1,200 stores to open for 3DS launch in UK and Ireland

Nintendo's announced that over 1,200 stores across UK and Ireland will open for the European launch of 3DS this Friday.

The company's teaming up with HMV for the official launch party in London, but 13 "VIP" midnight launch parties will take place in Liverpool, Dublin, Cardiff, Cambridge, Glasgow, Letterkenny, Donegal and Manchester, among others.

"We've been blown away by both retail and consumer reaction to Nintendo 3DS," said Nintendo UK head David Yarnton.

"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 main launch in London will take place at HMV Oxford Street, where the first 500 people in line will pick up a free game for 3DS. It'll be one of 100 stores opening from HMV across the UK, with Liverpool being the big launch outside of the capital.

GAME and GameStation launch plans are here and here.

3DS launches in the UK and Europe on Friday and in the US on Sunday. Read our full comprehensive list of both launches by Keza MacDonald here.