Xbox 360 Scratched Discs

If you have an Xbox 360, you might want to listen to this because your $60 games might be at risk. I was in a local Gamestop yesterday and overheard the following:

One lady came into the store, very flustered that the new Guitar Hero 3 game she bought for her kids' Christmas present was scratched.

The store clerk politely explained the following:

• The Xbox 360 is very sensitive to any outside vibrations. If it's on the floor, the system can be shaken by something as simple as someone quietly walking by it or sitting down on the couch to hard.
• These vibrations can cause the Xbox 360 to scratch the disc and cause it to play incorrectly.
• To avoid such disturbances to your system and games, keep the Xbox 360 on an isolated table or stand.

The Gamestop clerk also replaced this lady's copy of Guitar Hero 3, so if you have had these issues, they may do the same for you.

This has apparently been a problem since 2005, and in July 2007, a lawsuit was filed against Microsoft for selling defective systems that lead to scratching the discs.

Oy, another Xbox 360 warning to tack on after the Red Ring of Death.

The Post-Christmas Post

Weeks ago at the beginning of December, I handed my mom my official Christmas wish list. At the top of it--a Playstation Portable 2000 Core Set, valued at $169, with Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions.

She laughed and scoffed, "I'm not getting you that."

I frowned. This wasn't the "I'm bluffing so I can really surprise you on Christmas" act; this was the full-blown "I hate your videogames, I'm really not getting you this, tough luck" cold shoulder.

It's not easy being a female gamer at Christmas time. Even when you ask your family for Super Mario Galaxy, they just shake their heads and buy you some boots. Don't get me wrong--boots and clothing are excellent gifts for me, but having the occasional $50, AAA title thrown into the mix would be awesome. However I will give my family bonus points this year. My mom and grandma made a well-intentioned attempt to buy the Final Fantasy Tactics game I asked for. But, one minor thing, they didn't include the PSP to play it on. D'oh.

Christmas is an important time to gamers everywhere. Holiday releases, the games of the year being named, and a time to get a whole new set of great games as gifts. Gaming is not a cheap habit, so at holiday times gamers appreciate a little help in expanding their libraries. Yes, even the girl gamers. You don't have to buy them the latest, most expensive system, but a game (preferably one for a system they have) is always appreciated.

I felt especially overlooked as a gamer today when I went shopping at Gamestop with my boyfriend. I was waiting in line while he was off playing a demo. I waited for a solid minute and when I stepped up to the cash register he came over to join me. The cashier then turned to him and asked, "Can I help you?"

The next seconds where wrapped in an awkward silence where the cashier recognized his mistake and that I, a girl, was buying something. He quickly repeated he was sorry about three times and the situation was dismissed with a few "no big deal/it's fine" from me.

The cashier's mistake didn't make me mad. I don't want to bitch about how discriminated against I feel as a female gamer because that's not the case at all. Gals are becoming more recognized as gamers, but there still are the few who forget (or in the case of the family, refuse to accept) there are geeky girls out there. I'm just a little upset that any credential I have as a gamer is often discredited simply because I have my lovely lady lumps.

So just remember to give any of the girl gamers in your life lots of love. (And a little respect of gaming knowledge and prowess wouldn't hurt either)

P.S. Special thanks to my boyfriend for the PSP Core Set. I love it and can't wait to play Final Fantasy Tactics :D

Wii Rainchecks

Still looking for that elusive Wii for Christmas?

Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime dropped two Wii-hunting tips in a special conference call yesterday:

• Nintendo and Gamestop will partner in a Wii raincheck program that promises Wiis to people who purchase the raincheck certificates on December 21 and 22 at a Gamestop store. The raincheck costs $249, the Wii's MSRP, and guarantees a Wii by January 29. However, this is only while supplies last. "Tens of thousands" of these rainchecks will be available, but in the ever-rabid world of holiday shopping, it's safer to get there sooner than later.
  
• A large quantity of Wiis will be released at "at least" six national retailers, including WalMart, Toys 'R Us, K Mart, Sears, Target and Circuit City. Remember, rainchecks are only available at Gamestop.

Sure getting a piece of paper promising a Wii isn't as fun as unwrapping the real deal, but just maybe it can still garner this kind of reaction:


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Oh, and if you're a member of a wholesale club like Costco or BJ's, these places get Wiis too. Call in ahead of time and find out when the shipment is due to come in. Make sure you're on time because the last shipment of Wiis that came into my local Costco was gone in less than three minutes!