For those hoping to get their hands on a new Playstation II on November 24th, it may already be too late.

The message from most of the main retailers of the new console is that their pre-order lists are now full, so those not included may have to wait a few months to get a unit.

Stores are now aware of how many units they will receive and most are refusing to take preorders even for a second shipment because of uncertainty over when it will arrive.

Unlike its UK counterparts, Sony Ireland decided not to establish a pre-order scheme itself, but most retailers have taken the option of setting up an in-store pre-order system.

According to Mr Niall O'Hanrahan, managing director of Sony Computer Entertainment Ireland, the rationale behind Sony not running a pre-order scheme in the Republic was to ensure a good spread of the console throughout the State.

He said if Sony had operated a pre-order scheme, the bigger chain stores in the major cities would have taken the lion's share of the units, leaving smaller stores with few.

As a result, the sight of hundreds of people queueing on streets, which often accompanies such launches, may not be a major feature on November 24th.

Although a few stores have decided to set aside a number of machines to be sold on the launch date, the majority of those opting to queue are likely to be disappointed.

In this case, the early birds do seem to have caught all the worms.