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December 9th, 2006, 12:56 Posted By: wraggster
Good Q&A Article from Gamespot:
Midnight on December 8 saw the first gamers in the UK being able to get their hands on a Nintendo Wii console. GameSpot spoke with Rob Lowe, Nintendo UK's product manager for home consoles, about the launch.
Rob Lowe
GameSpot: Do you think the Wii launch has been a success?
Rob Lowe: I think it's probably the biggest launch we've ever done, in my history at Nintendo. The DS launch was amazing, but I think this one here at HMV and the one down at Game is just incredible. The buzz is amazing.
GS: Do you think your approach of marketing consoles that appeal to everyone is paying off?
RL: I hope so. Time will tell. Obviously you've got the really hardcore Nintendo fans here from day one. They all seem really chuffed. I've noticed they all seem to be getting Zelda with it as well. But we hope in the long run, in the years to come, that we'll appeal to a much broader audience, get older people and female gamers in as well. I've been chatting to the Game guys down there, and they've said that one in 10 of the people there were girl gamers. That's good, you don't often see that at a launch day, so we're really chuffed about that.
GS: Do you think the future of consoles is the kind of "Swiss army knife" approach of the PS3 or just a dedicated game console?
RL: Obviously, being the Wii product manager, the latter. I think the key is trying to very much get as many people into gaming as possible, because if you've got the same people playing over and over you're only going to reach the same people over and over again. And even though they're great and they're our core audience, if we can appeal to a much broader audience, then that can only be good for the games industry, and the breadth of games that wouldn't normally be produced, like Brain Training [known as Brain Age in the US], Wii Sports. So yes, definitely, we think that's the future.
GS: Is Nintendo trying to lose the image that its products are just for kids?
RL: Definitely. We know that we appeal to children with our games, but we've always tried to be a company for everybody and especially with the Wii and the DS we've really tried to accentuate that. I think when you see something like Brain Training that appeals to 30-, 40-, 50-year-old people, obviously that's not kids playing that. So we very much want Nintendo to be as broad as possible.
GS: Why does Europe always have to wait until last with these launches?
RL: Oh come on, that's not fair! A week later than Japan and three weeks later than the US, that's not bad! I think you're asking the wrong games company [that question].
GS: Why was the decision made to region lock the Wii?
RL: Well, there were a number of reasons for that. Obviously in the UK you've got Wii Play coming out and in America they haven't got Wii Play--we try and cater for different audiences. We have to localise all of it in loads of different languages: America is just English and Japan is just Japanese, which is why it takes a little longer here. Also we always have specific software for specific regions, so we try to keep it that way. Obviously, it helps against game piracy as well. There are a number of reasons why. But I don't think it will be a problem, because a very, very small minority of people import games anyway.
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December 9th, 2006, 12:53 Posted By: wraggster
Wii owners in the UK will soon be able to put any "Stars" they have collected on Nintendo's official website toward the cost of Wii Points - the currency used to buy Virtual Console games.
When you first log on to the Wii Shop with your new console, you'll be asked to "link your account" to the one you have with Nintendo-Europe.com.
"By linking your Wii Shop Channel account to your online Nintendo membership, you will be able to enjoy additional benefits in the near future," the website explains.
"Not only will you then be able to purchase Wii points in the Stars Catalogue, you will also get Stars for your Virtual Console purchases upon completing a small survey."
Stars are points redeemed by using codes included with Nintendo software sold in the UK. You get some with the Wii itself, too.
In the past Nintendo's made things like games available to people with lots of Stars, but typically there's no physical merch available on the website, just MP3s and wallpaper - leading to a lot of people slagging off the system. Nice to see it finally getting some proper use, eh?
We'll let you know when this all comes into play. Wii points retail at about GBP 14.99 for 2000 points, with Virtual Console games split into price brackets based on their system (e.g. 500 for NES, 800 for SNES, 1000 for N64).
via eurogamer
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December 9th, 2006, 12:51 Posted By: wraggster
Shortages of Nintendo Wii consoles around Europe have left some gamers who pre-ordered the new machine frustrated.
Nintendo, which has already launched the machine in the US and Japan, said it expected to sell out of Wiis on the first day of sales.
More than four million Wiis will be shipped globally this year, and 50,000 were sold in the UK in 12 hours.
BBC News has been e-mailed by gamers disappointed that pre-orders for the machine have not been fulfilled.
More than 1,200 Wiis have gone on sale on online auction site eBay in the UK within hours of the launch. The highest price for a console so far has been £500.
Simon Ball from Wales e-mailed the BBC News website to say he had failed to receive his ordered Wii.
He said: "I pre-ordered the Nintendo Wii from Play.com on 15 September along with some software.
"I have been informed today that it is unlikely my order will be fulfilled before Christmas. Incredibly they have dispatched the game we ordered to accompany the console."
'Not shipped enough'
Claire Inglesby from Liverpool wrote: "I pre-ordered the console in November from Woolworths website for my son's Christmas present.
"I received an e-mail today informing me that as Nintendo had not shipped enough I might not receive my order.
Many shops opened at midnight for the launch
"So the fact that I had the foresight to pre-order and not disappoint my son means very little as they obviously expect me to camp outside Woolworths for days on end."
David Yarnton, general manager, Nintendo UK, said: "We are doing everything we can do to meet demand throughout Christmas and the New Year period."
A spokesman for Woolworths said there were problems getting stock from Nintendo.
The UK chain has said it expects to fulfil all pre-orders for the machine by next Tuesday or Wednesday.
He said: "Demand has far outstripped supply and we are delighted to have been able to secure a significant amount of consoles for our customers before Christmas."
Woolworths were not able to confirm if they would receive any more stock once pre-orders had been met.
Currys, PC World and Dixons have said they will deal with outstanding pre-orders in "strict chronological order".
Nintendo has warned people to be careful with the Wiimote
In a statement from the retail group, it said: "When we reached the point in the pre-ordering process when demand exceeded anticipated supply, we made it clear to any customers choosing to join the list after that date there were no guarantees that we would be able to fulfil their orders prior to Christmas."
Rob Lowe, UK product manager for Wii, said: "There is a good chance it will sell out on Friday.
"Judging by the feedback we have had from the retailers I would say you would be lucky to get one on Saturday," he said.
Response to the Nintendo Wii's release has been very positive among consumers and journalists.
The console costs £179 and includes a motion-sensitive controller shaped like a remote control.
The so-called Wiimote can be jabbed, swung, waved and turned to imitate a range of real-life motions that are represented on screen.
Nintendo hopes that simplifying the control system will make games consoles less intimidating to non-gamers and more accessible and immersive for hardened players.
via BBC
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December 9th, 2006, 01:05 Posted By: wraggster
Onakasuita has updated his app for the Wii, heres the info:
--what's WiinRemote
a program for moving cursor using Wii Remote on Windows PC.
(reading 3-axis linear accelerometer's value)
--how to use
1.connect Wii Remote to PC via bluetooth (how to connect)
2.launch WiinRemote.exe
New in this release
calibration implemented
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December 9th, 2006, 00:57 Posted By: wraggster
Via BBC
Nintendo says it wants to revolutionise gaming with its Wii console. Gamers can now control the action with a motion sensitive remote control, called the Wiimote - but does the novelty wear off quickly?
Included with every Nintendo Wii is a copy of Wii Sports, comprising five different sporting activities - tennis, baseball, bowling, boxing and golf.
In an age of high-definition gaming with photo-realistic character models and intricately-realised buildings and models, it is a real throwback to put a Wii disk into the machine and see the cute, colourful graphics with crudely drawn figures and decidedly retro look to the interface.
The Wii is certainly no visual powerhouse and the limitations of the images are shown up even further when played on a HD television.
But for the vast majority of gamers with standard definition TVs, the Wii's limitations graphically can be overlooked if the games themselves are fun and involving.
The different sports are a mixed bag of entertainment - all are fun in their own way but some are clearly more involving than others.
A clickable guide to the Wii
Gone are the days when you would have to learn a series of complex button combinations to pull off that sliced volley, home run or chip shot; instead the Wiimote can be used as a virtual bat or boxing glove.
Gamers are advised to fasten the safety strap to their wrist and it is advice worth following - during hectic sessions the Wiimote can easily slip out of your hand.
And it is worth making sure you have plenty of room in which to play: my wife and I literally came to blows when boxing and I managed to swipe a lamp shade during one frenetic tennis match.
WII SPORTS
Format: Nintendo Wii
Graphics: 6
Sound: 7
Gameplay: 8
Enduring appeal: 6
Overall: 7
The sport games are more mini-games than fully-featured titles. There is a disappointingly limited range of options for each sport - just one course for golf, no variation in the bowling or baseball games and only a few rounds of action in the boxing.
The success of the games stands and falls on the ability to truly control the on-screen action with the Wiimote and in this regard the Wii is a mixed success.
There is a learning curve with all new games and control systems but I had the distinct impression that often the action on the screen was only loosely connected to how I used the controller.
For a game bundled with the console, Wii Sports does a great job of introducing people to the concept of using the new controller without ever really pushing the envelope.
Certainly it will prove to be an entertaining party game - and it has the distinction of being the first videogame I have ever managed to persuade my wife to play.
She was impressed with the simplicity of the controller but often frustrated that a swipe of the remote did not always translate into a stunning backhand or long, straight drive.
But she was playing games. And if Nintendo can persuade my wife to play games then winning over the world's non-gamers should be straightforward.
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December 9th, 2006, 00:14 Posted By: wraggster
Davr has released a driver for the Wiimote in Linux:
Heres the details:
Our good friend e-Hernick is working on a "driver" for linux to use the wiimote (The controller for Nintendo's Wii). I say "driver" in quotes, because it's not really a driver, as it doesn't have any kernel-mode code. In fact, it is simply a python script.
e-Hernick sez: "OH YEAH! I am now controlling the XORG MOUSE with the WIIMOTE IR, with the use of my very own wiimotulator.py!"
I haven't personally tested it, (mainly since I don't have a wiimote). But it looks neat.
Download wiimotulator.py
Requirements: Linux 2.6 with evdev and uinput, Xorg 7.0 with evdev BlueZ, PyBluez 0.9.1, a Wiimote, 2 IR emitters of some sort (even candles work apparently!)
Heres the news from the newest release:
UPDATE: to version 0.0.2alpha. Now supports mouse buttons: 1 = left click, 2 = right click.
UPDATE the second: to version 0.0.3.0 "Eager Beaver". e-Hernick sez: "GOOD NEWS EVERYONE, *** My WiiMote Driver for Linux, WMD 0.0.3.0: Eager Beaver *** has now been released! It now has better documentation, and you can easily change the actions associated with the keys! Get it here and tell me what you think!"
64bit users:for 64bit linux, you could try changing line 729 from:
STRPK_INPUT_EVENT = "LLHHl"To:
STRPK_INPUT_EVENT = "LLHHi"
UPDATE the third: to version 0.0.3.9. No specific info on what has changed.
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December 9th, 2006, 00:04 Posted By: wraggster
New from SuccessHK
Price:USD 5.03
Hold Wii controller accessories
Protect your Wii consoller
Convenience to carry
The Wii Controller Carry Bag allows holding and protecting your Wii-mote and Nunchuk controller when they are not being used.
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December 9th, 2006, 00:02 Posted By: wraggster
New from SuccessHK
Price:USD 3.35
Product Features of Nintendo Wii Wii Dust Prevent Cover
Prevent dust goes into the Wii Console
Prolong the console's life
More Description of Nintendo Wii Wii Dust Prevent Cover
Prevent dust goes into the Wii console in order to prolong's life and gurantee the console runs smoothly.
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December 8th, 2006, 23:59 Posted By: wraggster
New from SuccessHK
Price:USD 6.71
Product Features of Nintendo Wii Wii Cooling Fan
Lower the temperature of the console
Prolong console's life
Get power from USB ports, no extra power adapter is required
More Description of Nintendo Wii Wii Cooling Fan
Plug the cooling fan into the USB port o the Wii console, it will strongly lustrate the temperature to keep the console cool.
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December 8th, 2006, 23:57 Posted By: wraggster
New from SuccessHK
Price:USD 10.06
High quality cable included
Superior Picture quality
High Transmission Rate
Stereo Sound
Suitable for most video devices
Improved standard graphics
S-Video and Audio Video cable
Stereo sound
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December 8th, 2006, 23:19 Posted By: wraggster
New Wii Game from Play Asia:
Price: US$ 49.90 (~25.58 GBP)
features
All your favorite Barnyard characters from the movie
Replayable action-packed games based on the wild antics of Otis
Open-world gameplay through areas seen in the movie
Unique controller functions - steering cars, swinging golf clubs, throwing darts, shooting a tomato gun at coyotes, and more
Up-rez'd graphics including 60 fps, progressive scan, and widescreen support
All-new mini-games and customization options
description
Enter the world of Nickelodeon's newest adventure and bring the Barnyard movie to life. Battle the coyote invaders, tee up for a game of golf, target the bull's-eye with your flying chicken and race downhill on your speedy bike. Players will be able to explore a fully interactive, 3-D world and prove they have what it takes to be the biggest party animal of them all.
More info / buy here --> http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-1poh.html
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December 8th, 2006, 22:56 Posted By: wraggster
Via joystiq
Taking a break from watching obscure Japanese commercials, the fine fellows at Bits Bytes Pixels & Sprites recently poked their noses into the various nooks and crannies of Hudson Entertainment's website. Along with a vague smell of bacon, they discovered the product pages for two, as yet unannounced Virtual Console games. Though there's no mention of a release date, Alien Crush and Dungeon Explorer are both set to appear on the Wii's TurboGrafx-16 emulator.
Memory refresh: Alien Crush sees you playing pinball on the faces of some rather menacing aliens, whereas Dungeon Explorer adequately equips you with tools clearly intended for hacking and slashing. Presumably, you also get to explore dungeons in the company of a "knome." If either of these floats your cup of nostalgia, be sure to check back with us on Monday -- there's a decent chance they'll become available then.
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December 8th, 2006, 22:53 Posted By: wraggster
EB Games is now selling the steering wheel for the Wii separately. The wheel sells for just under $20. Not bad for a cool little controller. Though I suppose it's really just a chunk of plastic that you snap a remote into. Hmmm, maybe it's overpriced.
via kotaku
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December 8th, 2006, 22:50 Posted By: wraggster
via kotaku
Munich. Germany. Reader Julian gives the skinny on the Wii launch, writing:
The center of Munich was overrun by a group of about 200 Wii-hunters, who ran from store to store during cascading opening hours. Apart from a couple of people being there since 2am, most showed up 1 hour before store-opening. Many passers-by very bewildered at the crowds of people — something you rarely get in Germany. Some stores had 20 Wiis in store, some had only 3, so there were many unlucky people. What is interesting is that in all stores that I saw NFS Carbon and COD were not selling any copies... Love it. German Nintendo fanboys/girls doing their part to freak out the locals.
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December 8th, 2006, 22:49 Posted By: wraggster
Senor Iwata, hold off on the Wii Remote strap inquisition. It might not be necessary.
The Australian market (and I'm presuming the European one as well) is already receiving Wii Remotes with "next-gen" straps.
Those included within the Wii console itself are still the wispy, accident-prone type that first shipped in the US and Japan. But the strap in my Wii Play bundle? It's noticeably thicker.
Screenshot Via Comments
via kotaku
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December 8th, 2006, 22:40 Posted By: wraggster
At last! Nintendo's innovative, convention-busting Wii has landed, spreading motion-sensitive joy and wonder across the land. Just make sure you keep hold of that Wii-mote...
So, to welcome the console's first wave of games, we've gathered together our reviews of the launch games you need to know about.
Simply click the game you want and our fabulous words will tell you everything you need to know about your chosen title. We'll be bringing you more Wii reviews in the run up to Christmas but, until then, enjoy our roundup of what Nintendo's got in store for all you early adopters.
Call of Duty 3
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Madden NFL 07
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
Need for Speed Carbon
Rayman Raving Rabbids
Red Steel
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz
Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam
Wii Sports
News/reviews over at Gamesradar
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December 8th, 2006, 22:37 Posted By: wraggster
The industry-tracking NPD Group released its retail numbers for November yesterday, and US sales were up nearly 15 percent over November 2005. It was good news for the industry after October's sales figures--predicted by analysts to show a percentage increase in the double digits--were unexpectedly flat.
In an investor's note discussing the NPD's numbers today, Pacific Crest Securities analyst Evan Wilson said the off month was due to consumers holding on to their wallets in anticipation of a big November. "It appears there was a meaningful pause in spending in front of the launch of the PlayStation 3, Wii, and lots of AAA software in November," Wilson said.
However, few of those AAA software sales were for games on the new systems, as Wilson noted that PS3 and Wii games weren't flying off the shelves as much as expected. The tie-ratio--the average number of games sold per system--was 1.1 for the PS3, and 2.1 for the Wii. Wilson blamed the low numbers on people buying the systems on their own to turn around and sell them for a profit.
Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter also pointed out the tie-ratios, calling them "record lows" for new consoles. Despite that, Pachter expects the Wii and PS3 to play a significant role in year-over-year sales growth of 7-10 percent for the month, so long as Nintendo and Sony can get enough systems to retail and "the eBay effect" is suppressed.
For people who did pick up games with their new systems, Wilson said the best-sellers on the Wii were The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Red Steel, and Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, in that order. Far and away the best-seller on either new system, Twilight Princess sold enough copies to spin in 86 percent of Wii systems sold in November.
On the PS3, the biggest mover was Resistance: Fall of Man, followed by Madden NFL 07 and Call of Duty 3, respectively. NPD figures show that Resistance sold a little more than one copy for every three PS3 systems on the market.
via gamespot
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December 8th, 2006, 22:35 Posted By: wraggster
via gamespot
While most in the game industry view the Wii's unconventionally shaped controller as something unique, there's one company that has a different view of the device.
Interlink Electronics, Inc., a California company that specializes in the design and manufacturing of interface devices, on Monday filed a complaint against Nintendo's US subsidiary, Nintendo of America, accusing it of patent infringement. Interlink's products include devices to assist in PowerPoint presentations, conference room keyboards, and portable speakers.
Interlink filed its complaint, first reported by Kotaku, in US District Court in Delaware.
The complaint alleges that the trigger on the bottom of the Wii controller infringes on Interlink Patent No. 6,850,221 (Trigger Operated Electronic Device), which the company secured on February 1, 2005. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata first presented the Wii controller to the public not too long after that date, during the 2005 Tokyo Game Show.
The drawings (above) which accompanied the patent application--first filed on September 17, 1997--do look suspiciously similar to the Wii trigger, but in the filing, Interlink offers scant detail of exactly how Nintendo currently infringes on the '221 patent, stating only that, "Nintendo has made, used, offered for sale and sold in the United States, and continues to make, use, offer for sale and sell in the United States one or more controllers which activities infringe, induce others to infringe, and/or contributorily infringe the '221 patent."
The complaint seeks a jury trial and damages to determine the amount of "loss of reasonable royalties, reduced sales and/or lost profits as a result of the infringing activities."
This lawsuit brought by Interlink recalls the legal wrangling Microsoft and Sony found themselves in when Immersion Corp. brought lawsuits against those two console giants. Back in 2003, Immersion hauled those console makers into court, alleging patent infringement of Immersion's "haptic" technology which allows gamers to feel controllers vibrate as they react to on-screen action. Microsoft eventually settled with Immersion, while Sony went to the mat, suffering defeat at the bench and paying Immersion Corp. more that $80 million in damages.
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December 8th, 2006, 22:33 Posted By: wraggster
Via Gamesindustry
"It feels amazing. I can't believe it's real."
Those were the words of 17 year old Marwan Elgamal from Wembley after he became the first person in the UK to pick up a Wii console. His wait began on Tuesday at 5pm, when he set up camp outside HMV's Oxford Street store, and finally ended at midnight last night.
"I'm a Nintendo fanboy, so I'll buy anything Nintendo. The Wii is just so different, and it just feels so great playing it that I had to be the first one to get it," he said.
"I've enjoyed myself so much during Nintendo games....They keep bringing the gameplay, so I'll keep playing. They're still bringing out titles for their hardcore fanbase and taking a different direction to the casual gamers, and it's just bringing everyone together."
That certainly seemed to be the case earlier on in the evening, judging by comments of a rowdy bunch of gamers who'd met that day and quickly made friends: "We're Wii buddies. We love each other. It's all about the Nintendo Wii, at the end of the day."
But what is it about the Wii they like so much? "Zelda," came the answer from more than one person. "It's all about the sensor thing, innit," said someone else. Other answers included, "Everything," and, "It's Nintendo. Every system has been a winner. Even the Cube."
For 19 year old Daniel Kirby from Kingsbury, the Wii became an essential purchase after he got the chance to play a demo as part of Nintendo's Wii Tour initiative.
"I've always liked Nintendo consoles, because they're always party-oriented and you can play them in big groups," he said. "I played it and I thought, 'I have to get my hands on this.' Because it's completely revolutionary. It's amazing."
There were two queues - one at the front of the store and another snaking down an alley alongside. At the back of the line was 21 year old Med, who was queuing at HMV despite the fact he works in a branch of rival high street retailer GAME.
"All staff are being cut off from the Wii. We're not allowed to buy one until we have some free stock, so I'm here," he said.
"But it's fun, there's a good atmosphere, and Ian Wright's going to be inside; it'll be nice to meet him. So I'm quite happy my company isn't going to sell it to me even though I work for them."
Inside HMV, staff were busy constructing Wii displays, bringing out stock and setting up a stage area where Ian Wright would later join Nell McAndrew, Pat Cash and Ricky Hatton to demo the console. And they were clearly expecting a sell-out, with one spokesperson saying, "If we have got any units left by the end of the night, I won't have done my job properly."
HMV's head of games, Tim Ellis, observed, "It's difficult to pull all the elements together and get your shops ready and things like that, and it's equally difficult for Nintendo as it was for Microsoft and it will be for Sony.
"You know what the frustrations are going to be. We knew six months ago that we weren't going to get enough stock, so you work with that. As long as we can give the public what they want over the next six months, then everyone walks away happy."
Back outside in the queue, talk turned to the software launch line-up - with Zelda top of the list for most of those looking to buy a Wii.
"I can understand why," said Nintendo UK boss David Yarnton.
"I've been playing Zelda on Wii, and it's fantastic. The musical arrangements on it, the graphics, the storyline - even if you're not a gamer, Zelda is the game to have."
That certainly seemed to be the feeling amongst those queueing. "To be truthful there isn't enough choice, but there is Zelda," one gamer said.
Rob, a 24 year old from Croydon, was also a little disappointed but still optimistic regarding the range of software on offer. "With the DS, it was a bit wonky at first - first party titles were really good, but third party titles were a bit hit and miss. But now they're starting to pick up, and I reckon the same will happen with the Wii, within two years or so," he said.
"Zelda's for the hardcore gamers really. I think those types of punters would have wanted more pure gaming," conceded Tim Ellis.
"Personally I'd have liked a few more new releases as I think we can handle them, but in the long run, I don't think it really matters on day one. It's the next six months."
Even those who felt the Wii's launch line-up was lacking seemed to feel it compared well to that for PlayStation 3. "Some of the games look all right, but there's nothing that really stands out and grabs me like Wii Sports and Zelda did," said Rob. So he won't be queueing up to pick up a PS3 in March? "I haven't got that much money."
Standing next to Rob was 25 year old Melinda from Sutton, also a skeptic when it comes to Sony's new console. "I'm a Nintendo fan. I used to like Sony stuff, but I'm a bit unsure about PlayStation 3. I hate the controller - it's not very ergonomic, and I don't like the new trigger buttons."
Meanwhile, the group of new friends down the line were still making noise and eager to offer their opinions on the Wii's other rival, the Xbox 360. "I burn that sh**. I buy one every week and I break it," offered one gamer.
But another confided, "To be honest, I'm going to get both - you've got to have a 360 and a Wii." One of his new friends chimed in, "It's either PlayStation 3 or 360, but I'll go for 360 because of the online service. The Wii can't compare with the 360's online service, but that doesn't mean the Wii is anything less. We love the Wii, that's it."
By now the photographers were in position by the doors of the shop, awaiting the arrival of Wright and company, and passers by were stopping to see what was going on - including Tom, 32, who was born and lives in England but whose family originates from Tokyo, and Ken, 30, from the Okayama prefecture.
Both said the Wii was already a hit in Japan, although they expected the PS3 to take the lead due to the strength of the PlayStation brand. But what about Xbox 360?
"The software for Xbox is not so attractive, and in Japan, many people already have a games console. Unless the software is attractive enough, why should we go there? I don't have any friends who own Xbox, while they own PS1, PS2, other consoles," said Ken.
Tom added, "I think a lot of hardcore gamers believe Microsoft is just out there to make a buck, and they're not out there because gaming is fun and they believe in it. I think that perception runs pretty deep."
But last night wasn't about Xbox or PS3, it was about the Wii - and at 11pm, things began to kick off. A minibus pulled up and out came Wright, McAndrew and Cash, wearing Wii-branded sports clothes and waving to the queue.
The first batch of shoppers were allowed into the store, and the celebs took to the stage constructed beneath a giant TV screen. First McAndrew and Cash played a round of Wii tennis, and then Ricky Hatton turned up to take on Wright at boxing.
They were happy to chat to journalists, and clearly primed to promote the Wii as a console for everyone. Former Lara Croft model McAndrew offered, "Even though I've had a connection with games in the past, I'm not very good at the games, so this is perfect for me."
Meanwhile, Cash was debating whether kids wouldn't be better off playing real tennis in the open air. "This is a step in the right direction," he said. "I'd prefer them to be playing tennis, but the other side of it is by playing games like this I think kids will go, 'Hang on, I'm going to try tennis.' That's a fantastic thing, so hopefully it'll work well together."
Back on stage, everything seemed to be going well until Marwan was invited up to talk about what it felt like to be the first person in Britain to get their hands on a Wii. "Which game are you most looking forward to?" Wright asked him. "Twilight Princess," came the reply.
"Is that a fighting game?", Wright said - only to be met with loud boos from the hardcore gaming crowd for his lack of Zelda knowledge.
Luckily it was time for the ten second countdown, and for Marwan to be marched off to the tills to pick up his Wii. Afterwards, he echoed the crowd's sentiments with regard to Wright's comments: "Everyone should know what Zelda is. It should be illegal that nobody knows what Zelda is."
But never mind - Marwan had his Wii, and a copy of Twilight Princess, and a taste of fame. So was he glad he spent all those hours waiting outside in the cold? "I'm glad I did it, and I'd do it again."
It seems unlikely that Marwan will be doing it again for the launch of PS3, self-confessed Nintendo fanboy that he is. But come March, there will be yet another queue of gamers waiting to get their hands on a new console - and undoubtedly, yet more stock shortages as Sony struggles to meet the demand. For now, though, as those in last night's queue said, it's all about the Wii.
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