Joystiq [Xbox]

Local branches of the music and video game chains HMV, Gamestation, and Game will all disappoint since they have no free stock available for those who didn't preorder. They are having difficulty meeting all their preorders, so customers may be wise looking elsewhere. WH Smith and a local independent store also painted the same grim picture.

Large electrical chains Dixons, Comet and PC World also had bad news for non-preorders, although local branches expected enough stock on launch to cover preorders. Catalogue shop Argos will also fulfil preorders but is out of stock for new orders, although individual branches may vary.

The good news? Supermarkets Asda and Tesco are expecting stock on launch but aren't taking preorders; Virgin Megastore are also expecting consoles to be available on Friday, as the chain stopped taking preorders early, meaning that branches will be receiving more consoles than have been preordered. Only a local Tesco, already open 24 hours, is planning a midnight event. All three stores were expecting a large turnout.

Hopefully this will help you figure out which local branches to phone up and/or camp out at; if you are in a smaller town or village, with less demand, then you may have more luck. If not, there's always eBay. Retailers contacted were unsure of when future shipments would be, with some quoting from "next week" to "mid-December" and "after Christmas".

(Any retailers not listed were either unavailable or did not know their situation. If we receive any more information, we'll keep you informed--send in your tips!)