Here's a brief roundup of buzz, news, and reports from the front lines.
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3D Midnight Madness
At nearly a dozen Best Buy stores around the country, 3DS previews started at 10pm with sales beginning at 12:01am. Lines for the 3DS snaked around the block at San Francisco's Powell Street GameStop. IDG's own GamePro.com about 50 people were waiting in line for the store to open a minute past midnight.
the first person in line, 21-year-old Kyle Tillisch, had been waiting since 9:30pm. Other North American retailers holding midnight launch events included Best Buy, and in Canada, tech retailer .
Nintendo 3DS Lines, or Not
On Twitter many gamers reporter huge lines at places like Best Buy's Union Square store in New York City, where Nintendo held an official launch event. One person who presumably waited in line at Union Square, Ashtondo, : "Nintendo is going all out. Free food, music and entertainment for everyone waiting in line to buy a 3DS."
There were reportedly no line for the Nintendo 3DS system in other parts of the U.S. Twitter user UFLinguist : "Swung by Best Buy. 90min to launch and not a soul in line? Did I misinterpret how popular the 3DS is gonna be?"
Another Twitter user, , who identifies himself as from Arizona, wrote: "Boohaha! No line for me to get my ..."
$100 3DS Buyback, Almost
While some retailers drummed up excitement for their Nintendo 3DS launch with midnight sales, others such as Walmart decided to appeal those looking to save a nickel.
Walmart is offering $100 in trade-in credits toward a new 3DS games system for older Nintendo DS handhelds. The promotion, which expires April 30, is good for trading in up to two DS systems. Before you leap, however, scan these promotional caveats:
* Nintendo DS trade-in systems must include AC power adapters.
* Walmart is only offering trade-in deals at participating stores in: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and South Carolina.
Toys R Us is offering free shipping on online orders of 3DS game systems along with deals on 3DS games ().
For a complete list of Nintendo 3DS deals read recent post where he
The Buzz
As of this writing the Nintendo 3DS launch appears to be going smoothly. Unlike Nintendo's late February launch of the 3D system in Japan, where it sold out quickly, there are no reports (so far) of retailers selling out here in the U.S.
Online retailer Amazon, which was offering a $25 credit on pre-orders of the 3DS game system, currently reports the game system "in stock." Last week Amazon's UK storefront said the Nintendo 3DS had broken its record for console pre-orders, beating previous pre-order record-holder, the Nintendo Wii.
A collection of my favorite tweets from Nintendo 3DS fans:
: I can't wait to get my Nintendo 3DS after church; I'm still amazed that I'm actually picking it up upon launch day!
: No wonder the box is so heavy. The manual is huge!
: Sick. But that's not stopping me from waiting for my #3DS in the Fry's parking lot.
: Whoo! Second #3DS at Target. Could have been first, but I looked at other things.
: Marvelling at a 3D picture I took this morning. It's amazing - looks like you can reach into the screen and touch it.
: Forests and dragons are appearing on my table.
: 3DS is out today. I'm opting for a cheaper solution - shrooms and regular DS.
: Oh my god! The augmented reality on the Nintendo #3DS is pure epicness! I love fighting the dragons it looks so sick!