Xbox 360 midnight madness, rental radness

GameStop opens doors at midnight for console's launch; GameFly begins shipping Xbox 360 games for rent.

Gamers are a passionate bunch. The term "must-have system" rings truer to those who game more than that of any other techie group. Specialty retailer GameStop knows that launch consoles can't get into the hands of hardcore fans soon enough, so it's holding special business hours for the launch of the Xbox 360.

More than 1,600 GameStop outlets will be open at 12:01 a.m. on November 22 to celebrate the launch of the first next-generation systems. Gamers packing up Mountain Dew and beef jerky in preparation of camping out to be the first on the block with one of the systems better have confirmation that their preorders have been filled.

Says GameStop, "Due to exceptional demand, Xbox 360 hardware systems will only be available for purchase to customers who have received confirmation of delivery by GameStop."

Those interested in attending the launch event should call their local GameStop to find out if it is participating.

Owners of Xbox 360s who are also members of the GameFly rental service will be happy to know that the company will have every available Xbox 360 game in its library for the console's launch.

Among the games that are currently in the system are Call of Duty 2, Gun, and Kameo: Elements of Power. GameFly has also released a list of the most requested Xbox 360 games so far, and if it has something to do with shooting, it's near the top of the list. All three of the console's first-person shooters--Call of Duty 2, Perfect Dark Zero, and Quake 4--top the list, followed by Gun. The list is in order as follows:

Title / Publisher
Call of Duty 2 / Activision
Perfect Dark Zero / Microsoft Game Studios
Quake 4 / Activision
Gun / Activision
Need for Speed Most Wanted / Electronic Arts
Dead or Alive 4 / Tecmo
Condemned: Criminal Origins / Sega
Project Gotham Racing 3 / Microsoft
Madden NFL 06 / Electronic Arts
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion / 2K Games

50 Comments

  • greggo24

    Posted Nov 21, 2005 8:47 pm PT

    WHYWHYWHY do i have too wait u guys are lucky i live in australia and have to wait FOUR f'n months i want that console so badly its the bomb.....

  • GamerDudeB3

    Posted Nov 18, 2005 12:54 am PT

    Awsome dudes!

  • nightki11er

    Posted Nov 17, 2005 3:00 pm PT

    xbox 360 is the bomb and no matter what game you get for the 360 is gonna be fun and look great

  • Alpha1972

    Posted Nov 17, 2005 2:58 pm PT

    It good to see so many ppl happy about the launch for X-360. Can't wait to hear how much is sold in the first week...

  • dae_delos

    Posted Nov 17, 2005 2:12 pm PT

    At my gamestop they will be getting 30 systems ( Premium) and I am not one of theose people but will get mine the next week. GRRRRHHH!!!!!

  • curlymccluskey

    Posted Nov 17, 2005 12:30 pm PT

    I know the 360 is looking cool but when the ps3 arrives. it will fall far behind the graphical power of the ps3

  • mlbfeva2002

    Posted Nov 17, 2005 12:01 pm PT

    I was excited about the Xbox 360 launch. Until I got a call from Gamestop telling me I have to wait till Christmas or later. I preordered it in June within the first 2 weeks of when it was first available to be preordered in stores. I don't think I was ever as mad in my life than this BS. I guess I will have to wait. All of you who are getting it Nov. 22 should feel very lucky.

  • brightboy

    Posted Nov 17, 2005 11:11 am PT

    I need to find out if the gamestop in Valdosta, GA is participating in it so I can be there.

  • Gailen_1

    Posted Nov 17, 2005 9:06 am PT

    believe me. the gamestops that are doing it know how many people will show up. they can guage the hype, and ask any customer who comes in if they plan on attending. cut that number in half and you can see how many people will show. if it's a goodly amount of people, they can also count on compulsive purchases when they say "well, if you buy it now, you can get these 3 strategy guides for $60, which saves you $15!" and make a lot of cash from those. i know i got suckered into getting a halo headset at the halo 2 midnight madness... but at least it was worth it. so comfy...

  • syxpack

    Posted Nov 17, 2005 8:30 am PT

    Dude, radical, far out, I'll be sleeping.

  • lilweightlifter

    Posted Nov 17, 2005 5:53 am PT

    Bring on the games!

  • kalelguy

    Posted Nov 17, 2005 5:43 am PT

    Any other stores doing midnight madness? (i.e. best buy, circuit city, walmart, etc?)

  • jaksecret

    Posted Nov 17, 2005 4:20 am PT

    What's the point of Gamestop & EB doing midnight madness? All the systems they have first day are ordered. Most stores don't have more than 30 systems coming in. Soooooooooo, they're doing it for the 5 or so geeks that need it 10 hours earlier. Waste of time, waste of payroll, waste of utilities. Can't anyone run a business anymore?

  • ewjim

    Posted Nov 17, 2005 3:55 am PT

    It does't impress me...

  • killa4life3333

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 11:56 pm PT

    boyz, 360 is looking good, but, i live in australia and i have to WAIT FOR 4 MONTHS!!!!

  • oberkorn

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 11:30 pm PT

    I'm pretty surprised that Condemned: Criminal Origins, didn't get a higher ranking, guess US gamers and I have different taste when it comes to games =) It's way on top of my list!

  • LiliShake

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 11:28 pm PT

    ^ Eyes on you Koushin. You don't need an LCD screen to enjoy the HD. All you need is a little adapter for $40 (a lot, but cheaper than HDTV) and you can have all the crisp visuals you want using your good ol' computer monitor. You have one of those, right? (p.s. I think this option will be popular and I wouldn't be suprised to see a VGA hub thingy (switch the VGA connection at the press of a button) get released very soon.)

  • fitchlives

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 11:27 pm PT

    If you're really worried about not getting a system, hit up a Target. I work there and my store is getting 20 core systems and 20 premium on the 22nd. Most people wouldn't think of Target as being a gaming hotspot. Just a thought for all those who haven't reserved one yet.

  • hellstorm25

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 7:39 pm PT

    today I went to me local game stop and found out that they will only be getting six xbox 360 systems. and I am getting one, I suppose I am one of the lucky ones to get one on launch date since I pre ordered mine back in may. but this sucks that microsoft took so long to start manufacturing the system. now there will be plenty of mad people who don't get one.

  • matthew_senn

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 7:17 pm PT

    Elder Scrolls IV isn't a launch title....

  • Koushin

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 7:05 pm PT

    There will be enough. Don't know where you people are all from but listen. Do you really think that they [Microsoft] would really stiff themselves of all these potential sales? They think they are going to sell 3 million systems before Christmas. That means there will have to be more than enough systems to fullfill that order. And think about how many people ::points to unsuspecting parents and non-gamers:: are going to get the core system by accident... Hence, I think there will be more than enough systems. And lastly, check most of the reviews and you'll see you need a LCD TV to fully enjoy the graphics. Otherwise, it looks like any old XBOX game. I say take your time and get it whenever you want.

  • HaloHoss

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 7:04 pm PT

    yeah... ebgames is screwing me over... they had sold preorders for 32 systems (bad idea) and now microsoft cut the shipment to 14.. so i get mine anywhere from 1-7 days after launch

  • warriortyson

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 6:57 pm PT

    sweet

  • MaHan05

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 6:51 pm PT

    My game stop said that i was on the first shipment when i reordered(back in August) and now they say i am on the 2nd shipment...and i wont get my 360 till early December.....

  • Exoskeletor

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 6:40 pm PT

    lets see hows xbox360 will go, it wiill win ps3 this time?

  • 137

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 6:38 pm PT

    LOL I got invited as long as I drive to some x box launch event out here in the Mohave desert on sunday and they are letting us buy xbox 360's on monday at 9am as long as we have proof we have arm bands for the event. So I will have my premium package on monday the 21st at 9am...

    NEENER NEENER, 137

  • MASTERCHIEFUSMA

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 6:23 pm PT

    Man i cant Wait......

  • vashxsk8erx12

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 6:17 pm PT

    well i reserved my xbox 360 the first day they took reserves...so i better get one or i'll be very very very angry...oh and my gamestop said they have plenty of 360's for the first shipment people

  • microwaveman

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 6:09 pm PT

    i get my xbox360 friday the 18th whoooo hoooo!

  • alien102

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 5:51 pm PT

    So so close to the launch! I am camping out for my 360. I'm so glad I reserved mine in June. Ha ha to all people who don't get their 360 on Nov. 22

  • theveryfatman86

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 5:47 pm PT

    Dude the Gamestop in my area is only getting 10 THE NEWS IS OUT
    MICROSOFT IS CREATING A MASS SHORTAGE!!!!

    FYE's ARE GETTING 4 The most I have heard of so far is a walmart in my area getting 18.

  • Cartman86

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 5:44 pm PT

    Go to a store like Best Buy or some local place that doesnt take preorders. You will get one that way. After they are sold out I don't know if they will have any till christmas.

  • Roosteratumd

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 5:34 pm PT

    Is it true that no person who hasn't already ordered an XBOX360 will receive one before Christmas? That's what I have heard.

  • wytefang

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 5:31 pm PT

    Bah, COD2 is WAY better on the PC...Console controllers for FPSs = icky!

  • Banjo_Jake112

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 5:19 pm PT

    Where I live EB Games gives appointments. I have 4:30-4:45 pm to pick up all of my stuff.

  • Corpand

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 5:15 pm PT

    yup, that good ol' COD!

  • sharplayer

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 5:10 pm PT

    Xbox 360 and my Call Of Duty.....Now thats wat I am talking about.....

  • wytefang

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 4:56 pm PT

    Yawn...why would anyone want to wait in line for a console?

    Now I'll certainly be at the game store later in the day to pickup my copy of BF2 SF...THAT'S something worth waiting for!

  • vercion1

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 4:45 pm PT

    yo I really need to know how much xbox 360 games are going to be, and also....do xbox games work for the 360

  • dodgyd55

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 4:38 pm PT

    dam it i'll have to wait until midnight the 2nd of december to get mines.(stupid rest of europe)

    one good thing though i will know the game ratings (because i have to wait and then i can get the best rated one

  • seaneyb

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 4:33 pm PT

    JLuke360
    Xbox 360 iz the biz fo mizz fizz, ye ye ye fo real 360 xbl hom dawg shimmy dawg fo life.

    !!?? You deserve a long and painfull death.

  • Starn

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 4:26 pm PT

    It'd be crazy if all release games got above a 8. Just a thought. Call of Duty looks mad crazy no wonder it's top rental.

  • Blainexx

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 4:09 pm PT

    bah mad hardcore gamers

  • JLuke360

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 3:41 pm PT

    Xbox 360 iz the biz fo mizz fizz, ye ye ye fo real 360 xbl hom dawg shimmy dawg fo life.

  • kiitana

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 3:36 pm PT

    I am deeply saddened. My preorder wasn't early enough and so now I have to wait a few days to get mine. THE AGONY!!!

  • Altmeister

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 3:35 pm PT

    Confirmed, GS in Chandler, AZ is getting 9 premiums and 5 cores. Only first 9 are guranteed first shipment.

  • TimSpot GameSpot staff member

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 3:32 pm PT

    epic - it's not completely clear whether those launch games will be mailed before launch. However, on my GameFly account, games that are in do say "short wait" implying that the company is indeed shipping games now. I hope, at least

  • TimSpot GameSpot staff member

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 3:30 pm PT

    it was either Radness, or Radicality, homey.

  • epic_nemesis

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 3:29 pm PT

    wait...does that mean that gamefly will ship thier games so that they arrive at my house by launch? casue some of my games are said to ship tomorro

  • thorsen-ink GameSpot staff member

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 3:02 pm PT

    "Radness?" Is it 1988?

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