Launch time for Wii

That certainly seemed to be the feeling amongst those queuing. "To be truthful there isn't enough choice, but there is Zelda," one gamer said.

Rob, a 24 year old from Croydon, was also a bit disappointed, but reckons things will get better. "With the DS, it was a bit wonky at first - first party titles were really good, but third party titles were a bit hit and miss. But now they're starting to pick up, and I reckon the same will happen with the Wii, within two years or so," he said.

"Zelda's for the hardcore gamers really. I think those types of punters would have wanted more pure gaming," conceded Tim Ellis.

"Personally I'd have liked a few more new releases as I think we can handle them, but in the long run, I don't think it really matters on day one. It's the next six months."

But while some gamers may have perceived the Wii launch line-up as being, well, a bit rubbish, they were even less complimentary about the PS3's day one titles. "Some of the games look all right, but there's nothing that really stands out and grabs me like Wii Sports and Zelda did," said Rob. So he won't be queuing up to pick up a PS3 in March? "I haven't got that much money."

Standing next to Rob was 25 year old Melinda from Sutton, also a skeptic when it comes to Sony's new console. "I'm a Nintendo fan. I used to like Sony stuff, but I'm a bit unsure about PlayStation 3. I hate the controller - it's not very ergonomic, and I don't like the new trigger buttons."

By now the photographers were in position by the doors of the shop, awaiting the arrival of Wright and company, and passers by were stopping to see what was going on - including Tom, 32, who was born and lives in England but whose family originates from Tokyo, and Ken, 30, from the Okayama prefecture.

Both said the Wii was already a hit in Japan, but reckon the PS3 will win out in the end because PlayStation is such a strong brand. But what about Xbox 360?

"The software for Xbox is not so attractive, and in Japan, many people already have a games console. Unless the software is attractive enough, why should we go there? I don't have any friends who own Xbox, while they own PS1, PS2, other consoles," said Ken.

Tom added, "I think a lot of hardcore gamers believe Microsoft is just out there to make a buck, and they're not out there because gaming is fun and they believe in it. I think that perception runs pretty deep."

But last night wasn't about Xbox or PS3, it was about the Wii - and at 11pm, things began to kick off. A minibus pulled up and out jumped Wright, McAndrew and Cash, looking, er, smart in pastel-coloured Wii-branded sports gear.

The first batch of shoppers were allowed into the store, and the celebs took to the stage constructed beneath a giant TV screen. First McAndrew and Cash played a round of Wii tennis, and then Ricky Hatton turned up to take on Wright at boxing.

They were happy to chat to journalists, and clearly primed to promote the Wii as a console for everyone. McAndrew offered, "Even though I've had a connection with games in the past, I'm not very good at the games, so this is perfect for me."

Meanwhile, Cash was debating whether kids wouldn't be better off playing real tennis in the open air. "This is a step in the right direction," he said. "I'd prefer them to be playing tennis, but the other side of it is by playing games like this I think kids will go, 'Hang on, I'm going to try tennis.' That's a fantastic thing, so hopefully it'll work well together."

Back on stage, everything seemed to be going well until our old friend Marwan was invited up to talk about what it felt like to be the first person in Britain to get a Wii. "Which game are you most looking forward to?" Wright asked him. "Twilight Princess," came the reply.

"Is that a fighting game?" Wright said - only to be met with loud boos from the hardcore gaming crowd for his lack of Zelda knowledge.

Luckily it was time for the ten second countdown, and for Marwan to be marched off to the tills to pick up his Wii. Afterwards, he had a thing or two to say about Wright's faux pas: "Everyone should know what Zelda is. It should be illegal that nobody knows what Zelda is."

But never mind - Marwan had his Wii, and a copy of Twilight Princess, and a taste of fame. So was he glad he spent all those hours waiting outside in the cold and using rubbish bins as public conveniences? "It feels amazing. I can't believe it's real. I'm glad I did it, and I'd do it again."

It seems unlikely he'll be doing it again for the PS3 launch, being a self-confessed Nintendo fanboy. But come March, there will be yet another queue of gamers waiting to get their hands on a new console, and another load of gamers frantically phoning up every GAME, HMV and 24 hour Asda in the land in a desperate bid to make their PS3 dreams come true / make a big fat profit on eBay.

But for now, as our racially integrated chums put it, it's all about the Wii. One love, etc. In the meantime - sweet dreams, Marwan.