Times Square Launch Party

November 19 will an important date for all and sundry in the United States, and the events of November 18 are the only thing guaranteed to make the weekend better.

Nintendo will be holding two launch parties, one in Times Square’s gargantuan Toys R Us store (which can already be seen sporting a three-storey Wii banner) and the other at GameStop in Los Angeles’ Universal CityWalk.

The events will include, live music and entertainment, special guests, and (of course) the chance to play Wii as you wait for the clock to strike twelve, marking the day you can take your own home.

“Who’ll be the first person to line up? Will it be a Zelda fan in New York or a soccer mom in Los Angeles?” asks Nintendo of America’s George Harrison. “We’re going to make sure these events help everyone feed off one another’s energy and enthusiasm.”

GameStop president Steve Morgan said: “As the world’ s largest video game and entertainment software retailer, we’re ready to kick off the celebration at midnight on November 19th, and help show the world and new way to play.

If you’re unable to get to L.A or New York, midnight launch events and countdowns are expected to be hosted by local game stores throughout North America.