Nintendo And HMV Join Forces For Midnight 3DS Launch Extravaganza

The Nintendo 3DS is so close that UK gamers can almost taste it. And what better way to celebrate this amazing new bit of kit than by having a star-studded celebrity hosted blowout in HMV’s flagship store, at midnight on the 25th March? Read on for details of how you could be there!

NINTENDO UK AND HMV ANNOUNCE ENTERTAINMENT SPECTACULAR FOR OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF NINTENDO 3DS

· Official UK launch for portable 3D entertainment system to be hosted by HMV 150 Oxford Street

· Fantastic entertainment and rewards, incl. free 3DS game with first 500 console purchases

· Regional midnight launch event at HMV LiverpoolOne superstore

· All part of 100 HMV midnight openings around country (00.01 hours, 25 March 2011)

09 March 2011, London – Nintendo UK has today announced that it is to partner entertainment retailer HMV to officially launch its new portable 3D entertainment system, Nintendo 3DS.

HMV’s London flagship store at 150 Oxford Street will host the official UK retail launch event, including the first official customer purchase, when the console makes its UK debut at 00:01am on 25th March 2011. The Oxford Street flagship will be one of 100 HMV stores around the country that will open specially at midnight, including also HMV’s LiverpoolOne superstore as the focus of a major regional launch outside of the capital.
See below for list of HMV stores opening midnight (from 24 March 23.00 hrs for 25 March 00.01 hrs sale).

As part of the special launch night celebrations Nintendo will also stage an exclusive VIP event at London’s
Old Billingsgate for 2,000 guests, which will be hosted by comedian Russell Kane and will feature live performances from BRITs winner Plan B, rock band Hadouken, dance act ‘DJ Yoda’ and girl band ‘Parade’.

Games enthusiasts attending the midnight launch at HMV Oxford Street will not only be among the first in the UK to get their hands on their very own Nintendo 3DS, but the first 500 to purchase the console will each be able to claim a free 3DS game of their choice . Fans attending the official launch will receive a special commemorative launch-night pack containing numerous Nintendo rewards, including a space blanket to keep them warm whilst queuing, a limited edition launch t-shirt and an exclusive Nintendo 3DS launch edition of Official Nintendo Magazine (whilst stocks last). They’ll also be in with a chance of taking to the stage to demonstrate their skills on Street Fighter IV and Pro Evolution Soccer in live head-to-head battles, which will form part of the fantastic instore entertainment on the night.

Tickets for the VIP event at Old Billingsgate will be released to all UK ‘Club Nintendo’ members via e-mail from today (9th March) – by responding to that e-mail, ‘Club Nintendo’ members are then entered into a draw to win tickets. Entrants have until the 11th March to respond to the ‘Club Nintendo’ e-mail and register their interest and winners will be notified by 14th March if they have been lucky enough to win tickets. Tickets will also be available through competitions on XFM radio station and in the Metro newspaper from 14th March. Fifty pairs of tickets will additionally be available to members of HMV’s purehmv loyalty programme – details will be posted on the purehmv arena site at www.hmv.com/arena. Those lucky enough to win tickets to the VIP event at Old Billingsgate will also have the opportunity to purchase a Nintendo 3DS on the night via HMV’s pop up shop.

Midnight games launches typically attract thousands of highly dedicated fans, and HMV is expecting huge interest from games and Nintendo enthusiasts, with queuing outside its London Oxford Street, Liverpool One and other stores likely to commence a good few days prior to the official release. Entry to the launches will be via wristband – which will be distributed as people arrive to queue on a first-come-first-served basis.

“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’re delighted to be working alongside HMV to make this our biggest launch ever in the UK.”

HMV’s Head of Games, Tim Ellis, adds: “We’ve already been seeing huge interest for the 3DS through pre-orders instore and online at hmv.com, and on release we expect many thousands more gamers to turn up to midnight events around the country, not least at our Oxford Street flagship and our LiverpoolOne superstore, which I’m absolutely thrilled have been selected to host the official UK launch. Like the Wii before it, I feel sure Nintendo’s 3DS will not only take gaming to a new level – further changing the way that we consume games content, but will play a major role in helping to popularise 3D as a growing entertainment format.”

Full list of HMV stores opening at midnight: http://hmv.com/hmvweb/navigate.do?pPageID=5289

The Nintendo 3DS Is Available From 25th March 2011.