Let's start off by stating the obvious: people that don't play video games don't want to read a video game site because they're too confusing. When it comes to wanting a video game system, or buying one for a loved one, the resources are few to zero. This special feature is designed for family, friends, gamers, kids, and new game players to know the very basics on purchasing a video game system before the holiday season.
So, you want a Wii by the end of the year. At least most of you do, and the rest are still wondering if it's worth the purchase. That's fine, as we're not looking to endorse the Wii by any means. It's not our job to advertise the system and it's not our job to tell you what to do with your money; we're just here to tell you what's new with Wii and how to make the most out of your hard-earned dough.
For those who don't know, pre-ordering is a method of reserving a copy of a product by placing money down before its intended launch day. Major chains, and even smaller ones, take pre-orders to ensure people receive their systems before anyone without one. Pre-orders for video game systems are very, very important just before the holiday season and just as important for highly-anticipated games. If you're thinking about receiving a system by the end of the year, you might want to start thinking now.
Let's take apart some of the most-asked questions about pre-ordering, and why you need to know these things.
Really quickly, what's a Wii?
Pronounced "Wee" not "Why"
For family and friends not familiar with video games, the Wii (pronounced 'we') is Nintendo's next big system coming out by the end of the year sometime before Thanksgiving. It plays new games that uses a controller that resembles a DVD remote controller with the ability to sense the positioning of your hand from every angle. Move your hand like you're holding a tennis racket and the game moves your character's tennis racket on the screen, or swing the controller like a golf club and the game recognizes that. It also plays old Nintendo games, Super Nintendo games, Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, TurboGrafx-16, and GameCube games. In other words, it plays a lot of old systems and it plays a whole new generation of games. If you were asked to read this article, it sounds like someone is hinting their next Christmas gift.
Why should I care about pre-ordering?
When any product is released, a limited number of copies are given to each store. Some stores receive a lot of said product, some receive as many as one person can hold. No matter what the case, there are never enough products in a store when it's in high demand. Let's repeat that: there's never enough products for everyone when it's in high demand. Launch day products are often sold out within the first hour or two, and even pre-orders may be forced to wait months until the next shipment comes in. A group of the most respected magazines voted the Wii as this year's best hardware, so that may or may not be an indication for the craze this holiday season.
Having a pre-order is like having a ticket to a theater or concert that's anticipated to sell out. If you don't get the ticket ahead of time, as soon as humanly possible, you shouldn't even bother to show up at all. Chances are, you won't get what you want if you don't make the effort to plan ahead.
If that doesn't convince you, let's look at the Nintendo president's latest words to corporate management: "If we can ship this number [of Wii consoles] and if no product shortage will be experienced anywhere in the world, it can be regarded as a failure for a new game machine's launch." Right here, clear as day, the guy says that he's hoping for a shortage so that people will see it as a must-have product. However, Nintendo does not hope to make extreme shortages just to impress the world. "In other words, we will be making efforts to keep the constant shipment to the markets so that severe shortage situation will not go on for a long time."
Not having one will more than likely mean that you might want to plan ahead for the system. Nintendo is expecting a shortage. You should be, too.
How much does a pre-order cost?
The answer depends on the store, and there will be a list of questions at the end of this feature to ask the stores in the case you want to call your local retailers. Pre-orders can range from to , or even cost as much as the whole product. Most stores take whatever money you place down as both reserve and portion of the final cost. In other words, placing now is a bill you don't need to spend when the product is released. Remember to ask your retailer if your pre-order is deducted from the final cost, or if the pre-order is just a service fee to guarantee the copy.
This is the system, this is the controller, and this is some
creepy girl. Creepy girl not included. We think.
creepy girl. Creepy girl not included. We think.
Most stores allow you to spend the full amount on a pre-order, meaning that you can pay for the whole system (current estimate: under 0) before it comes out and just pick it up when the system comes in. This is common for gifts and holiday purchases, or for people unsure if their wallets will be empty by the time the system comes out.
If you don't have the full amount, it's not a problem. Some retailers may place priority on fully-paid consoles, but most retailers don't bother to check who put the most money on the product. This is another good question to ask the retailers.
Does a pre-order guarantee a copy at launch?
No. In fact, high-demand products often have waiting lists that last for several months after a high-demand product is released. This is where the timeliness of this feature comes into play.
To ensure a copy of a system, pre-orders need to be made as soon as they become available. Pre-orders often work on a first-come, first-serve basis and serve people in a similar manner. If you're one of the first to have a copy of the product reserved in your name, you have a better chance of receiving it the day it comes out. If you wait a few months, your name is placed lower on the calling list. People that wait to place money down often find themselves waiting weeks, more often months, to get it in time for the holiday season.
How do I know when pre-orders are available?
The best way to ensure a copy of what you want is by calling up all of the local retail stores in your area. While most major chains are not yet accepting orders, there are a few places here and there that are taking pre-orders and will guarantee you a copy by launch.
Where should I go?
The best thing to do is check out the latest deals, so any store with a gaming section is worthwhile To ensure that you purchase that product there and no where else, some stores like to create combo offers. This can be anything: a free backpack, a free strategy guide, a coupon for your next purchase, a free controller, a free memory card, a free subscription to a magazine, anything. They've all been done before, so they will happen again.
Combos are not guaranteed, but it's always worth asking.
There's no guarantee that you will receive a combo offer in your area, so the Internet is another option to find these things out. There are some serious risks with ordering things online, particularly if you're placed on a waiting list longer than they let you know about, so be careful on where you place your money. If anything, you should support the local retail stores that you know and trust the most.
Can I purchase a pre-order right now?
Some stores are just starting to accept pre-orders here and there, but major gaming retail stores are claiming they might not allow any Wii pre-orders until September. If this is the case, there are some stores taking a pre-pre-order list.
So, what's a pre-pre-order list? Basically, they take down your phone number and call you when they will start taking pre-orders. This sounds terribly confusing, waiting in line just to wait in line, but it's still a better chance of receiving the system and placing the money down. Not all stores do this, but it's worth a shot asking.
Wait, why are some stores waiting that long just to take my money?
There's several answers to this, but here's the easiest answer right now: they don't know how many products each store will receive. There's a decent amount of systems planned to be released by the end of the year, but gaming retailers have had huge problems in the past with pre-orders and not knowing how many will be available. Most stores can't promise you a copy because they don't know how many they're receiving in the first place. That, and Nintendo has only said that the system will be under 0 without any concrete release date or price. If they don't know what kind of shipment they're receiving, they can't promise you one.
What are the advantages of online purchasing and local purchasing?
It's very much advised to place a pre-order in a local retail store than having one online. The only real advantage to pre-ordering online is the convenience of clicking open a new window and placing the order.
In a local store, you can ask to see the list is of placed pre-orders before you. With an online retailer, you have no idea how long the list really is, consequently leaving you clueless as to when you will receive the product. If the list is too long, you may not receive the product for weeks or months after its launch.
Another concern with ordering online is the wait time for delivery. You could be waiting days/weeks for the product to come in the mail.
What if I'm late and all the stores already have too many pre-orders?
The real trick behind receiving a guaranteed launch day pre-order is reserving what you want in the least suspected of places. Mom and pop stores, businesses with very little business, or places not commonly associated with the gaming industry. If stores are given a very limited number of copies, why would you want to go to a store that everyone else is going to try?
Not to say there's any problem with the well-recognized gaming stores, but you hear enough of that as it is. The problem is that gaming journalism media often associates themselves with the larger gaming retail chains. Not only associates, but accepts their advertisements to encourage these businesses. In all of this, it's too easy to forget about all of the other worthy stores that go out of their way to sell the next big thing.
There's far more businesses carrying Wii consoles than the top three. If a store has a gaming section, ask the employee if they have any pre-orders available. Also ask if it will guarantee you a copy by launch day.
What questions should I have for pre-ordering a Wii?
- Are you accepting pre-orders for Nintendo's next console, the Wii?
- (If no,) When do you expect to be taking pre-orders?
- (Also if no,) Do you have a waiting list to call people when you're accepting them?
- How much money do I have to place down?
- Is that money a separate fee, or deducted from the system price?
- Are there any combo deals with ordering the system?
- How many consoles are expected to come in at launch?
- How many people have placed down pre-orders already?
- Will paying the full amount now bump me up higher on the list?
- Am I guaranteed a system on launch day?
Where else can I find advice on the latest Wii pre-orders?
Our message board users have created a place to discuss the latest updates on the search for Wii pre-orders. The boards, as every service on our site, is absolutely free to use. You may click here to view the latest on Wii findings. Reading up on the latest requires no registration, but to post you'll have to fill out an easy 15-second registration and then you're all set. Feel free to ask any questions you may have there, or add your own thoughts on the matter.
Check back often to The Wiire (pronounced 'wire', not 'wee-ree') for more features committed to all members of the family, breaking the barriers of traditional gaming sites.
