A number of retailers across are refusing to stock the new Go handheld, stores concerned that are trying to cut them out of the loop by selling games for the handheld in direct downloadable form.

Sony, however, had expected even more retailers to kick up a stink - so the system's launch looks like it will be easier than the platform holder were expecting.

"We were very aware of concerns when we went into it and I actually expected a lot more negative responses than we actually got," product manager Claire Backhouse revealed to GI.biz.

"They were really quite fine with it. They see it as a way of getting people into the store because it's new interest, a new product. And they've had such strong as well of PSP 3000 almost off the back of it."

The launches worldwide tomorrow.

By Luke Guttridge