This is a place where I describe my experiences at various Nintendo-related events I've been to in anticipation for this Summer's Smash-fest.
The Nintendo Experience at Best Buy E3 2013
I was on an extended solo Summer vacation with my grandparents that happened to tie-in with the E3 festivities. On the way back home, my close family happened to pass by one of the selected Best Buys in Lexington. What most intriguinged me in addition to the four WiiU games was the promise of "Luigi Loot", "Luigi Loot!" Everyone else had low expectations, but I brought my A-game.
When my mom, brother, and I got there, boy, was it crowded! Luckily, there was a lady there to keep us amused, not to mention the entertainment that came from enough StreetPasses to quadruple my number of tags! She asked a series of questions ("Which Nintendo character celebrated their 20th anniversary last year? How did Mario get his name?" etc.) and gave out prizes and pamphlets. My turn came when the challenge was to be the first person to show a picture of Luigi on their phone. I panicked; I didn't have a phone yet (I got one shortly before school and, yes, there is a Luigi picture), but I did have my 3DS on home menu and my branded DS case. The representative gave me the call and I was offered one of two prizes: a Luigi-themed hat or a Mario Kart flag; I picked the latter and registered for Mario Kart 8 because it would be the longest until it came out. As I got closer, I picked up some trinkets on a rather large table such as a mustache, coin, and WiiU informants. There was even a generous StreetPass 3DS on the table, but I couldn't steal it. I also engaged in some small talk with some people in line. One of the guys asked me about why I was so in to 3D World. Turns out, I was about to play his Mii in Mario Tennis Open. I said it's the sequel to my tied favorite game of all time. He asked me what the other one was. All I had to do was show him my Mii. "Oh, Luigi's Mansion(Dark Moon)!" Then, when I was next, I curiously asked the player, "What is the Wind Waker?" He kindly answered. I also someone playing Tropical Freeze and Mom discussed DK64 with the people next to us.
Then, I finally had my turn. I stood with WiiU GamePad in hand, ready to rev the HD engines for the first time ever. I went through the character selection screen and took in the sights of Mario Circuit to behold (As Luigi); it was a close match for the first lap, but once I was in the clear, it was very lonely at the top (The representative herself commented on my mad driving skills), and that also extended to the entirety of the "city-place" (Toad Harbor) and "the ghost house (Twisted Mansion)"-to that, I jokingly stated to her during the intro, "The ghost house, why does it have to be the ghost house?" Okay, I did bump into the wall once during the gliding segment. Drenched in sweat from the anticipation and excitement alike, I took a picture of my trophy and perfect score and recorded some of footage as mementos and for bragging rights. Seeing the long line, I didn't have the time to try another game, ao we left, but I still had a couple of StreetPasses to play with and a second stage of lunch. A couple of days later on a dinner out, I joked with Mom, who had the camcorder, about getting the non-existant, at least on Earth anyway, "Mario Kart Champion's Discount," and I took great pride holding that title before a lot of people.
The Nintendo Experience at Best Buy E3 2013
I was on an extended solo Summer vacation with my grandparents that happened to tie-in with the E3 festivities. On the way back home, my close family happened to pass by one of the selected Best Buys in Lexington. What most intriguinged me in addition to the four WiiU games was the promise of "Luigi Loot", "Luigi Loot!" Everyone else had low expectations, but I brought my A-game.
When my mom, brother, and I got there, boy, was it crowded! Luckily, there was a lady there to keep us amused, not to mention the entertainment that came from enough StreetPasses to quadruple my number of tags! She asked a series of questions ("Which Nintendo character celebrated their 20th anniversary last year? How did Mario get his name?" etc.) and gave out prizes and pamphlets. My turn came when the challenge was to be the first person to show a picture of Luigi on their phone. I panicked; I didn't have a phone yet (I got one shortly before school and, yes, there is a Luigi picture), but I did have my 3DS on home menu and my branded DS case. The representative gave me the call and I was offered one of two prizes: a Luigi-themed hat or a Mario Kart flag; I picked the latter and registered for Mario Kart 8 because it would be the longest until it came out. As I got closer, I picked up some trinkets on a rather large table such as a mustache, coin, and WiiU informants. There was even a generous StreetPass 3DS on the table, but I couldn't steal it. I also engaged in some small talk with some people in line. One of the guys asked me about why I was so in to 3D World. Turns out, I was about to play his Mii in Mario Tennis Open. I said it's the sequel to my tied favorite game of all time. He asked me what the other one was. All I had to do was show him my Mii. "Oh, Luigi's Mansion(Dark Moon)!" Then, when I was next, I curiously asked the player, "What is the Wind Waker?" He kindly answered. I also someone playing Tropical Freeze and Mom discussed DK64 with the people next to us.
Then, I finally had my turn. I stood with WiiU GamePad in hand, ready to rev the HD engines for the first time ever. I went through the character selection screen and took in the sights of Mario Circuit to behold (As Luigi); it was a close match for the first lap, but once I was in the clear, it was very lonely at the top (The representative herself commented on my mad driving skills), and that also extended to the entirety of the "city-place" (Toad Harbor) and "the ghost house (Twisted Mansion)"-to that, I jokingly stated to her during the intro, "The ghost house, why does it have to be the ghost house?" Okay, I did bump into the wall once during the gliding segment. Drenched in sweat from the anticipation and excitement alike, I took a picture of my trophy and perfect score and recorded some of footage as mementos and for bragging rights. Seeing the long line, I didn't have the time to try another game, ao we left, but I still had a couple of StreetPasses to play with and a second stage of lunch. A couple of days later on a dinner out, I joked with Mom, who had the camcorder, about getting the non-existant, at least on Earth anyway, "Mario Kart Champion's Discount," and I took great pride holding that title before a lot of people.