Nintendo Wii launched in Europe

European launch puts Nintendo's new console, and the Wii remote, in the hands of 50,000 UK gamers

December 8, 2006

At mignight in the UK last night, the Nintendo Wii became available for the first time to the European market. Nintendo UK confirmed today that 50,000 units were sold by noon across the United Kingdom.

The scene mirrored the recent Japanese and North American launches of the console, with people lining up in the streets for the chance to be among the first of their friends with a Nintendo Wii.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess also topped the list in Europe as the most popular game for the new system.

Nintendo again confirmed its commitment to keep Wii supply coming. Many UK retailers said they expected to have more shipments in next week. Combined with the other worldwide launches, Nintendo's estimates amount to over one million Wii consoles sold worldwide. Nintendo said earlier that it plans to deliver 4 million systems by the end of 2006.