Rain couldn't dampen the spirits of the near 1000-strong crowd who showed up at Sydney's Pitt St Mall for the midnight launch of Microsoft's Xbox 360.
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It's 12.01 am on 23 March 2006. Eager gamers rush into the EB Games store in Sydney's Pitt St Mall to be among one of the first Australians to get their hands on a new Xbox 360.
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And here's what they're all rushing for -- hundreds of pre-ordered Xbox 360's waiting to be collected.
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Before the midnight rush, close to 1000 people were packed outside at Sydney's Pitt St Mall for the Xbox 360 launch.
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Thankfully, there was plenty of entertainment on hand to occupy the crowd, including several Xbox 360 demo units set up by Microsoft. Most of the crowd were given plastic ponchos to ward off the rain.
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Eager gamers could test out the 360 before buying it at one of several demo booths.
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A special area was set up to demo EA Sports' upcoming Fight Night Round 3.
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Xbox 360 demo booths weren't the only entertainment on hand -- Microsoft also had Xbox 360 cheerleaders rev up the crowd during their vigil.
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Look familiar? Joanna Dark (from Perfect Dark Zero) and Kameo (from Kameo: Elements of Power) lookalikes were on hand mingling with the crowd.
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Sydney FM radio station Nova 96.9 was broadcasting live from the launch event.
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11.30pm strikes, and here's the first person in Australia to officially receive an Xbox 360. Far North Queensland teen Jake Spencer, a recovering stroke victim, had his Starlight Foundation wish come true when David McLean, Xbox director Australia, presented him with an Xbox 360 console and stack of games before official trading commenced.
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It's 11.45pm, and a hip-hop dance crew takes to the stage to entertain gamers lined up behind a barricade.
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11.55pm, and the Xbox 360 cheerleaders perform one last routine.
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3,2,1... and it's 12.01am!
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Within 15 minutes, the rush had settled, with the rest of the waiting gamers ushered into the EB Games in groups of two or three.
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