I might as well post this here, because I had an interesting conversation in gamestop the other day but didn't really want to make a whole topic for it. I was in there playing the Super Mario Galaxy demo when a woman (probably in her mid to late 30s) came in. She went to the clerk and this conversation ensued:
Woman: I'm looking for the game system with the motion controls.
Clerk: Oh, that's the Playstation 3.
Me (pausing the SMG demo in minor amusement): Actually there are two consoles with motion controls. The Playstation 3 and the Wii. Are you looking for the small white one or the big black one?
Woman (confused): I was looking for the one where you swing the controller to play tennis and bowling and stuff. I'm looking for a game system for our whole family to play.
Clerk: The Playstation 3 has downloadable games like that, and it's full of great family friendly games.
Me (now greatly entertained by where this is heading): If you are looking for the one that comes with 5 motion controlled sports game included, that's the Wii, but if you are looking for the one that plays Blu-ray movies and has better graphics, that's the playstation 3.
Woman: What's Blu-ray?
Clerk (visually upset): It's a disc type that makes games have better graphics and play better.
Me (trying not to laugh at this point): No, Blu-ray is a high definition movie format which has extra media storage space and can be played in 1080p on an HDTV. The Playstation 3 can play these movies.
Woman: Oh, okay. Well we already have a DVD player. I just want something to play games with. Which one is the cheapest?
Clerk (nervously): Well the Playstation 3 just came down in price to $400.
Me: The Ninendo Wii is $250 and comes with a pack-in game called Wii sports, which is most likely the sports games you were thinking of. Much of its game library is family friendly. The Playstation 3 is $400 at the cheapest and doesn't come with any games, although there are some family friendly games on it like Ratchet and Clank, there aren't a whole lot of family friendly multiplayer games for it.
Clerk (now obviously angry): You'll find much better games like Resistance and Heavenly Sword on the PS3.
Me: Sorry, but if you are looking for family games, those are very graphic and gorey and may not appeal to kids.
Woman (seemingly picking up on the clerk's desperation): I'm pretty sure the Wii is the one I was thinking of.
Clerk: Well we are sold out anyway.
Woman (to me): Thanks for your help. Do you know where I can find a Wii.
Me: Just check stores on Sunday. That's when most of them stock their shipments. Good luck.
(woman leaves)
Clerk: Get out if you're not going to buy anything!
Ah, I love when I see store clerks try to sell their favorite system any way they can. It's always funny to watch it blow up in their face too.
