Early success for the new console are looking very good for big N, who are reporting sales topping one-million for the new handheld already, just a week since the system's launch in Japan. The combined tally from and the late-November launch are broadly equal to the early successes of the GBA, something that will surely please Nintendo hugely with the shipping next week.

However, with a million gamers already installed and the numbers rising all the time, it appears Ninty have little to fear from their rival, which arrives next week but only to the tune of 300,000 units in Japan. Indeed, most stores are already all pre-ordered out, and Sony insist this is because they are manufacturing extra slimline PS2's to meet festive demand. We'll keep you posted on this.

By Luke Guttridge