All of a sudden, the reps told us that they were giving us the chance to take home the first five copies of Metroid Prime in Australia. Chris, Lance and myself keeled over. Was this true? Yes. They held the covers up, and there it was. Metroid Prime, the full game, PAL version, in the flesh (well, plastic).

A player eliminated from the first round with his prize pack.

The second round was up, and the next 10 people were eliminated. After a short break, play resumed, and the freebie giveaways continued.

And it was time to give out Metroid Prime. The first game was given to the person who could name the final boss of the game. Apparently, it’s Metroid Prime. And a kid took the very first copy of Metroid home. The second copy went to who could name four locations in Prime. And the guy chose me. “Uh, Magmoor Caverns, uhh, uhh.” I stumbled and forgot. My chance was gone! And another guy took home Metroid. And before you know it, two more copies went. The final copy was given to someone who could name five Nintendo-made titles for GameCube. And who was chosen? A familiar fellow in an orange jumper. Chris. And he got it! Congrats buddy.

A lucky winner, and Chris with their copy of Metroid Prime

During the course of the day, other ways of winning freebies was through challenges. Two Mario Kart Super Circuit challenges were held, and the winner was given a random prize: a Wavebird or Metroid Fusion. One interesting thing to note was that this challenge was done on the Game Boy Player! People were really amazed by this showing, and it generated a lot of interest in the GameCube.

The GBA SP, the final free copy of Metroid Prime, and a GameCube with the Game Boy Player!

Other challenges were more ambitious. One of which Lance will never forget. Lance hadn’t gotten any freebies yet, and he was getting desperate. The reps said that they were now going to give away a Wavebird and Metroid Fusion to anyone who could do that funny dance that Link does in Wind Waker. Lance volunteered. He was given some time to see Link in action, and after a while, came back to stage. For two minutes, he was made to do hilarious imitations of Link’s move, complete with facial expressions, and end it with an outrageous rendition of Link’s dance. Humiliating as it was, he got a Wavebird and Metroid Fusion.

Soon, only ten people were left, five form each team. The rule of this round though, was that that at the end of the round, the losing four players form each team was eliminated, and the final two would battle it out, using the Game Boy Player, so everyone could see. It was getting dark, and most people hadn’t realised it, but we had been standing in the same spot for the last 6 hours.

And it was time for the most ambitious challenge yet. You had to make up your own Pokemon Rap, and the prize? A Game Boy Advance SP. There were only two. And I had to get one. So, anyone interested was given half an hour to make up a rap, and perform it. I walked off in silence, and thought of three verses for my rap.

When it was time, around ten people were picked, me included. We all rapped our best, and two people were chosen. The first was an old lady, about 60 or so years old. She was very good. I would have given it to her as well. The second? It was going my way. Ryan was pointing at me, and saying that I should get it. But Jade gave it to a girl. And I went out, heart pounding, mouth dry, and mind spinning from being so close yet so far.

Holding the GBA SP. Unfortunately, it’s not mine.