Paka

Yep, unless I see something REALLY good; I'll be out of town spending the long weekend up in the NC mountains. Already made my TV purchase, and had they released the 3DS early, I was willing to wait for that, but nothing else in particular. However, if my friends up where I'm visiting want me to go with them or help out by waiting and trying to get something for their kids, I'm willing.

I know I'm going to kick myself for buying last weeknd... but old Sony HDTV died and needed a replacement. I know Wal-Mart hasn't shown up yet, but if they (or anyone else) discounts the 42" Sanyo Plasma HDTV, you might want to consider it. Not a big name, and I know the issues with Plasma, but the reviews are mostly very positive, even for gaming (a big thing for me). Great picture, really easy setup. It was $448 when I bought it; if that were to be sliced for BF, couldn't beat it if you want a 2nd TV for any reason.

I agree with this. Also, since a lot of people will probably be trading theirs in at that time, will probably be able to get used ones very cheap. And, as an aside, I think the 3DS will be the big and hard-to-get toy for 11's season, even if it comes out early in the spring. I'm definitely preordering myself.

For the 360, I personally recommend going as high as you can on the HD. I have a 60gb, and even though I thought I'd never need to, I want a larger one. It isn't so much downloads from live, it is in the benefit of installing games-- by installing games to the HD, the system runs a LOT cooler and more quietly, and loading times in many games seem much improved. Posted this in the other thread, but I do think the Kinect will be very hard to find; BINs on eBay seem way over retail. If you are set on getting one, try the Burger King giveaway maybe- https://bkkinect.bk.com/ since they are giving away one every fifteen minutes and you can get free codes to use from them, from what I read on a gaming forum I'm on.

Looking more and more like Kinect is going to be real tough to get hold of-- glad I'm not planning on getting one; I'd rather just veg out with my controller. Retail I think is $149.99 but I'm seeing BINs way higher than that on eBay now... curious how it will be a month from now. If you do have a child set on getting one, might try the Burger King giveaway- https://bkkinect.bk.com/ From what I've read on a gaming forum I'm on, they'll give you six free codes via e-mail; giving away one every fifteen minutes.

Forgot to add too, I think Kinect for the 360 may end up being hot. At first I didn't think so-- not my thing really (I'm a 360 owner but not planning to buy). But the more I read, the more it looks like it could be big, and with the early Nov. release could be in pretty short supply for the holidays.

For those looking at it, no 3DS for the holidays this year. Announcement just came... it will be released over here some time in March, and though the price isn't finalized for over here, in Japan it will cost the equivalent of $300. Well, at least now we know the hot toy for '11. Hopefully the price will come down a bit too.

Somewhat smaller, it looks like- Top Screen: 3.53-inch widescreen LCD display, enabling 3D view without the need for special glasses; with 800x240 pixel resolution (400 pixels are allocated for each eye to enable 3D viewing). Touch Screen: 3.02-inch LCD with 320x240 pixel resolution with a touch screen. (from GameFAQs. I think the XL screens are 4.2") I was pretty set on an XL myself before the 3DS announcements at E3, even though I already have a regular DSi and a couple DSLs; I'm still tempted to get one for my husband. It will be nice if they drop the price on it. Though some games are supposed to look way nicer on the XL, it isn't as easy to carry around, so the 3DS will be a bit more portable.

Most of the guesses I'm seeing are in the $199-$249 range... IGN recently posted a good article on the 3DS where they expect that it will be under $200- http://ds.ign.com/articles/109/1094930p1.html However, if it makes it in time for the holidays and supplies are short, I think it will be going for way, way more online in auctions.

Though they won't be announcing the price and release date until Sept. 29th, if it does make it out this year, the Nintendo 3DS will be HUGE, I think. As a gamer, haven't seen this much hype online and in magazines like what there is for it in a long time-- it blew people away at E3 this year, and has massive 3rd party support already (one quote from someone in the industry said something like "This is the toy of the future"). Basically, it is Nintendo's newest handheld, and will be backwards compatible with DS games, but what it does is produce a 3-D effect without the need for glasses. If your kids are big on video games, may want to keep an eye out on that announcement day and if it does fall before the holidays, put in a preorder as soon as you can if you want to try to get one.

HM: DS is a great game, with one big issue-- glitches. However, newer copies may have them fixed. It is an addictive game, but getting the full enjoyment almost requires looking at strategy guides online; finding the "sprites" can be tough. I'm a big HM series fan, and I love it, but may be biased. The newer HM, Rune Factory, plays more like a traditional RPG, but with farming elements. Though in both games you play as a boy, girls will enjoy it as well. There are some other HM titles scheduled for future release; great HM site here- http://www.fogu.com/hm/ If you have a Gamecube, check out HM: Magical Melody (fun HM that has the option to play as a girl) and HM: Another Wonderful Life (the girl verison of A Wonderful Life).

I'm an adult DS owner, and here are the games I have (keep in mind I'm partial to RPG's)- Animal Crossing: Wild World Hotel Dusk: Room 215- This would be my biggest recommendation, great old-school point-and-click adventure Harvest Moon DS Rune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker Zelda: Phantom Hourglass Pokemon Diamond Lunar: Dragon Song Magical Starsign Final Fantasy III

Another game to consider picking up is Animal Crossing: Wild World. An easy-to-play, clean game with almost limitless replay value. Great for all ages, and popular with girls. Pokemon Diamond or Pearl could also be a good pick. One other suggestion would be the gold limited edition Zelda bundle that comes with Phantom Hourglass.

I just saw this, and wanted to offer my condolences. I am so sorry to hear that, that is so sad.

Was a pretty good experience, for my first time doing this! We checked out the group of stores I decided on, with a TRU, BB, ect. at about 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving; for those from the area, the ones off ex. 279 of I-75 in Wesley Chapel north of Tampa, in Pasco Co. Because of a bunch of construction, it was actually a little tough to figure out how to get to the stores to begin with. BB had about 20-30 campers I'd estimate, with nobody at TRU. In addition to being only about 10-15 min. from where we were staying, I figured they might be less crowded than the ones in Tampa itself. Well, leave at 4 and when we got there... Line at BB was unlike anything I'd ever seen, lol. TRU had a big one too, but not so bad, and I think we ended up at around #150 or so in it (bad at estimating #s of people, but that would be my guess). They came around and gave out snacks and OJ, which was nice. By the time they opened, we were about halfway in the line, with all the late arrivals. I couldn't see BB's line at that point, which was wrapped around anyways, but it had to be at least double TRU's I'd guess. Luckily, the crowd was VERY nice and calm, and even in the store there were no shows of aggression that I saw. I went directly over to the video games area, grabbed what I wanted then got in line there quickly so I could get the main thing I was there for, the gold limited edition Zelda DS bundle. I was out of the store by about 5:30, and wanted to go to BB, but the line was still quite long just to get in. We were tired, so decided against it, so headed back for some .

Though I mentioned in another thread here I wasn't going to hit TRU first (I was planning on CC), comments I'm reading here and in various other places are making me rethink it. Is TRU's line really that much shorter than the other big name places? If so, there is one near where I will be that has a BB right near it. It is actually on the way to CC so I guess I'll check there before going, and if it isn't bad, TRU will be my first choice. Thing is with my decision, I don't want to be there more than an hour before opening if possible. I'm going for an item-- the gold Zelda DS bundle-- which I think may sell out very quickly (so I'm worried about my chances) but probably isn't one of the top ones that require an all-night wait. TRU's deal on it, with a 50% off accessory, is good, but BB's is better so maybe those wanting one will be waiting there? For those who may be from the area, I'm from DeLand, FL but will be doing my BF shopping in the Tampa area since I'll be there visiting the family. The TRU I'm thinking of is north of Tampa in Pasco County, but the CC in mind is closer to Tampa, so I'm also considering that staying farther away from Tampa might be better. On the other hand, CC has some other items we want.

I completely agree. If a store has a GOOD ad, I would think it can only be to their benefit to have it out early as possible (even if they don't officially acknowledge their approval of a leak) to get people talking and deciding that they want to go there first. Thanksgiving is hectic for many people, and paper ads can get overlooked among all the others in all the hasty shuffle of deciding. I almost wonder if some of the stink being made with others could be because they know their ad isn't as good, and that people will compare ads, talk online and come to that conclusion.

Ok, can't verify that this ad is real, but saw it posted on another site and figured I'd post it for any who might be interested- Assorted Playstation 2 Games $10 Off $9.99 Assorted Playstation 2 Games $10 Off $19.99 Assorted Playstation 2 Games $10 Off $29.99 Assorted PSP Games $15-25 off $14.99 Assorted Xbox 360 Games $10 off $10 off Blu-Ray Remote for Playstation 3 $9.99 Buy 2 Used Games or Accessories and Get 1 Free B2G1F Cobra Racing Wheel for Playstation 2 $19.99 Diner Dash or Naruto for Nintendo DS $19.99 Drive FX Racing Wheel for Xbox 360 $39.99 Dynasty Warriors Empires for Xbox 360 $19.99 Free $30 Gift Card w/ Purchase of Playstation 2 System $129.99 Free Sylus & Case with Purchase of DS & Mario Party DS FREE Frontman Wireless Guitar for Playstation 2 $39.99 Get up to 30% Extra Trade Credit EXTRA Mortal Kombat Unchained for Sony PSP $9.99 Nintendo DS Lite Bundles (Nintendogs or Zelda) $149.99 Power Kit for Xbox 360 $9.99 Rainbox Six Vegas for PSP $9.99 Rockstar Table Tennis for Nintendo Wii $29.99 SanDisk 2GB Gaming Memory Stick Pro Duo Card $19.99 SanDisk 2GB Gaming Secure Digital Memory Card $19.99 Selected New PSP UMD Movies $3.99 Singstar Playstation 2 Bundle Pack $149.99 Sony PSP Bundles (Daxter or Star Wars) $199.99 Sports Pack, Console Stand or Remote Charger for Wii $9.99 The Sims 2 for PC $19.99 Tomb Raider for Sony PSP $19.99 Virtua Tennis 3 for Playstation 3 $19.99 Virtua Tennis 3 for Sony PSP $9.99 Wireless Controller for Playstation 3 $19.99 World of Conflict for PC $39.99 World of Warcraft for PC $9.99 Usually their sales aren't too good, but I'm glad to see they aren't selling the Zelda DS bundle for $169 like originally stated on their site and by employees. I wanted to see if they'd do a PS2 deal since I'm researching those for my friends, and the gift card isn't bad, but the TRU deal is MUCH better.

I have a ? on the PS2 bundle (on behalf of friends who want it, have one myself already, lol)... is it for ANY three games, or the ones shown? If it is for any three, that is a great deal. I thought this was one of the better ads I've seen; will probably stop by, though not right at opening, to pick up stuff for my nephews and niece. Though I have to admit, even though I'm an adult, I've always loved looking at all the toys! That never wore off from childhood.

Yep, so far I've seen it in ads for many of the others with prices from $129.99 to $149.99. Though I haven't seen their ad, I know from their site and employees that EB/Gamestop will have it at $169.99. An interesting follow-up... some people have already got their hands on them and are selling them on eBay, in-hand. Someone is listing one at $999! I think that person will have to eat the fees on that one, lol. However, I am watching the other auctions to see what they finish at-- I don't expect the really high prices until they sell out of stores (which will probably be right after BF). If we start seeing sky-high prices on eBay now, even if it is from the overseas buyers, it might make them even harder to get ahold of on BF as everyone will want to sell them. I've seen some additional input from employees that seems to back up that it is a BF one-shipment special, though it could be wrong. Maybe once Nintendo sees the demand they will release more? Edit- Just saw the Gamestop ad posted elsewhere, and they WILL be selling it for $149.99, it turns out. Perhaps that will be the "sale" and if any last past the sale period, they will go up to the $169.

I am a newbie curious about this too-- I want the special edition Zelda bundle also, but judging by the INCREDIBLE demand I'm seeing on gaming sites, with many current system owners planning to get this anyways (me being one of them, lol), I'm quite worried about my chances of getting ahold of one. I seriously think that this bundle may be the big shocker hot item of the season... throw into it that it is a U.S. exclusive, adding in huge overseas demand for ones sold online, and that there may not be more than one shipment. The #1 system with a hot game in a color that has actually been requested by many players; yep, I'm worried! Not seeing the demand as much for the Nintendogs bundle, but the pink Nintendogs bundles a few years back did extremely well. Because BB has the best overall deal, with the free game and starter kit, and is one of the more popular stores, you may actually be better off going to a store with a worse deal if you're completely set on one. I think I will hit CC first myself, with the $139.99 tag, but if I can't get one there or at any of the other 5 a.m. openings, the backup plan is EB/Gamestop. They open at 7, and though it has been yanked now, they had a preorder page up for it on their website showing it at $169.99 there. An employee I talked to on the phone said that while demand would be high, doorbusters would mostly be there trying to get Wiis so that if you were there to snag a DS bundle at opening, you would probably get one.