Countdown to PS3 / Wii Launch Continues - Bundles

If I haven't beat it into everyone's heads by now, I believe the Wii to be the new hotness and the PS3 to be old and busted. I also believe that all this craziness about launchtime is just that -- craziness. That said, if you absolutely must be the first one on the block to own a Wii, Toys 'R' Us will be doing midnight sales of the Wii console at the following locations listed below. As far as I can tell, Toys 'R' Us is not doing bundles (at least in the U.S.) -- the same cannot be said for Canada and Australia.

I always feel that the bundles are a dumb way to pump up the retailer's profit margins during the launch -- the customer gets a bunch of items they don't necessarily want, and retailer gets to dump a bunch of useless items unto the consumer, who pays for it, as well as pay a premium price for it. Capitalism at it's finest.

Walmart has gone so far as to offer a bundled Wii for $648 (hardware only should be $249), and a bundled PS3 for a bank account draining $1422. (Photos in the extended in case pages go away).

Amazon, due to supply has said they won't be filling any PS3 orders, and CompUSA has decided to take the really, really low road by allowing you to reserve a PS3 with the purchase of any Sony HDTV 40" or greater . Supposedly if you return the TV, you've got to return the PS3 too. And notice that it's not just any HDTV, but a Sony HDTV. Apparently, gamers are made of money.

While I won't disagree that some members of the gaming community are rather well-heeled with heaps of disposable income, I'd like to believe that gaming is for the everyman, and not just the financial elite.