Microsoft to flood UK and Europe with next-gen consoles this Christmas.

One million Xbox 2s will be available across Europe by the end of the year, according to MCV.

That figure will rise to 1.5 million by the end of March 2006, a source at a major games publisher has told the industry publication.

The same source has also hinted that NextBox would not be backwards compatible with current Xbox games, which has led to suggestions that many publishers are now delaying the release of significant titles in order to, as MCV puts it, "ensure they are made next-gen ready to insure against ongoing shortages".

While there's still no official confirmation from Microsoft, it's widely expected that Xbox 2/Xenon will be launched globally in November.

Interestingly, if current gossip from retailers is to be believed, this could coincide with the belated UK release of Sony's PSP. Better start saving now.