Wii Got One!

I am not a fanboy or wait in long lines for something. You will never see me camping out overnight in front of a business for something. I just don’t have the patience for it. When someone asks who my favorite artist is I will rattle off a few names instead. If there is a 20 minute wait for a table, I move on. There are too many choices these days.

Yet I found myself standing in front of a Target store at 7AM this past weekend waiting in line for the Nintendo Wii game console. On the coldest day of the year here in Birmingham. Freezing temps and high winds would not deter me in order to get this unattainable game set. I am still trying to work out why I did this:

1.  I am not a gamer
2. I have enough toys/gadgets to play with
3. It was too early to go shopping
4. It was too cold ( we hit 79 degrees the day before)
5. The Wii is impossible to get since it’s debut last year
6. WonderWife objected to it
7. I may not have enough time to use it
8. Is it worth the price or will I get a return on investment?
9. I haven’t set one foot into a retail store for purchasing this season
10. Video games are an on average $50!??

My original intent was going to Best Buy but when I got in line I was told that the tickets to purchase the consoles were given away (about 30) I rushed down the hill to Target. They were giving away tickets to before they opened of all the Wii’s they had in stock. I got ticket 61 out of the 66 in stock. Whew! At 8am Target employees watched in horror/delight as frigid customers pushed, shoved and generally lost all sense of chivalry to get inside, even though they had a ticket and were guaranteed a Wii. For those who stood in line just in case, they were the worst because they were the most desperate. I have heard people doing the same on Black Friday but I didn’t believe it. It isn’t worth it, people!

Wonderwife never thought I would go through with it but was surprised to see one when she got out of the warm bed that same morning. Upon hooking the machine up to the tv, setting up the enclosed sorts games and selecting the bowling game, she was hooked as I was. She became especially enthralled with it after beating me senseless from the first game and every bowling match since then. She isn’t a gamer either.

I would say I am very impressed with the whole package and can see the lure it has on it’s users and would-be players. I didn’t know anything about it beforehand other than we just had to have one. It accesses the internet easily with wifi and you can create your own realistic-looking characters (called Mii’s) based on your appearance. Hook up with others from the internet and play against each other.

After the first day of bowling, boxing, golf, tennis and baseball I am worn out and physically sore. THAT is how interactive & physical the Wii system is. Well played, Nintendo, wii enjoy it!