Less than a day to go until the Nintendo 3DS will be available to all. In fact, some lucky people will be picking theirs up at just after midnight tonight.

 
The official launch will be held at HMV at 150 Oxford Street at midnight. It looks like it’s going to be quite an impressive launch, with Plan B, Hadouken and Parade all being present at the store. Yoshinori Ono, producer of Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition will also be present and challenging some lucky customers to live head-to-head battles.

 


 
The first 500 customers will have the chance to claim a free 3DS game of their choice and fans attending the event will receive a special commemorative launch-night pack which will include a space blanket, limited edition launch t-shirt and an exclusive 3DS launch edition of Official Nintendo Magazine (while stocks last).

 
Should you not be able to make it to Oxford Street tonight, there will be over 1,200 other stores around the country opening at midnight to celebrate the Nintendo 3DS launch. VIP events are being held at 13 stores, which will be offering free or discounted 3DS software and a free taxi ride home for the first customers. The VIP events are held at the following stores:

 
Asda – Derby – Martin Luckwood, Asda Derby, Derby Road, Spondon , DE21 7LW

Tesco – Barr Hill – 15-18 Viking Way. Barr Hill, Cambridge, CB23 8EL

HMV – Liverpool 1 – 5 South John Street, Liverpool, L1 8BU

Argos – Leeds Headrow – Unit 2, The Gantry, 22-26 The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 8EQ

Gamestation – Birmingham New Street – 138 New St, Birmingham, B2 4NS

Smyths Toys – Dublin – Jervis Street, Dublin 1

Xtra-Vision – Letterkenny – Unit 6-8. Letterkenny Shopping Centre Co. Donegal.

Gamestop – Dublin – Henry Street, Dublin

Game – Glasgow Sauchiehall Street – 146 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 2DH

Game – Cardiff – 5 Grand Arcade, St Davids 2 Centre, Cardiff, CF10 2ER

Game – Manchester – 124 Peel Centre, Trafford Centre, Manchester, , M17 8BL

Game – London – 100 Oxford Street W1

Gamestation – GST Hull – 59-60 Prospect Centre, Hull, HU2 8PW

 
It was revealed that pre-orders for the Nintendo 3DS have more than doubled those achieved for Wii in 2006. More than 400,000 consoles were sold in the first two days after launch in Japan on 26th February.

 


 
“The reaction to Nintendo 3DS has exceeded our wildest expectations,” said David Yarnton, General Manager of Nintendo UK. “Glasses-free 3D entertainment has truly arrived. It’s almost certain that the number of Nintendo 3DS consoles sold on Friday will exceed the number of 3D televisions sold in the whole of 2010.

 
“Until now 3D has been too expensive, too clumsy and too restricted,” said David Yarnton. “With Nintendo 3DS it’s mobile. It’s affordable. It’s glasses-free. And it’s here, now.”

 
So, tonight is the night. GGUK will be floating around the HMV launch, soaking up the atmosphere and taking some pictures. To all of you picking up your 3DS tonight or tomorrow, enjoy. It really is quite special.

 

Bookmark to