The Game Will Be Finding One

Derek Aubrey knows video game systems, and he knows he wants to buy a Sony PlayStation 2 when they become available Thursday at local stores. That is if he can find one.

Local retailers are bracing for a run on the new systems. Many, like Babbages, Toys R Us and KB Toys, have already presold their Thursday shipments. Others, like Target, Shopko and Wal-Mart are offering PlayStation 2 consoles Thursday on a first- come, first-served basis.

The shortage is due to Sony Computer Entertainment’s production problems. The company had planned to ship 1million consoles for the launch, but had to scale that number back to 500,000 when it ran into problems getting enough computer components.

Sony plans to follow its initial shipment with weekly shipments of about 100,000 through the holidays.

That still may not be enough to satisfy the high demand for PlayStation 2s under Christmas trees.

Aubrey, who was checking out video games at the Northpointe Target Monday, plans to wait in line Thursday to buy one.

At $300-$330 locally, PlayStation 2 is the hottest gaming system to hit North America since Sega released its Dreamcast console last year.

Just talking about PlayStation 2 excites serious gamesters like 18-year-old Aubrey.

It boasts the most realistic game graphics ever, with 75 million polygons (shapes) per second. It can also play DVDs, and next year it will be able to hook into the Internet. Unlike previous game systems, PlayStation 2 will still play games from the original PlayStation system.

“I’m psyched,” Aubrey said. “I can’t wait.”

Because the game system appeals to a large age range - from 8 to adult - this shortage may dwarf past hot toy supply problems, such as Tickle Me Elmo a few years ago.

Already, PlayStation 2 systems are selling for $450-$700 on Internet auction site eBay, where people are selling systems they have reserved but don’t yet have in hand.

“We will be able to cover all of our presales,” said Jason Gilmore, who works at the Toys R Us on Sullivan Road in the Valley. “Beyond that, we are going to have difficulty filling demand.”

Gilmore expects to get 25 units.

The story is the same at KB Toys at NorthTown Mall.

Just a couple of doors down, Babbages is bracing for the launch.

The store has already taken reservations for its first allotment of PlayStation 2 systems, said area manager Bruce Kelley. Those whose reservations can be filled now are being invited to a party celebrat- ing the launch at midnight Wednesday.

“We’re going to have some dissatisfied customers because of the shortage,” he said.

Babbages is one of the few places people can try out PlayStation 2.

Tuesday afternoon, when the display system was set up, video game enthusiasts oohed and aahed over the graphics in the Madden 2001 football game.

“It looks almost like real life,” raved Jesse Munoz.

Those who don’t have reservations may want to try their luck at a big-box retailer.

The lines are likely to outstrip supply, said Norman Wolff, who works in the electronics department at the South Hill Shopko.

“A guy called and said he is going to be in the parking lot at 2 a.m. waiting for us to open at 8 a.m.,” said Wolff. “I sure won’t be here then.”

You can rent a PlayStation 2 system from Hollywood Video or Blockbuster Video.

A five-day rental costs $19.99, plus $4.99 per game and a $300 deposit, said Valley Blockbuster store manager Jake Bronson, who added he didn’t know how many the store would have.

Of course, if you can’t get a PlayStation 2 by this Christmas, there’s always next year. That’s when Microsoft releases its “Xbox.”

Babbages is taking reservations for that video game system now.

Around town:

Work continues on the River Park Square cafe court, which will not open until next year. Developers of the downtown mall had hoped to open the third floor food court by Thanksgiving.

“That was a dream,” said mall manager Bob Robideaux. “If everything was perfect, we might have been able to make a Thanksgiving opening.”

AMC opened its last six theaters at River Park Square over the weekend, bringing the total number of screens in the cineplex to 20.

Also opening over the weekend was Restoration Hardware, which sells home hardware, toys, home decorations, gardening supplies, and furniture.

Next week, abercrombie, the kids version of Abercrombie & Fitch, opens on the skywalk level of the mall’s second phase.