Nintendo 3DS
"Hundreds" queue at London's HMV Oxford Street.
• Official UK launch for portable 3D entertainment system launched at HMV Oxford Street
• Hundreds queue around the block to be the first to get their hands on the console
• Nintendo 3DS on track to be the biggest games console launch of all time
– Nintendo UK today launches its new portable 3D entertainment system, Nintendo 3DS. In Japan the console sold almost 400,000 units in two days when it launched last month
HMV’s London flagship store on Oxford Street hosted the official UK retail launch, including the first official purchase, when the console made its UK debut at 00:01am. The Oxford Street flagship was one of 600 stores around the country that opened at midnight.
The reaction to Nintendo 3DS has exceeded our wildest ambitions,” said David Yarnton, General Manager of Nintendo UK. “The launch is already bigger than Wii, and by a distance.
“People are only just starting to grasp what Nintendo 3DS is capable of, but the truth it, there’s so much more to come.
“When people start to experience the social features of the device – StreetPass and SpotPass – it will blow their minds. The Augmented Reality functionality is making even the most dedicated gadget lovers gasp with amazement – and there is so much more to come.
“When people start to access not just 3D games but 3D music videos, sports highlights and movies it will transform their entire experience of entertainment – and all without the need for special glasses. Until now 3D has been too expensive, too clumsy and too restricted. With Nintendo 3DS it’s mobile. It’s affordable. It’s glasses-free. And it’s here, now”
As part of the special launch night celebrations Nintendo also staged an exclusive VIP event at London’s Old Billingsgate for 2,000 guests, which was hosted by comedian Russell Kane and featured live performances from BRITs winner Plan B, rock band Hadouken, dance act ‘DJ Yoda’ and girl band ‘Parade’.
“Nintendo 3DS allows everyone to experience true 3D entertainment by bringing portability, affordability and glasses-free technology together for the first time anywhere in the world”, says David Yarnton, General Manager, Nintendo UK. “In the way Wii brought families together, Nintendo 3DS will bring people together, and we are delighted by the response from gaming enthusiasts and fans to make this our biggest launch ever in the UK.”
Look out for more information, titles and release dates as they become available via the official Nintendo website at: www.nintendo3ds.co.uk.
About Nintendo
The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™ home console and Nintendo DS™ family of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 3.5 billion video games and more than 577 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi™ XL, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance™, Super NES™, Nintendo 64® and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of Europe, based in Grossostheim, Germany, was established in 1990 and serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in Europe.