Joystiq [Xbox]

Driving up to the store we quickly realized that we were way unprepared for what we saw as Gamestop totally ended up overdoing themselves. Management rented out a three sided video advertising truck in which Halo 2 multiplayer was being played, the US Army was there with their Xbox 360 setup in the back of a Hummer and they also hooked up other military randomness. Not only that, but Gamestop employees were handing out free Mountain Dew Game Fuel and chips which was probably an effort to ease everyone into a sense of satisfaction and lubricate our wallets. Tricky Gamestop employees. Anyhoo, we were both awe-struck as a hundred or so gamers walked around, played games and sat in line. It was a gaming sight to be seen.


After gaining my composure my friend and I headed into the Gamestop store when I realized I had forgotten my pre-order slip. No matter, in my friend and I went to figure out this Halo 3 pre-order mess. After waiting a few minutes in line I handed over my ID, the cashier brought up my pre-order for the Halo 3 Legendary Edition, I paid the remaining balance and he gave me a receipt. He then explained that everything was paid for and that the receipt would have to be shown to get a copy of the game, which would ultimately make the handing out process much more smooth and quicker when midnight rolled around. Everything sounded good to me, so we headed back out of the store to see if we could get in on some Halo 2 multiplayer.

It was 10:45PM or so and after a bit of a wait, a can of Game Fuel and two bags of chips (Doritos and Lays original if you're curious) it was time for me and my buddy to lead the red team to victory in some Halo 2 multiplayer. I'll say this right off the bat, we lost. Yup, we lost 45-50 in Team Slayer Rifles on Lockout. But the LCD display had some horrid response time and was uber small and just ... horrid ... so the reason we lost was because of the displays. Case closed. After losing I proclaimed that I had had enough of Halo 2, I was here for Halo 3 and now that it was a few minutes past eleven we agreed that we should get in line. And so, we did.


Waiting in line was interesting in its own right, there were a few overly excited kids amped up on Game Fuel, a few throwing cans of soda on the roof and some skateboarders skating around causing those in line to scream "ahhh, man!" when they would almost face plant (I guess gamers don't like skate boards). By now the Halo 2 gaming was over, the Army packed up and left and the line to Gamestop's front door was massively long as hundreds of eager Halo fanboys waited. The fifteen minute countdown was on.

The final fifteen minutes and the following thirty are somewhat of a blur as I was in an overtired, sleepy state (very un-hardcore, I know), but we all waited patiently. The countdown to midnight was vocal and cheers soon followed as the first few gamers in line headed into the store in packs of seven. Then, the first copies emerged, Legendary Editions being hoisted above purchasers heads as they ran through the parking lot towards their cars in a race home to finish the fight. Another twenty minutes went by, the line moved slowly and we finally reached the Gamestop entrance. Stumbling tired, I walked into the air-conditioned store.

Going in I double checked my pockets and realized I had misplaced my receipt, or so I thought, because I then searched my wallet and found it lovingly folded inside. It was what I call one of those "awkward moments". Now, with receipt in hand, I hand over my $130 piece of paper to the cashier in exchange for the big black Legendary Box. My friend received his copy at the same time and we both walked out the door rather tired, but happy. Walking to the car we spoke not a word, each just holding and staring at our copies of Halo 3 and dreaming of the bliss to come. After unlocking my car door and jumping in I realized I was now on a new, more exciting mission. I was no longer a mission of Halo 3 launch fun, instead I was now on a mission to finish the fight, I was now on a mission to play my Halo 3.