Wii, PlayStation 3 on Sale Tomorrow

We've been fiercely covering the launches of Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii.  We've been equally frustrated by the lack of actual consoles reaching store shelves, leaving us and much of the gaming public pretty bewildered.  However, after reports surfaced that Best Buy was purposely withholding the Wii to ramp up sales, sources reveal that both the Wii and PlayStation 3 will be on sale early Friday morning, December 15.

Unknown to many parents, both the Wii and PlayStation 3 have been in stock at electronics giant Best Buy.  However, the store's head office only allows each store to sell those consoles on Fridays.  While it's another reason to scream "TGIF!" it's also very hard to predict (especially when most DVD and game releases are traditionally launched on Tuesdays).

Still, unlike last Friday – when this writer found himself twenty-fifth in line for eighteen available Wiis – there should be far more consoles available.  Internal Best Buy newsletters are preparing employees for a war with the public as this second-last and most profitable weekend before Christmas approaches.  Consumers should expect that each store will have more than just a handful of Wii and PS3 units, unlike the period since each launched.

This isn't to say that Best Buy will have mountains of the stuff.  Although our sources in the company reveal that the Wii and PlayStation 3 will be on sale in greater quantity than the past month, those who truly want to be playing Zelda or Resistance on or before Christmas morn should line up soon.

10 comments
Posted by Bob on December 17,2006 at 4:47 PM
Based on conversations with 5 Best Buy employees on the floor at 3 locations in the SF Bay Area, PS3s get shipped during the week and are put at the Customer Service desk upon arrival.  Anyone asking is direct there to purchase one.  They are sold out before the weekend.  Most sell out the afternoon of arrival, but 2-3 are still available the morning following the shipment at some locatations.
Posted by mrpopguy on December 15,2006 at 3:40 PM
wal-mart gets them about 1-3 times a week since release i my self have 3 if interested MRPOPGUY02@AOL.COM just got 10 in today @1:00 est in ohio
Posted by redwolf on December 15,2006 at 12:44 PM
No Wii's at Best Buy in Montgomeryville, PA this AM
Posted by Maryland on December 14,2006 at 11:47 PM
Best buy had a SHELF FULL of Wii's this week.  I was there with my son.  I didn't even know what they were, but he told me he was shocked they were there. THere were no PS3's, but plenty of that other game.
Posted by Brando on December 14,2006 at 1:06 PM
We have two sources on this story, including one north of the border, and the other in the United States.  Our Canadian source tells us Friday is a for sure deal for release, however we suspect many American locations will also have the systems on sale.  Internal Best Buy newsletters from the U.S. are stating that the company will be selling a number of Wiis on Sunday, December 17, at the latest.
Posted by jeremy on December 14,2006 at 12:40 PM
Why pay, you can get one for free on microsofties
Posted by rick on December 14,2006 at 12:26 PM
will this be shipping in america?
Posted by Brando on December 14,2006 at 11:51 AM
Of course, there are exceptions.  But, for the most part, it's pretty hard to get your hands on either a Wii or PS3 at Best Buy locations.
Posted by Jayman4837 on December 14,2006 at 11:38 AM
Sorry, just not accurate.  I bought a PS3 on a Thursday from a Best Buy.   They sell emm when they get emm.   They had more yesterday (Wed.)
Posted by Jose on December 14,2006 at 10:06 AM
This sounds like more hype than anything

Even if they have twice as many Wiis as they have had since the launch it still wont meet the demand