Wii pre-orders hit 30k in Oz

Australian consumers have racked up over 30,000 pre-orders of the Nintendo Wii ahead of the console launch later this week.

"We expect demand will outweigh supply and that there will be a few more 'sickies' than usual on Thursday," said Nintendo of Australia spokesperson Vispi Bhopti, speaking to the Herald Sun.

The 30,000 figure is also the amount of Xbox 360's sold in the region in the first four days of launch, which made the Microsoft console the fastest-selling ever for the PAL territory.

Nintendo's new home console launches across Europe this Friday, 8th December.