While visiting relatives in the Detroit area last week I scored a Wii at a local Target. My son got a Target gift card for Christmas so we went to the store mainly for that, but as usual I sauntered back to the electronics area and voila! they had about 8-10 systems in the display cabinet. After purchasing it my son went back to the same Target about an hour later to get Zelda (on sale) and reported that only 1-2 were left. Right place at the right time I guess.......

Wow. That's funny. I just walked to a local store here and they sold me one. It was like december 20th, too.

I'm still searching Ottawa for one. Now that Christmas is over with and Nin's school is paid for, I have enough left over to pick up a wii... If only I could find one.

It's pretty crazy. Been through the same process as you, CEJ. One day I hit three stores that "had them earlier", but my timing was poor. Gamestops are hard, because you never know when the shipment will show up. Best Buy, Target, and other big stores are tough, because they involve camping out. I've decided to start hitting the EB games by my house, because they get UPS first thing in the morning.

No luck today. As I was chatting with the manager, he fielded 15 phone calls, and at least 12 of them were asking about Wiis. He had PS3s, but neither I, nor any of the callers were interested. It's obvious that the hype is still strong. I'm on overnights this weeks, so I will plan on rolling in to the store each day after dropping my daughter off at school.

It is frustrating. We bought Twighlight Princess for my daughter as a promise to get one. Probably a mistake. I kind of wish we had just picked up the Gamecube version for now. If there was a Wii patch that would upgrade GC vewrsions to use the Wii controller I'd be on it in a second.

Damn, any light at the end of the tunnel would be most appreciated. Hope is a fickle thing at this point in the Wii quest.

someone just posted this on DIGG... seems pretty lame advice, but here you go...

http://www.gamingmoments.net/2007/how-to-find-a-nintendo-wii/

Just to clarify; I went to check it out. The wife, in a moment of gaming ignorance, suggested that Santa get one. The kids latched on to the idea and promptly started writing notes to Santa asking for a Wii. The rest is history.

Wife had no idea. I would have blissfully gone on with my PC Gaming, amused by the hype and hysteria associated with a Wii. Unfortunately, I ended up getting pulled into it.

The UPS suggestion is pretty much what I had been told. Problem is, I don't really have the time to start stalking UPS delivery people. I will stop by the local Target tomorrow to see what their ETA. The place is pretty empty during the day.

Hey, CEJ, if you get a lead on one, mind dropping me a note? I'm in the same general area, and I'm having NO luck. I'll return the favor should I latch onto a good vibe before you.

I got excited about the hype, and then I bought a 360.

I feel I can pretty easily wait until spring or so, when they're easier to find. I expect the allure of Smash Bros. to overwhelm my restraint.

Bingo!

Scored a Wii today at EB Games!

Was working the overnight, and had to stay late. I got out about 10:30am. On my way home I decided to call EB instead of going there. They get their shipments early, so a quick no would let me get some sleep sooner. But then I heard the magic words, "We just got three in, right now." I begged him to hold one for me, let him know who I was, since I buy and sell there on a regular basis, and promised to be there within 20 minutes. I showed up, and there was a lady just finishing up her purchase of a Wii. Then the manager gave me that nod to let me know I was in like flint!

I'm getting it set-up now (it's on its second update, and they are pretty long) so it will be ready for my daughter when she gets hoome. I was supposed to take her and a friend ice skating this afternoon, but I think I will just tell them I am too tired (which is totally true now!) and tell them to hang out at home instead. She will be bummed, until she sees what's under the TV! Too bad there are no extra controllers to be had anywhere.I was told by a guy at best Buy that the controller were recalled, and they sent all of their controllers in. So it may be awhile before they start showing up.

I'm going to be a good dad, and not even open up Wii sports or Zelda before she gets home. I'll let her break in the game playing. I may check out the weather thing, as that sounds kind of cool..

BTW, when I was at Best Buy, they had a stack of eleven PS3s, and the guy told me they had 60. He said they couldn't give them away. EB Games had a few PS3s as well.

I've missed them by less than half an hour here several times in the last few days. All the Target, Toys'R'Us and Walmart guys are clued in to the UPS delivery idea and won't even speculate what time of day they get their shipments. I think they dread a horde of parents descending on them every day at 1045 or something...

It's starting to get frustrating.

My only hope is online. The only store within 80 miles of me that would even remotely have them is Kmart, and it took them a year to get 360's regularly in stock. I think they've had a single shipment of Wii's so far (maybe 8-10 of them). So until the big online retailers carry them with a volume that I can get online and purchase it, I'm going to continue to be out of luck.

We've still be unable to get one, although I missed a unit at at a local Bust Buy by minutes (was shopping for something else). It's pretty insane - I don't think anyone really saw this coming in this magnitude. I look forward to the day I can just walk into a store and grab one at my leisure.

I was ringing around yesterday. One shop said the magic words "We got some in yesterday".

Then they said they'd run out. I've just ordered mine online instead.