There is less than a week to go until Nintendo’s long-awaited Punch-Out!! for the Wii launches, so naturally, the publisher is throwing a big party to celebrate. If you live in the New York City area, head on down to the Nintendo World Store this Saturday for giveaways, competitions, and other forms of entertainment. You will also get a chance to purchase the game a few days before it officially comes out, which is pretty sweet.

If you need more details, they’re in the invitation below. If you go, be sure to take lots of pictures and share them with the rest of us!

WHAT:

Nintendo celebrates the return of one of its most popular video game series by hosting a Punch-Out!!™ Challenge at the Nintendo World store in Rockefeller Plaza on May 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. Friends and family members of contestants will gather ringside to support them on their quest to secure the World Video Boxing Association (WVBA) title. Thirty-two participants will face off two at a time in a single-game elimination competition. Instead of strapping on boxing gloves, players will use the motion-sensing Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™ controllers to simulate throwing punches. The winner walks away with a customized WVBA trophy and bragging rights as the Punch-Out!! champion. The winner also will receive a free copy of the new Punch-Out!! game for the Wii™ console, a Little Mac training sweatshirt and other prizes.
 
Fans in attendance will enjoy Nintendo premium giveaways, DJ entertainment and a chance to purchase the game before it launches on May 18. Fans also have the opportunity to play the new game on kiosks, or take a trip down memory lane by playing previous Punch-Out!! games using the Virtual Console™ service for Wii.
 
WHO:

Adults, teens, kids ages 10 and up, video game enthusiasts and loyal fans of the classic Punch-Out!! games.
 
WHEN:

Saturday, May 16, 2009
1-4 p.m.
 
WHERE:

Nintendo World Store
10 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10020
www.NintendoWorldStore.com
 
VISUALS:

• Enthusiastic fans and competitors duking it out in an effort to bring home the WVBA championship trophy.
• Eager consumers gathering to receive Nintendo premiums and play the much-anticipated Wii version of the beloved boxing series.
• Consumer purchasing first Punch-Out!! for Wii during a special pre-sale opportunity.
• Event photography and Punch-Out!! game-play b-roll will be available.