New year, new fancy gadgets to spend an arm and a leg on. 2012 sees not only the launch of a new iPhone and the PlayStation Vita, but also the Wii U in what will be the official kickoff of the next generation of consoles. The combination of strong launch releases and the innovative touchscreen pad make November 18 a date to mark on your calendar.

Don’t start fantasizing about owning Nintendo’s latest console too fast though. Preorders for both the available models of the system are selling out quickly or are already gone. Thankfully we’re here to help: Here’s a bunch of ideas that will help you land a Wii U no matter what. Hope you’re ready to get a little creative to secure a Wii U.

Forget about big retailers. Yes, check to see if they have anything just in case. But don’t get discouraged when stores like Best Buy or GameStop reveal they don’t have what you’re looking for because overzealous folk called them the second preorders opened up.

Try for the video game stores that most people may not know about, or smaller retailers. Most cities have at least one independent store to check out, and launch day there will probably be a more intimate affair. Meaning: less people to cut in front of you in line, and ideally less competition for a system. Stores like Sears, Target, or Costco sell video game hardware too, and they’re worth scoping out.

If you’re set on buying a console at a retailer or store you don’t have a preorder at, then you should feel ready to wait outside the store for at least a day. Two days if you’re really serious about it. If you’re feeling brave with the airs of dedication (and maybe just a little crazy), a handful of days could work.

Before you head out, make sure you pick the best store for a campout. You should try to go to a store that has a high number of units coming in--call beforehand to ask about this, and head to the store with the most units.

Once you’re set on that, you have to pack. You don’t have to bring a tent or anything--a sleeping bag will do. Make sure to bring warm clothes, as the nights can get chilly outside. Try to get friends or family members to come by and hang out or deliver food to keep you going. You don’t want to get out of line only to find out you’ve been kicked out. Take some entertainment with you, and some backup batteries or power sources just in case. Then again, don’t be afraid to bring out some old fashioned amusement like books. Just don’t overdo it: You don’t need your entire rock collection with you. That can stay in the box under your bed, trust us.

eBay proved to be a popular Wii shopping souk back in 2006, at least for those willing to pony up double the $250 console’s MSRP. Balking at the premium? May we suggest the power of science to raise some fast cash, with little (lasting?) cost to you? Generally not advisable unless you find yourself in demanding circumstances--which “must have Wii U” falls under--is giving your body to science for experiments to raise enough money for the insane prices on eBay auctions. We’re talking like maybe thousands of dollars here.

There’s a number of things you can do here, depending on how badly you want the Wii U. First there’s selling your blood. You may also be able to sell your sperm or eggs depending on whether you meet specific criteria, but I don’t think “can do a quickscope” is one of them, FYI. Your local university may also conduct a variety of experiments that would scare anyone that isn’t hungry for a Wii U. You can put that third arm you grew after ingesting those experimental pills to good use when playing games online, I’m sure.

Use Craigslist, it’s handy. You can sell things there, find odd jobs to raise absurd amounts of money quickly and you can find folks who are reselling their system on day 1. Maybe you’re interested in raising those thousands of dollars for an eBay auction, but you don’t want to sell your body to science. That’s fine. It’s still possible to raise a lot of money in a short period of time if you’re cunning.

Scour Craigslist’s ETC and gigs sections for a bevy of one-time jobs which will help you afford that ridiculously priced Wii U. Make sure that you’re not falling for a scam though--sometimes, things that sound too good to be true are. Then again, sometimes you luck out and get jobs like “make a phone call for me.” Craigslist is also a good place to look for systems instead of retailers. Finally, Craigslist can be used to sell off unneeded items, like your old Wii or perhaps other junk lying around, like an older camera or television. Just know that sometimes, there can be some serious creepers on the site. Stay safe!

This might sound a little kooky, but you may have no other options: Try bartering your way to a Wii U. On the whole we’ve transformed into a society that doesn’t use the archaic exchange system anymore, but some people are still open to bartering,

A couple of years back there was a man who traded a paperclip all the way up to a house. If he could get a house, you can get a Wii U by bartering. He made sure that he got something a little better every time he traded with someone else: a paperclip became a pen, which became a doorknob, that then became a camping stove--and so on. This took him a whole year to work up to a house, so I think it’s possible you’ll be able to do it in less time with some smarts.

Got an old GameBoy brick lying around somewhere, maybe? Now is the time to use it, and again, a website like Craigslist can help. Or, track down those folks who have taken to lamenting their purchase on forums. They'll probably be happy to offload their purchase for some raisins and a skein of yarn. At the very least, bartering might make for a good story (which someone might pay you for!).

If all else fails, wait. Patience is a virtue, yes, but it can also be a reward. Having a little patience might mean that you get a Wii U at a sale somewhere, or give you enough time to raise the money to buy it for a higher price. It’s OK to not have something on day one, really. This industry primes you to want the latest and greatest thing, and that’s not always in your interest. It’s worth taking into perspective that you are a rational human being with willpower who can ignore the hype and buzz if you need to.

Remember: 23 titles are dated for launch day, and the rest of the launch games could come any time between November and March 2013. It’s possible that the game you’re dying to play won’t even be out for a while still, meaning your purchase can wait a while.

If you have a friend that managed to grab a preorder, then you still have access to the system while you get your own. Take advantage of that. Games are always better with friends anyway.

So, what do you think? What would you be willing to do to get a Wii U? Perhaps you’ve devised some schemes of your own. Make sure to share them in the comments and help some fellow gamers out. Times of desperation, like sold out Wii U preorders, call for solidarity and teamwork. Here is your chance to offer some support. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a method you hadn’t thought of. Or maybe you’ll find some silly ideas that make your plans sound that much more feasible.

Want more info on the Wii U? Here’s five reasons for, and against, picking up a launch day Wii U, and of course, everything you need to know about the Wii U.