Amazon UK says "thousands" of 3DS consoles sent to customers, others accuse it of delivery flub-up

Amazon UK's most pre-ordered console of all all time, Nintendo's 3DS, is apparently not showing up in the hands of all it's purchasers today, despite paying for expedited and guaranteed delivery.

According to a number of Eurogamer readers, and a massive thread of complaints on the Amazon website, games are arriving just fine, but the console itself is missing in action.

Eurogamer reader Terry told the site it looks as though even when ordered via expedited delivery, some people will be receiving the handheld which launched today a day later than promised.

"We all paid extra money to get the game delivered on time, but as of this morning the 3DS is still only marked as Dispatching Soon, despite guarantees from Amazon as late as 8pm last night that we would be getting them through today," said Terry.

"Many of the people who ordered it by expedited delivery had selected to have it delivered to a work address, etc, in the belief that it would be delivered on the promised date – instead it looks like the consoles will be delivered on Saturday, when many people's workplaces will be completely empty.

"It's appalling that so many people are being fobbed off like this."

One customer who spoke with Amazon.co.uk customer service was told an investigation is under way, and the firm told Eurogamer that "thousands of customers have already received their Nintendo 3DS console," and that the company "will continue to make deliveries throughout the day."

To find out everything under the sun there is to know about the handheld's launch today, check out all of our coverage on the matter as well as Lauren's feature.

3DS launches in the US over the weekend.