Game store stupidity aka "What do you mean you have no Wiis?"

[Mara-chan]

Actually the original PS3's emulated the PS2 in hardware; there was basically PS2 chips in the PS3 hardware to handle PS2 games. In later versions, the PS2 hardware was changed to software emulation, which doesn't have full PS2 game coverage, but it saved money (fewer chips, fewer failure points).

It gets even more complicated, but it comes down to money. The cost of the components.

The launch PS3's had the two chips, the Emotion Engine and Graphics synthesizer. Later did the emulation of the Emotion engine, but still had the graphics synthesizer, but this reduced compatability. The latest ones have neither chips and don't play any PS2 games.

All PS3's play PS1 games, software emulated.

There's rumors that Sony will soon have 100% software emulation for the newer PS3's.

I have a launch PS3 with a 250gb hard drive. ^_^ (upgraded!)

Quick reference:
20gb (launch) - hardware emulation, no wi fi, no memory cards. 4USB
40gb (2007) - NO emulation, wi fi, no memory cards, 2 usb
60gb (launch) - hardware emulation, wi fi, memory cards, 4USB
60gb (PAL) - software emulation, wi fi, memory cards, 4USB
80gb (2007) - Software emulation, wi fi, memory cards, 4USB
80gb (2008) - No emulation, wi fi, no memory cards, 2 usb
160gb (2008) - No emulation, wi fi, no memory cards, 2 usb

Basically, if you want to play PS2 games, get one that has 4 USB ports.

[Mara-chan]

Almost forgot my related sighting.

Yesterday on Christmas Eve-Eve I was in Toys R us. I wasn't shopping, I was people watching, looking for SC's.

I overhear this conversation on a cell phone:

<SC> No, they don't have ANY Wii Fit! I don't know what we're gonna do now.

Most stores haven't been able to keep these over-hyped bathroom scales in stock for MONTHS (artificial rarity BTW) and you're pissy you can't find one 2 days before Christmas? You should have been looking WEEKS ago! I bet they were bitching 20 years ago when they couldn't find Cabbage Patch kids, or a few years ago when they couldn't get Tickle Me Emos.

[zymry]

You should have been looking WEEKS ago! I bet they were bitching 20 years ago when they couldn't find Cabbage Patch kids, or a few years ago when they couldn't get Tickle Me Emos.

Everyone probably gets that you meant "Tickle Me Elmos" but I like the typo better.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Tell your manager I said he's a smart guy for telling you that. It really irritates me when I'm getting rung up for something and the cashier's phone rings and they take the call, leaving me to stand there with a thumb up my butt until they get done with their call.

I hear you on that, but sometimes it isn't possible. Especially when you have corporate suits and managers who insist that the phone be answered and the inquiry answered ASAP because they somehow think somebody calling the store from home is as important as somebody already in the store.

I bet they were bitching 20 years ago when they couldn't find Cabbage Patch kids, or a few years ago when they couldn't get Tickle Me Emos.

Do those cry when you tickle them?

[I_Hate_SCs]

This time of the year is always thrilling at a games store...

Stupidity 1

... With this woman it wasn't only she expected to get a Wii this late on Dec. 23 ...

And i'm sure she walked by your Wii display **days ago* or the last time they were in stock (whichever is sooner), and expected it to remain the same until days before xmas. What a fool! I hate the people who can't seem to grasp that hot items that are popular *gasp* get SOLD OUT weeks before xmas!

[RetailWorkhorse]

Ladies and Gents, brace yourselves.

My Grandmother, this day of Christmas Eve, called up K-Mart and someone found her a WiiFit.

They said they would have it in her name and ready for her at 9:30 tonight.




And, no, it's NOT for any of us kids. She's actually gotten it for herself because her local exercise place shut down.

[Mike Taylor]

Why people do this, WHY?

Playing a video game requires two main elements: a gaming console/system and a game. This is a very basic concept...or so you'd think.

Unfortunately I have NUMEROUS people calling or coming in every day asking me about a Wii game" or "DS game" or "PSP game" in which the customer is looking not for a GAME but for the SYSTEM that plays it...and it confuses me EVERY single time.

I usually get them to clarify by telling them one of two things.

"We have (insert brand) games and systems." (points to the games and the systems)

Or.

"We have (insert brand) games, but we're out of the systems." (Normally reserved for the Wii, but it has occasionally been used with the other consoles and handhelds.)

[Mike Taylor]

My apologies for the derail but can anyone explain to me why sony decided to make some PS3s backwards compatible and others not ? Did they want to create confusion and angst regarding their products ?

Sony discovered that a sizable chunk of their PS3 customers weren't using the backwards compatibility with the PS2. These customers fell into three types. 1. Customers whose PS2s still worked and were handed down to little brother/sister. 2. Customers switching from another console and who did not own a PS2. 3. Customers who were first-time console owners and bought the system because it was (until recently) the cheapest BluRay player on the market.

Also, when they went to software-based emulation, a number of game developers complained to Sony that they felt their time and money were better spent making NEW games for the PS3 as opposed to converting old PS2 games to run on the new system.

Rather than drop the backwards compatibility suddenly, they slowly phased it out.

[Danno]

Ladies and Gents, brace yourselves.

My Grandmother, this day of Christmas Eve, called up K-Mart and someone found her a WiiFit.

They said they would have it in her name and ready for her at 9:30 tonight.




And, no, it's NOT for any of us kids. She's actually gotten it for herself because her local exercise place shut down.

An ironic Christmas miracle. I like it.

[zymry]

Sony discovered that a sizable chunk of their PS3 customers weren't using the backwards compatibility with the PS2. These customers fell into three types. 1. Customers whose PS2s still worked and were handed down to little brother/sister. 2. Customers switching from another console and who did not own a PS2. 3. Customers who were first-time console owners and bought the system because it was (until recently) the cheapest BluRay player on the market.

Also, when they went to software-based emulation, a number of game developers complained to Sony that they felt their time and money were better spent making NEW games for the PS3 as opposed to converting old PS2 games to run on the new system.

Rather than drop the backwards compatibility suddenly, they slowly phased it out.

Perhaps (and thanks everyone that chimed in) but it has been the biggest cause of "non sales" in my store.

"Do you have any ps3s ?"
"yes"
"are they the backwards compatible ones ?" or the more generic "will my old games work ?"
"No I am afraid not"
"What am I supposed to do with all my old games ?"

It's a personal peeve of mine too because my second ps2 is on it's last legs and while I would love to get a ps3 (and a new TV to take advantage of the better picture) I 1) don't want to give up my library of games and 2) dont want to have to replace my ps3 every 3 or 4 years.

[Supermarket Slave Girl]

I put a wii bundle pack on layby way back in June when Target had they're big toy sale and I unwrapped it this morning (Santa got it for me of course )

The kids love it, along with the trampoline and swing set.

[Rapscallion]

Most stores haven't been able to keep these over-hyped bathroom scales

I love this description, not that I was sweating my bum off on one this morning or anything. It's like anything else, though - it's useful if you use it on a regular (daily) basis.

I'm up to the half-hour jogs now. Not done one with ankle weights yet. Maybe in the morning. I reckon I lost a gallon of sweat today.

Rapscallion

[zymry]

I was able to buy a wii-fit this morning 8)

[VComps]

Whew! For a while, I thought I was the only one who had that. Apparently, none of my co-workers get that question--just me. I've gotten the same question about Blu-ray.

And, for me, working in the computer section of retail electronics, the statement, "I'm looking for a DVD," can actually mean a DVD player, a DVD movie, blank DVDs, a DVD burner, and in one case, a cable for a mini-DVD camcorder.

Ah, Blu-Ray, yes... I've gotten "I'm looking for a DVD for a Blu-Ray DVD."



And then my head fell off.

I mean, do you mean you want a Blu-Ray player? Or are you looking for a Blu-Ray DISC for a Blu-Ray player? Argh, no matter which I guess I'll inevitably be wrong. HOW DO YOU WIN THIS GAME?!?1?111oneoneoneofthesedaysalice...oneofthese days

[Chromatix]

And I thought people got confused enough over the difference between CD and DVD.

I'll admit though, *I* got confused by that once. I was trying to install a game from disc, and wondered why none of my CD-ROM drives would recognise it. Only the DVD-ROM drive did...