GameStop/EB to Hold Midnight Wii Launches Nation-wide

Wii

November 17, 2006, 6:14 am EST
Total comments: 11

The midnight release has expanded from two stores to the whole country.

GameStop and EB Games to Host Nationwide Midnight Launches of Nintendo Wii

GameStop/EB Games Store at Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles Will Host Official Nintendo Midnight Launch on the West Coast

GRAPEVINE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME) (NYSE:GME.B), the world's largest video game and entertainment software retailer, announced today that it will host midnight launch events at over 2,000 of its U.S. GameStop and EB Games stores in celebration of the release of Nintendo’s revolutionary new Wii video game console. At the stroke of midnight on the morning of Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006, customers who have reserved a system are guaranteed availability at their local store.

For GameStop and EB Games customers in Southern California, Nintendo has joined with GameStop to host the official Nintendo midnight launch party of the Wii at Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles. Fans that can’t wait to get their hands on Wii will be able to join in the launch excitement with live music and entertainment, fun, games, special guests and a countdown to the moment that will change the way video games are played forever.

Designed for young and old, novices and experts, Wii features the Wii Remote that lets players control the action on their TV screens through the motion of the controller itself.

To participate in local events, visit a GameStop or EB Games store for details. To find your local store, log on to www.GameStop.com or www.EBGames.com, and search using the 'Store Locator.'

Talkback

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorNovember 17, 2006

Didn't they preorder all their systems anyway?

MarioAllStarNovember 17, 2006

Yes, but I wouldn't mind getting my system 11 hours earlier . I will have confirm the updated time with my store...

JonLeungNovember 17, 2006

I also pre-ordered at EB Games.

But as part of the Canadian minority, I must once again ask the obligatory question as to whether or not this includes the 9% of us here that are north of the border.

edgeblade69November 17, 2006

Good about time...I e-mailed their corporate address a week or 2 ago and they told me it was up to each store. I called my store on Tuesday and they said they were doing one when they had told me a couple weeks before they didn't know/didn't think they would be.

I'm all about getting my Wii 10 hours earlier than I normally would be. Works for me.

theratNovember 17, 2006

if i dont go to the midnight launch and i have it preordered, will i def be able to get it sunday?

capamericaNovember 17, 2006

The 3 GameStops and 1 EB in my area are all NOT doing a Midnight release. WTF? =(

theratNovember 17, 2006

nyc ebs and gs not doing it... where are you getting this info from? im kindA happy they arent.

Smash_BrotherNovember 17, 2006

Worst of all is the fact that my store said they WOULD, then reneged and said they wouldn't. That's what we in the business call a "Bait and switch."

Had I known, I would have reserved at a different store that WAS doing the midnight launch...

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterNovember 17, 2006

Considering how violent the PS3 launch has been so far, should we be glad some stores won't be doing midnight launches? O.O

I know the turnout will be different, but that doesn't mean there will probably be some crazy jackass on the prowl that wants a Wii... *cue dramatic music

Smash_BrotherNovember 17, 2006

If he's crazy enough, he'll attack in broad daylight as well.

TJ SpykeNovember 17, 2006

I'm getting my Wii at Wal-Mart (I would have pre-ordered at the EB closest to me, but they said they wouldn't be doing midnight launches), but I did pre-order Zelda there. When I called last week they again said they wouldn't be doing a midnight opening for the Wii. I will call again today, if I get another No then I will fo over there Saturday afternoon and cancel my pre-order and then head across the street to Wal-Mart to wait inside.

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