Nintendo Wii Pre-Orders To Begin Friday

Nintendo fans willing to wait in long lines outside the retail stores EB Games or GameStop could get a chance to plunk down a $50 deposit to reserve a new Nintendo Wii console. The gaming retailers, which merged in 2005, begin taking preorders on Friday.

"Extremely limited supplies" could cause EB Games and GameStop to reach presale limits quickly -- "most likely in minute," according to a note posted on the Web.

Although purchases are limited to one console per household, not even a deposit guarantees receipt of a system, EB Games and GameStop said. A limited online pre-order program will be announced at a later date, after software and accessory availability details are confirmed.

Stores have been directed to open at normal hours and must give priority to customers that stand in line. Nintendo expects to ship about four million Wii consoles this year.