The weather ranged from a slight drizzle to violent monsoon-like conditions on March 8th, the day of the Super Smash Bros. Brawl midnight release. I kept track of the storm while at work, wondering if us anxious Smash Bros. fans would be unfortunate enough to have the sky open up while we waited outside of Gamestop.

It was roughly 6:30pm and the storm was reduced to a light drip. I thought the worst may be over but strong winds began to pick up again. Suddenly the power went out in the entire shopping center of my work (about a mile away from Gamestop). I initially thought, “Sweet! Half day!” But then I realized that my local Gamestop may be facing similar problems. I decided to stop by Gamestop to scope out the scene. I was greeted with this image:

I was relieved to see Gamestop with power, but then I realized just how lucky I was…

If you can’t make it out, that’s Wal-mart on the far right along with some beauty supply store directly next-door to Gamestop, both with completely no power.

Any1 know Pikachu? lolz.

I can’t really imagine Gamestop conducting a midnight release with no power, seeing as all pre-orders are kept in their computers these days. Maybe the Master Hand was looking out for us, protecting the store’s power supply with it’s giant freakish hands…but I can’t say for sure. All I do know is that us Smash Bros. fans were very fortunate that night. Sadly, a lot of people in line didn’t have power either, so when they got home no SSBB for them.

This particular Gamestop had roughly 470 reserves for the game, along with about 500 copies ordered. An estimated 100 people showed up for the midnight release.

The tournament had already finished by the time I arrived. I wasn’t hoping to participate, but it would have been nice to get a few photos of the actual tournament. I ended up just getting in line, hoping that something interesting would occur outside. I immediately noticed the Smash Bros. Brawl tournament trophy sitting at my feet, complete with the torn off Mario head. I asked the kid next to me if it was his, he confirmed that it indeed was. I then asked if I could take a photo of him with the trophy so that I could include it in this article. He declined. The kid was little camera shy I suppose but I can’t blame him. I did manage to convince him to let me take a photo of his hand holding the trophy, which I was happy with.

The kid, who wished to remain anonymous, described the tournament as semi-difficult and used Samus to win. His prizes consisted of the cheaply crafted trophy and a ticket to the next round of the tournament, which was all the winners in that Gamestop’s district. Then if he won that tournament he got another trophy and went on to another round where he had a chance to win $5000 if he claimed first place.

I thought it was a pretty crummy prize. He should have at least gotten his copy of Smash Bros. Brawl for free, but it was still pretty cool that Gamestop held the tournament, attempting to make these midnight releases more interesting.

We waited outside in the cold, briefly discussing new features and old favorites. Many cars passed by with the drivers and passengers staring us down, wondering what the hell we were all waiting for. One many had a very creepy gaze combined with a large mustache. He may as well have had “FREE CANDY” written on the side of his car. A few hours and Snyder’s Buffalo Pretzels later I had my Smash Bros. Brawl in-hand.

I love midnight releases. Everybody is up at late hours and outside in ridiculous weather conditions, all waiting for the same thing: to play new video games. It sounds ridiculous to most, but to a few of us we look forward to it all week.