Midnight Launches & VIP Stores To Celebrate Nintendo 3DS Launch
Further to the news that a whole host of HMV stores will be opening at midnight – including the flagship UK store in Oxford Street holding the official launch event – Nintendo have revealed that thirteen other VIP store openings will usher in a new era in handheld gaming. Nintendo UK has announced that over 1,200 stores in the UK are planned for midnight openings on the release date of 25th March, to launch their new glasses free 3D handheld gaming console. These events will mean that those who can’t make it to London can still enjoy regional launch events.
At the additional thirteen VIP events, there will be the opportunity for the first fans who purchase a Nintendo 3DS to pick up Nintendo 3DS software at substantial discounts or even for free – whilst stocks last. Nintendo are even laying on a free taxi ride home for the person who heads up the queue at each location. If you want to ride home in style with your newly-purchased 3DS, you had better get your camping gear out!
As we reported before, HMV’s flagship store at 150 Oxford Street, London is going to host the official UK launch event, which will include the first official customer purchase in the country at 00:01am. That shop is one of 100 HMV stores opening their doors at the stroke of Midnight, including other stores such as HMV’s LiverpoolOne superstore.
Other stores forming the thirteen VIP location are:
Asda – Derby
Tesco – Barr Hill, Cambridge
HMV – LiverpoolOne
Argos – Headrow, Leeds
Gamestation – Birmingham New Street
Smyths Toys – Dublin
Xtra-Vision – Letterkenny, Donegal
Gamestop – Dublin
Game – Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow
Game – Cardiff
Game – Trafford Centre, Manchester
Game – Oxford Street, London
Gamestation – GST Hull
David Yarnton, General Manager of Nintendo UK enthused: “We’ve been blown away by both retail and consumer reaction to Nintendo 3DS… With over 1,000 stores opening across the UK at midnight to launch the console, this has the potential to be one of our biggest launches ever in the UK.”
The Nintendo 3DS will be available from Friday 25th March 2011.