Gaming companies have never been shy of playing games with release dates, and until recently the secrecy surrounding the release dates for the Nintendo Wii had been a prime example. The confusion and conflicting messages even prompted one site to suggest that Nintendo had released a DS game that, when completed, would tell you the secret Nintendo Wii release date. This turned out to be a hoax, but it had an awful air of credibility about it.

Now, though, Nintendo appears to have put its cards on the table. In North America, the Wii goes on sale on the 19th of November - two days after the expected release date of the PS3. Rather than racing to be first out of the box, Nintendo seems to be banking on Sony botching the release of the PS3 about as badly as Microsoft did that of the Xbox 360, chronic under-supply leaving many gamers badly frustrated. There is also considerable buzz around the innovative Nintendo Wii controller or 'wiimote' that may draw many American gamers away from the more traditional consoles: when you have something truly original to offer, releasing first becomes less important.

In the lead-up to the launch of the new Nintendo Wii, it's become one of the drawcards of choice for many websites. Give them your custom, your email address, your friends, and you could win a Nintendo Wii.

Nintendo are running their own sweepstake at http://www.nintendo.com. Open to U.S. citizens, all you need to do is subscribe to their newsletter, then enter the sweepstake draw. They're giving away five prize packages of a Nintendo Wii, a Nintendo DS lite, a DS game, five CDs from bands featured in the Nintendo Fusion Tour, and Fusion Tour merchandise. The draw closes on the first of December. There are also consolation prizes of Hawthorne Heights fan club membership.

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