Hardware woes of Christmas long forgotten as gamers await launch of hand-held
Game has allowed video game enthusiasts to preview the Nintendo Dual Screen (DS) hand-held device, scheduled to launch on March 11. The gadgets are available this week for customers to sample launch games at 18 stores, including London, Belfast, Plymouth, Birmingham, Glasgow and Stockport.

A Game spokeswoman said: 'We've had fantastic feedback. Some store managers have had to kick out customers at 8 pm. Pre-orders have been good as a result.'

The Nintendo DS is the first of the new generation of hand-helds to be launched this year. It will receive stiff competition later in the year when Sony's plans to launch its portable PlayStation, called PSP.