The Mystique of Owning it from Launch...

[dedalusdedalus]

I GOT MY DREAMCAST ON 9/9/99!

That reminds me of this one time when I found some really expensive and rare game in some garage sale, but I didn't buy it because it looked crappy.

[BoringSupreez]

Mocking Jrecee? Shame, shame...

[dedalusdedalus]

Mocking Jrecee? Shame, shame...

Well, even if he gets all angry and decides to write a farewell thread, I'm sure we could get a bot to replace him.

Just get the bot to run this handy little script: "Hey guys! I was at [location where retro games are sold] and I found a copy of [valuable game-related item]. But I didn't buy it because it looked too [adjective]!

[pepharytheworm]

The only system I bought at launch is the Wii. Only a few I bought in the same release year; SNES, N64 (my dad actually bought it during the launch week but I got it for Christmas.), Gamecube, GBA, and DS. Looks like someone likes Nintendo .

Maybe a little more then ten different games I bought on their release day. The ones I can remember are:
Mario 64
Wave Race 64
Sonic and Knuckles
Golden Sun: the Lost Age
Paper Mario and the Thousand Year Door
TMNT (NES)
Data East Arcade Classics
Mario Galaxy
Mario Kart Wii
Smash Bros. Brawl
Mario and Luigi PiT
Mario 64 DS

I can see how people get a feeling like being there first. I have a 3DO now but how awesome what it have been to have one when it was released. We found out it was good they knew it was good, thats the mentality they get. Its like the lunar landing after the first time it was like meh.....

[dudex77]

Getting something at launch is just another inch of your geek dick. Accept it. These days I don't think it really makes a difference (also FF7 is shit) but like if I met someone who bought gunstar heroes the day it came out i would probably worship them. Personally I don't really give a shit. I pride myself on getting things cheap, latest hardly means greatest when you don't buy into eye candy

[Luke]

Very rarely have I purchased games or consoles at launch, here's what is off the top of my head:

SMB.3
Final Fantasy X
Sega Genesis
Wii
Mega Man 9
Blaster Master Overdrive
Twilight Princess
GTA San Andreas for PC
TMNT II, The arcade game NES

I've never gloated about getting a game or console on its release, wouldn't know why anyone would. But if someone does, I say let them. They're just super excited to finally have the game, and most likely they've been waiting months or years to play it. They're just happy about getting it, and there's really nothing wrong with that.

[Jerkface Killah]

I only bought consoles at launch when I was working at EB Games/GameStop from 2004-2007. I don't think I would have bought them immidiately if I hadn't been working there. I can remember getting certain games on launch day when I was younger. Resident evil 2 stands out in my mind for a particular reason. Bought RE2 day one. My dad saw me playing it, thought it was too violent, and made me return it. Then that Christmas, my mom secretly bought it back for me. Haha, take that dad.

JFK

[J T]

When we're talking about retro gamers that bought a really old game at launch, I kind of like to know that information because it lets you know how long they have been gaming. I like to know I'm not the only old timer.

[CRTGAMER]

When we're talking about retro gamers that bought a really old game at launch, I kind of like to know that information because it lets you know how long they have been gaming. I like to know I'm not the only old timer.

Where's my walker. Maybe thats why I don't invest in Blu-Ray, my eyes don't really see it.

[RadarScope1]

I've never purchased any hardware at launch. Even the stuff I was interested in. I just typically don't spend my money that way. Same with most games. There's tons of new stuff I want to play, but I have a backlog and can't recall buying anything on "day 1" the last few years.

However, I did buy FF7 the day it came out, and still own the same copy. I only mention it because it was mentioned in the OP.