line, PS3, queue, Next-Gen Queue @ Gamer411

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I didn't think that I would partake in the queue madness. I wasn't particularly fussed about either system and I just have a thing about being so zealous about a product that you would line up for hours for it. It was a combination of my loving wife who kept pushing me to line up and looking at videos of kids and non-gamers having such a blast with the Wii that got me into the spirit.

So there I was, calling up stores after store for a good few weeks. There I was, lining up for an hour or two, then realizing I had to line up even earlier. Some days the store wouldn't have anything when they opened, other days I simply was too far back in the line.

But a few days ago I finally struck gold. Well, that's not quite accurate. I was lining up for a Wii and got up at about 5am and walked like a demon to the local store arrogantly thinking that the queue would surely only have a few people in it. Lo and behold, I was about somewhere between 40-50! What a sight. Met some interesting people with interesting stories, but in the end I didn't get a Wii. As a consolation prize, I got a PS3.

I say consolation prize because when the store clerks come walking around with tickets after you've been waiting in the cold for 4-5 hours, you just feel defeated walking away empty-handed. And to be quite honest, I saw myself getting a PS3 eventually, once all the hubbub had died down.

That night, my wife and I schemed a massive operation to line up at another store where we had confirmed that some Wii would be available. After more than a handful of missed opportunities, we decided we had to do it right or not bother -- meaning line up the night before. It was an incredibly cold night in Canada, my wife considered bailing, but she stuck with me to the bitter end, bless her. At the crack of dawn we were allowed in the mall, handed in our #4 ticket and walked away with gleaming smiles from ear to ear.

Didn't actually play the Wii until we woke up hours later. Some friends came by and they had a great time with it. It was entertaining just to watch them stand up bowling, playing tennis and trash-talk. Sadly, I haven't even had time to open the PS3 yet. The reason? Not enough time. The irony doesn't escape me.

How have all of your line-up experiences fared? Bonded with some fellow gamers or non-gamers? Heard any good tales? How long did it take you to score? Or are you still trying?

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