Tokyo (Japan) - As Nintendo, retailers, and fans get ready for the approaching Wii launch, Nintendo today announced that the GameStop at Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles, and the famous Toys R Us Times Square in New York City, will be hosts to the official Wii launch events.

Both locations will open at midnight 19 November to release the anticipated Wii video game console. According to Nintendo, there will be live music and entertainment, fun, games, and "special guests" from Nintendo.

"As a family oriented store, we are thrilled with the potential of the Wii system to bring parents and kids closer together. There is no better place to launch this truly innovative gaming console than The World's Greatest Toy Store," said Toys R Us president Ron Boire.

Steve Morgan, GameStop's president, chimed in by saying, "As the world's largest video game and entertainment software retailer, we're ready to kick off the celebration at midnight on Nov. 19th, and help show the world a new way to play."

Other retailers around the country are expected to have special midnight openings for the launch of the Wii. GameStop, EBGames, and Toys R Us have all taken pre-orders for the systems, while other targeted stores, like Best Buy and Circuit City, will be releasing them strictly on a first-come first-served basis when they open their doors on 19 November.

The Universal CityWalk GameStop was also the scene of last year's Xbox360 launch. The store is situated inside a large open air mall that contains high-end restaurants, shops and a large movie theater.

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