipsters working at Target and Toys R Us, both of those chains have been receiving shipments of Wiis to be shelved this Sunday, March 4th. Apparently the Wii availability will be featured in the weekly ad circulars for these retailers.If you go to check these rumors out and find a Wii, or especially if you don't, please adhere to the following protocol: No fighting No looting No making deals with employees to buy stuff off of the truck We should all try to avoid anything that would support the negative stereotypes associated with our hobby, and acting like the Tickle-Me Elmo mobs won't help. If in doubt, remember this simple mantra: "Don't do anything that will make TV news."[Thanks to HexiJosh! for the TRU info!]
Rumor: Nintendo storming TRU Feb. 11th
Have you been completely assed out in your hunt for any Nintendo product? Never fear, for the rumor patrol reports that Toys 'R Us will have both Wiis and DS Lites in stock on February 11th. Don't get too excited just yet -- that's still a little over a week away, but depending on the competition in your area, you might want to start stocking up on your camping supplies. Expect to see more DS Lites than Wiis, but since so many of our readers have been trying to get their hands on a handheld lately, we figure that's not exactly bad news. [Thanks, Josh!]
$100 gift card free with Xbox 360 purchase [update 1]
Again, the holiday deals just keep rolling in. This week at Toys R Us when you purchase a Xbox 360 premium pack you'll get a free $100 Toys R Us gift card. The offer looks to be only available in-store as we haven't been able to unearth any information on their website. This has to be one of the best deals on a new 360 purchase in a while, especially for parents who need to pick up other gifts at the toys retailer with the $100 gift card. Or you can totally be a hardcore gamer and pick up a game or two, maybe an extra controller, or even some candy! Spend your $100 gift card wisely.Update 1: Replaced post's image with actual Sunday adscan. Having proof is a good thing.[Thanks, Darrien W.]
Spring 2007 to bring Wii price drops and color choices?
Well it seems the bevy of Nintendo news just isn't slowing down, as the past 24 hours have seen DS / DS Lite power adapters recalled, Wiimote straps deemed unworthy, the truth (right?) behind how much loot Nintendo's pulling in on each Wii sold, and now we've got a potential price drop on our hands. Not even waiting for the backlog of lines that form each morning as Wii hopefuls stand vigilantly and await their prize to calm down, the big N just might have next year all mapped out already. While we've heard whispers of Microsoft knocking a few bucks off the Xbox 360's price, we aren't exactly sold on Nintendo cutting into those (questionably) sweet profits so soon after launch. Nevertheless, a very talkative Toys 'R Us manager apparently let a "few details" about the Spring 2007 plans "slip," insinuating that Nintendo would be "relaunching" (saywha?) the Wii for $200 and in a variety of colors to boot. Notably, this is about the time the firm will start pushing its WiiConnect24 service, but if sales keep up, the company shouldn't have to lower prices to entice folks to hop on in. While we can't entirely dismiss the (admittedly exciting) claims, we've really nothing substantial to go on here, and until we get confirmation from someone other than a retail store overlord, we're taking this one with a dash of salt.[Via Digg]
Nintendo's Wii launch party (Times Square, NYC)
We were joined by our friends at Engadget and Nintendo Wii Fanboy at the Times Square Toys "R" Us last night to partake in the midnight launch of Nintendo's little, white console. Eager fanboys and girls were wrapped around the entire block, from 45th St. down 8th Ave, to 44th St. and back up 7th Ave (peep Engadget's fancy map). When Reggie took the stage at 11:40 to preach to the choir, he said over 3000 people were lined up, but they were prepared with over 4000 consoles (we'd heard over 5000 and even over 8000 from various insiders). Everyone in line got a white wrist band guaranteeing them a Wii; however, not everyone got the baby blue Wii shirt and white knit-cap (things apparently got a little out of hand, so they stopped handing 'em out). We gathered a ton of pictures and video (coming soon) of the event, which you can hit up after the break. Any 'stiqers in attendance?
PS3 launch shipments restricted to top 5 retailers?
According to a memo obtained by GameDaily BIZ from smaller video game chain Rhino Video Games, Sony has "decided to limit the supply of hardware (systems and accessories) to its top five volume retailers (Wal-Mart, Target, etc.)" on the November 17 launch day. However, we know of at least seven major retailers receiving PlayStation 3 units on launch day. In addition to Target and Wal-Mart, we know GameStop / EB Games, Best Buy, Circuit City, Sears and Toys 'R' Us are having PS3s on launch day. We know supplies will be very limited and GameStop won't be fulfilling all of its PS3 pre-orders (already conservative figures).That smaller retail chains will not have PS3s on launch day is not that surprising, but only the "top five retailers" is wrong and makes the memo a bit suspect. Rhino Video Games will not be getting PS3s on launch day -- a fact reaffirmed on its website -- the rest is not true. Rest assured, there will be PS3s for sale at all retailers by the end of 2007. We hope.
Toys R Us Wii pre-order today -- Round 2
Although there are still questions regarding whether this is regional, The Boston Globe certainly had the flyer (photo at right) with the Toys R Us Wii pre-order offer in it. The Toys R Us flyer's online version does not have the dark purple reserve graphic on it.If your experience ends up being anything like this reporter's, most people were unaware of this second round of pre-orders. This was actually a very nice casual experience. We were at the Toys R Us in Dedham, MA and by 9AM there were still only approximately 10 people in line. Unlike the PS3/Wii pre-order from a few weeks before, there was also a very nice demographic spread; a couple wives, two kids with their parents and a nice melting-pot mix of people under 35.This is certainly looking like the last chance to guarantee a Wii for launch. We are still getting very mixed reports about this second round of pre-orders, but make sure to check your local newspaper. If it's in there, then it should be happening in your region.
Forget Best Buy, head to Sears for the PS3 launch
On Nov. 17, everyone and their mother will likely be descending on big video game retailers like Best Buy, Circuit City and Toys "R" Us to try and pick up an unreserved PlayStation 3. But after breaking down some demographic and retail data, Gaming Target thinks that more obscure locations like Sears, K-mart, and CompUSA might be a better bet for anticipatory gamers.While long lines at a big box retailer like Target are almost sure to gobble up the ten or so launch units available at each store, a specialty retailer like FYE that doesn't heavily advertise video games might have some units left over. And while most people know warehouse clubs like BJ's and Sam's for carrying 50 pound bags of cat food, members could also benefit from their little-known video game sales.Of course, now that this recommendation is out on the web, people may leave the popular stores to line up at the once-obscure retailers, thus leaving Best Buy and company near deserted come launch day. Or maybe people will read the previous sentence and head over to the big guys because they think everyone else is heading to the smaller retailers. Is there a game theory expert in the house?
Want a Wii on launch day? Here's how.
Want to be able to stroll into a store on launch day, and come back out with a hot Wii in your hands? Check out the guide that Wiiloaded has up. Of course, if everyone reads this thing, then you'll be screwed. Cross your fingers and take some of their helpful advice like: find a 24 Wal-Mart to camp out in because it'll be warm, check out who is jumping on the midnight release bandwagon (Circuit City, Wal-Mart, probably more to come) and get there early, or visit a Sam's or Costco because they are frequently overlooked during console launches. Also helpful is the Target Wii allocation list that was dropped online. It hasn't been verified, but if the info is true then it will help you choose which Target to, er ... target. Here's a helpful online doohickey that you can use to search and find out how many Wiis your Target will get. Apparently our local store is getting 220, when they got zero on Xbox 360 launch day. Plus the sheer size of the Target Wii areas and the amount of accessories they have been offering for more than a month before launch make us think they'll be getting quite a few.With one million plus Wiis to be made available on launch day, and three million more available by Christmas, we don't think you'll have problems getting one. People are going to be divided between the Wii and the PS3, and that's going to hurt sales of both consoles while buyers try and decide what to get. Because Nintendo will have scads of Wiis in the stores, it'll make it that much easier to get one without resorting to eBay, Canada, or the black market. Only turn to those options if you're seeking a PlayStation3. Those are gonna be hard to come by.[Thanks, Marko K. and Rob Templin]
We wait for Wii/PS3 at Toys R Us (Boston Edition: Part 2)
Last night we left our band of intrepid PS3 and Wii pre-order hopefuls to survive the brutal New England evening. They survived the night -- but not without incident. The police were called by disgruntled pre-order hopefuls, who said a fight had broken out in front of the store. The police were ready to send everyone home but, upon seeing the people wrapped up like burritos trying to stay warm, the Dedham police had the common sense to realize there was no fight and let them stay outside. At 5 AM Toys R Us employees allowed the people to come into the vestibule and at 6 AM began handing out sheets of paper. They were not allowed to pre-order both units as originally stated and had to pick their poison: PS3 or Wii.
We wait for Wii/PS3 at Toys R Us (Boston Edition: Part 1)
Dedham, Mass. 1 AM. 43 degrees Fahrenheit (6 Celsius). A sturdy bunch of New Englanders are braving the near freezing overnight temperatures for their chance to pre-order a Wii and/or PS3 at Toys R Us tomorrow morning. All those that arrive are greeted by a sign stating there will be 8 PS3 pre-orders and 20 of the Wii. The 8 PS3 people are already in line and most of them are doubling up on the Wii, they've been told by management that's OK. They've been told that somebody may show up at 4 AM to hand out pieces of paper to confirm their spot, but they'll have to wait and see if that's true. Oh, did we mention that the clocks get turned back an hour tonight?
Toys R' Us nonsense [update 1]
I ntrepid, daring reporter than I am, I decided to brave the intense, soul-freezing cold that is Central Florida in October. My destination? Toys R' Us ... which I had heretofore not even known existed in my tiny town of Gainesville, Florida ... to check out the line. Reports were coming in of many TRU stores giving raffle tickets to everyone there, and having a lottery to determine the winners ... poppycock! The most devoted should get the system, and devoted there were. The first couple folks were out there at 8:45 AM on Saturday morning, bravely camping out for ... wait, a PS3? [update 1 -- fixed a small typo]
Toys R Us Wii/PS3 pre-orders start tomorrow - last chance on game sale
If you haven't taken advantage of Toys R Us' buy 2 get the 3rd game free yet, today is your last chance. Sadly, unlike some CompUSAs and other retailers across the country, Toys R Us hasn't broken Final Fantasy XII's street date. Looks like the rest of us will have to wait till Tuesday. Thankfully, sources tell us that most retailers have their copies in the store already, just sitting there ... taunting them.Also, beginning tomorrow Wii/PS3 pre-orders will begin at Toys R Us. For $50 deposit you're guaranteed a Wii and/or PS3 system at launch. No word yet on pre-order numbers, the stores we contacted aren't allowed to release that information until tomorrow. Previous reports are speculative on both systems' pre-order numbers. One Toys R Us manager told us, "If you see a line at Toys R Us tomorrow morning, you aren't getting one." When pressed if there would be more or less than Gamestop and EB Games' 32 Wii pre-order units, he said negatively, "Not even close."
Toys "R" Us PS3/Wii pre-orders Sunday
Those unlucky souls who missed out on getting their next-gen system pre-orders at Gamestop will have another chance to throw money at a large, multinational corporation this weekend. Toys "R" Us will be taking pre-orders for the PS3 and Wii for $50 down starting on Sunday, Oct. 29.Stores contacted by Joystiq said they didn't know exactly how many pre-orders they would be taking, but a poster on the Gaming-Age forums estimates 12 to 25 Wiis and five to 14 PS3s per store (take these estimates with an unconfirmed grain of salt). The offer will be well-publicized in the Toys "R" Us "big book" (see pp. 64, 66) due in this weekend's newspapers, so be sure to get to the store early if you want to beat out little Billy's kindly old grandmother and others like her.
Buy 2 games, get 1 free at Toys R Us
Toys R Us is kicking off the Holiday Season with their annual buy 2 games, get 1 free sale. The selection isn't comprehensive, but you should be able to pick three games you can live with. Offer Expires October 28.[Thanks Fargo]
