PlayStation 2 demand outstrips supply

Retailers across the UK have run out of PlayStation 2 pre-order forms only 48 hours after their release.

Retailers across the UK have run out of PlayStation 2 (PS2) pre-order forms only 48 hours after their release.

Gaming giant Sony last week released forms for 200,000 PS2 units across the UK, sparking a mad rush for orders. But as predicted three weeks ago, the console supply in the UK has fallen way short of demand, with gamers facing a four month wait before the console goes on sale in the UK again in March.

A representative at high street retailer Dixons, said: "The consoles are extremely popular and the pre-order forms disappeared very quickly. There won't be any more PS2 consoles on sale in this country until next year because Sony cannot match the demand."

More than three million PS2 consoles were sold within three days of launch in Japan, but the same number has been allocated to the entire European retail market in time for its 24 November UK release.

Sony said the small pre-order supply number was to guarantee delivery before Christmas, although a delivery date has yet to be set. All successful applicants will receive a personal confirmation letter from Sony.

A representative said: "This was the fairest way to let every UK region get hold of a pre-order form and to avoid a pre-Christmas rush for on-the-shelf units. We could have delayed the launch until next year when we would have had enough units to meet demand."

The company has invested £1.2bn into producing and building more chip production plants to keep up with demand, he said. "Sony is doing everything in its power to make sure PS2 is produced as quickly as possible."