Third-Party Wii Games

I rented Spider-Man: Friend or Foe and Tony Hawk's Proving Ground for this weekend for the Wii. It's been a while since I played the Wii and since Live has been laggy, it's nice to try something else. Spider-Man is fun, it's like a cross between LEGO Star Wars and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. It's fun, simple, but far too easy. It's a game that's impossible to get mad at and a good rent because it's so short.

Tony Hawk is a different game. It's crossplatform so it's on other systems as well as Friend or Foe. However, the Wii controls for it are a bit freaky. Unlike every other game, you don't want to hold the control stick in an upward position. If you do, you'll manual when you go down and that's frustrating when all you want to do is slow down. The motions can be a bit non responsive, like aggro kick. To do that, you must move the remote down. Sometimes he kicks, sometimes he keeps skating along. I haven't figured that out.

So I've figured out something, something I'm surprised game publishers haven't quite grasped on to. Wii motion controls are fun but some games (I'm talking to you, Spider-Man 3) have horrid motion controls. Mortal Kombat seems to be one of the few to get what I'm trying to say. Along with tacking on motion controls, add classic controller connectivity. That way if you're controls suck, you can still play the game normally like on any other system. The controller has two analog sticks, 4 buttons in a diamond pattern, directional pad, two triggers and nearby buttons. It's a regular controller. That way, I could play Tony Hawk like it was on the PS2 if I'm not getting the hang of the motions.

PictoChat is a Level on Smash Bros!

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

I've got good news and very bad news... Good news first, Sonic the Hedgehog will be included among the fighters. Woo hoo! He is going to zip across the maps like crazy. Also in the good news is the announcement that there will be online cooperative play. Very nice! Now hopefully it won't have a unique friend code like other Wi-Fi games from Nintendo. That's not likely, though.

Alright, the bad news. Super Smash Bros. Brawl will be delayed for release in North America until Ferbuary 10, 2008 from December 3, 2007. This is basically leaving me a lot of time to play Halo 3. And it leaves Halo 3 basically the only holiday game and it was released in September. Video game delays are becoming routine.

Halo 3

It's not a surprise that I like this game. I love the return of the assault rifle and the controls I still need to get used to, but it is so fun. I find myself pressing X to reload, and instead deploy a bubble shield or a gravity lift. But one thing is fun: playing with gravity and speed settings. That's more like jousting. I also love the built-in zombies. That's very nice. One thing I do miss is the ability to change settings and whatnot in multiplayer without your menu taking up the whole screen. I miss it only because I'm legacy and that confuses people. It's only because I was trained on GoldenEye and Agent Under Fire too well.

I've been toying with the notion of getting an Xbox 360. I think about it and usually back down. As I was playing today I thought it would be so fun to melee people with a motion action thanks to the Wii. Logically, if a game were to come out cross-platform, I'd be more likely to get it for Wii because I'd take unique controls, even tacked-on, over superb graphics. Also, because I have a 13 inch TV, graphics don't do much for me. But since my parents got their 52 inch HDTV with several HDMI ports, it has tempted further. I'm currently on no only because I like being with people as I play. It's boring to play alone. Plus, I don't have to spend $460+ for all I need. And since I'm likely to get mainly Wii games, that's $460 for Halo alone. I love Halo. In an ideal world, Microsoft should allow Halo on the Wii just to give a royal screw-you to Sony, but that will never, ever happen. And that's OK. I may still get one, but It would take a large increase in my income to justify it and currently, I have a lot of outcome.

Anywho, I appreciate my neighbors who love to let people play so I get the chance. Will we see the return of Jimmy? I'm not sure. I may try to be more inventive.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed for Wii

Between Wii game posts and YouTube videos, I don't post. Seriously, not much is going on at the moment bear with me. Well here's a bit of both.

Anywho, it seems that The Force Unleashed will be coming to the Wii after all. It seemed like they were avoiding it and how cruel to do so. Deny Wii gamers a chance to have a lightsaber other than LEGO Star Wars? Vicious. Well, not to worry, a lot of nerd fantasies will be "unleashed" in the spring. Woo hoo! This campaign is quite the event, tied in with a graphic novel and even a Miniatures set. Interesting.

Read the news here.

Guitar Hero III

Guitar Hero for the Wii. It just sounds fun. So what are you getting in this version? IGN got their hands on the game and gives the goods. The Wiimote plugs into the back and shows through the front and because it's wireless in the first place, there will never be a wired controller. So nice. Because the Wiimote itself is a motion sensor, jerking the controller up activates Star Power. The Wii guitar will also have an analog stick because you can't point at the screen anymore. Even neater, the rumble feature will be used since it's already in the Wiimote and even neaterer is the fact that it will use the Wiimote's speaker for the squelch sound on that specific guitar. You will now for sure now that you are the one who can't play Mississippi Queen. And I think I've heard that it will be priced with the PS2's tag so it should be about $10 cheaper. Very nice indeed.

Read the full article here.

E3 Announcements

I'll try to update this as new information becomes available.

• No Xbox 360 price change
• Sony royally screwed those who bought a PSP at a reduced price because a redesign will be out in September.
• There will be a Star Wars-themed PSP
  
• Mario Kart Wii will include a Wii Steering Wheel
• Wii Zapper revealed for $20
• Wii Fit will include a step mat.
• Super Smash Bros. Brawl will be out on December 3rd.
• Wii Guitar Hero III controller has the Wiimote embedded into it.

Wii-licious

That title makes no sense. I have the Internet on my Wii, again. Now our wireless network not only works for my laptop, it works for the Wii, DS, and any other computer here independent of the main computer. Huzzah! So now, Laura and I have been messaging each other via Wii. It's so neat to see that cool blue pulsating light! I've also played Battle Revolution over Wi-Fi Connection and that is very smooth. By the way, if you don't have Diamond or Pearl with DS, don't bother with this game, it basically acts as a DS server and storage device and you will be bored stiff with the game without one. I've also been a-renting some games. I rented Big Brain Academy and it's fine, albeit short and repetitive. It's probably better for a group but no matter how it tries to cheer you up you still feel like it's insulting you. I've also played The Godfather: Blackhand Edition, which is basically Grand Theft Auto except with a point. In GTA, you deal with these people who claim their turf. I ask why it is theirs. Here, you must extort the local businesses to generate money, thus making it your turf. I am buying this game next. I shouldn't have enjoyed it as much, but I did. Plus, I'm so close to completing it. I rented this week Resident Evil 4, which is very fun. I'll buy that one after Godfather because I wish to destroy the chainsaw wielding-brainwashed who keep slicing off my head. I've also been playing Legend of Zelda, finally. It's fun yet it enrages me. I must conquer it.

Now I await E3. Hopefully we'll have some announcements on Super Smash Brothers, Animal Crossing, and DDR Hottest Party. I see they've already revealed the Guitar Hero III controller. Not sure if I want to own that yet. Plus Beautiful Katamari ditched the PS3 and is going to 360 and Wii. It's nice to own a Wii.

DS Adventures

OK, So I'm about halfway through Pokémon FireRed's story. Then I've got to breed and evolve to catch them all. Then I need to find out what still remains and link up to a LeafGreen. Fun. I was price checking Emerald and found out that it is around $30 used! I could buy a DS game for that. It's crazy to image the lengths I'll go to in order to have most of the Pokémon in Diamond. It's a good thing it comes out on April 22 so I have time to catch them. Yes, I do realize this is pathetic but at least there isn't a marketing explosion to capitalize on them. It's all about the game.

It's nice having a DS on me at most times. It makes lunch and dinner the most exciting times of the day. It's sad when we can spend time in PictoChat which is not a game in any way and we can see each other. I am glad I bought the thing, though. It's true, I have neglected my Nintendog for my Pokémon. But don't worry, (he isn't real).

I am looking forward to Pokémon Battle Revolution for the Wii. I'll preorder that one sometime. It's in June and uses Diamond and Pearl connectivity with the DS. It's also online so it will be interesting to see Wii on Nintendo Wi-Fi. As long as it's better than Sony's service. Yuck.

Hey, does anyone watch Ghost in the Shell? I know it as the show that's on after Robot Chicken most nights and when I just leave the TV on for no particular reason. I'm wondering if it's good. All I know is it has a neat opening theme before I turn on my iPod and roam Wikipedia. I am so random. One of the hard things about having free time is the lack of anything interesting to contribute.

Call of Irony

I took my PPST this morning after months of putting it off. I also had to handle my passport items as well to get that done. So in my crusing through Omaha I head over to Toys 'R Us because I forgot to go there last week. I walk in and there's a nice large Spider-Man 3 display. I check out the figures and realize my tax refund did get in so I went shopping. I picked up a Sandman, Symbiote Spider-Man, and New Goblin along with a Spider-Spud and Marvel Guess Who? As I was looking around my phone rang. Oh by the way, I guess I lost my service this past week. Thanks Cingular for the notification. So my phone rang and I answer and it's a recording from "Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man" telling me to head to my nearest store because the toys are in today. What timing!

I also headed over to my favorite GameStop and picked up Pokémon FireRed and preordered Diamond. I went over to the Apple Store to see if I could get my earbuds replaced. The right one is making a static-y noise and it's quite annoying. They asked where the iPod was and I said it was in the car and they needed to see that to make sure it's not the iPod making the noise. Do they honestly think I would check that? Do they think that I have no other headphones besides the Apple ones? I love the Apple ones because they sound the best but seriously, I'm not one to deal with silly, condescending customer service...today. Thank you Cingular and MicroLnk. I might go back next week, though. I also visited Wal-Mart to get Venom. There's no Spider-Man 3 Sorry but there is a really stupid door alarm thing that is not the New Goblin, I don't care what it says. He shouldnot be that happy.

I bug Book Lady to play the items and get giddy. I did notice that the new action figures are not to scale with the 1 and 2 figures and are actually more to scale with the Batman and Superman figures. I'm not sure itf they're trying to standardize or what and Doc Ock towers over Venom somewhat. That's OK. I wonder if the rereleases are to scale...

Oh, hey: Katamari for Wii, 360, PS3 coming soon!
Also: Guitar Hero for Wii

7th Generation Insights

If a game for the Wii doesn't use motion sensing, the game will be criticized because it doesn't use the Wii's primary feature.

If a game has added motion sensing, the game will be criticized for adding a gimmicky feature that doesn't really enhance the game.

EA Sports games will rock on the Wii and will be exempt from determining whether or not the motion sensing enhances the game.

Nintendo recognizes that you have a DVD player and a CD player so why would they charge you extra for it if you don't need it?

Nintendo wants you to figure out whether or not you want HD-DVD or Blu-Ray and doesn't make the decision for you.

Nintendo needs to make DS Download Play for the Wii very soon, but probably won't happen until June when Pokémon Battle Revolution is released.

Nintendo should not have reduced its support of the GameCube as people like me who never had a GameCube can finally play these games on the Wii.

Buying a GameCube, considered to be a failure amongst its generation, to play its games is preferable to buying a Wii and playing GameCube games that you didn't want to own prior.

Considering this criticism, the Wii is only GameCube 1.5 anyway, so why is it wrong to play previous-generation games on it?

Nintendo needs to make Wii Shop Channel like Xbox Live Marketplace. Will we get the Battlefront additional characters? Will we get the Marvel Ultimate Alliance: Heroes and Villians expansion pack? C'mon Nintendo, support those third-parties!

Wii60: You buy a Wii and a Core Xbox 360 for less than a single PS3.

Xbox Live is awesome, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection is decent, PlayStation Online is lagging currently.

The PS3 looks no better than an Xbox 360 when not on an HDTV screen.

Why didn't Sony learn from the failure of the PSX, a PS2 with a DVR available in Japan only, which flopped based on poor sales? Adding many, many features doesn't make people want it more.

The PS3 is improperly marketed as a gaming system. Its primary draw is its ability to function as a gaming system, supercomputer, and entertainment system; however, it is the most expensive item in the gaming system aisle and that turns people off.

The PS3 needs to be marketed as a Blu-Ray player primarily until a killer game is developed. It is the cheapest item among the Blu-Ray players and it also happens to play games. Oh, they kinda did...

As neat as HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are, they're fighting over 1% of the market.

Sony wants your money. They have developed a credit card reader for the PS3 and I have heard that they may charge you for virtual furniture in PlayStation Home.

Sony is willing to give away HDTV's in Europe in order to sell the PlayStation 3.

Sony should recognize the popularity of the PS2 and the unpopularity of the PS3. I am no technical developer, but it would be neat to see Sony expand on the PS2's expansion bay. They should make an attachment that goes into the back containing a 360-comparable processor, hard drive, networking and yet still look decent while attached and cost between $100-150. They should market new games as PS2+ or something similar as some form of intermediary step between PS2 and PS3. Unfortunately, the time it would take to develop is insufficient to make a profit and the slim PS2 will be out of the picture.

Fall Out!

I rented Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz this week because I have fond memories of Super Monkey Ball 2 on Nord's GameCube. I heard reviews that the learning curve was difficult but was better to use the Wii Remote than an analog stick. The reviewers were right on the learning curve. The first world is cake, the second mixes it up, the third starts getting difficult. By the end, it is exceedingly difficult. I don't care for it, but Book Lady seems to be having a blast. I take it she likes the puzzle challenge games. I like knowing a game has the hope of being beaten, and this one has a faint glimmer. The minigames are depressing as well. Most are hit and miss, especially the ones based on real games. The fun ones are the ones they made up. But it's not enough for me to buy it at this time. It is a good rent, though. It gives you something to work on for a week and then get sick of falling into ravines or lava. I plan on picking up Rayman Raving Rabbids this weekend. That is an example of a fun single player with outrageous multiplayer. Super Monkey Ball is good, don't get me wrong. You just have to be determined to enjoy it.

On another note, I borrowed Animal Crossing from Heidi. That's very interesting. It's a good boredom game, but it's not much to watch. It makes people watching it to start playing the Sims 2. I know it's coming out for Wii, it's just a matter of when and what it will do. I would love it if it expanded on your GameCube save game that you may or may not have made. I am afraid that I will rent it and keep getting messages from animals on my Message Board.

DDR: Hottest Party for Wii

Some information has been released on the new DDR game for the Wii. It looks really interesting. It seems you use the GameCube pads combined with the Wiimote and Nunchuck. The pads record the arrows and there will be symbols for when to shake either the nunchuk or remote. This reminds me of the Rayman "dance" modes and is reminiscent of what they wanted you to do with the EyeToy camera with Extreme on for PS2. I hope this doesn't get too confusing but I'm excited. Plus, you can have up to 4 players at once. Something the Xbox version had on the PS2. It's going to be weird to buy DDR pads again. I haven't done that since 2003. One thing is for sure, you are going to need one large room to fit 4 pads comfortably but it's still freakin' sweet.

For more information on Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party, go here or here.

What Have Wii Been Doing?

I picked up Marvel: Ultimate Alliance last weekend. I've been playing that for most of last week. It's, not surprisingly, very similar to X-Men Legends, but still very fun. The Wii controls seem to accent the game rather than drive it. I periodically did a motion to attack but mainly stick to pressing A all the time. The cinematics are breathtaking though. I've unlocked all the characters without cheating so that makes me smile. Now I want to play it on Hard.

I rented Rayman Raving Rabbids this weekend. That game is so sick, twisted, and fun. Basically an army of bunnies puts Rayman through a series of minigame tasks that use the Wiimote to its potential in order to be set free. People who watch us must think we're screwed up in the head to be attacking bunnies but they are not friendly once you get into the game. I likened it to the Internet Insanity Test in the weird noises you hear as you play the game. It's very good and I will probably get it soon.

I also rented Superman Returns for the PS2. I have to say, I was quite disappointed in it. I was expecting something like Spider-Man 2 and Ultimate Spider-Man with the free-roam city and, although you have that, the game for me gets bogged down with strange controls and weird missions. It also suffers from Episode III-itis. In that game, although fun, there are many enemies with the ability to block lightsabers. It's a lightsaber! In Superman Returns, Superman's powers seem quite useless against villains. I really have to bring myself to want to play it again. There was so much potential, but it seems wasted.

I read a thing online about Mortal Kombat: Armageddon for the Wii. There's a video floating around that shows how moved will work. For example to use Scorpion's spear, you swing the remote and there it goes. Many people have complained that this takes the fun out of the game I disagree. I think it makes the game accessible to anyone. The button-mashers out there liked having the exclusivity of having to memorize a combination to make a powerful move work. Now the layman can do it. I see this a lot recently. When we play Bond on PS2, I have to step back when the others play so they have a chance because I'm too familiar on it. On the System Link for Halo, Mark and Brenner say that people don't like it when they play because they're so good, and they are. With simplified controls, the playing ground is even.

Also, Mario Kart 64 came out on Virtual Console this morning and oh, how I've missed it. I never had a Nintendo 64 because that came out during the time when my parents wouldn't pay for video games themselves. So I missed out on a lot but thanks to Virtual Console, those games are back. The game plays so wonderfully and seems to be graphically smoother than my emulated version, but that could be the emulator. I really wish they could get the license to GoldenEye 007 for the Virtual Console. The company who made it is now owned by Microsoft, plus they need the Bond license but that game would sell so well.

Wii First-Person Shooters

I found another article off digg I want to talk about. This one talks about how the first person shooters on the Wii are difficult to control and suggest ways for the developers to fix this before they lose sales. I have Call of Duty 3 and I admit, it was not fun to play at first. I aimed the Wiimote at the screen directly and noticed how if you look in any direction that wasn't the center, the camera would zoom off in that direction. It wasn't fun holding the controller at the screen in an unnatural position for so long. Try holding a remote control at a TV for 30-60 minutes. I played a couple of missions and my hand cramped up and hurt the next day. Even though it was difficult to control, I surprisingly enjoyed it.

The solution on the player side is to take the Wiimote and brace it against yourself. Have it rest on your leg or something. It's much more natural and you have greater stability over where that cross hair goes. I find myself enjoying the game so much more now that it doesn't cause me pain and anguish. I even got Steph to play it and she did the same and she enjoyed it even though it made her nervous. Whenever the Wii Zapper comes out, it might improve the stability of the unbraced hand. Holding a gun at something for an extended period is creepily more natural that doing the same action with a remote. Unfortunately, the prototype displayed found at Wikipedia doesn't seem to leave much actions for the Nunchuck, but in Call of Duty 3, most of those actions have a button duplicate. Although, it would be really cool to have four of these for some kind of future multiplayer Bond game.

On the developer side, I think they should add in a little auto-aiming. I know people don't like that because they think the computers doing all the work or something, but it would help the player control the game slightly better. It's not the same as using an analog stick to aim, you physically have to point at it. Also, it would be nice to modify the look sensitivity of the Wiimote, somewhat like you can in Halo.

I don't think that first person shooters on the Wii are doomed. Gamers are just going to have to adjust better. I had to adjust to using one analog stick to move/strafe and another to look. That seemed counter-productive to me, but I see the merits of adjusting to it.

Of all places, Pamida

I went over to Pamida today to pick up tissues and Tylenol and I walked over to the electronics, just to check, and they had a Wii! I picked that thing up and got my stuff and checked out. I was floored. I brought it back to Morey and showed people what I got at Pamida. I put it together and now the fun happens.

It was very disturbing going into Fremont, Omaha, Lincoln, Norfolk, and Sioux City and finding PlayStation 3's sitting on the shelves and no Wiis. Only recently I've been finding the price marking for the Wii at stores. I go everywhere and it's sitting in Wayne at Pamida. It wasn't even marked up like usual. They said they got 6 in on Friday and that was the last one that was not reserved. I'm so happy Christmas came in January.

Making Up 2 Weeks in 2 Days

On Friday I went into Omaha to get some stuff taken care of before returning to Wayne. I went into Wal-Mart and picked up some medication. I went over to PhantaC and picked up some comics. I called Daniele because she wanted to get together sometime. I told her I was going to Krypton next and she was about to get in her car and drive over. So much ADD. I went over the Dragon's Lair and then Hobby Lobby to get supplies. I went to Best Buy and picked up War of the Worlds and Superman: the Movie. I then went to the other Dragon's Lair to see what they got. I then went to Walgreens to get more medication. I got a pretty good haul of stuff to read.

Yesterday after work, I headed out to Daniele's. We eventually went over to Jodie's and it was good to see her. We went to Trade-A-Tape and I picked up Superman: Secret Identity. We then went to Comic World and I picked up some trading cards. We went to Best Buy and I was really tempted to get Star Trek IV and Insurrection but I just didn't care. We then tried to eat at Lazlo's over by the Batman Bank, then at Ruby Tuesday's, then Olive Garden, then the food court, and ended up at Fazoli's. We then went to Barnes and Noble. I picked up Casino Royale because I want to read the Bond novels in order. Then we went down to the Haymarket and had I had some Earl Grey at the Mill. Then we went to Wal-Mart. I picked up some yarn so Jodie can crochet me a scarf for my new coat. They had 2 PS3s and no Wiis. It was very depressing. At Walgreens I got a nasal inhaler for my congestion that works well. We then waited for Book Lady to arrive at the train station. She got in at about 1:45 AM so we dropped off Jodie and they took me to my car. All in all it was fun if not late.

What I'm looking forward to in 2007

1. Spider-Man 3 - How good will it be? It's got Venom, Gwen Stacy, and Sandman added to the cast. It will be interesting to see if after this movie if there is any life left in the franchise, or if it allow itself to end.
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End - How is Barbossa back? What exactly is Keith Richards' cameo going to be like? The summer has answers for us.
3. Other movies - Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, maybe Ghost Rider. I also hope we'll get to see what Heath Ledger looks like as the Joker in The Dark Knight
4. Ultimate Spider-Man sans-Mark Bagley - The long-running comic loses its artist after shattering a Marvel record. We'll see how it goes from there.
5. Friday's off - I have no Friday classes next semester and that's something to be excited about.
6. Greece - I have the chance to go to Greece for a class at the end of May and I am so taking it.
7. WillyCon IX - We have so many guests of honor lined up. Im also exctied to see what develops at this year's con.
8. Nintendo Wii - I'll get my Wii sometime in 2007. I really want to play with my Wii.
9. Halo 3 - When is that dang thing going to be released?
10. PPST - I really, really need to take that stupid thing. Why am I so lazy?
11. Practicums - when I take that stupid PPST, I'll have loads of practicums!
12. No more history classes - They will end after this semester. I will miss them as I'm bored to stupidity with education classes.
13. 30th Anniversary of Star Wars - What do they have planned?
14. Tellering - Once I'm back from Greece, I'll get to work again! Yay!
15. Summer trips - I'll probably head back up to Wayne and Norfolk and Sioux City in the summer again. It's so fun seeing people outside of stress.
    
16. The unexpected - You never know what's out there...
    

Holiday Awards

OK, I'm going to go over the presents in a fun way.

Most surprised reaction: Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows for PS2. I got this from my mom's side aunt and I was totally not expecting this. They have never picked up PS2 games before and it is very appreciated.

Least surprised reaction: a brown light-weight coat. I opened this and I was taken back. I already have my brown corduroy coat which I like and this just seemed so similar. I'm sure I find a good use for it though.

Most consistent: iTunes gift cards. I love these things and I got two of them.

Most practical: I got a bunch of long-sleeved shirts and nifty ties with black pants for when I can go back to work.

Least practical: Call of Duty 3 for Wii. I love it and I can't wait, but I don't have the system yet.

Neatest gift: a long black wool coat with scarf and leather gloves. So cool.

Belated gift: Nintendo Wii, when I get one, it counts as a Christmas gift.

Funniest gift: a pillow that says "Be Nice or Go Away."

Unfortunate gift: Call of Duty 3 for PS2. I just got the Wii one earlier in the day and my aunt picked it up. I felt bad but I know I could exchange it for Zelda or something.

Gift you wouldn't expect me to love: CD-Rs. I have none of these at all which is surprising.

Gift I wish I got: an electric razor. Mine has its sideburn razor broken so they get long until I go home and nix it.

Still Wii-less

This is a late post but I find myself with time now. On December 17, I heard that there would be another shipment of Wiis in. Toys R Us would get 7, Target would get a bunch, Best Buy would get some, and Wal-Mart would get some. So I woke up at 4:00 am to get to Wal-Mart in case they sold them at 5 instead of 8 like they did in Norfolk. When I arrived in Fremont, they said weren't getting any in so, not to waste time, I went to Omaha's Wal-Mart and they didn't have any. I was wondering if they were lying in order to prevent a line, but wondering wasn't going to get me one. It was about 5 and I went to Target to see if there was a line. There was, and there were tents. They opened at 8 and I was #37. It was very cold (possibly explaining my sickness) and I had some conversations with the people there. After 45 minutes the Target people came out and said there were only 15 Wiis and 8 PS3s. So I was out of there and went back to Wal-Mart. More people were there expecting Wii and they said they didn't have anybody. They sent someone back to make sure and they said they had none. So I went home to sleep.

I was working in the lobby with a teller that was hired when I left for college, Laura. She's fun. She likes sci-fi stuff so I had stuff to talk to her about. She saw Eragon and said they left a bunch of stuff out of the book. She and her husband were also looking for a Wii. She said he was 4th in line at Gamestop for 5 Wiis and had to leave to go to work. He was offered $100 for his spot. During the week, my brother said that my sister-in-law, Jordan, was at Wal-Mart and they announced over the speakers that there were 3 Wiis that just came in. My brother was so mad she didn't stop and pick one up. I didn't mind. The next day Laura said her friend was at another Wal-Mart with the same announcement and picked one up right away. So she got to play one. I was at Best Buy and there was a bunch of PS3s just sitting there with a worker watching them. He said the Wii was all sold out. I did get Call of Duty 3 for Wii so no I have a game and a controller with nunchuk, but no Wii. Hopefully once the holiday hype dies down, I'll be able to pick one up conveniently.