New System Launch Stories

[encendido5]

With all the hype surrounding the PS3 and the Wii launch, I'm wondering what it was like when the past systems launched. The original 8-bit Nintendo, for example, was after the video game crash if I remember correctly. So were people going as crazy about it back then as they are about the PS3?

What about the PS1 and N64? Were they also as popular as this new generation's launch? I remember hearing stories about the PS2 selling for $1,000 on ebay and a shortage for a couple of monthsbut haven't heard about any others.

Any of you have some first hand experience?

These are the systems that I've bought brand new, or were given to me new along with the year and prices I got them for, compared to the launch year and launch price. All launch prices and years are from wikipedia.

Intellivision - 1983 / $0(received as gift) - 1979/$299
NES: 1989 - $99 for Action Set w/SMB/Duck Hunt - 1985/$199
GB: 1992(?)/$60 - 1989/$109
SNES: 1992/$99 - 1991/$199
GCN: 2003/$150 for GCN w/ MP & THPS3 - 2001/$199
GBA SP: 2004/$79 w/ free Mario & Luigi - 2003/$99 (2001/$99 for original GBA)
Nintendo DS: 2005/$149 w/ free SMB64 - 2004/$149
Nintendo DS Lite: 2006/$129 (Bought 2 months after launch) - 2006/$129

[DaveD]

I remember a bunch of them. The PS2 practically began the current trend in shitty launches, by that I mean super low supply. I managed to get mine at the beginning of January the following year (2001), which was like 3 months later. Same thing happened with the 360, I got it two months later, almost to the day. The Playstation was in abundance from what I remember, my father bought it for me for Christmas, and he had no problem getting one. I waited outside a Best Buy for the GBA, probably about 30 people there. It was a Wednesday in the middle of Summer too.

My favorite launch story took place a few weeks after the DC's launch, which I would consider the post launch holiday craze. On my birthday, I got a bunch of money from my friends and pooled it up to get a DC. I went to the local shopping 'zone' and went to TRU, Wal Mart, Target, ETC...they had ZERO Dreamcasts. I started to freak out, and then drove to the mall. Nothing. Finally I made my way to a Best Buy to find TWO SYSTEMS remaining in the game dept. Snatched it up, along with Sonic Adventure and a VMU. Happy Birthday indeed.

[Gameboy415]

I've only camped out for Nintendo consoles myself.
Actually I think the only consoles I ever bought at launch were Nintendo consoles too.

I remember with Nintendo 64, I had one pre-ordered at Toys R Us and the store called and said I could come pick it up TWO DAYS before launch! So I zipped over there with my parents (I was like 13 that year) and sure enough we were able to get the system.
BUT, N64 was one of the first systems to come w/o a pack-in game and we hadn't reserved Mario 64 so it seemed bleak. But the TRU guy went in back and they had ONE copy that wasn't reserved and I got it! It was a great day.

Then I remember waiting outside of Target for the GBA/Gamecube launches, but both were not too crazy. Maybe 15 people for the GBA and about 30 or so for GC.

And when DS came out, me and 2 of my college buddies waited outside of Best Buy and got 3 of the 4 systems the store had got in. Lucky!

I haven't actually picked up a DSLite yet (mostly because they're always sold out here in Japan!!) and I wasn't in America for the Wii launch, but I have one being shipped over and it should be here in the next 2 days!

[Gentlegamer]

It wasn't launch, but my parents had a hard time getting a NES during Christmas season 1988.

[GF_Eric]

PS2 launch. Waited for a midnight opening at Wal-Mart. We were 25th in line for 24 systems. So we then went across the street to a K-Mart and slept in the car until 6 when we went to stand in line for their 8a.m. opening. We got one.

DS: Went to Wal-Mart the week of launch and bought the last one they had.

Xbox 360: Ordered one from Wal-Mart.com, but eventually got a free one as a member of the press so I cancelled my preorder.

DS Lite: Ordered one from GameStop.com.

Wii: Ordered one from Amazon.com.

These are the only systems I've ever had at launch. I got an N64 about three months after launch ... does that count?