No official Wii launch event for Oz

While Nintendo of America rolled out its president Reggie Fils-Aime for the its gala midnight launch of the Wii in the US last month, it looks like Australian gamers won't get the same treatment. A spokesman has confirmed to GameSpot AU that Nintendo will not be hosting any midnight launch events locally for its new console, which is being released this Thursday, December 7.

Nintendo Australia spokesman Vispi Bhopti said Nintendo will not be holding an official launch party for the Wii, however, it will send company reps into the field to support EB Games' midnight launch at its Chadstone, Melbourne, store, which Bhopti says will be the biggest such event in Australia. The EB Games Chadstone launch will feature DJs, playable consoles, a Wii Tennis Tournament, a costume competition, giveaways, and more.

Dozens of other individual retail stores around the country will also be holding midnight launch events. A full list of midnight launch locations can be found on Nintendo Australia's official Web site.