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EB, Best Buy reveal 360 launch events

EB Games to hold launch event in Los Angeles; Best Buy opens it doors bright and early on November 22.

Console launches are quickly becoming more than just simple "hand-over-the-cash-and-here's-your-system" affairs. Nowadays, gamers are plopping down hundreds of dollars on systems months before they come out just so that they can get the gaming machine the first day it's released.

For Tuesday's launch of the Xbox 360, Microsoft is holding Zero Hour, an invite-only event in the middle of the Mojave Desert. GameStop will be open at midnight, but is only selling the 360s to customers who preordered the console, as supplies are thin.

Best Buy has announced that it will open its doors early as well...although not that early. All stores in the US will be open at 9 a.m., typically one hour early for the average store. Gamers who line up early will be given priority to buy one of the consoles.

For those who would rather get down than line up, EB Games is holding its own event at its flagship store on the Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles. In addition to several demo stations and a gathering of like-minded gamers, there will also be events and entertainment from the Tylenol Ouch! street team. The event will take place Monday, November 21, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

84 Comments

  • MakinBacon

    Posted Nov 21, 2005 8:15 pm GMT

    I work at Best Buy, a line started at ours around 2 PM on the 21st

  • supersim10007

    Posted Nov 21, 2005 11:24 am GMT

    the ps3 sucks!!!!!!!!!! the XBOX 360 rules!!!!!!!!!!!

    is anyone going to buy a ps3...... not me !!!!!!!!!!

  • mrtweed2

    Posted Nov 21, 2005 9:18 am GMT

    BTW, solid point aceofblitz...the companies don't give a rats ass about the fanboy.This type marketing is ages old, like me..LOL! I have all 3 systems... I'll buy the next gen of all three systems because I love gaming ; it's cheaper and more entertaining than a movie, of the 100+ titles 80% of my games are XBOX...Happy Thanksgiving!!!

  • mrtweed2

    Posted Nov 21, 2005 9:10 am GMT

    I love my green Halo XBOX, I will enjoy my new 360! I have a gut feeling that Sony has a bit of a surprise in store for us in the way of price point. Btw I am no 'fanboy", but Sony's approach is actually smarter since it allows them to work based on sales results of the 360 ie interesting bundles, free games etc etc. MS is playing the typical numbers game all in order to make impressive 1st qtr earnings statement, then , in Spring a new bundled promo will be released (perhaps May or even June) this will look good for 3rd and 4th qtr earnings. Thre's no REAL shortage...and since I cannot get Elder Scrolls I can wait...all the really good games will not be out until 2006...see the pattern?

  • aceofblitz

    Posted Nov 21, 2005 9:02 am GMT

    wtf is up with you kids?
    you're not getting any salary or benefits from your support to whichever console, you buy a console if you want to play a game, you dont buy a console because of maker or brand. if you have a fat wallet, buy both systems, if you dont, just work hard till your wallet becomes fat. fanboys shouldn't exist for a number of reasons. but most important of all, you guys should know, company's just supply you with their goods, they wont love you because you bought a PS3 and think its better than an Xbox360 or the other way arround, they dont care about what you think. Did you buy their console? Good!! If you didn't buy their console? Who cares!! you're just a spit in the ocean for them. buy games for yourself and not for your stupid "hooray xbox360 sucks" campaign.

  • Lostpoet85

    Posted Nov 21, 2005 8:51 am GMT

    The way I see it, I'll get the 360, but I'm not gonna hate on the PS3, I have a PS2 and XBOX right now, I love both equally. Can't we all just get along? Won't somebody think of the children?

  • superkoolstud

    Posted Nov 21, 2005 8:39 am GMT

    Xbox 360 & Nintendo Revolution Rulz your ass PS3

  • clhauk

    Posted Nov 21, 2005 7:56 am GMT

    Freakin' Sony Fan-Boys! LOL!

  • Owt_Ytrof

    Posted Nov 21, 2005 5:57 am GMT

    I just wish I could be around to see the pale look of horror on the faces of everyone who doesn't have an HDTV, the first time they start up their spanking new 360 and realize that on a standard TV, it doesn't really look any better than their old XBOX.

  • Mecha_Beast

    Posted Nov 21, 2005 4:56 am GMT

    360 vs ps3 is going to come down to one thing, price point. If ps3 comes out at 350 - 400 goodbye xbox. People will be foaming over the ps3 as a blu-ray player alone

  • joevarkey

    Posted Nov 20, 2005 11:25 pm GMT

    An old saying - "bird in a cage envies frog in a well" ..............

  • PS24EVR

    Posted Nov 20, 2005 9:26 pm GMT

    Let me just say I am buying both systems 360 & PS3. I will be waiting inline for a overpriced uglywhite box on the night of the 21st. I have already bought the 4 wired controllers, and Call of Duty 2, Kameo, Perfect Dark. They look really good. I must say I am a Sony Fan I buy all sony Electronics as my friends have stated before if Sony made toilet paper I would probably own it. Now for what Microsoft being the all powerfull asses they are and can very well afford to be. I think them releasing to early just to get a jump on Sony and Nintendo is a bunch of BS. They should have waited till at least some of the games were finished being polished up for release, instead I am sure they pushed everyone out the gate early to get this 6month jump on Sony and Nintendo. I beleive this shortage of xbox is just another way to get more people to buy right now, telling people they may have to wait till 6 months to get a xbox especially if you don't preorder. And what is all the BS with no being able to preorder just the system and a game or two like I did with the Xbox on its release. I remember buying the Xbox and 4 game that I picked out myself not some lame a** idiot in a office because they want to sell a specific game out. And then they don'y even give you a deal on these packages you pay full price for everything included. That is rediculous.... Now I know Sony had a problem with suppling the PS2 at launch but I remember they had more on hand I believe than MS does with the 360. I buy everygame machine that comes out, I remember buying a Atari JAg and the CD attachment. It flopped but some of the game were awsome for their day. I don't use Xbox Live I don't need to, if I want to play against someone I will go onto my computer and play a online game not my xbox especially since you have to pay for it. Isn't the price of the games enough to pay and now don't forget they are raising them another $10. Thats a bunch of Bull and you know it. I have pondered hooking up my PS2 and play the free online games that it offers, which I noticed Socom 3 has a great online playing feature. Oh and the controls why did MS get rid of the Duke controller I really liked that cont. It fit perfectly in my hand and I don't have large hands they could have afforded to produce both controllers for the US market. Since they were being produced before people complained the smaller S controller was for the asian market and the duke was for the us market. Anyways I can't wait for Halo3 on the 360 but if my gut is telling me something is that Sony will more than likely blow away the 360 on its release like they have everytime they had brought out a new system. They really try to produce the biggest leap in Tech as they can, not to mention why didn't MS put in a HD DVD Drive or a similar product. Can you imagine what would be possible with a 45gb storage space instead of the crappy 8 or 9gb they have now to work with. The Graphics would have been amazing and the worlds would have been huge. I mean at least Sony has the Balls to include a Blu-Ray drive in their machine they realize how much usefull the extra space will be to the Game Developers. 54gb of information is a hell of alot of game.

    Well this is all my opinion. Which everyone is entitled too.

    Seeya

  • chief_bigtwig

    Posted Nov 20, 2005 7:34 pm GMT

    I think PS3 will be slightly better, in games and power. Hopefully a better launch. I am still getting a 360 on launch, but the games suck that are coming out.

  • neo_guardian

    Posted Nov 20, 2005 7:28 pm GMT

    Boy you guys sure didn't get it did ya? Who cares what it looks like! If you want a pretty game try a CG movie instead. Gameplay is where it's at and imo ps2 has xbox way beat on that. Not to mention titles which the x360 is rumored to improve upon and I hope they do. Graphics mean very little to me. I'd still play Devil May Cry 1 over Ninja Gaiden because it's more fun.

    Fanboys just need to zip it, really.

  • Rbizzy20

    Posted Nov 20, 2005 7:16 pm GMT

    Ps3 and Xbox 360 is great consoles and im sure people who are downing the X box 360 will have one in there home and then when the ps3 comes out grab that too don't down 360 every console had atleast 50 great titles and it aint like ps3 is coming out tuesday so im grabbing both.

  • jpogge

    Posted Nov 20, 2005 6:54 pm GMT

    this will slaughter PS3 I mean c'mon look at the controllers and by the way It's made by microsoft the wealthiest company in the world. Most of the current games look beter than any PS3 games and the current games are only using 1 of the 3 procesors.

  • omaleem222

    Posted Nov 20, 2005 6:47 pm GMT

    XBOX 360 will suck. No use to buy it. It's a marketing hype by Microsoft making all this crazy Xbox Fanboys talking so much crap. They'll learn their lesson midnight 11/22 when they get a crappy system which has the same graphics as its predecessor. Only difference is its slimmer....hey didnt Sony do that as well... oh yeah they did.. they just didnt rename it.. rather they called it still the same name with a "slim" in the end.

    Anyway.. Sony rules, and microsoft is no competition not even a threat to the PS3. Dream on microsoft... and Dream on fanboys.. ur crappy system will never be as good as the PS3....only wishful thinking will get u there.. so cmon start already... ur running late already...

    Late.. uR..

  • bizsumpark182

    Posted Nov 20, 2005 6:24 pm GMT

    Its been going around where I live that our Best Buy will open up at 6 in the morning. As for my GameStop we will be getting 20 systems for launch.

  • cg7879

    Posted Nov 20, 2005 2:23 pm GMT

    bah. I hate fanboys. Microsoft is the new "evil empire". Sony isn't much better. Nintendo has been left by the wayside. Atari 2600 forever!!!!

  • cliveisback

    Posted Nov 20, 2005 2:01 pm GMT

    The key to this console generation will NOT be the graphics, but the gameplay. For all the people saying "OMG Halo 3 will kick Sony's ass" I really do not care. If you want the same game just prettier, go ahead. For all the people who are "PS3 has great graphics and thus is better" think about just some games. Although Final Fantasy CGs and many other games have great graphics, I would rather play something like Katamari Damacy, Okami, Psychonauts, Metroid, Fire Emblem, etc. It is not the graphics that make these games sellers, it is the gameplay. Though most people think this a two hosre race between the two graphically superior consoles, Nintendo is still here. They created a new innovation to playing games. This new gameplay is what drags me in. For all I care, the games could look like Super Mario Bros. 3 for the NES, but if there is a new and innovative way to play it, so be it. Everyone should consider gameplay as the major reason to play games, not the graphics, for even great looking games can still end up being crappy.

  • Evilfixxor

    Posted Nov 20, 2005 1:23 pm GMT

    I have to say this, I wet to a CompUSA tody, and I saw an X360 playing CoD2.... it looked good only due to it being on a high def monitor. I went home, fired up CoD2 on my PC to compare.... no diff at all. Personally, I wouldn't play a shooter on anything but a PC anyways. Anyone who thinks the Halo series is the best shooter out there has only to play HL2, F.E.A.R., and any of the Medal of Honor series on the PC to realize that PC is the Shooter king. I think Sony is doing what it always does... they're waiting til the first next gen console comes out to see what happens. Will they own X360... i dunno, i don't care. I wasn't too fond of the XBox so I won't buy the X360 unless they really impress me with 5 or more games. . My PS2 is more of a DVD player right now than a game system. As far as online gaming goes, again PC is king. I guarantee out of 50 of the dedicated X360 people here, 5 to 10 will have one on Tuesday. This has been a sucker ploy since the first Playstation came out... guarantee everyone who orders one will get one, charge an astronomical price for "Core" "Mid" "High" and "Everything on Launch" systems, then say "Oops we don't have enough... too bad we have your $$. You'll get it when it gets there." See y'all at the races.

  • superluke13

    Posted Nov 20, 2005 1:02 pm GMT

    i think its pretty bad when you pre purchase a system at gamestop 5 months before it releases and you can't get one on launch day yet wallyworld gets 100 while gamestop gets 16

  • neo_guardian

    Posted Nov 20, 2005 12:03 pm GMT

    All I have to say to you all is shut up. Seriously, most of you xbox fanboys haven't played more than some COD2 at walmart and you ps3 fanboys are bashing a system that may be great.

    I have my 360 HERE right now and quite frankly I have nothing to play on it, cause everything out for it right now is just more of the same (of 16 games being advertised, some aren't out yet and the 10 of them are racing, FPS or sports, none of which I play on any console). So if you haven't played the system yet, no one cares what your opinion is because you can't talk reasonably about something you haven't played yet. Graphics is all that can be talked about right now and graphics don't make a game great. Gameplay does, I'd rather play pong than Halo cause Pong is still more fun.

  • Busta_Capp

    Posted Nov 20, 2005 11:50 am GMT

    Well, it's now 2 days till launch. Coming from someone who works at an EB Games in Toronto Canada, all I can say is - please don't kill us. We aren't the ones who screwed up on the allotments. My store in particular has 75 orders for the Premium bundle. We're getting 30. This is coming right from Microsoft - not EB, not our district managers, but the head honchos themselves. They want to create a massive and false necessity out of the 360. If you can't have something, you want it more, right? Sony did the same thing in 2001...horrible way to get people to buy something, but it works unfortunately. My store is going to be opening at 6:30 am (!!!!) on launch day. So Best Buy can stick it for all I care, acting like opening at 9 is really doing a helluva lot for people. At this point, I don't even want to think about 360 vs PS3 - cause this kinda stuff is just stupid. And I know that Sony is gonna be doing the same thing next year. If you get the system, enjoy it. If you can't, you'll get one at some point. Hell - I can't even get one. The one I preordered was put up for customers. How's that for management??

  • Phil709

    Posted Nov 20, 2005 11:24 am GMT

    hopefully, the stores will still have one for me

  • ROCKINGFOOL

    Posted Nov 20, 2005 11:05 am GMT

    irionic isnt it when xbox releasd it was way more powerfull than ps2 and you still guys **** about it and you didnt care about how much more powerfull the xbox was and now you guys saying that ps3 is going to be more powerfull better graphics, sound heck even the beta joystic you guys said its way more cooler than the xbox360 guys guys guys plz make up your minds why dont you just say that even if xbox 360 is better than ps3 or not your still dead set on backing the ps3
    and heres the fact microsoft wont back an ench and you can count on that their still gona release their third and forth generation consoles so why dont you shut up and live with that FACT MAN.

  • Fryboy11

    Posted Nov 20, 2005 10:59 am GMT

    i got an ad in the mail saying my Best buy will open at 12:01 AM

  • Leopard911

    Posted Nov 20, 2005 9:37 am GMT

    Face it people, you know ps3 is gonna win, it has better games with better graphics. The only game ive seen on the 360 that looks next gen is pgr3, but besides that kameo looks like a ps2 title, american wasteland and gun look just like the ps2 and xbox versionms, so deal with it, Mutha truckas'

  • IIRubenII

    Posted Nov 20, 2005 8:13 am GMT

    Microsoft has a large fan base in the U.S. while Sony has a larger fan base around the world. Who cares about camping out or waiting for the system? Here's the chance to save up to start pre-ordering your PS3!

  • shadowprince92

    Posted Nov 20, 2005 4:51 am GMT

    I wanted to sleep outside, but i gotta get for Christmas insteaad...

  • nemes1s3000

    Posted Nov 19, 2005 10:59 pm GMT

    "Best Buy opens it doors bright and early on November 22."

    Gee, I wonder why lol.

  • whosgotthe311

    Posted Nov 19, 2005 10:41 pm GMT

    For all of the xbox fans that think the ps3 is going to fail simply because it is not the first to the market, I would like to point out that the dreamcast was the first to the market.

  • bonner01

    Posted Nov 19, 2005 9:06 pm GMT

    I've been in the gaming business since 1973 with the release of the Odyssey 1 and nothing ever changes with the whining about different systems. The smart way to go is to hold off on some games and buy each of the systems. Then buy the main games you want and then when the price goes down, grab the games that are great for that individual system. As for the Xbox launch, it should go great for anyone that manages to get one. . . however, I keep hearing that there will be shortages for people that have reserved systems. Especialy at Gamestop's. They took way more oders that they can deliver on, and the worst part is . . . they have not called anyone to tell them of the shortage . . . At least not here in Springfield Missouri. It will be interesting to see how many people get there and go away empty handed. . . . hope I'm wrong. If it does come out with shortages, blame the district managers and higher up, because from what I heard the store managers are being told to keep quiet?

  • sharder1234

    Posted Nov 19, 2005 8:53 pm GMT

    What's with "the ps3 is not coming out till next year" thing? It's coming out in spring 2006. And i think all these smart people who are saying that the ps3 is going to be better are right. And what do you mean where is are halo? Unfortunatley ps2 wasn't aloud to have room for crappy games. That's why we have no halo. And why is there more xbox360 bashers? It's simply because playstation has the bigger crowd. Ant according to Official playstation magazine, sony has basically started working on ps3 online as soon as the ps2 network adapter was released and that it would have all the features that xbox live has but for free. So for all of you xbox fanboys who post a little comment like *PS3 SUX* then don't post at all, cause your making yourself look like a fool. Now i'm no sony fanboy either, im the pc gaming person.

  • HoofBitch

    Posted Nov 19, 2005 8:46 pm GMT

    Well I work at gamestop, and microsoft messed up on our allocations. We were suppose to recieve two hundred units. But we are only recieving 20 units. Besides the graphics are not that superior than that to the original xbox. Call of Duty 2 blows. Kameo is gay, King Kong.... Was alright, and Perfect Dark looked better on the N64. Now the PS3 better get there stuff together or else its going to crash and burn. I am just saying Xbob 360 not as "great" as microsoft boast about. The bullet holes in call of duty are crappier than the n64 bullet holes, and they still have the "jagged edges" what the hell? Honestly i would not pay 400, 300, maybe 200 bucks for this system, because it is not worth it. Grant it I do own a Xbox, and PS2, A Gamecube, Nintendo DS, PSP, GBA micro, PC, GBA SP. I think History is going to repeat itself. When the first xbox got released the only thing that saved it was. Halo. Now once again when Halo 3 is released. Its going to save it. Becareful microsoft sounds pretty fishy with this system.

  • Dr_Drew

    Posted Nov 19, 2005 8:01 pm GMT

    Both systems are going to rock, but it is the games that truly matter.

  • Saldogg

    Posted Nov 19, 2005 7:56 pm GMT

    anyone else have a 360 already?

  • mysticscarface

    Posted Nov 19, 2005 6:14 pm GMT

    Both systems is going 2 rock.
    PS3&X360 will sell.
    XBOX360 out on Tuesday
    PS3 next year
    u cant lose im getting both

  • gamesrmybusines

    Posted Nov 19, 2005 6:03 pm GMT

    whatever guys its all bout the games calm down before u all start shooting each other

  • baller34

    Posted Nov 19, 2005 5:24 pm GMT

    The ps2 is a good system but came with a considerable amount of flaws. The whole "disc read error" and dvd trip up was terrible. Sony is lazy and will probably pull the same stunt with the ps3 just to get an extra buck. Not to mention that the Xbox is far superior to the Ps2 currently out ne way. Its hard to soar with the eagles when your stuck on the ground with the pigeons.

  • mysticscarface

    Posted Nov 19, 2005 4:38 pm GMT

    already got mine preordered and waiting 4 the X360.

  • kalelguy

    Posted Nov 19, 2005 3:34 pm GMT

    Hats off to Microsoft for doing it right this time (release) and for you PS fan boys, well I used to be one to but there is a reason why Sony isn't releasing their console until next year....they got lazy. For a market leader, I can't believe Sony would let someone else beat them first to market. I think the tides are changing.

  • cpup

    Posted Nov 19, 2005 2:45 pm GMT

    People are neglecting to think about the little stores which may get some systems. For example I know that Rogers Video movie rental stores have systems ready for sale. I think radio Shack is getting some too.

  • MadExponent

    Posted Nov 19, 2005 2:32 pm GMT

    eh...i work at best buy and we are opening up at midnight for one hour to get campers...so thats a lil sketch gs...i dunno if its only mine but i highly doubt it...best buy does everything in unison

  • MASTERCHIEFUSMA

    Posted Nov 19, 2005 12:27 pm GMT

    PS3 SUCKS

  • ArmoredAshes

    Posted Nov 19, 2005 11:29 am GMT

    Im sry but the only thing that Sony has is the whole final fantasy series...but considering one is coming out for xbox i think they may have a tougher time than you think...but as i always have i will get both and see which i prefer....

  • soulcalibur7

    Posted Nov 19, 2005 11:24 am GMT

    Aren't all the PS3 videos still estimated quality videos? A sample of what they "could" look like? Anybody can make an amazing looking CG cutscene, but making real time graphics that good is something else. I'm still waiting to see how good all this stuff looks on a HD set which is all ready to go in my place. Now I have to wait for this stupid 2nd wave. So pissed...

  • jordidude

    Posted Nov 19, 2005 11:15 am GMT

    Yeh. Xbox live for the 360 looks amazing! wot the hell was up with the ps2 online?? SOCOM?!?! average game -where was your Halo??? Anyway, love the ps3 if u want but we get our new baby in one week! Have a fun few months waiting for the ps3!

  • zymase

    Posted Nov 19, 2005 10:54 am GMT

    stake out your spot outside a Best Buy now....

  • deftonesfan7684

    Posted Nov 19, 2005 10:03 am GMT

    I can not wait for the 360 to come out!!!! I am getting one at midnight the 21st. I think the reason these SONY PS3 kids are posting here is they are scared. SONY PS3 does look just as good as the 360, but SONY doesnt have one thing that XOBX has had since almost the begining of this system war! ONLINE PLAY!!!! Xbox is now on there second system with LIVE and SONY is just now starting to get theres going. Thats why i think the SONY kids are scared of the XBOX. IM an xbox person all the way. Cant wait for BUNGIE to put out HALO3!!!!!! Can we say GOODBUY to SONY PS3 now!!!

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