What Game System Had The Best Launch?

[the King]

Playstation 3 had people killing, mugging, and robbing one another.


...wait, is that a plus or a minus?

huh? I remember a week after the PS3 launch walking into stores with the system sitting on the shelf not selling.

[the King]

Playstation 2 had people camping overnight for the thing it was ridiculous...

I was working retail in college selling videogames and was involved in the Dreamcast, PS2, Xbox and Gamecube launches. The PS2 launch was crazy. We had people checking daily after the first day for the next shipment and the system was selling for three times retail on ebay. Nothing compares the hype that the PS2 generated.

[noiseredux]

seriously... GBA... fastbilly?

[the King]

seriously... GBA... fastbilly?

i worked during the GBA launch as well and it was a big deal, lots of moms lined up compared to console launches, but nothing will ever beat the hype Sony had going for the PS2. The Wii comes close, but the PS2 was insane.

[noiseredux]

seriously... GBA... fastbilly?

i worked during the GBA launch as well and it was a big deal, lots of moms lined up compared to console launches, but nothing will ever beat the hype Sony had going for the PS2. The Wii comes close, but the PS2 was insane.

I was working retail for the PS2 launch, and I remember it being a big deal... but for the hardware. Meaning, I don't remember any of the launch titles specifically. Which is kind of weird.

GBA launch seemed amazing.

*sigh*

[noiseredux]

Since we're on the subject, me and fast have had long conversations about the GBA launch. As you all may know, I've done blog posts about both the GB and GBC launch lineup. But the GBA launch is slightly harder to piece together as it was larger. Here's what wiki says:

Game Boy Advance

U.S. launch: June 11, 2001

* Army Men Advance
* Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
* ChuChu Rocket!
* Earthworm Jim
* F-Zero: Maximum Velocity
* Fire Pro Wrestling
* GT Advance Championship Racing
* Iridion 3D
* Konami Krazy Racers
* Namco Museum
* Pinobee: Wings of Adventure
* Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure
* Rayman Advance
* Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2
* Super Dodge Ball Advance
* Super Mario Advance
* Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2

...they show 17 titles total. I've found other lists showing as few as 12 titles total on launch day (and I'm talking launch DAY in the US, not week/month -- but the actual day one that you could buy the console, which games could you choose from?) Other lists I've found online show 20-22 games total.

I'm pretty sure fast felt like there were only 12 or so actually made available on the launch day.

Can anyone actually confirm one way or another with some concrete proof?

[the King]

seriously... GBA... fastbilly?

i worked during the GBA launch as well and it was a big deal, lots of moms lined up compared to console launches, but nothing will ever beat the hype Sony had going for the PS2. The Wii comes close, but the PS2 was insane.

I was working retail for the PS2 launch, and I remember it being a big deal... but for the hardware. Meaning, I don't remember any of the launch titles specifically. Which is kind of weird.

GBA launch seemed amazing.

*sigh*

I'm trying to think of launch titles for the PS2 myself, I know I did get one on the second shipment(just cause I worked there) and bought Madden, so that was one and it was really pretty, but didn't have all the features of the same years title on the psx/n64. The only launch title of note from that era I really remember is Luigi's manson.

[SpaceBooger]

Fixed it

I also agree with the Dreamcast. It had games to cover serveral genre, so there was bound to be something for someone to like.

Good call. Thanks.

[D.D.D.]

I was working retail for the PS2 launch, and I remember it being a big deal... but for the hardware. Meaning, I don't remember any of the launch titles specifically. Which is kind of weird.

I had my PS2 reserved @ gamestop and I went there after work. It was a mad house and people were offering me much more than I paid... Shoulda taken it. RRV only lasted so long and then it collected dust until MGS2 & GTA3 which was a long time after.

[cubingmelons]

I don't really recall but from what I understand, the Dreamcast was basically launched to perfection. It had a great launch lineup (Sonic Adventure, Soul Calibur, House of the Dead 2, Power Stone and a few others) and some of those games are still pretty fun. People still play Sonic Adventure and the original Soul Calibur. Unfortunately due to Sega's mistreatment of their previous consoles, everyone was weary and not very willing to trust them, so despite doing everything right and launching a console as well as they did, the Dreamcast was still doomed to die .

The PS2 launch was successful if only for the pure chaos that ensued. I do remember people camping out and not even being able to get one. The system launched with a lot of games but the PS2 didn't even really take off for a while due to the initial high price and the lack of solid games. I don't think the mass majority really considered the PS2 a great success until Metal Gear Solid 2 came out.

My vote goes to the Dreamcast.