So I think I want a Wii

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:13 pm

I've about decided that one of these is in my future, however, I'm at a loss to what it really takes to buy one without getting reamed big time. I don't want most of the $50 games that all the places force you to buy in a bundle. I want a Wii, I want to try out the Wii fit (I need it).

I think the basic Wii games would keep me entertained for months (to years).

The console retails at $250. I want to pay $250 - Not $500.

I've found www.wiialerts.com, is there anything else I can do...

Scott

BretLuter · **Posted:** Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:23 pm

Stop by your local Gamestop store and ask them how often they get them. I bought one last fall for MSRP and it was not that hard to find.

I stopped in the local Gamestop store, and they told me that they did not have any at that time, but they get deliveries once or twice a week. The guy told me that if I called them around 1030-11am they should have received their daily delivery by that time- and if I wanted one he would hold it for me IF I could come pick it up that same day.

It took me about 3-4 days after that to find one- but I caught it right after the UPS man made his delivery- and the guy was nice enough to hold it for me.

My 77 year old father in law and his wife decided they wanted one too- after playing ours. They hung out in front of WalMart and stalked the UPS man- basically just asked him if he had any Wii's to deliver on the truck. They got one 2 days later when the UPS man had a big delivery of Wii's to WalMart- they basically followed him into the store with his delivery and bought one as they were being unpacked.

It's amazing to me that they are still in short supply. I said the same thing last fall when I first started seriously looking- but the situation is about the same now.

My brother has snagged 2 of them on Amazon.com- but you have to be REALLY quick- seems like they release a small amount at once, they are usually gone within 5 minutes or less.

Bret.

Keith Quistorff · **Posted:** Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:30 pm

I found mine by calling a local Target store one Sunday morning after seeing them advertised in the Target flyer in that day's newspaper - they had three in stock, no upcharge, etc. (Not sure if this is accurate, but I heard from several people that stores cannot advertise them unless they have at least one in stock the day the advertisement takes effect.)

David Spratte · **Posted:** Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:31 pm

Yeah. There's a Gamestop aroudn the corner from us. I think I'm going to pull the trigger on one for when the in-laws get here this Fall and my plan was just to talk to them have them call me when one comes in. I was going to start looking a couple of weeks out.

The PS3 has a bowling game that functions the same way, but it isn't quite as intuitive (hold this button down to set the spin, twist for position, etc). Therefore it's less fun for non-gamers.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:35 pm

Other people I know just called Wal-Mart corporate and asked what the Wii stock level was at all the local Wal-Mart stores. Drove over and picked one up.

IMHO, everyone who has a Wii needs Wii Fit and Wii Sports at a minimum. Even if you don't "work out" with the Wii Fit, a few of the games make it worth the price of admission alone. I don't have Wii Fit yet, but am on the hunt for one.

Wii Sports has baseball, golf, tennis, bowling (and something I'm forgetting?). Bowling and Tennis are great for parties, but for tennis to be fun with four people you need four Wiimotes. I'd say start with at least two Wiimotes and get another couple when you get around to it. For games like bowling you can still play four people and just pass around one Wiimote. The bowling simulation is very good. In golf, the simulation of what the ball does is VERY good, though what you do with the club is not. It's still VERY fun, IMHO, and I hate golf. It's also only got nine holes, which is a bummer, but it changes pin placement and wind on each hole each time you play. As you get better, it makes the holes harder with the amount and direction of the wind, too.

Tiger Woods golf is good if you're a *real* golf addict, but I find it too involved and annoying.

Mario Kart is pretty good if you want something to drive that's still really fun for kids. I don't find the "more serious" driving games much fun, personally, as driving with a wheel out in thin air is just sort of odd. Stick with the more video-game driving games, IMHO.

I actually thought a Wii and Wii Sports and four Wiimotes was all I might ever "need", but Wii Fit changed that. The games like the ski jump, slalom ski, table wobble, etc, are all worth it alone. And even just playing those games will give you a pretty decent workout....never mind the actual workout stuff!

--Donnie

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:43 pm

True, the WII sports and Wii Fit are good enough at our house.

And you can buy all of it for MSRP. You just need to know when the shipments come in.

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:54 pm

We have had good luck with Target. Tina tends to visit Target early in the day and would see them in stock all of the time. I think they stock them either early in the morning or the night before. Then they sell them all before the end of the day. Check with your local Target as to when they get their deliveries and when they stock shelves, then just drop in when they open and I would think you should be able to find one in a short time. Only pay MSRP and only buy a bundle if you want everything that comes in the bundle. You CAN find them if you look.

I would agree that you get at least two wiimotes and two nunchuks. Not all games need the nunchuks, but its no fun needing them and not having them. There are a handful of really good and fun Wii games and then a bunch of crap games. Consider renting (blockbuster) games to try them out before you buy.

CosbyWood · **Posted:** Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:53 pm

Usually the best game to get with the bundle is Wii Sports. I think that is what you can get just about everywhere you can find a Wii. The additional bundles are definitely a waste. Oh, and the last game on Sports is Boxing. Not as true a form as the other games, but still a blast.

Oh, and another game that is a must have is Mariokart Wii. No physical activity, but an absolute blast! I got the Wii for my Birthday and then got Mariokart for Father's day.

Then again, it's pretty easy to get all the stuff when your sister lives in NYC and visits the Nintendo store frequently and can pick up everything without waiting (usually). :wink:

The Fit is next on my list. Just a matter of time.

Gwen Habenicht · **Posted:** Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:19 pm

We got a Wii for Bernie’s Grandson last summer when he visited us, and by the time he went home we were addicted and had to buy one for ourselves. We have Wii Sport but we actually play Wii Games almost every day. I’ve been looking for Wii Fit for about 3 weeks now. Wal-Mart in Roxboro actually had 2 several weeks ago and I passed them by. Big mistake! Now I’m obsessed with finding one, and have tried all the area stores with no luck. Thanks for the Target tip. I’ll try there tomorrow. The thing I like about the Wii is that it’s just pure game playing, no big storylines and practicing to learn the controls, etc. Just play.

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:27 pm

Scott, if you've got any friends who already have them, or are otherwise big into video games, put them on the lookout. My office mate phoned me from Gamestop at 6:00 on a Tuesday evening and said he'd found one, and was holding it aside for me.

Also Scott, get Super Mario Galaxy. Best console game ever. Metroid Prime 3 is also a killer FPS if you like those.

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:26 pm

Karl Shultz wrote:

Also Scott, get Super Mario Galaxy.

Very cool game.

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Wed Jul 02, 2008 8:09 am

Gamestop here get's there shipment in today and I am heading over there. Want me to look?

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Wed Jul 02, 2008 8:17 am

Marty Howard wrote:

Gamestop here get's there shipment in today and I am heading over there. Want me to look?

Sure.

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

Thanks Scott for the heads up, the Southpoint Target has three left in stock as of 5 minutes ago.

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:31 pm

Well, that was easy.

First stop while officially looking and I got one. Target sold 3 of them while I was there (Wes, me, and some other guy).

No Fit's in stock.

Scott

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