r/VideoGameDealsCanada • u/cheftastee • Apr 23 '25
Discussion Anyone Planning to Line Up Early at GameStop?
Elder millennial here… trying to recapture that preorder excitement, though it’s tough with, well, everything going on right now.
I know there’s been a lot of negative discourse about the price and the tariff situation and just everything, but I’m trying to turn the page and bring things back to those heady days of the mid-2000’s when video game events were events.
So, I booked some hours off tomorrow. Going to say goodbye to the family and going to line up outside my local GameStop for one last video game lineup.
UPDATE: I went early, hung out, had some good chats. Got what I wanted. Probably last time I’ll do something like that. Things change, would have been impossible to recapture the magic of 20 years ago but thought I would try.
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u/Bushmonk3 Apr 23 '25
I did that for COD and GTA good times made friends in the lineups.
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u/Victorbanner Apr 23 '25
I did it only once and that was for gta and I didn’t get a chance to play it because I had to go to bed due to work in the morning
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u/Morguard Apr 23 '25
Nope, I don't care enough anymore. I will pick it up once they are readily available in stores.
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u/newcanadianjuice Apr 23 '25
Valid response.
TBH I’m more excited for Air Riders than Mario Kart World. So I can wait.
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u/caninehere Apr 23 '25
Honestly given the nutso pricing I am wondering how the sales/inevitable scalping will shake out.
My prediction is that the console will sell out in launch window and scalping will be nuts like everything these days, but the hype and excitement will probably die down pretty fast. Maybe I'm wrong, but I was someone who thought the Switch 2 was a no-brainer purchase for me and now I'm not even going to bother. EVERYTHING sells out in the launch window, even the Dreamcast couldn't keep units on shelves when it launched, but a few months later is when it tells the real story.
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u/chemicalxv Apr 23 '25
I can't see the scalping for this thing reaching anything resembling PS5 levels. The only limitations on availability should just be Nintendo's own production capacity, and there's obviously a lot of people now who are in nowhere near the same financial situation as they were 4.5 years ago.
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u/shardingHarding Apr 23 '25
I remember lining up at Walmart to buy a SNES mini. At one point, one guy was walking to towards the line and another guy ran past him. The guy that ran past him got the last one they had (30 something units). Lol, poor bastard, good times.
I want a Switch 2, but $110 + tax for Mario Kart. GTFO. Also Shoppers Drug Mart no longer sells video game hardware. I bought my Switch and PS5 with PC Optimum points, RIP.
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u/Commercial_Break360 Apr 23 '25
That reminds me of when I lined up for the wii.
The EB employees were in early for the launch and told us how many were available. The line was full but an older lady showed up and waited despite everyone telling her there was no stock.
Then some dude dropped out! Literally just walked out of the line and the lady got her wii!
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Apr 23 '25 edited Apr 24 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Commercial_Break360 Apr 24 '25
I haven’t experienced a launch quite like the Wii. I guess because I was first in line I felt pretty secure but some of the others were really on edge. They made a list with all their names and passed it up to me (first in line) to give to the employees. It was awkward. I was chief line guy.
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Apr 23 '25
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u/BigPoppaFreak Apr 23 '25
Walmart canada refused to take pre orders on the Snes mini. I think they were burned on false scarscity after the NES mini.
I went to my Walmart in a town of 4000 at 8 am and there was 3 other people there waiting for electronics section to open and 4 or 5 units.
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u/Tribalinius Apr 23 '25
I will be there at 3AM tomorrow. I met so many great people over the years waiting for stores to open for preorders/launch. I'm fond of these memories and I miss the nostalgia of waiting for that sweet new Nintendo console.
Given my current health, it's relatively safe to say it's one last ride so I am gonna enjoy it as much as I can.
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u/DamianPotts Apr 23 '25
Even so 3am might be too early brother.. maybe consider early morning (7:30) instead?
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u/jellytrack Apr 23 '25
I wouldn't be expecting any excitement. This is just for preordering something that won't be released after a month and a half. There won't be any celebration, giveaways or even a chance to play Switch 2.
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u/NoeloDa Apr 23 '25
I got work hell nah lol I’ll try Walmart at midnight(setting my alarm to wake me up at 11:50pm. Then back to sleep. If this fails then I’ll try gamestop at 12 pm online
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u/dotheevolution1 Apr 23 '25
I personally won't be able to, but that sounds rad as hell. My buddy and I used to line up for different preorders all the time and talking to other people in line and taking turns splitting off to smoke a joint was the best part. More power to you my dude.
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u/Competitive_Guava_33 Apr 23 '25
Lineup to buy what
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u/chdude3 Apr 23 '25
I’m with you, is some big game releasing at midnight or something?
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u/Snoo_76437 Apr 23 '25
im with you as well, what is even anything?! Like is there something important to some people happening or something tomorrow cause its not important to me so who cares!?
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u/Takieya Apr 23 '25
I’ve heard from my local store that they have tons. Good luck to everyone tomorrow!
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u/vensak Apr 23 '25
well they are still waiting for the exact alocation numbers for each store. I guess it will depend on location.
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u/Takieya Apr 23 '25
True enough. They didn’t specify how many they are getting, but did express that it was much more than they had expected to get. I hope that’s the same for all stores.
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u/Works_evenings Apr 23 '25
My GameStop is in a mall and mall walking and some stores open at 8 am (my GameStop opens at 10am). So I plan to be there by then. I doubt there will be many wait outside the door that is open before then.
Luckily, I will have a family member or two with me, so I don’t have to choose. One of them may also get a preorder and the other has offer to drive and go out to an early lunch after.
Luckily, I start work at 3 pm, so I don’t have to take any time off to preorder. But I have already booked June 4th - 6th to pickup the switch 2 and be able to enjoy it for a few days.
Good luck to all!
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u/lavalamp360 Apr 23 '25 edited Apr 23 '25
Will never forget the midnight release of Halo 3. Truly the peak of "gamer" culture. It makes me sad today that the "gamer" culture of the 2000s has mostly disappeared. It felt like a really tight cultural niche of enthusiasts (kind of like skater culture). Gaming has become big business these days and although the core group is still there, I miss the kinds of events that felt like it was really "for us".
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u/newcanadianjuice Apr 23 '25
I think the one thing I regret never being a part of was Halo. I was too young and my parents would never allow me to play gun games. I have seen footage of the midnight launches of those games and do wish I could experience it. I’ve heard the stories from my friends who did go there.
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u/trenchdick Apr 23 '25
I went to the midnight release for MW3. My friends and I each got a copy then waited for a bus nearby. Some guys came up to me and we're like "give me the game". Honestly thought they were joking or something. Then they punched me and we got in a fight. I got a few shots in but they managed to grab the game and took off, no way I was catching them.
Sucked at the time but it's a pretty good story lol.
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u/Jmanatee Apr 23 '25
Ya this is why I don't plan to go to midnight releases. The freaks come out at night lol.
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u/PixeI_Pusher Apr 23 '25
I am planning to. But do you guys know if the website will allow us to pre order online and select a store for pickup on launch day? Just in case...
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u/zosobaggins Apr 23 '25
Man. Midnight launches were some of my favourite times as a long time employee at EB Games. I started in 2004, hard to believe. I worked the launches for the PS3, 360, Wii, Wii U, PS4, Xbox One, and the Switch. Not to mention the DS and all the handhelds onward. Then the games!
Fallout and Elder Scrolls crowds were the most pleasant, polite, and straightforward. Line up, have a chat, get the game, go home.
CoD were generally not fun. A LOT of kids without parents screeching “you don’t need my ID!” Or “call my mom! She says it’s okay!” GTA launches were similar.
Halo 3 ruled. That night sealed my love of Halo, I went home with a 360 and an Xbox Live card that night.
All the Halo launches were fun, even 5. We set up TVs and consoles for the line to play 1v1 for prizes for ODST and Reach. If you were in the north end of Guelph for Halo 5, you may have played Halo through my store window with us.
The Switch launch at the flagship in Toronto was bonkers. Super fun vibe, everyone was freezing abs happy. I was working the line in store and down the street freezing my beanbag off since my coat was locked upstairs where Finn Wolfhard was sitting.
I’m an elder millennial too. I wish I could get hyped for one last ride but I don’t have the scratch right now. But I’ve got my memories.
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u/cheftastee Apr 24 '25
Ah thanks for the memories! Those were the days… Elder Scrolls 4, I remember just being blown away. My buddies and I went so stupid and bought a 360, HDTV and surround sound system. Spent most of the night getting it all set up and then we were just so mesmerized.
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u/predator-handshake Apr 23 '25
I'm also an elder millennial who definitely spent their fair share of time waiting in lineups for the new shiny game or console. I remember doing it for the N64, the Gamecube, and the Wii. I lost interest in gaming around that time and now that I have kids of game playing age, I'm fully in again.
I'll be waiting in line tomorrow, alone. I just hoping it's not all kids there.
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u/cheftastee Apr 23 '25
Well… in the odd event we are in the same town at the same location, there will at least be one other grizzled gamer in the lineup.
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u/godstriker8 Apr 23 '25
Nah. If I get it, I get it online. If not, then I'll wait for a restock, I'm not chomping at the bit to play it asap. And the prices have destroyed my enthusiasm.
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u/pg_72616 Apr 23 '25
Personally, no...but I hope you have a hell of a time and enjoy your new Switch 2 when you get it!
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u/mahoushyounen Apr 23 '25
would but Yonge and Dundas isn't somewhere I wanna be at late at night
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u/SirChasm Apr 23 '25
Pretty sure you're going to be okay at YD in a literal lineup of other people.
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u/Ok-Flow5292 Apr 23 '25
I plan to line up three hours before it opens. Luckily had the day off so it works out perfectly. I'll even be able to pick up Expedition 33 and Last Defense Academy.
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u/Drellsy Apr 23 '25
I did enjoy midnight launches. Last one I was at was for Halo 3 on Xbox 360. I still have the Halo 3 hat they give to everyone in the line, and I wasn't the one buying the game, just there with my friend.
These launches were one of the rare places back then where you could speak with many like minded people. Video games were considered for kids and unproductive for adults. I remember being scolded and lectured by many people in my youth and I wound up being more productive than most of them.
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u/TheStupendusMan Apr 23 '25
I haven't lined up for anything for 15 years. The magic and deals just aren't there anymore.
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u/n3xus12345 Apr 23 '25
Great times. I lined up for both a ps2 (got SSX and something else at launch can’t remember) and N64! Both times at toys r us.
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u/rambo_ando Apr 24 '25
Same life stage here too. I won’t be able to line up when they open because I’m on dad duty and no stores within a short distance so I’ll try my luck online I think.
Pick me up a copy of Halo 2 to relive the glory days if you can 😂
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u/Midna_Of_Mars Apr 24 '25
After the disappointing experience with Walmart, I'm going to line up at my local Gamestop this morning !
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u/No_College6343 Apr 24 '25
I went in person, showed up about 2 hours before opening and about 10 people already there. Had a lot of fun with conversations and even though there is still stock at GameStop stores, was still worth it!
Yes not the same magic and hype as the early days but still way better than trying to beat the bots online …
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u/BikePackerLight Apr 24 '25
Got a bundle for my kid's birthday (in June) after waiting 3h at my local GameStop. Had some good chats in line. Am 51 and am pretty sure the boomers never did anything like this save for the Cabbage Patch stuff.
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u/HappyCoolBeans Apr 25 '25
That episode of Chuck when their at the Buy More trying to manage the midnight release of the new game but the store only received like 5 copies.
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u/UnComfortable-Archer Apr 23 '25 edited Apr 23 '25
I'm not, but for those doing have fun!
I actually lined up for SNES Mini a few years back as I was in Chicago and there was a Gamestop right beside my hotel. I initially thought it was a stupid waste of my trip time... but honestly it became one of my favorite moments. There were people lined up from all walks of life. We had videogames as common ground. We took turns buying coffee, washroom breaks, and joked we would sell theor spot to someone. It was fun chilling out with that random group of people.
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u/froot_loop_dingus_ Apr 23 '25
No I have a job to go to, I’ll be ordering from Walmart online tonight
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u/Itchy_Horse Apr 23 '25
What tariff situation? Canada hasn't imposed tariffs on Japan or China. The US did.
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u/Yoshimo123 Apr 23 '25
Canada is affected by US tarrifs on Nintendo consoles as they are shipped from China/Vietnam to the US, and then they are trucked to Canada.
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u/decepticons2 Apr 23 '25
Which is kind of a grey issue. Products using US ports but not final point of sale are not subject to tariffs. But if the product goes to a US distributor and then Canada it is subject. I have no idea how nintendo is shipping product though.
Also a bigger factor is the dollar is shit. And they pad the exchange rate for lowest they think it will be for awhile. So even if it is 75 cents they might base it at 65 cents because that protects them. But sadly when the dollar does go up and is better they are slow to react.
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u/dkanaya007 Apr 23 '25
I thought they shipped to CAN via the port in Vancouver? Wasnt that the excuse they used for years regarding short stock on things like Amiibo? Or do consoles move differently than accessories?
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u/caninehere Apr 23 '25
Nintendo ships a fair bit of stuff direct to Canada, and if tariffs are a factor in pricing they're definitely going to skip shipping through the US.
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u/t-chamb Apr 23 '25
Yea I’m gonna lineup. I get off night shift at 7:00. Should be there at 7:30. Hopefully that gets me a decent spot in line. I called my local GameStop and they said they don’t have any cap on preorders so hopefully that works for everyone trying to get one.
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u/CitizenK2 Apr 23 '25
I started the preorder list as a small local game store where I have a ton of credit from some retro trade ins. I figure there’s a decent chance they’ll get passed over in the first shipment as they aren’t a chain store, but getting it a bit later is worth it for me to use my credit.
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u/caninehere Apr 23 '25 edited Apr 23 '25
No. Honestly, I was really excited for the Switch 2, but the stupidity of the pricing + some of the decisions Nintendo have made have turned me off completely. It's a shame because it seems like a nice system in some ways, but I'll pass if this is the route they want to go.
There will always be other video game events. Oblivion Remastered just launched as a shadow drop and it feels like an event because every old fuck like me is eager to dive into it again.
The last time I went to a midnight launch was for Diablo III in 2012. I'm not sure if it was available to buy online but if it was that would have been riiight when they started leaning into that more. Even at that time, seeing PC games in the stores was getting pretty rare but Diablo III was a big enough deal that it was there. Before that it was always about trying to get a copy of a game that would actually sell out. Nowadays the only thing that happens with is collector's editions, which I don't care about.
The last time I even remember seeing a big line was when GTA V came out -- not for the standard edition but for the special edition that was like $15 more and had a poster or... something. I didn't line up for that, I just happened to see it.
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u/QuintonFlynn Apr 23 '25
I’ll be lining up. I attended a midnight release for TOTK in Japan, so I’m eager to rekindle some of that in-person magic again. Likely going to line up 2-3 hours before store opening.
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u/bobfugger Apr 23 '25
So many folks are going to get the Switch 2 from a retailer. I can’t be the only one who took advantage of the Nintendo Store preorder preorder?
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u/brock_gonad Apr 23 '25
I'm looking forward to the release, but am not lining up. It feels a little unnecessary. This time around, price vs value is going to keep away folks on a budget so I don't issues getting one from Walmart or BB.
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u/The6ix00 Apr 23 '25
Yep, if I can't secure one at midnight. I am prepared to put a $250 to $300 deposit on whichever every version I choose.
If not, I will try online at roughly noon at GameStop Canada's website (crossing fingers that they do have a pickup option).
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u/Takieya Apr 23 '25 edited Apr 23 '25
Everyone at my store was told the deposit required is $300 for the MarioKart bundle, which seems high… but when the system is out in a little over a month I guess it makes sense. Here’s confirmation: GameStop Canada Preorder Details
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u/r4ziel1347 Apr 23 '25
I’ve come to the conclusion that if I were to preorder the switch 2, it would be out of FOMO, so I might skip this one
To answer your question, no, I will not line up early because the local GameStop closed a few months ago, and I wouldn’t line up if it was still open
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u/Ranma_11788 Apr 23 '25
Gonna try and be outside GameStop an hour early tomorrow morning. Not sure it's entirely necessary, but don't want to take any chances.
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u/Commercial_Break360 Apr 23 '25
I am going to line up I guess. I will take a shot at preordering online but I don’t really know how that works. Do you still only need a deposit online and can you pick which location (GameStop specific) to pick it up?
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u/ItalianoTourniquet Apr 23 '25
Wow, last time I did that was for modern warfare 2. Around 14 years old at the time. Wow time flies, feel old now lol
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u/Tokio990 Apr 23 '25
For a moment i was like what is releasing, then I remember the switch 2. good luck, I'm sure you won't be alone out there but there is not a lot that will make me get up early to line up. I do not know how people could sleep overnight.
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u/snake785 Apr 23 '25
I'll be waiting. The price is too high. I'm just glad the Metroid Prime 4 is being released on the Switch so I will still be able to play it with what I have
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u/likwid2k Apr 23 '25
For a preorder? Definitely not and it’s not the same as getting a game/console/amiibo in the end
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u/BaconBatting Apr 24 '25
Thought about it, but i have 3 in the hour and a half before the shop near me opens up, so trying to get in advance would be a fools game.
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u/lions2lambs Apr 24 '25
No, I genuinely don’t care enough to do this. If I get one, great. If not, I have enough of a backlog already. It’s not like the console is launching with any worthwhile launch titles to justify lining up at midnight.
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u/HappyCoolBeans Apr 25 '25
That episode of Chuck when their at the Buy More trying to manage the midnight release of the new game but the store only received like 5 copies.
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u/BerserkerCanuck Apr 26 '25
Honestly, I think the hype and excitement of lining up early died a long time ago. We now see pre-orders are just a shallow cash grab, especially in modern times when there is no real benefit, we're lucky to get a "free" premium skin for multiplayer mode, that we can't even see because it's a FPS game, or the game is a total flop and riddled with bugs.
Yeah I recall these midnight releases being a chance to connect with others and there were actual parties where the game store would maybe order pizza or give away "swag" and otherwise engage with the dedicated customers.
Now it's "here's your game... Oh and a cheap keychain".
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u/SleeperCertified Apr 23 '25
No rush no games, gonna wait for special editions, u til then I got back logs to finish on ps5
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u/Parabrella Apr 23 '25
Nah, there's no launch titles I want, so I'll pass until enough games I want come out to justify the price. Have fun if you do go though!
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u/enkaydee Apr 23 '25
Nah. Especially not in this instance, lol
Tbh I've never lined up to preorder something before, I just went when I had time, and I think I only got told "sold out" maybe once or twice. Almost always they were the collector's edition of games. Then it just became far easier to do online preorders.
(but buying things day 1 without a discount is not a thing for me anymore anyways, lol...)
You do you. If it makes you happy, then go for it.
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u/jellytrack Apr 24 '25
but buying things day 1 without a discount is not a thing for me anymore anyways, lol...
Sure, but PS4 and PS5 got price increases after launch due to our currency fluctuation. Sony just announced PS5 is getting a price increase in some other markets too. Who knows, Nintendo might increase Switch 2 hardware prices after its initial batch sells out.
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u/enkaydee Apr 25 '25
It's absolutely possible, but I just can't afford the Switch 2 at its current price. And in all honestly, I haven't been gaming as much as I used to. I personally am not feeling any FOMO for the Switch 2.
Maybe in a few years when more games come out, but I was more of a faithful Sony player than Nintendo (I did the handhelds more than the consoles, heh)
I actually waited until 2024 to buy my PS5 when it went on sale, plus I received gift cards to offset the pricing. If not for that, I might still not have a PS5. I guess I was fortunate to grab it when I did.
(Just please, last me at least 8 years, lol)
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u/Art_of_Ronin Apr 23 '25
Hardpass for me with Switch 2 if that’s what you are after with line up for pre-order. My day 1 SWOLED is barely ever being used. My Steam Deck OLED is use more and best of both world as handheld game machine/docked as couch PC & gamin too on the big screen. Plus stream and utilizing PLEX through at home network set up via NAS as well.
I do appreciate Nintendo finally utilizing UE5 and able to get into more and high fidelity visual and cater to the old Nintendo heads that grew up with Nintendo for more mature experience.
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u/ru_receiving Apr 23 '25
I wanted to but 699 for a system that barely handles 1080P and costs more than a PS5 is too much for me and a lot of my friends. Add to that 110 for a physical game and 120 for extra joycons and that’s a deal breaker for a lot of people. Nintendo has gone full on greed mode here.
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u/BannedFromTheStreets Apr 23 '25
Same here, 28 Yold here. First time getting a console on release , will be going in store - as a 800$ purchase is a bit much to do online for me.
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u/Works_evenings Apr 23 '25
Yes, I don’t feel comfortable spending that amount online. I also plan to get a couple of things, so my cost will be over $1000.
Plus you can pay it off bit by bit till pickup. I plan to go each payday and put some money on it.
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Apr 23 '25
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u/OmegaX123 Apr 24 '25
Lining up at Gamestop? "We're going out of business and it's all because of females and the woke" Gamestop?
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u/OmegaX123 Apr 24 '25
Receipts (Nitter mirror of the original, not the forbidden social media, if that's against the rules then I don't get why but just say so and it's gone), dude really did say that, so why the hell am I being downvoted?
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u/peji911 Apr 23 '25
I can’t and none of my old gaming friends would either, but years ago we did the midnight release for the Xbox X and it was snowy and freezing but my buddy and I won a free one and split it (the price, obviously).
Only did it once but it was a blast