Britons Line Up Ahead of Wii Launch

Getting hold of Nintendo's new console is not going to be easy, so some people are hitting the streets early.

The Wii isn't out in the UK until Friday but already some brave souls have taken to the streets to guarantee that they get one. Comments from retailers suggest that's not a bad idea.

Hardcore gamers desperate to ensure that they get a Wii on Friday began queuing in lines in London and around the country on Wednesday evening, according to various reports. These ardent Nintendo supporters were trying to beat what Nintendo is predicting is going to be a big crowd for its new console.

The company is working the media to ensure this a big hurrah for the Wii, with commercials flooding TV in the weeks running up to Friday's launch. Nintendo has also arranged for demo kiosks at stores around the country, and it's planning a celebrity-encrusted launch event at HMV's flagship Oxford Street store in London for Thursday night.

Pre-orders have come and gone quickly, with Amazon.co.uk's first allotment selling out within minutes of the campaign starting.

Even if Nintendo does follow up on its promises to keep stores stocked by delivering new consoles every week, that still won't be enough, retailers say.

"We're expecting four deliveries between now and Christmas and we expect them all to go to pre-orders," Hamish Thompson of Currys parent company DSG told GamesIndustry.biz. "If customers haven't already pre-ordered then they've probably missed the boat."

But not all stores are taking pre-orders. Several chains, including Asda and Toys R Us, have decided to put their stock on shelves to sell on a first come, first served basis, according to an MCV report.

The reality of exactly how many Wiis Britons will be waking up to is harder to judge, as Nintendo is keeping typically quiet on the matter.

"As ever Nintendo of Europe do not and will not comment on launch day numbers for specific territories," Nintendo's Robert Saunders told Kikizo.

He said Nintendo "remains committed" to meeting its goal of having 4 million units in stores worldwide by the end of the year.

Will that be enough? EBay resellers are hoping it won't. Already there are hundreds of auctions for Wiis at eBay's UK site, with prices for the £180 console hovering around £250-£300.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo