Wii Preorders Start Today at EB Games and Gamestop

Hardcore Nintendo fans will probably want to skip school and call in sick from work (today) because EB Games and GameStop will start offering pre-orders on the upcoming Nintendo Wii console. Customers will be able to reserve the new console for a $50 deposit, but they better line up quick because it’s first come, first serve.

The ground rules for tomorrow were laid out in an email from management to store employees. Stores have been directed to open at normal hours and have been prohibited from having midnite or early opening hours. In addition, in response to last Tuesdays PlayStation 3 pre-order event, stores must give priority to customers that stand in line.

Tom’s Hardware - Wii preorders start tomorrow at EB Games and Gamestop

Severe shortages are expected for the Wii and PS3 this holiday season, as pent up demand outstrips the companies’ early ability to turn out the new devices.

Nintendo expects to supply 4 million Wii units to stores by year end. Sony expects to ship 2 million PS3s in the same time period.

Reuters - GameStop to take Nintendo Wii pre-orders on October 13