Nintendo 3DS preorders double Wii’s in U.S.

Nintendo’s 3DS handheld undoubtedly faces threats from upcoming rivals. However, the public’s appetite is strong for the first portable games device to feature glasses-free 3D.

Nintendo has stated that, two days before the 3DS launches on Sunday March 27, U.S. preorders for the handheld are almost twice what the Wii had at the same stage.

This rabid demand matches the eagerness already seen in Britain, where Amazon’s UK arm confirmed preorders for the console more than doubled Wii’s (it’s just a shame they forgot to mail some of them). Nevertheless, supply of the consoles seems to be healthy.

The 3DS is off to a cracking start, by all accounts. Are you picking one up this weekend?

[Via Gamasutra]