Here in Japan, the Nintendo Wii is set to launch on December 2nd. To help spread the word, Nintendo has set up the second part of it's free "Nintendo World" event (the first one was in Nagoya), which is taking place this weekend at Makuhari Messe, the home of Tokyo Game Show.
Sadly, the lines were moving way too slow and I was only able to play two games, Elebits and Trauma Center. At least I was able to watch others play and enjoy themselves.
Outside:
In usual Japanese fashion, the wait times are posted (before you enter the hall) so you know exactly what you are getting yourself into.
According to the sign, the longest waits are:
1) Zelda - 140 minutes
2) Metroid Prime 3: 120 minutes
3) The DS recipe software that I don't know the name of because I can't read kanji: 90 minutes
note: I cut off Mario Strikers in the photo so I can't see the wait time
Now that's an entrance! The Wii bag contains a Wii catalogue.
It's an Elebit! YAAAAAAAY!
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gUZ9FQDW8g[/media]
As I mentioned earlier, too many people, not enough Wiis.
Over a two hour wait to play zelda. I'd say they had about 15 Zelda stations.
I dub thee....Mario Girl!
Nintendo gave away 100 Wiis via numbered lottery...and I lost.
Despite the fact that the event needed about twice as many Wii stations to serve the waiting masses (and had plenty of empty space in which to put them), I still had a good time. I think the Elebit was the highlight of the day for me, and the game was pretty good too. I also got to spend time with my friend Chien who accompanied me to the show (and can be heard during the Elebit video saying, "He's funny").
Upon exiting the show, we both agreed we were going to have a very difficult time trying to buy a Wii.
Sadly, the lines were moving way too slow and I was only able to play two games, Elebits and Trauma Center. At least I was able to watch others play and enjoy themselves.
Outside:
In usual Japanese fashion, the wait times are posted (before you enter the hall) so you know exactly what you are getting yourself into.
According to the sign, the longest waits are:
1) Zelda - 140 minutes
2) Metroid Prime 3: 120 minutes
3) The DS recipe software that I don't know the name of because I can't read kanji: 90 minutes
note: I cut off Mario Strikers in the photo so I can't see the wait time
Now that's an entrance! The Wii bag contains a Wii catalogue.
It's an Elebit! YAAAAAAAY!
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gUZ9FQDW8g[/media]
As I mentioned earlier, too many people, not enough Wiis.
Over a two hour wait to play zelda. I'd say they had about 15 Zelda stations.
I dub thee....Mario Girl!
Nintendo gave away 100 Wiis via numbered lottery...and I lost.
Despite the fact that the event needed about twice as many Wii stations to serve the waiting masses (and had plenty of empty space in which to put them), I still had a good time. I think the Elebit was the highlight of the day for me, and the game was pretty good too. I also got to spend time with my friend Chien who accompanied me to the show (and can be heard during the Elebit video saying, "He's funny").
Upon exiting the show, we both agreed we were going to have a very difficult time trying to buy a Wii.