Amazon has announced that the Nintendo 3DS has become the most pre-ordered console of all time on Amazon.co.uk.

The 3DS overtakes the PS3 which previously held the record when it launched in March 2007. There’s still another week to go before launch day on the 25th of March but the 3DS already has 20% more pre-orders than the PS3 had achieved by launch date.

The 3DS has also achieved 56% more than the previously most pre-ordered Nintendo console, the Wii, in 2006. Not only that but it’s beaten Amazon.co.uk pre-orders achieved by any other DS console with 255% more than the Nintendo DSi recorded in 2009.

“It’s unusual for a handheld console to attract this amount of excitement in the run up to launch, such high levels of interest are normally reserved for the play-at-home hardware like the ground-breaking Nintendo Wii and last year’s Microsoft Kinect ,” said Chris Poad, Director of Video Games at Amazon.co.uk Ltd.

“Nintendo 3DS is launching at a time when interest in all things 3D is incredibly high and with the promise of real 3D graphics without glasses, it’s a real breakthrough in handheld video game entertainment.”

The Amazon.co.uk charts reflect the public’s interest in the 3DS with the console featuring twice in the top ten bestsellers chart. In addition 3DS games, including Ridge Racer 3D, Pilot Wings Resort, Super Monkey Ball 3D, Rayman 3D and Super Street Fighter IV have all claimed spots in the top twenty Hot Future Releases.

Here’s a list of the top five most pre-ordered consoles/gaming hardware of all-time on Amazon.co.uk:

• 1. Nintendo 3DS – launching 25 March 2011
• 1. PlayStation 3 – launched March 2007
• 1. Nintendo Wii – launched December 2006
• 1. Microsoft Kinect – launched November 2010
• 1. PlayStation Move – launched September 2010

The Nintendo 3DS will be available across Europe, the UK and South Africa on the 25th of March.