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Wal-Mart's plans for the GTAIV launch were leaked earlier this month, proclaiming that the chain wanted to be the "Fastest way to play GTA IV." While it seems to be more out of coincidence than actual planning, my Wal-Mart certainly proved to be quick. After the break, I've compiled some of the reasons to consider Wal-Mart for your next midnight launch.
- No waiting outside. The store is open 24 hours, so there is no need to stand outside where the elements can damage you or your precious electronics.
- Lots of (well-lit) parking
- Plenty of things to do. Bored of waiting? Here are some suggestions:
- Why not browse the toy aisle for some new Halo action figures?
- You could research your next prospective HDTV purchase.
- Walk on down to the furniture section, find a comfy chair, and crack open a book.
- Is your house well-stocked for hours upon hours of GTAIV goodness? Why not do your shopping now (like the couple with the shopping cart above)?
- Get some film developed
- Forgot to bring snacks? No need to leave the store, just buy them right there!
- Fill your prescriptions
- Have your tires rotated
- Buy a gift for your soon to be neglected significant other
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-29-2008 @ 11:10AM
TORO said...
Gamestop sucks they don't even give you any incentives to buy the game there.
Which one are you? With the blazer? Or the black dude?
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4-29-2008 @ 11:26AM
sam said...
He's probably the one taking the picture....
4-29-2008 @ 11:27AM
Richard Mitchell said...
I would be the one taking the picture.
4-29-2008 @ 3:31PM
bigmac375 said...
epic fail
4-29-2008 @ 11:12AM
ZEBRA NINER said...
Well, that's good. On Halo launch, I went to a Walmart and there was a line of about 200 people and only 1 register. I decided I could wait until the next day and buy it at Best Buy.
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4-29-2008 @ 11:12AM
Deck said...
That's a nice ride through the midnight launch! Makes things very smooth indeed!
I'd consider it except there is absolutely none in any reasonable distance from me.
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4-29-2008 @ 11:53AM
Brian Arnold said...
There's not a Wal-Mart reasonably close to you? Where the heck do you live? :D
4-29-2008 @ 11:23AM
Barbie Fu said...
Yeah, well Carson City Nv had even less, it was my buddy and I and one other, but I was'nt gettin a copy.....my buddy called me dumb, but when we got to his pad, it only took me 10 min to get bored, it took him about half an hour......then we flipped to online and the game got marginally better......not enough to justify $60 though............that game is the most overhyped BS ever.....Halo 3 was way more fun.....
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4-29-2008 @ 11:43AM
Chuckles said...
Wow, sounds like you really let yourself get immersed in the story and environment. I completely trust your judgment given your dedication to letting yourself actually get into it before spouting your feelings on a message board. Good thing I did not get duped into going to a midnight launch for a game that no one new what the gameplay would be like. I mean this was a whole new genre that they were unveiling with no other game before it giving you any indication of how it would play. Thanks for your comments as they were completely worth my time to read and reply to. +1 for you my good man and keep up the good reviews. I look forward to much more of your insight in the future.
4-29-2008 @ 1:57PM
TORO said...
LOL man (or woman?) Barbie u just don't like this game huh. Usually there's another "related" game that you like better and diss this one...for example "I'm a Halo fanboy and COD4 sucks!".
But in this case, u just want to let everyone know how much GTA IV sucks. Newsflash: no one gives a shit.
You must be Jack Thompson's kid or somethin'
4-29-2008 @ 11:25AM
Bravo6 said...
haha wal-mart.. that's cute
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4-29-2008 @ 11:30AM
The Beta Max said...
I prefer going to gaming stores to hang out with other gamers while I wait. Non-game stores usually non-gamers (parents, grandparents) hanging out too and that's usually lame. But if my local Walmart Super Center has a midnight launch I may consider going there. I love that place...
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4-29-2008 @ 11:32AM
TORO said...
Doh! Makes sense hehe...5 more hours for me
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4-29-2008 @ 11:35AM
ChewyDogg said...
Got to Wal Mart at about 11:45, there was one guy waiting. Another ten or so showed up by 12:00. Halo 3 launch there were about 20 people. Across the parking lot at GameStop there were easily 100 people in line. Wal Mart is the way to go.
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4-29-2008 @ 12:36PM
Lee said...
This is *exactly* how my Walmart/Gamestop combo looked last night (numbers/timing and all, strangely enough).
4-29-2008 @ 11:38AM
Kaz said...
I stopped by a Gamecrazy at 10 til midnight (I didn't preorder) and at midnight they let 4 prepays in the door, and after 5 minutes, no one had yet walked out (there was a line of about 20 there). Gamestops in the area were worse... I drove over to Walmart (same shopping complex as the local gamestop) walked back to the Electronics section, and low and behold, one guy at the register buying GTAIV... I walked up and asked for a copy for the 360. While checking out a lady behind the checkout clerk (manager I think) held up the Special Edition, which I quickly asked for instead of the standard I was about to buy (I had asked previously, and was told Walmart would not have the SE). Needless to say, I was home by 12:20, SE in hand, no preorder, thanks to Walmart! And this was just your run of the mill 24hour store... nothing special about it.
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4-29-2008 @ 11:51AM
phff whatever said...
They made 30 of us wait outside in Buffalo and it was 30 out. Wtf
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4-29-2008 @ 11:57AM
Bluemanrule said...
I don't understand why Walmart hasn't done this before. It IS the perfect place to wait. You have so much around you that you don't mind waiting. OKC has a few 24 hr Supercenters and their games section is always sparse. Richard, you have found a goldmine. Well....you were the first one to scream "Gold!"
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4-29-2008 @ 11:58AM
I Skoch I said...
I actually also chose to forego the usual Gamestop/Best Buy midnight purchase and drove three blocks down the street to Blockbuster at about 10 til. First in line and home by 12:05, I won't do it any other way from now on. Also, I'm loving the Free Mode multiplayer, can't wait to get more of my friends in the game that didn't have the heart to go out at midnight last night. It's a blast to run around the city reeking havoc on the citizens of Liberty City as a mob!
Also, Richard, I was born and raised in Tulsa and graduated from OU several years ago, always good to hear stories from the hometown!
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4-29-2008 @ 1:10PM
Richard Mitchell said...
Keep your eyes out for a Gary Busey story later today then :)