Archival Footage

From A Very Special Velasco Christmas, circa 1996.

The Wii Hunt: Day 5

After looking into ebay and craigslist and finding that the scalpers had Wii going for north of $400 for a $250 console, I was feeling defeated and thumped, in a spoiled child who hasn’t gotten what they wanted sort of way. Then, I stumbled across this page. I ended up ordering one off of Walmart.com (principles be damned). It’s going to be coming at a terrible time (in the middle of finals), but beggars can’t be choosers. No longer will I be sitting in front of my TV with extra wiimote in hand, thinking “insert console here.” I can now officially end my plan of hoarding Wii/Gamecube games and accessories like a mental patient until next year's harvest provides a retail-priced Wii. Thank you Walton family. Apologies to all the non-unionized workers of Walmart.

A full review will be coming, but I’m just relieved that my Wii-Hunt series of posts ended at two. Now if I wanted a PS3, that would be a whole different kind of nightmare. For now, it’s Nintendo +1, for following up with extra shipments.

The Wii Hunt: Day 3

The following is my running diary on my quest for my Christmas present to myself, the Nintendo Wii.

Friday, November 24th. 6:12 a.m.
- Following the instructions of portly, yet amiable EB Games counter jockey, I arrive about 2 hours before store's opening to get in line for an expected shipment of Wiis. Going over my mental lies to other line standers about how this is "for my brother" to make myself look less nerdy.

Friday, November 24th. 6:14 a.m.
- Apparently, there were only 9 delivered and all have been spoken for. The line disperses with many aggravated parties complaining of having been "burned." I stand in solidarity with these men and their underdeveloped facial hair.
- A few follow up calls turns up more of the same. Keep calling back and stopping by if you want one. Ebay and CraigsList have Wiis, if you'd like to pay $400 for a $250 product. Poppycock.

Saturday, November 25th. 1:45 p.m.
- Fry's, Circuit City, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target, EB Games, hobo in front of wendys: all sold out of Wiis with no information on when they expect more. I am feeling grumpy and more resigned to the fact that this may have to wait until after Christmas. Good thing I bought that extra controller ahead of time.

More to come.