Wii U kiosks appearing at retail

Wii U demo kiosks are starting to hit retailers, so you can try it out for yourself if you want to get a hands-on.

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Like its predecessor, the Wii U is probably going to rely quite a bit on experiential knowledge. The GamePad controller at the center of the experience is the kind of thing you can't really judge without trying it out. Luckily, now you can, since Wii U demo units are starting to show up in retail stores.

But instead of driving to Wal-Marts and GameStops randomly looking for one, you can use a handy locator set up by Nintendo. Just punch in your zip code and see where you can go to get your hands on one of the systems.

The Wii U ad campaign just kicked off to get people excited for the upcoming console--not that it matters. Pre-orders have already sold out both online and at retail, so trying your luck to get one on launch day is a gamble at best.

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  • reply
    November 5, 2012 12:45 PM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Wii U kiosks appearing at retail.

    Wii U demo kiosks are starting to hit retailers, so you can try it out for yourself if you want to get a hands-on.

    • reply
      November 5, 2012 12:49 PM

      more like if you want to get a hard-off

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      November 5, 2012 1:21 PM

      I definitly did not really understand the construction of the thing. The pictures don't do it justice. Actually putting it in my hands did more for me making a decision then any ads or games I've seen. Still thinking I'm not picking it up right away. I think I still need something big and new to wow me before that happens.

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      November 5, 2012 1:37 PM

      The Target near me has a demo unit up. But none of the games are demo-able. Only fucking trailers available. Lame.

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        November 5, 2012 1:43 PM

        I think only Rayman has a demo, but it doesn't actually use the controller screen to do anything besides switch levels.

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          November 5, 2012 2:25 PM

          I played a demo of it over the weekend - I'm not completely sure which magic combination of paintings I jumped into to get to a playable level but I did. Things I noticed

          - The controller is fucking huge.
          - At one point in the level you have to do this thing where you look down and use the little screen to clear obstacles for the character which moves on its own. The main TV screen showed the same thing just more detailed. It was weird.
          - At some point during the above bit you had to now turn back to the TV and rotate the Wii-U controller to turn some spiked wheel thing. After being instantly killed three times I said fuck this and left

          I dunno, I'm a big Nintendo fan and I kinda like how they're clinging to their physical product-based future and fuck everyone else but it felt kinda gimmicky to me.

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      November 5, 2012 2:19 PM

      the controller is massive, much bigger than I thought it was going to be. fuckin' nintendo, wtf is this shit.

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      November 5, 2012 2:29 PM

      If the other Wii U games looked even half as good as Rayman I'd be all over it. The demo I tried was gorgeous. I don't see myself buying a console for one game, though.

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      November 5, 2012 4:25 PM

      I got to hold one the other day. Pretty nice!!!!

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      November 5, 2012 4:40 PM

      I had the chance to hold the controller at a Target near me. Totally unexpected how nice it felt in my hands. Granted, just held it for a minute or two and did not get to play, however I was taken aback by how well it felt. Who knows, this might work.

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