Close but no cigar, GayGamer. Go Nintendo managed to obtain a confirmation e-mail which says that Wii pre-orders will begin with regular store hours on Friday. The letter also notes that while managers won't be able to force bundles on customers, orders must be taken in person on a first-come-first-served basis. No mention is made of a deposit requirement. On a tangential note, Scan readers living in New York City may be extremely lucky. Kotaku writes that Nintendo World has been silently taking pre-orders since last week, and moreover, a $50 deposit will guarantee a Wii on launch day without waiting in a lineup. The store has already assigned over 1,000 Wiis. UPDATE: An e-mail from EB/GameStop offers info on pre-order requirements. You'll have to put down a $50 deposit in the form cash, credit, or trade-ins. Specific trade-ins (namely PS2, PSP, Xbox and GameCube games) will earn additional money towards reservation or purchase. Call your local retailer for details and availability.
