The second console of the next-generation may have taken nearly a year to enter the fray, and the third will probably take another four months, but the console is finally almost out in Europe, and finally will have some competition.

Several stores across Europe, especially the UK, will be opening at midnight tonight to celebrate the arrival of the eagerly anticipated new console. At HMV in Oxford Street, where celebrities like Ian Wright and Pat Cash will be on hand to demonstrate the console prior to the late night retailing, some gamers have even been queueing since Tuesday - after all pre-orders for the system were taken.

Nintendo are apparently on target to deliver some four-million consoles worldwide before the end of the year, but it is unclear at this juncture how many of these consoles will be delivered to and the UK. On the eve of the launch, the Big N have also offered a little safety advise, urging players to stop playing and dry their hands, should they become moist during play.

Small numbers of actual consoles are expected to reach stores, given the quantity of pre-orders, with Woolworths gaming boss Gerry Berkley telling the BBC: "The Wii is already a runaway success and we expect tomorrow to be the busiest day of the year for gaming."

A few early reports from the have urged gamers to use the wiimote cautiously, with revealing that some players indulging in Wii Sports bowling have actually been letter going of the controller - which is clearly not a great idea. Needless to say, the few units that may make it to stores tomorrow are expected to sell out by the end of the day. We'll be there to keep you posted.

Source: BBC

By Luke Guttridge