A steel drum band, a tent loaded with a bunch of playable kiosks, and an entire Wii prize pack giveaway were just some of the highlights of Nintendo's launch parties for Wii Sports Resort, at Ontario Place in Toronto, Ontario and Times Square in New York City. Everything was island themed at the events yesterday and today, even the locations, as both took place on actual islands.

Nintendo was giving away a sweet prize pack. More photos like this can be found in the gallery below.

Visitors to Ontario Place, one of two island theme parks in Toronto, got a taste of the Wuhu Island life today, as Nintendo took over the park's Heritage Square and went all out to promote this weekend's release of Wii Sports Resort. The Nintendo staff on hand were decked out in island style duds, and handed out leis to everyone. Well, everyone who would take one at least. More important was the fun that visitors were having playing the game, and that was the case.

It was smiles all around, as everyone who walked into the tent appeared to be having a good time. Kids, adults and, yes, even a couple of seniors were playing on the 20 playable kiosks. You could really feel the universal appeal of the game, especially when one older gentleman who was playing really got into the game's archery challenge. His game face was intense. Topping it all off was a steel drum band playing to popular Nintendo themes, like the Super Mario Bros. theme. Plus, Nintendo was giving visitors to the Wuhu Island tend the chance to win an entire Wii Sports Resort themed prize pack, including a Wii, a copy of the game, which comes with one Wii MotionPlus accessory, and more.

For yesterday's event in New York City though, Nintendo went all out with the island theme, building its own version of Wuhu Island on an island, on an island, Times Square's Military Island on Manhattan Island. Nintendo covered the area with more than 50 tons of sand and gave visitors the chance to take a free mini vacation, letting people try out the game, handing out non-alcoholic island beverages and completing the illusion with an island oasis featuring a steel drum band, reflection pool and lounge area. We're not sure if the visitors to the Times Square event had the chance to win a prize pack, but they did have the opportunity to actually purchase a copy of the game earlier than people anywhere else in North America, since the Nintendo World Store at Rockefeller Plaza.

Having already played the game, I've posted my opinions on it multiple times, but we'll have an official review from Sean up within the next couple of weeks.

Both launch events mark the official start of two nationwide tours to promote Wii Sports Resort to Canadians and Americans. The events will be passing through:

Canada

Toronto, ON: Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Stadium, July 17-26
Montreal, QC: Rogers Cup, Aug.8-16
Montreal, QC: L’Experience Nintendo at La Ronde, Aug.10-Sep. 7
Whistler, BC: Crankworx, Aug. 13-16
Toronto, ON: Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), Aug. 21-Sep. 7
Vancouver, BC: Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), Aug. 22-Sep. 7

United States

Ashville, N.C.: Bele Chere Festival, July 24-26
Augusta, N.J.: New Jersey State Fair, Aug. 6-9
Bellevue, Wash.: 6th Street Fair, July 24-26
Bethlehem, Pa.: Musikfest, Aug. 7-9
Birmingham, Ala.: Riverchase Galleria, July 30-Aug. 2
Bloomington, Minn.: Mall Of America, July 24-26
Boston: Faneuil Hall, July 30-Aug. 2
Boulder, Colo.: Boulder County Fair, July 31-Aug. 2
Cheyenne, Wy: Cheyenne Frontier Days, July 24-26
Columbus, Ohio: Jazz & Rib Fest, July 24-27; Ohio State Fair, July 29-Aug. 2
Dallas: Grapevine Mills, July 24-26
Houston: The Galleria, July 31-Aug. 2
Lowell, Mass.: Lowell Folk Festival, July 24-26
Oshkosh, Wisc.: EAA AirVenture, July 30-Aug. 2
Portland, Ore.: The Bite of Oregon, Aug. 7-9
Salt Lake City: Salt Lake County Fair, Aug. 5-8
Seattle: Seafair, July 31-Aug. 2
St. Louis: Saint Louis Galleria, Aug. 6-9
St. Petersburg, Fla.: Tyrone Square, Aug. 6-9
Washington: Potomac Mills, Aug. 6-9
West Allis, Wisc.: Wisconsin State Fair, Aug. 6-9

Wii Sports Resort will be available across North America this Sunday, July 26^th, exclusively for Wii and is rated E for Everyone.