GameStop was the first retailer to begin taking pre-orders for Nintendo’s Wii U Deluxe and Wii U Basic console packages. First they began taking them online only, then shortly thereafter at their brick-and-mortar stores for launch day pickup.
Since that time there has been a rush on Wii U pre-orders not only at GameStop, but at all retailers willing to take them. At GameStop specifically, they have sold out all of their online and brick-and-mortar inventory that will be available to ship or pickup on November 18. A good portion of those pre-orders likely went to speculators looking to flip the consoles during the holiday shopping season for a quick profit.
As GameStop was the first retailer to take Wii U pre-orders, they are also the first to identify how post-launch consoles will be distributed. In order to get on the post-launch Wii U wait list at GameStop, you must be a PowerUp Rewards loyalty program member at the time you join the wait list (limited two per household). That means you can go right now and sign-up online for free, then hit your local GameStop store to join the wait list. Visit here to read GameStop’s FAQ on the process.
There’s no telling how long GameStop will be adding names to their wait list on a store-by-store basis. They could do it indefinitely through the holidays and end up with a wait list at several hundred names per store. Or they could cut this program short by Thanksgiving. Your guess is as good as mine.
The only thing for certain is that Wii U is already a hot commodity this holiday season – whether due to speculators or not – and will require some effort to track down either the black Wii U Deluxe or the white Wii U Basic. Check back soon for a more robust look at Wii U pre-orders by outlet and the one big retailer and smaller retailer whom have yet to make their allotment available.
