Gaming Urges

Eh... I finally did it. I now own a new gaming console.



I'd been watching prices and releases on and off for a while. Upon hearing about an 80GB-PS3-with-Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle for $499, I focused in on that. More hard drive space and (supposedly) better backwards compatability than most models, and a big name game I want to play, for the cost of the larger of two options for base PS3 systems in the past. Seemed like a reasonable deal, all things considered. Plus Blue Ray seems to have won the next format war and GTA IV is already out. Seemed like a good time.

So I turned to trusty Amazon.com, clicked on the 'notify me when the pre-order is available' button and waited. Last week, pre-orders were available and literally in between the time I was refreshing the page (perhaps a minute, due to site traffic) they went from 'we don't have them yet' to 'we're sold out.' Bummer there. I checked the only solid online alternative I could find, Gamestop, to see them offering a bundle of the same thing plus a Bluetooth headset (reviewed to have poor sound quality, plus my phone doesn't have the capability and I wouldn't use it) for $60 more. That sounded like less of deal.

So I watched the signs some more. Word came that Wal-mart may have these bundles on the shelf and that they are giving $100 gift cards with purchase of a Blue Ray player this week - PS3's included. So I sat tight for that. Last night, I called and asked about the bundle. As every, the electronics person wasn't all that well informed, but she said she thought they were getting some and they should be available today. When pressed, she said "maybe around 7" in the morning. I decided not to raid the place and midnight and give them time to do their thing.

I set my alarm early (or so I thought, actually I think I set it for PM, go figure) and slept poorly last night. I woke up on my own and drove out. Easy-peasy, I was able to get a bundle and gift card (hey, a whole 'nother game-and-a-half included, essentially) without issue. As I walked out of the department at around 7:15 am, the employee comments to one of her collegues: "Wow, I already sold all four of those new Playstation 3's." I wasn't sure if that meant four on display, or the store had only received four. A follow-up call from a certain someone also interested in the deal revealed it to be the latter. I guess I'm not surprised that the Wal-mart here only got four and sold out before 8 on the morning of release. I wonder who the other three went to, though.

Alas, I probably need an HDTV to be able to easily read the fine print and make out how many rounds of ammunition I'm picking up on those fictional, futuristic battlefields. What I've seen of the game thusfar is pretty slick, though, even if the console itself is a bit of a monster.