Following the UK launch this morning prices for Wii consoles have exploded on internet auction sites, flogging for as much as £500 on eBay.
Nintendo previously denied retailer reports that would-be Wii purchasers will be unable to secure a console without pre-ordering until next year, but - although internet Del boys will always try their luck - the significantly marked-up auction prices could certainly suggest a shortage of 'walk in and buy' consoles in the UK.
Nintendo announced this afternoon that Wii has already sold 50,000 units in the UK - one unit sold for every second the console has been on sale.
Nintendo told us that "there are trucks leaving the factory every day up until Christmas so the ebay vultures shouldn't get as much business as usual."