Nintendo Wii Fanboy

We look forward to the day when a store maybe having some Wiis in stock isn't news. Until then, we'll be totally indebted to our TRU tipster HexiJosh, who has brought us another Sunday shipment update! And we have another chance to use Matthew Lesko's enthusiastic face as an indicator of Wii shipment excitement!

He tells us via secret message that a shipment similar in size to the one two weeks ago will be hitting TRU stores for sale on Sunday. This time there's no word of any bundling, which is nice. By now, you know the deal: go early Sunday, hope we're not all getting jerked around, and hope you can beat the crowd.

[Thanks again, HexiJosh!]

... 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!]

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]

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:

1. No fighting
2. No looting
3. 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!]

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!]

Planning to camp out this weekend in search of a Wii? We understand. Promises of plenty of consoles for everyone be damned -- when it's launch day, it's time to get your camp on. But there's a problem, see. There will probably be other people camping, too, and when it comes to a console launch, anything goes. We don't advocate violence ... but if someone tries to get between us and a Wii, well, we might have to kill them in front of their momma (apologies for quote bastardization). But no worries, fanfolk -- the crew at Gaming Out Loud did a little research* for you and they have some tips for outcamping all the other console-crazed individuals.

We favor tip #3 (check out the original article for the rest):

Nothing gives you more insta-cred than whipping out a DS lite while waiting for the sun to rise. Not only does it validate your nerdocity, but it can be a great way to spark conversations with others.

"Hey, is that DS lite?"
"Yes."

Isn't that amazing? That right there has bonded you two for life.

Though now it's going to seem like copying if we take a DS. Thanks, Alec. Thanks a lot.

*They read a wiki. Not the Wiki, just a wiki.

[Thanks, izzyb412!]

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]

If you're like some of us, then you're still out in the proverbial cold in regards to a Wii-orde ... no, no, it's not worth it.

In any case, some rumors are flyin' around the intertron, as they often do, and one of particular interest mentions that last bastion of childhood, Toys R' Us, taking Wii preorders on October 29th. Perhaps they'll have more than eleven units, but regardless, TRU representatives refuse to comment on such baseless grounds. The company's forthcoming "BigBook", full of awesome holiday-like sales, will spill the beans, so stay tuned for verification.

[Thanks, Matt Heff!]