Nintendo Wii Presale Starts Tomorrow

By Tim Conneally | Published October 12, 2006, 5:10 PM

Just as it did with the PlayStation 3, GameStop announced today that on October 13, it will accept a limited number of pre-orders for the much-anticipated Nintendo Wii. The retailer expects the limit to be reached very quickly, most likely in only minutes, and no additional pre-orders will be allowed. The reservation fee is $50.

Nintendo expects to supply 4 million Wii systems to stores by the end of the year, and GameStop with its EB Games subsidiary has 3,600 stores nationwide. On Tuesday, the company rapidly went through its pre-order quota of PS3 consoles. However, the initial supply of units from Nintendo will likely be far higher than that available from Sony.

Comments

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Well I got one! Three gamestop stores later lucky me..

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I can't see the appeal of Wii myself, last generation graphics capability (marginally better than a PS2), coupled with lots of weird Japanese games, and even more kiddie games.

The only thing I can see, is some slick marketing, and a tilty controller thing.

Give me a PS3 or an Xbox360 anyday..

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To each their own, I love Nintendo exclusive titles, they are the best IMO. Thus, I buy the new console.

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marginally better than ps2? its capability is at least twice that of GC and GC was at least twice that of ps2 (if anyone tries to argue that on specs then just look at the RE4 GC to PS2 port)

as for the apparent discrepancy between hopeful number of shipped units and preorders per store, it does say "Nintendo expects to supply 4 million Wii systems to stores by the end of the year" not by launch date

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"I can't see the appeal of Wii myself"

One thing is the price. $250 compared to $600, less than half the price.

The exclusives are normally pretty good too.

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" anyone tries to argue that on specs then just look at the RE4 GC to PS2 port"

You have the answer there, as the very last word. It's not that the GC was any more powerful than the PS2 (it was not), the game you mention was a sloppy PORT, not a natieve game. Look at the Wii specs, they really are not that much more capable that a PS2 or original XBox, more a "Generation 6.5 console".

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LMAO,
"However, the initial supply of units from Nintendo will likely be far higher than that available from Sony."

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Well, I showed up at 9:30, was 10th in line, Gamestop said they had 25 at least to hand out. Looks like Nintendo has a much larger quantity then expected. Seems the 4 Million may be correct. Now I just have to wait until November :) to pick it up.

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Wii preorder is already in... The p3 is dead

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The Pentium III has been dead for a *long* time. ;p

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lol

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That was good.

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"Leave the crime and sex games to Xbox360 and PS3 please!!!!"

man I hope not or not many people will buy this. Then nintendo will still be touted as the kids system

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Only 10 systems per store?

Yet Nintendo plans on over 4 million units...

Thats only 36,000 units

This story HAS to be wrong...

36,000 is aprox 1% of their expected units by the end of the year.

I am sure it will be more then 10 units, doesn't really matter I won't be buying it till after Christmas at least

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I believe it's just a taste test...you know those little "private" or limited screenings of movies, then the official rollout?

I hope Wii scores a big one. But I hope of course, it's all about the games.

Leave the crime and sex games to Xbox360 and PS3 please!!!!

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Thats Gamestop stores... not all stores (i.e Wallmart, etc)

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I live in a not so populated area...Gamestop said they are not a very big Nintendo selling area so they dont get to many. The most wii's in one Gamestop I heard of was about 25 or so

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Gamestop isn't the only one distributing. Bestbuy, walmart, ect. Last I saw that gamestop never really has mass quantities. When 360 came out my local gamestop had like 10 pre-order, while best byu had 80.

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hoohaw

maybe maybe not for me...my Gamecube will have to live without it's big bro :)

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Every place I called (Gamestop/Ebgames) said they are getting from 5-10 systems a piece...imma get their a hour early or so hopefully I get one...

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You should probebly aim for the night before... I can see people getting in line way before an hour early.

Best of luck man! =)

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With that many units being distributed, I don't think we need to pre-order. I'm sure I can jsut walk into best buy and grab one.

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