Console sales across the world are being impaired by severe ongoing shortages of the PlayStation 2, while some US retailers are also reporting low availability of the Xbox. The PS2 situation is believed to be most severe in Europe, with the vast majority of retailers in the territory completely out of stock, although further shipments are hoped for by Christmas. Maybe this will help Nintendo ship some boxes... Or maybe not...

Major shortages of the PlayStation 2 console have been ongoing since the end of Summer in some areas, but have reached a head following the launch of the redesigned slimline "PStwo" - which massively increased demand for the system.

The situation is believed to be most severe in Europe, with the vast majority of retailers in the territory completely out of stock, although further shipments are hoped for by Christmas.

However, the USA is also experiencing severe shortages, and the unfulfilled demand in both territories is leading to significant price premiums being paid for new hardware on online auction sites such as eBay.

Although Microsoft is believed to be benefiting from Sony's difficulty in fulfilling demand for the PS2, the situation isn't entirely rosy for the rival firm either, with US retail sources indicating that Xbox stock is also in short supply.

The company has failed to restock the channel with the new model, and a combination of demand for the slimline console and pent-up demand caused by the shortages throughout autumn saw the console selling out its first shipment in a matter of days at many retailers. News-Source: http://www.xbox365.com