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Bakersfield Game Fans Camp Out for PS3 and Wii Presale
Topics: Video Games
Posted by RobShock Sun Oct 29, 2006 15:35:41 PST
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Rob Shock’s Blog

 

Video game fans lined up early at the Ming Avenue Toys ‘R’ Us in order to score a presale for the Sony PLAYSTATION 3 and Nintendo Wii (pronounced “we”).

 

Sunday, October 29, 2006, Toys ‘R’ Us stores all over the country will start presales for the PLAYSTATION 3 available November 17, 2006, and the Nintendo Wii available November 19, 2006.  Both are the latest in “next generation” video game consoles, competing with the Xbox 360, released late last year. 

 

Bakersfield’s game fans came as early as Friday afternoon to camp out overnight in order to secure their chance to score one of these next-gen consoles.  The Ming Ave store will have 20 Wii preorders available, but only 7 PS3.  At about 7 pm on Saturday night about 20 people was lined up. 

 

At the front of the line were Big B and Steven who have been waiting since about noon Friday in hopes to each securing a PS3.  I greeted them as they played poker next to a camp tent with number 6 and 7 in line John Todd and Robert.  Big B’s and Steven’s intent is to take advantage of our greedy capitalist society and sell their units on ebay, hoping to score as much as $6000.  Big B says he has a mortgage to pay off, but wants to make it known that his spot in line is for sale, if someone is willing to pay a grand or so. 


  

Just an “editorial” side note, I came along around 7 pm Friday night to camp in line myself, but I was too late with the numbers 6 and 7 positions just taken.  Now, if Big B and Steven weren’t taking up space in line to scalp their consoles, I would have my spot in line.  But I’ll do the gracious thing and instead of blaming them, I’ll blame society.  And I may as well blame myself for not getting there sooner. 

 

John Todd and Robert intend to use and enjoy their purchases, and they see the PS3’s advantage in the its ability to play Blu-Ray discs and its new “SIXAXIS” controller, which allows control with tilt motion sensors.  John’s game of choice for launch is Call of Duty 3.  He said he also has an Xbox 360, and upon asking why he chose the PS3 version of Call of Duty 3, being that there will be a 360 version available at the same time, he stated he felt there would be a difference in favor of PS3 version.

 

Numbers 3, 4 and 5 in line were a man and two boys who are known in the group as Tommy and the Smurfs.  They are also planning on getting PS3s for their own enjoyment.  The two boys are here tonight missing a family Halloween night in San Francisco.  Behold the power of the PLAYSTAION 3. 

 

Despite there being reportedly only seven PS3 preorders available, the gentleman in the number 8 position in line was also hoping to get his hands on one.  He didn’t seem to trust the Toys ‘R’ Us staff in their reports of available preorders, or he hoped someone ahead of him just may give up.  His game of choice for launch was also Call of Duty 3.

 

The rest in line were for the Nintendo Wii.  Among them was Louie who’s been a Nintendo fan since the original Nintendo Entertainment System.  He also has an Xbox 360, but he’s most excited about the Wii’s newly designed motion-sensing controller, dubbed the “Wiimote” by fans.  On launch he plans on picking up the game Wario Z for his new console.  

 
Louie and friend, Wii fans


Camping out for the Wii

Read more about PLAYSTATION 3, Wii, and the Toys ‘R’ Us presale at the following links:

 

www.us.playstation.com

www.nintendo.com

www.toysrus.com

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Comment From: twinkie

Oh HELL NO! LOL that's crazy. I can hear it now.... my husband will try to convince our little boys that what they REALLY want for christmas is one of these new and improved gaming systems. GREAT! As if a PSP, X-box, and Playstation 2 isn't enough. I need an expensive hobby dammit. Everyone in my household has one except for me. I'm the boring one.