Nintendo's Wii videogames console goes on sale at midnight on Thursday to UK gamers with all pre-orders snapped up.
More than four million Wiis are being shipped globally
Gamers started queuing outside HMV on Oxford Street in London on Tuesday and Nintendo expects the console to sell out on day one.
More than four million Wiis will be shipped globally this year but there are no specific figures for the UK.
The release comes as Nintendo advises gamers to be more careful when using its new motion-sensitive controller.
The firm has sent an e-mail to customers with further advice on how to use the console's controller.
"Hold the remote securely and avoid excessive motion during game play. If your hands become moist, stop and dry your hands," the company recommended.
Nintendo is taking a different approach to rivals Sony and Microsoft - focusing on casual games and fun, family titles.
Remote control
The console costs £179 and includes a motion-sensitive controller shaped like a remote control.
The so-called Wiimote can be jabbed, swung, waved and turned to imitate a range of real-life motions that are represented on screen.
A clickable guide to the Wii
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6155664.stm
Nintendo hopes that simplifying the control system will make games consoles less intimidating to non-gamers and more accessible and immersive for hardened players.
Woolworths gaming boss Gerry Berkley said: "The Nintendo Wii is already a runaway success and we expect tomorrow to be the busiest day of the year for gaming."
Gamers who have not pre-ordered a machine are unlikely to find many on sale in UK shops on Friday morning.
Warning
Jason Legg, head of events at HMV, warned that many games fans who had not pre-ordered their consoles could be disappointed.
Gamers are queuing in London
"There will be a very, very slim chance of picking one up on Friday morning," he said.
Rob Lowe, UK product manager for Wii, said: "There is a good chance it will sell out on Friday.
"Judging by the feedback we have had from the retailers I would say you would be lucky to get one on Saturday," he said.
Response to the Nintendo Wii's release has been very positive among consumers and journalists.
Nintendo's different approach to gaming has won over many people and the launch has been generally problem-free - in contrast to Sony's PlayStation 3 launch which was hit by chronic stock shortages and reports of early teething problems.
'Too flimsy'
Many blogs have reported that the Wiimote strap is too flimsy and there are accounts of the remote flying out of hands and crashing into TV screens.
Nintendo has warned people to be careful
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said of the problems: "We are investigating."
He added: "Some people are getting a lot more excited than we'd expected.
"We need to better communicate to people how to deal with Wii as a new form of entertainment."
Nintendo also cautioned players to stay at least three feet away from the TV and to make sure people and objects were safely outside their range of motion.
Last week, Nintendo America chief Reggie Fils-Aime told Reuters news agency that many gamers were using big, sweeping motions where smaller ones would do.
"We literally have consumers letting go of the remote like you do a bowling ball. You can't do that." Fils-Aime said of a bowling game in its Wii Sports title.