If I Pre-Ordered my Wii U, How Early Should I Show Up?

[Jamisonia]

I want to get it tonight when it launches at midnight. I've never been to a console launch before. Do the people who pre-ordered generally have to wait in line?

[equalsign]

Yes, people who preordered usually have to wait in line. When I picked up my Wii, I arrived at Gamestop (in Southern California) 3 hours early. I was second in line. I can't guess what it will be like for you.

[flojocabron]

better do it early.

Looks like theres gonna be shortages in some stores.

Too many pre-orders and not enough first run consoles.

[Octopod]

I plan on getting there around 10 tonight. I was assured just two days ago that my Walmart got enough to cover preorders plus 6 extra but I figure I'll get there a bit early just in case. I've actually never got a console on launch night either. The only thing I've ever gone to a midnight launch to before is RDR.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

I'll be at my Best Buy an hour early. Worst case scenario nobody's there and I go get breakfast.

I went to the Best Buy that's never busy and in the middle of nowhere, so not too worried about it.

[pvt_awol]

I hope I am in the back of the line, so that when all the non-preorder people get turned away, I can walk up and get mine anyway. LOL. Sense of accomplishment and foresight fulfilled. Bahahaha

[alienjesus]

You guys seem to have a very different experience of console launches to me. I pre-ordered my Wii and got to pick it just fine at 10am on launch day. I pre-ordered my 3DS and went to pick it up at midnight. There were probably around 10 people there, tops.

That said, with all these stories I've been hearing about stock issues in the US, I'd head out early. Better safe than sorry.

I wish I was picking up a Wii U at the UK launch

[Reprise]

It depends where you live I guess.

I wonder if they're doing midnight launches here in the UK in my city. The last one I remember was Electronic Boutique (remember that?) doing it for the Dreamcast, but I haven't paid attention really since.

I hope my Wii U comes on time. I pre-ordered it from Amazon to save money.

[retrosportsgamer]

You guys seem to have a very different experience of console launches to me. I pre-ordered my Wii and got to pick it just fine at 10am on launch day. I pre-ordered my 3DS and went to pick it up at midnight. There were probably around 10 people there, tops.

That said, with all these stories I've been hearing about stock issues in the US, I'd head out early. Better safe than sorry.

I wish I was picking up a Wii U at the UK launch

If there are stock issues, pre-orders will be handled in the order they were originally received - not first come first serve though, right? This is why you see some people lamenting they have to wait a week because Walmart sent them a note saying it wouldn't be available at launch.

[pvt_awol]

I just got a call from the store where I pre-ordered mine. The lady said that people are already lined up for it. (being about 10 hours away from midnight now)

I asked when I should get there, and she said that I didn't have to worry about it, my pre-order is good until Monday. LOL.

I'll go for the atmosphere anyway.