This isn't a true launch day story, but close enough I guess. Everyone remembers the insanity of the PS2's launch, right?
I wasn't able to get my PS2 on launch day, but I got it right after the holidays the year it came out. I had preordered it several months before and was on a huge waiting list. Mine didn't come in until early January. When I got the call one evening that my PS2 was ready to be picked up, I felt like a kid on christmas morning, bubbling over with excitement. I hopped in my car and drove nearly 30 miles to the store where I had reserved it (I lived in the boonies at the time).
When I got to the store, I told the manager that I was there to pick up a PS2 I had reserved. I showed her my receipt and she went to the back to get it. There were a few guys standing at the counter also, talking to another clerk about some other games. Once they saw that blue box of love come out of the back storage area and into my hands, all conversation stopped and all eyes were on me. The manager then asked me if I would like someone to walk me out to my car (this store was in a mall), but I declined and said I would be okay.
So, I sped home and hooked up the PS2. Three of my friends were already waiting for me and we spent the rest of the night playing FIFA 2001. Very fond memories indeed!
