Ultimate video game

  • KARL SCHWEIZER / Herald Writer
  • Thursday, October 26, 2000 9:00pm
  • Local News

Lines form and mouths foam as PlayStation2 debuts in the U.S.

By KARL SCHWEIZER

Herald Writer

EVERETT — If you don’t already have a Sony PlayStation2, you’re too late, at least for now.

Shoppers camped overnight at area department stores in order to be first to pay $300 for the latest invention in video-game consoles, which are in short supply. They snatched up the state-of-the-art video-game machines within minutes after stores opened Thursday.

It was that way all across the country as hard-core video-game players rushed to get the machine, which has been available in Japan for months.

Target employee Tyler Kemp camped out with several dozen other shoppers at an Everett Target store Wednesday night, waiting for Thursday’s 8 a.m. opening. Most were bundled up against the cold. Some sat in lawn chairs.

"I’m a freak about things like this. I’m the kind of guy who waits for World Series tickets a week before they go on sale," Kemp said. "I’m devoted to what I like."

Although Kemp works at the Lynnwood store, he said he had heard that only the Everett store would let people stay overnight, so he went there rather than try to buy a machine where he worked. A national shortage of Sony consoles convinced him that his only chance to get one would be to wait in line with everyone else.

"About 6 months ago, we started getting e-mails saying Sony was shipping 1 million units to the U.S. Then it became 800,000. Then it was 500,000. That’s when we started hearing about the sales rules: only one per customer," Kemp said.

A parts shortage has kept the units in short supply. While the company promised it would be on target to deliver a total of 1.3 million units in North America by Christmas, many consumers will not be able to buy one until at least next spring.

Marysville resident Stuart George was determined to be among the lucky few. He led the line at Target, hoping to be the first to buy one of the store’s 39 consoles. George made up tickets to assign to others in the line to discourage people from cutting in.

George, 21, said he took two days off work so he could enjoy the machine. He had no regrets as he played it Thursday.

"Everything was as I expected," he said. "It rocks!"

Other shoppers at area stores told similar stories. University of Washington engineering student Andre Evans skipped class Thursday so he could sleep in after spending all night on the curb outside Sears at the Everett Mall.

Aaron Smith of Lake Stevens waited behind him.

"I really didn’t want to wait two or three months to get my hands on one. That’s what happened to me with Nintendo 64," Smith said.

They were two of only nine people who were able to buy the systems at Sears. Another dozen or so hopefuls were turned away, said store employee Ron Howell.

"We had quite a few people out there and only nine PlayStation2s. So we handed out tickets and let nine people in. It wasn’t as scary as I thought it was going to be," Howell said. "They all had numbers."

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.