I wouldn't even recommend going to EB or Game Stop. It wouldn't shock me if some people who pre-order there don't get a system by Christmas, even if Nintendo ships out a bunch of them. The thought at EB/GS seems to be "pre-order now, and you'll get it whenever the hell we feel like giving it to ya".

I think that's a gross generalization that I completely disagree with. At my store we take pains to make sure people get copies of the games they reserved, even if it means losing a sale. Just yesterday I had to cancel several Pokemon pre-orders and send the people to other stores in my district because FedEx hadn't delivered our copies yet.

Then all EB/GS stores should have great people like you in charge or working there, because trust me, it sure isn't that way at some EB/GS stores I've ever been to. Not all of them are like what I said, obviously, but I've dealt with some first hand that are, and so have many other people.

EDIT:

I'll even share a positive story. I don't remember what the game was, but once I went to an EB/GS and while it wasn't something I pre-ordered, it was a game that was released that same day. The store I went to didn't have it, but they called another store that did have some in stock, and they drove the game to where I was, while I waited around the area.

The amount of people who actually have the right attitude to work in retail are far less than the amount of retail positions out there. Most people just care about their bottom line, not their customers. I agree it shouldn't be like that. I would say, if you ever have a problem with an associate, complain to the manager. If you ever have a problem with a manager, ask for the number of their district manager.

OK. But if the Wii part isn't region-free could you still play import GC games by using the Freeloader, or maybe some sort of Freeloader type thing will be released? :confused:
Technichally the Cube wasn't region free out of the box was it?

Obviously none of us know the answer to this question. But it stands to reason that the same GameCube Freeloader would work, assuming the emulation is 100%.

Thankyou :)
Guess I'll have to wait and see :)

Well, since the wiigion-free rumor was squashed (BOO, HISS) I'm hoping that the Wii is as easy to modify as the Gamecube was.. a 25¢ switch from Radio Shack solder to just two pins gave you the option to go from a 100% English Cube to a 100% Japanese Cube. Though, I'll be honest, with the exception of Mr. Driller Drill Land, there weren't TOO many great imports to get (I think I have only four). On the other hand, my miser-like approach to waiting for PS2 games to drop to $20 is countered by all the cool imports I get.

We Europeans need the Freeloader not only to play the Japanese games but for the US games, too. Often the games are released much earlier in the US and it's cheaper to import.

Sure it a standard control setup could be done but how well? And why? I know the PSP version dropped 4 buttons (2 triggers and the L3/R3) and one analog stick, and the controls suffered a bit due to that compromise. With the Wiimote and nunchuk, you're looking at about 4 fewer buttons overall than a PS2 controller (I'm not counting Home and Power as buttons because they appear to have specific system functions).

Plus having them all over the place will make for a confusing experience. Some buttons on the nunchuk, others on the face of the Wiimote (some up high, some down low), others on the underside of the Wiimote, all different shapes and sizes. It doesn't make for a seamless experience in this type of game IMO.

Unless they simplify the gameplay a bit, or create an all-new GTA experience tailored for the Wii, I think it will suffer. Which brings me back to my original point... unless they can make it a unique gaming experience on the Wii why would anyone choose the Wii version over the PS3 or 360? Barring the "I only have the Wii" people, the other systems will have it beat in looks and overall horsepower. And my concern was how they could possibly make a GTA game that was enhanced by the Wii's advantages. Meaning - how to make an immersive Wii game and not a watered down PS3 game?

That is the key with all 3rd party games that are ports, spinoffs or sequels to games on the PS2/3 or 360.

I don't have high hopes for them, and don't care really as I plan on just getting Nintendo games and 3rd party Wii exclusives designed for the system.

The Wii is clearly not a worthwhile system, at least at this early stage, for people that want to play the GTAs and other popular game series. Those people need a PS3 or 360, and could just pick up a Wii if they want somethign different to play on the side, because you're absolultely right. There will be no reason most of the time to pick up those games on the Wii vs. the competition.

The Wii still only supports DPLII.

You can do DPLII over optical or coax.

The difference would be negligible though. If it isn't going to support DD or DTS, having optical or coax out just for DPL II would make no sense.

It would have made a difference had the Gamecube component connectors worked on the Wii (since they have no audio outs). Now I agree that it does not matter.

That Tony Hawk cover looks gloriously retro, like a late 80s NES box.

Here is a different Zelda boxart. I assume this one is the correct one since it [sorta] keeps with the "gold" theme of every other release.

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/1...rtustk4ti9.jpg

Interesting news about the Resident Evil game...

http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/21/ca...of-compilatio/

I'm actually sort of excited by the prospect. The Resident Evil franchise has undergone so many different playing styles already... the traditional cinematic style, the over the shoulder perspective of RE4, the light gun survivor series, an NES style adventure (for the GBC), and even the first person bonus mode in RE:CV. As a longtime fan I really like the idea of revisiting familiar scenarios with a different type of gameplay/perspective.

I kinda like the two-tone cover since the game deals with the Twilight World as well as the Light World.

The zelda cover is pretty sweet.

Except for the Wii logo. The plain white does nothing for me and doesn't really go with the rest of the cover.

Totally agree. The plain really stands out.

Has anyone mentioned whether Rayman requires the nunchuck? If not I'll probably skip the extra nunchuck. I can live w/o playing WiiBoxing MP for $20.

Metal Slug 6 is now part of the Wii Metal Slug Anthology.

A guy at Gamestop told me today that the classic controller is for VC games only, cannot be used with Wii games, and that a different controller (like the Gamecube controller) will be released for Wii games. Is that true? If so, I just decided to not buy a Wii.