The latest DS outing for the franchise is said to be the biggest ever , with EVEN MORE huge-eyed chicks to marry and raise happy children with.

It's all so.. beautiful. Sniff. That's it, I think I need to go and have a bit of a cry.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Harvest Moon Games, pre orders can nab a plush chicken. Yes, you read that correctly.

Harvest Moon: Island Of Happiness [Natsume]

Unfortunately, our website incorrectly stated that the Rock Band accessories were included with your video game purchase. This is incorrect and we have updated the website to accurately reflect that the accessories are not included with this purchase. As a result, your order will be canceled if you haven't already canceled it, and you will not be charged for this item.

UPDATE: It looks like Best Buy offered $5 store credit for those who received refunds.

Best Buy flubs Rock Band preorders, cancels on excited fans [opposablethumbs]

This is for fellow ex-pat Japan readers (who are all sleeping right now):

At Bic Camera, customers with Bic Camera/Suica Cards can pre-order the 20GB/60GB PLAYSTATION 3 with a guaranteed delivery between 12/20—12/25. Yup, right before Christmas! Apparently, they have a similar dealio for the Wii. GET! Brian Ashcraft

PS3 By X-Mas [Q-TARO]

After Gamestop delivered a swift punch in the gut to the PS3 pre-ordering crowd—many of whom camped out just to pre-order the thing based on alleged, yet conservative launch day store allocations—comes a shred of positive news about when they'll get their post launch PlayStations.

The company expects to cover existing reservations before the holidays, most likely helped by the fact that employees who pre-ordered a unit will not be able to purchase one until the second, unspecified shipment and the entire launch allocation will be sold through brick and mortar locations, not at Gamestop.com.

The wordy official message sent to Gamestop employees via the POS system today follows after the jump. Michael McWhertor

Sony notified us that our initial shipment of PS3 systems will not be what we expected. We will be able to fulfill approximately 60% of our reservations on launch day. While this is not an ideal situation, the following should ease some of the customer service issues:
- We anticipate enough systems to cover reservations well before Christmas.
- Employees must wait to purchase their reserved systems until the second shipment. Anyone violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary action. We feel it necessary to take a strong customer service viewpoint on this issue.
- Stores will fill launch-day reservations in the order that the systems were reserved. All stores should have this information on the tracking sheets that were provided via email.
- Customers that are willing to wait for the second shipment to pick up their reserve will be offered a free used game or DVD priced at $19.99 or less.
- Instead of utilizing the ARN system, stores will personally call all reservations customers.
- Stores will be provided two scripts to user - one for customers that will be receiving the units on launch day and one for customers whose reservations will be fulfilled by subsequent shipments.
- We will provide each store with launch-day allocations on each SKU and a tracking sheet to monitor customer calls and pick-up intentions.
- Due to the complexity of this release, we will not be providing an ARN call to support this launch.
- Customers should have received the "Thank You for Your Reservation" notification at the time of reservation. This explained that the deposit guaranteed a spot in line when the reserved system becomes available and does not guarantee receipt of a system at launch.

***System Available Script***
"Hi, this is ____ calling from (GameStop/EB Games). I am calling to let you know that our allocation of PS3 systems is not what we expected but, because you were one of the first people to reserve, we will have your system on launch day. We will be opening at ___. We will also be receiving additional units in time for Christmas. If you are willing to wait for a second shipment to pick up your PS3, I can offer you a free used game or DVD priced $20 or less. Could you let me know if you plan to purchase your PS3 on Friday, 11/17 or Saturday, 11/18?"

***System NOT Available Script***
"Hi, this is ____ calling from (GameStop/EB Games). Unfortunately, our allocation of PS3 systems is not what we expected and we will not be able to provide you with a system on launch day. We will be receiving additional units in time for Christmas and your are number ___ on the list to receive a unit. We are very sorry that we are not able to provide you with a system on launch day. We will call you as soon as your system arrives."

——-Q & A——-
Some questions you may have are:
Q: Will we hold PS3 systems past 48 hours (close-of-business Saturday)?
A: We would like all reservations customers to pick up shipments from the initial allocation by Saturday evening. If you have a unique issue that requires you to hold a system longer, please partner with your DM.

Q: Can employees get the free used game because they waited until the second shipment?
A: Yes, employees are eligible to receive the free used game.

Q: When can customers get their free used game on DVD?
A: They will get this when they purchase their PS3 system.

Q: If a customer would like to get a more expensive used game, can we discount it $19.99 and allow them to pay the difference?
A: No, the customer must select a $19.99 game.

Q: Can we provide a free $19.99 used game to those customers to whom we will not be able to provide a system on launch day?
A: No, these customers will not be eligible for the free used game.

Q: When will we get more PS3 systems?
A: We are hoping for weekly re-stocks through the holidays. At this time, we do not have these specifics. The good news is Sony is shipping systems weekly.

——-Notifying Customers———
Customers should be contacted in the order that they are reserved. All calls must be made by end-of-day on Wednesday 11/15. Each store will be provided a tracking sheet to document phone calls made to reservation customers.

Beginning with the first customer on your list, use the below script. This script will be used until your allocation has been met. As stated above, we are requiring that employees wait to pick up their system until a subsequent shipment.

Q: Will customers be able to purchase this on GameStop.com at launch?
A: No, our entire launch allocation is going to the field to fulfill reservations.

Q: If a store is able to provide a system to all customers wishing to purchase and they still have some left, can those be sold to employees?
A: No, in cases such as these, the systems should be transferred to a stores that has not bee able to fulfill all reservations. This is also the case if a stores has 20-GB units that are not wanted by reservation customers.

Q: Will customers that will not have the choice of picking up on launch day get the free $19.99 game?
A: No. We will, however, allow employees to take advantage of this offer since we are not allowing them to purchase on launch day.

Q: Wy are stores getting 20 GB units even if they didn't reserve any?
A: We are shipping out all units that we have available, so some stores may get more of the 20 GB systems that were not reserved.

Sure, Amazon's already been doing Wii pre-orders, but AsoBitCity must be the first bricks-and-mortal retailer in Japan to offer them. Starting last Friday, customers could reserve a Wii (limit one per-person) with no money down. It was also possible to reserve four game titles: Wario, Twilight Princess, Wii Sports and My First Wii. Pre-orders at AsoBitCity were closed by Saturday. Other Japanese retailers such as Sofmap, Yodobashi Camera and Bic Camera are not taking Wii reserves. When the DS originally launched a while back, I was able to easily waltz right in on launch and pick one up no problem. The Wii demand maybe high, but the console hasn't faced production problems. I don't think securing an unit will be an impossible task. Overconfident? Brian Ashcraft

Wii Reserves Start In Akiba [Akiba Blog]

Last night, customers were given the opportunity to pre-order a PS3 through the Bestbuy.com website. This was a bit odd considering that Best Buy is known for expressly NOT taking pre-orders. The boys at PS3land decided to take matters into their own hands and get to the bottom the situation. They spoke to a Best Buy customer service rep who informed them that the whole thing was a "system glitch" and none of the pre-orders would be filled. They were told that all customers that placed orders would receive a full refund and what I'm sure will be a very sincere form-email apology.

To clear up the matter even further, the sales representative assured us that all participating Best Buy outlets will be opening their doors on November 17 at 8 a.m. An employee will come around giving out PS3 tickets that correlate to the exact amount of PS3s their store holds. When a customer receives a ticket, he/she will be able to go inside the store and purchase a PS3.

Not surprisingly, over on the AVS forums there was a quite different story when dealing with customer service.

He (the rep) said the pre-order was real and the orders will be honored. He said the link was emailed to customers last night and that's how they intended to do it. But I did point blank ask him "Is this legitimate and will I get my system shipped on the 17th?". His exact words were "Yes sir, it was and your system is set to ship on the 17th".

Let's hope that this last conversation is the real truth. If it isn't and you were one of the unlucky folks who were unfortunate enough to fall to this cruel, cruel fate, don't feel bad, it could have been worse...at least you're getting your money back. Actually, I take that back. You were screwed. Flynn De Marco

Bestbuy preorders deemed "a system glitch" [PS3land]

Okay, boys and girls. Go and get your pre-orders for the PS3 or Wii at Toys 'R' Us this Sunday. Odds aren't good: Gaming Age Forumers estimate 12-25 Wiis and 5-14 PS3s per store. So get there at dawn and bring a straight razor. Florian Eckhardt

Well, don't count your chickens: word is that eBay has been proactive over closing auctions and accounts of people selling their pre-ordered PS3 online (as if a pre-order were any indication you'll get one anyway).

Apparently, such ruthless capitalism breaches eBay's TOS, specifically the clause where you can't sell a pre-order over thirty days in advance. Seven days from now? You're free to bound to eBay and be a douche, depriving a kid who actually wants a PS3 by selling it for a 4x profit to a rich adult or subsidized game reviewer. You Ess Ay! You Ess Ay! Florian Eckhardt

PS3 eBay Timer [PS3timer.com]

Each gamestop store will receive an average of 6 systems (more for higher volume stores, less for dead stores). 1-2 systems can be given to employees at the store manager's discretion. The rest are given out to the store's "regulars". If a manager feels he has a customer who is very loyal (shops there often, reserves many things), they call them and ask them if they want to guarantee one of the remaining 4 consoles...and aparently all 4 of the remining consoles are handed out in this fashion.

Nepotism for the win! Looks like journalists won't be the only ones waiting 20 weeks for a PS3. Florian Eckhardt

Editor's Note: Eckhardt's head was apparently located somewhere near that pole when he posted the NSFW picture on the front page. Sorry about that.

It's started. At least somewhere they are taking Wii pre-orders.

Lesley Smith writes that a friend, the deputy manager of a local GAME store, called her up last Saturday to let her know that they were going to be started to take pre-orders for the Wii.

She ran down and with 20 was able to place a deposit on the console. Checking out the official signage, it looks like that money just holds a spot in line for her and doesn't guarantee a Wii on launch. Interesting system. I wonder if you have to show up at midnight still or how it's going to work.

Any other tales of PS3 or Wii pre-orders out there yet? Brian Crecente

GAME Goodness: Wii Pre-Orders Open [Through the Eyes of a Journalist]

Bits & Bytes & Pixels & Sprites (a website that is such a pain to type out I went ahead and created a TextExpander script for it) is rumoring that if you want to get a PS3 or Wii reserved for you on launch day, Friday is a very good day to incessantly whine to the drone with a face like a beige orange peel behind the counter.

According to B&B&P&S, a manager told him that all store managers are to find out on Friday how many units each store is getting. Shortly thereafter, they should start taking pre-orders. I'm not entirely sure if this is Texas only or nationwide — I was somewhat under the impression that pre-orders were already being taken.

Still, Texas has a few million people, and at least a couple of them probably read this site between tearing the flesh off of a BBQ-slathered sow. And if it can be extrapolated further, that might be an excellent time to start incessantly hitting the Gamestop speed-dial button. Florian Eckhardt

Potential Wii and PS3 Gamestop reserve info??? [B&B&P&S]

Consider this: last week, I wandered down to GAME on Dawson Street in Dublin and asked if they were accepting pre-orders. "No," they replied, "We're registering interest."

I still have no idea what the hell that means, but I registered my interest and was told I'd get a call on Monday, which would basically allow me to upgrade my interest to a pre-order. They're offering bundles, mostly, which is fair enough: Zelda is one of them, and that (along with Red Steel) is one of the only couple of launch titles I actually care about.

Monday afternoon? I get a call from the manager of GAME and for about thirty euros down payment, he upgrades me to a pre-order. As I did when the DS Lite came out, I ask him if there's any chance I won't get a Wii on launch day. His response: "I flat out guarantee you'll get one. We'll have tons."

I find this fascinating because it completely flies in the face of similar attempts to pre-order consoles in the States. Of course, Ireland doesn't have many specialty game stores, and it only has 3 million people. Even so, I just find it amazing to live in a country where a pre-order isn't some nebulous half-promise, but a 100% guarantee of satisfaction.

Of course, then again, it's not like I'm trying to pre-order the PS3 here. Florian Eckhardt

But it's starting to look like supply's going to be bad. How bad? Well, Amazon.com sold out of all of its Wii pre-orders on September 15th, the same day they went live. Of course, it sure looked like a swell deal for those with their fingers on the left mouse button.

Amazon offered preorders with Wii Sports included for $249 today. With 1 day expedited shipping ran $283.83. No absurd bundle required. They began taking preorders this morning and had sold out of preorders by 11 am cst.

No absurd bundles? If only the rest of us had been so level-headed. Florian Eckhardt

Amazon quickly sells out pre-orders for Nintendo Wii [CD Freaks]

At least according to an Amazon Japan poll. Pre-order registration for the 60GB PlayStation 3 edges out Nintendo's Wii in the popularity contest. Interest in the 20GB PS3 is significantly lower. The 60GB PS3 comes with an open price, but rumor has that it will retails for around 70,000 yen (US $600). Unfazed, consumers are registering for the product in droves. This proves one thing: many Japanese folks are made of money. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Amazon Japan]

Via Flicker Gaming, we were pointed in the direction of Wiishlist, a site that keeps updating itself to let you know when all the major sites will be taking Wii preorders. It also covers preorders for Wii games.

The sites Wiishlist are watching include Eb Games, eBay, Wal-Mart, various flavors of Amazon and Gamestop. There's even an RSS feed so you don't have to remember to check it.

Very useful for the lazy, mostly atrophied gamer! Florian Eckhardt

Digital Battle is reporting that MediaMarkt, a German retailer, is taking pre-orders on the 60GB PS3 for 600, or around $765. They seem a bit astonished by the price, but note that you'll get a free game: Formula 1, Motorstorm, SingStar or Genji.

Mark my words: 600 is exactly what the PS3 is going to sell for in Europe. People who don't know exactly how hard Europeans get boned on games and console always just try to translate the US price into the stronger currency at whatever the current exchange rate is, then maybe rounding it up a bit. This is not how it works: companies instead translate by assuming that one dollar is equal to one euro when pricing for European release. Considering a dollar is worth 0.79 or thereabouts, it's a big price jack.

Why do they assume a 1:1 currency rate? Well, partly, it's because of Value Added Tax built into the price of products, which is about 20%. Since the disparity between the dollar and the euro is currently around 20% in favor of the Euro, selling a $599 product for 599 probably seems fair, except that companies are supposed to be swallowing the V.A.T. tax themselves, not bumping the price up for consumers. But that almost never happens.

And sometimes, as in the case of the European DS Lite release, the cost of the system (even at a hypothetical 1:1 exchange rate) is even more than it is in the States. Yup. We get boned. Florian Eckhardt

PS3 Pre-order In Germany. $765. Seriously. [Digital Battle]

For right now, we're going to assume they mean Final Fantasy XIII and somehow subtracted a roman numeral VI from the equation. And, as Joystiq points out, retailers don't know what the hell they're talking about when it comes to releases.

Still, cross your fingers: this is a remake many of us would like to get a hold of. Florian Eckhardt

BestBuy.com is selling PS3 games also [Joystiq]

We recieved official word today from the GameStop tactical planning group that GameStop and EB Games locations will not be taking preorders until Early October for the Playstation 3. Obviously, I can't post links as it is all internal at this point, but other employees could back me up if they've seen this.

It seems that they are going all out against a repeat of the 360 preorder issue, which of course GameStop and EB was blamed for... even though Microsoft had promised ten times what each store actually launched with. This seems to be the most fail-safe way, but I wonder how long any kind of "call list" might be by October. There are at least fifty people on our store's alone in May.

Makes perfect sense, given that there won't be more than a million consoles available at launch, worldwide. Better start practice swinging a bicycle chain into the meaty flesh of a ripe pumpkin, as that is an accurate simulacrum of what you're going to have to do to some dude's face if you want a PS3 on launch day. November's PS3 riots are going to make The Road Warrior look like The Wizard of Oz.

PS3 Pre-orders at GS/EB [Evil Avatar]

Revolution Pre-Orders [Kotaku]