DS Launch: Midnight UK Store Openings

Brave the unseasonable cold weather to touch and rub with a gaggle of complete strangers.

Four months after its new dual-screen handheld debuted in North America, Nintendo is readying the UK for the launch of the Nintendo DS. As part of the launch week festivities, Nintendo has teamed up with Virgin Megastores in several centres around the country to host midnight openings on Thursday, March 10th, and give those who just can't wait any longer their first taste of the next generation of portable gaming.

In addition to the bragging rights that come with being the first to get hands-on with the Nintendo DS, the person at the front of each line will get one of just five special Nintendo DS T-shirts made for the event, while the 49 people behind them will each get a commemorative T-shirt.

The first 50 people at the Oxford Street Virgin Megastore will also get a goody bag for their efforts - and free games will be given out while supplies last too.

But the real treat is for one lucky attendee who will be able to take a friend along on a trip to Japan where they'll get to visit Nintendo's headquarters and meet Shigeru Miyamoto himself.

Nintendo will be holding midnight store openings on Thursday, March 10th, at the following Virgin Megastores:

• London - Oxford Street
• Birmingham - The Pavillion Shopping Centre
• Liverpool - Clayton Square Shopping Centre
• Glasgow - Buchanan Street
• Cardiff - Capital Arcade

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games