Over 1,200 stores will be opening at midnight on Friday to celebrate the launch of the 3DS.

While HMV on Oxford Street, London, will be hosting the official launch it is not the only place to be on Thursday night. Over 1,200 stores will be opening at midnight so that anyone who can't wait to get their hands on the 3DS will be able to get one as soon as 00:01 on Friday morning.

There will be 13 VIP events scattered across the UK that will give away free or discounted games to the first person in the queue. That person will also get a free taxi ride home so that they don't miss a minute of gameplay. The stores are as follows:

• Barr Hill - Tesco - 15-18 Viking Way. Barr Hill, Cambridge, CB23 8EL
• Birmingham - Gamestation - 138 New St, Birmingham, B2 4NS
• Cardiff - Game - 5 Grand Arcade, St Davids 2 Centre, Cardiff, CF10 2ER
• Derby - Asda - Martin Luckwood, Asda Derby, Derby Road, Spondon , DE21 7LW
• Dublin - Smyths Toys - Jervis Street, Dublin 1
• Dublin - Gamestop - Henry Street, Dublin
• Glasgow - Game - 146 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 2DH
• Hull - Game - 59-60 Prospect Centre, Hull, HU2 8PW
• Liverpool - HMV - 5 South John Street, Liverpool, L1 8BU
• Leeds Headrow - Argos - Unit 2, The Gantry, 22-26 The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 8EQ
• Letterkenny - Xtra-Vision - Unit 6-8. Letterkenny Shopping Centre Co. Donegal.
• London - Game - 100 Oxford Street W1
• Manchester - Game - 124 Peel Centre, Trafford Centre, Manchester, , M17 8BL

Hundreds of other stores will also be opening at midnight so check your local store for details. Let us know if you plan on attending any of the openings in our comments section below.