At first, we thought that news of Kinect shortages was a ruse by Microsoft to encourage everyone to panic buy, but it is actually true.

Enquiries to Game (GameStation,) HMV, ASDA, Smyths, Tescos and numerous independant retailers have confirmed that these particular retailers have sold out of the initial stock, though plan to have more units available before Christmas. Nevertheless, if you don't pre-order soon, it's likely that you won't be able to get one this side of Christmas at all.

All of the stores we've contacted have allocated their stock to those who have pre-ordered, so on launch date there will be no stock available in store. That is unless you buy a console bundled with Kinect!

If you are desperate to get your hands on the new motion-sensing camera on launch day you could trade in your old Xbox 360 model for a new one, either the 4GB model, or the 250GB Xbox 360.

An Xbox 360 Console Bundle with 250GB HDD + Kinect: Adventures! costs approximately £299, while an Xbox 360 Console Bundle with 4GB HDD +Kinect + Kinect: Adventures! costs approximately £249.99.

The trade-ins at Game at the moment are:

120GB Elite - £75
60GB - £50
20GB - £40
Arcade - £35
Core - £35

So, the option's still there if you really do want the new periperhal for launch, and of course, if you don't already have one of the new consoles.

If anyone does happen to know anywhere that is still excepting pre-orders for delivery at launch, do let us know.