Pre-Order NOW!

So, there is less than 12 DAYS until the GameCube Australian Launch. What should you do? ANSWER = PRE-ORDER. (if you haven't already - Shame on you)

BUT WHERE?.......

There are many places that will be selling the GC. Some at the Midnight Opening, others the next day. Some with a package others with just the console. I decided to go to Chadstone Shopping Centre to make my booking. BUT I really had no idea where to go.

The only thing I knew was that on MAY 16th I will see Star Wars Episode 2. After that I intend on strolling to one of the stores and picking up my GC at 12 Midnight.

There are basically 4 Places to go to in Chadstone.

My first stop was TOYS 'R' US. I must say that I thought that this was definitely the place to go. BUT alas I was wrong. I have never been so disappointed in my life. Upon entering T'R'U I found a GC stand where there was a small 8 year old boy playing Wave Race. All he did was spin in a circle and fall off. (ie. his character). I was amazed how empty the entire place was. It was just me, the 8 year old and the young girl behind the desk. I went up and asked what packages are you doing. Basically you get the GC, your choice of LUIGI'S MANSION or NOTHING. I said WHAT, I'm don't want that. A Players Guide, and 5 (Look FIVE) $10 Discounts. BIG BLOODY DEAL! Even though they are having the midnight launch, T'R'U did not have the right package for me.

With that I was on my way in disgust.

Next stop. K-MART. NOW this really is the most pathetic thing I have ever seen. Two girls working at K-MART in the electronics section, who have NO idea what a GC is. The only help I got (from both of them put together) was that they read to me the form for making the order. You get the GC, your choice of Luigi or Wave Race (that made me happier). THE END. And NO midnight opening. Geez, these stores really have no idea about customer service.

So, after that incident I went to the IN-FAMOUS MYERS. Upon reaching the Top Floor I found a tiny little sign that said GC above some DVD Players. When I FINALLY got some help from an employee who had a torn out GC Logo under his name Tag with sticky tape over it. I politely asked - "What kind of packages are you doing for the GC?" He then tore off a form that had it all! All you have to do is tick what you want : GC - Black or Indigo, EXTRA Controller, Game, then fill in your personal details and Wa-La. BUT wait there is no MIDNIGHT OPENING.
ARRRRRRRGGGGHHH!!!!!!
So, as the saying does not go. 4th time Lucky. I went to Electronics Boutique. AND here it is ladies and gentleman. The BEST place to pick up your GameCube.

First of all there are a couple of posters that state - TRADE in any 10 Play Station or N64 Games and get the GC for JUST $199.95 OR $130 OFF the "GameCube Console Bundle".

So here is what EB is doing.

"GAMECUBE BUNDLE" = $499.95

· NINTENDO GameCube Console with Controller
· Additional NINTENDO GameCube Controller
· NINTENDO GameCube Memory Card
· Luigi's Mansion OR Waverace: Blue Storm

BONUS = GameCube CARRY BAG valued at $49.95

PLUS SOMETHING NOT EVEN LISTED: THE EXCLUSIVE AUSTRALIAN LAUNCH CD. (In a Cool DVD Box)

That's it. Nice and simple. You get everything you need. FANTASTIC! Pay your $50 Deposit and you get the CD.

What really sold me was….
1) The Midnight opening.
2) The "BONUS" Carry Bag. It actually looks pretty good. There is a picture of one in their magazine. Its Purple with the EB logo in a darker purple.
3) AND the CD. Which is actually really neat. The CD is actually a Mini-CD. (same size as GC Disc) And features "The Hottest Clips for upcoming GameCube Games". It really is a neat little CD. AND it comes in a DVD Box.

So. That's it. Go to ANY EB NOW. Make your pre-order, enjoy the CD and continue waiting.

FOR MORE INFO on the CD go to - www.nintendo.com.au

NOTE: Just in case you did not know. EB already have stock of STAR WARS: Rogue Leader. Go pick it up now.

Card Shark Mark
5/5/02