'AIEA — Leslie Sonido got to Circuit City at Pearlridge Center at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. She was the first person to set up camp outside the store at 11:30 p.m. And by 8 last night, with 12 hours left until she could get her hands on a PlayStation 3, she was drawing all her strength to resist the urge to call it quits.

"It's a present for my daughter's fiance," Sonido said, walking around outside the store to stretch her legs.

"It's been an experience. I'll never do it again."

Dozens like Sonido camped outside electronics stores statewide last night to await the release of the coveted PlayStation 3 game console.

Some were video game addicts; others were opportunists who were being paid to sit in line or had plans to sell their game stations on the Internet for big profits.

Whatever their reasons for being there, many made the best of it: playing cards and checkers with strangers, lounging on sleeping bags and delighting at the curious gazes they received from passersby.

Some 400,000 systems were to be released nationwide early today. The limited release spurred instant lines at stores across the country.

In some cities, stores saw as many as 1,000 people camped out.

At the Wal-Mart on Ke'eaumoku Street last night, James Shackelford happily ate a chicken salad as he sat in a beach chair and watched shoppers come and go. He had a stocked ice chest by his side.

Shackelford, a 22-year-old tree trimmer, was the first in line for the PS3, but he had no plans to use it. He said someone paid him $200 to hold the seat. Through the day, others offered to double the fee.

Nearby, Brad Kouke played checkers with a group of friends, who sat in camping chairs and sipped on cold drinks. Kouke scoffed at the idea of selling his PS3. It's worth the 36-hour wait, he said.

"It's the next generation of gaming," Kouke said, showing off a sunburn he'd earned while waiting outside for the console.

About 20 people were in line at Wal-Mart, which announced it had 18 PS3 consoles for sale. Meanwhile, there were 26 people camped out at Circuit City in 'Aiea — one customer for each video game player.

Outside the Circuit City, Sanoe Sandobal watched her 3-year-old boy play with paints as they waited. The whole family — mom, dad and baby — arrived last night to wait for the console.

"It's a favor for my sister," Sandobal said. She laughed when asked whether she would get paid for her time. "I'm just saving a spot," she said.

Sony Corp., which makes PlayStations, is the largest maker of video-game players in the world. The company is counting on PlayStation 3 to maintain a lead in sales over Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox and the Nintendo Co. Wii, which will be available in the United States on Sunday.

But the game player's release has been marred by a parts shortage, which contributed to the limited supply.

And last weekend, Japanese consumers reported problems after attempting to play video games made for older versions. One of the key selling points of the PlayStation 3 is that it is reverse compatible, meaning it will play games from the PS2 console.

Sony's revenue from the release will be constrained by the limited availability of consoles. The Tokyo-based company had planned to ship 4 million units by the end of this year, but reduced the target by half in September and postponed the PlayStation 3's European debut.

Sony is selling PlayStation 3 for $500 to $600 in the U.S., compared with $250 for the Wii and $300 to $400 for Xbox 360. More than 20 new PS3 games are scheduled for release during the holiday period.

Sony made the first U.S. sale today at 12:01 a.m. at its Madison Avenue store in New York during an event hosted by hip-hop artist Ludacris.

Customers started lining up at the store as early as Monday to be among the first to own one of the consoles.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.