Midnight Wii events for UK
Gamestation, HMV, and Game all announce their launch-night shenanigans.
The wait for a Wii is almost over for UK gamers. Eager British Nintendans had to watch the US launch of the console on November 19, and the Japanese launch will also pass them by on December 2. However, next Friday, December 8, Nintendo's next-gen console will finally hit the shelves across most of Europe.
That isn't soon enough for some, though--with preorders on Amazon UK selling out within minutes, and the Christmas season fast approaching, some dedicated gamers will no doubt be standing in front of the store waiting for the very second the console will be released. These hardcore fans will be relieved to know that the UK and Ireland won't be missing out on midnight launch fun. Today, three major British and Irish gaming retailers revealed their plans for the evening of December 7.
Game will be holding midnight events at its Oxford Street, London, and Dublin, Ireland, branches only. The two events will feature music, entertainment, competitions, free pizza, and demonstration Wii pods to play on. Game's marketing director, Anna Macario, said, "We are anticipating huge crowds of customers will come to our Oxford Street [and Dublin] store to get their hands on their Nintendo Wii at the first possible moment."
As far as UK-only events, Gamestation will be hosting parties at its Birmingham and Edinburgh stores. At the Birmingham New Street branch, local radio station Kerrang DJs will be spinning tracks, models will be serving food, and there will be competitions including a play-off in each of the store windows to win a Wii. There will also be a guest appearance by Nintendo icon "Mario"--either an impersonator or (more likely) a CG re-creation--via a satellite link with the US. Both events are expected to start at around 10 p.m. and finish up at around 2 a.m.
The main official Nintendo event is still under wraps, but the company has revealed to GameSpot that it will take place at the Oxford Street HMV store and will feature an appearance by an as-yet-unconfirmed Nintendo executive. "There'll be all kinds of exciting things going on," a spokesperson said.
[UPDATE] Nintendo today released more details of its HMV party, taking place at the branch located at 150 Oxford Street, London. The start time of the event will be 11 p.m. and while they are waiting, gamers will get a chance to play Wii Sports against sports celebrities including Ian Wright, Jodie Kidd, Pat Cash, and Ricky Hatton. In addition, the first 200 people to buy The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for the Wii will receive a limited-edition Zelda tin.
88 comments
Does anyone know if Virgin Megastores London on Oxford Street are doing a midnight launch? They won't tell me :(
Bear-Max: The Mario guy does live in the USA, I don't know where, apart from its a bloody great pink house. Wierdo.
Why can't they have a launch party in other major places like Leeds? I live down the road from the city centre!
You know what. We have HMV, Game & gamestation in Chesterfield, ans we don't get any launch parties!
The guest appearance by "Mario" might be the guy who does his voice. He lives in the USA, right? I'd love to go to one of these things, but I doubt I'll be able to attend :(
As for me I'll be picking up my Wii at the GameStation in Norwich (UK), along with my copies of Call of Duty 3 and Red Steel as I pre-ordered it a few weeks ago, can't wait, Wii Sports will be first on my Play list so I can try and get a hang at those controls.
I'll be picking up my pre-ordered Wii at the Bangor (North Wales) branch of Gamestation. I'm fairly confident I'll get mine at launch. My pre-order was put in on the first day they offered them. I'll just have to wait and see... :-D
hey M4WD5L3Y it will probably the really massive one. the one near the big h&m store. you'll know it when u see it cos it has like 4 floors.
man london sucks what about my area?! i canceled my preorder so i could do the whole midnight thing,looks like il have to wait the next day.im still not sure if i should have the wii as a xmas present or not.
Go Nintendo, looks like they know how to throw a party, you might want to take note sony, because your launch suprise in L.A. WTF was all that about.
the Wii will launch in more european countries than England. I'm picking up mine in Denmark on dec. 7th. 23.59.
and i will be one of thoe people standing outside the gamestation branch.sadly i wont be buying a console but im off down for the fun
webdoom sweeeet... but i will wait till March 07 to get a Wii, as there is only 1 game that is worthy of buying at release... [zelda] so why not wait a few months, to not only get the Wii at an even lesser price.. and get it with 3 games instead [Smash Bros., Metroid Prime, Zelda] no brainer If you think the price will drop by march then your insane, these things are selling like hotcakes at £179, there really gonna say "you know what we sold out world wide at this price, we should drop the price" thats a no brainer. And as for the buying 3 games with it, i will. zelda,super monkey,rayman and i will even pick up red steel, and then i will buy mario,metriod,smash bros, the day there released. sounds to me your just trying to justify not being able to get one at launch.
I just cant wait till the wii comes out ive already had a fit from waiting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sweeeet... but i will wait till March 07 to get a Wii, as there is only 1 game that is worthy of buying at release... [zelda] so why not wait a few months, to not only get the Wii at an even lesser price.. and get it with 3 games instead [Smash Bros., Metroid Prime, Zelda] no brainer
Glad the Nintendo launch fun is spreading all over the world. It would have been a shame if after the US hyped launch followed an eventless European launch.
i would be there at oxford if i didnt alredi pre-ordered my wii and zelda at game store canary wharf O.o.. damn it i want one of those tins!
yeah sounds good, but why dont they bring the nintendo execs somewhere better in the uk like leeds!
im in ireland and im getting a wii, i put my one on pre order back in september. the only thing that im abit worried about are the quailty of the games, most of them bar zelda have got pretty bad reviews. any takers on what games i should get?
I managed to bag my Wii order on Amazon Uk (yay!) but the Oxford Street party sounds pretty good. I almost... almost... wish I had an excuse to join in and pick up my console!
sounds great but why always london catnt it happen in most majour citys like leeds for instence :)
This pretty much certifies me I can't get one at launch... I did have other plans to spend that money elsewhere.
I'd be ok with a talking CG-Mario if he said, "Here, your Wii-a is free-a. Woo hoo!" If not, I'll settle for my pre-ordered stuff and hand over my cash...
Its nice for America, and Japan... but here in the UK? All we have is storms! Freakin Wales had a freakin tornado a few nights ago!! The weather will be cold, dank and dreary, the air full of sleet.. the old man stood in a wii-line, his shoes were full of feet... lol I sure hope that cg mario doesnt talk... itsa meea... annoyinga youa!
lol sounds very nice indeedo. Just to let ppl known, I pre-ordered my Wii way back in July at ePlay in Finchley :D yay 100% I will get a Wii on 8th MMP! :P
OMG i am truly loving the launch date stuff but i don't live in london :( NOOOOOO i must move to london befoure the launch.
This sounds great but do we know how many the uk will get as i am woried that i might not get one
"Game will be holding midnight events at its Oxford Street, London, and Dublin, Ireland, branches only." I think this article needs editing to make it clearer that these are special events being hosted and NOT the only midnight launches. A whole bunch of other stores around the UK will be having midnight launches, too. Here in Hull, I know for certain there is a midnight launch at Game's Prince's Quay branch. In fact, the store has a purpose-built second entrance, since it's part of a large shopping centre, for just such events.
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