HMV has partnered with Nintendo to launch its new 3DS console in the UK.

The music chain’s Oxford Street flagship store will hold the official launch of the 3D console at 12.01am on March 25. A regional launch will take place at HMV’s Liverpool One store at the same time.

100 HMV outlets will open specially at midnight to coincide with the launch.The entertainment group is expecting huge crowds and thinks queues are likely to be formed “a good few days” before the launch.

HMV head of games Tim Ellis said: “We’ve already been seeing huge interest for the 3DS through pre-orders instore and online, and on release we expect many thousands more gamers to turn up to midnight events.”