it off unless you're willing to fight the inevitable crowds to secure one of only three that have landed on the Island.

The Playstation 2 is the rave of the season but Sony has been unable to meet their 1 million target for North America due to a shortage of parts.

With the US market short, overseas shops have been unclear about the numbers they might get. Tommy Nelmes, manager of the Phoenix Annex toy store is not holding his breath that he will get any more before Christmas but said his supplier has told him that he will have another ten.

The Annex have managed to secure three Playstations so far and will offer them for sale at 8 p.m. on December 1.

"Given the extreme shortage and the high demand, it is a real coup to have been shipped any at all,'' said Mr. Nelmes.

"We can always hope that we will receive an additional shipment but in reality we know that it is unlikely as we have been advised that increased supply will not be available until the latter part of 2001,'' he added.

Mr. Nelmes explained that the decision on who to sell to, will be carried out lottery style. Only those customers with cash in hand on the spot will be in contention for one of the units.

Playstation 2 craze expected All those eligible will have their names entered into a box. One name at a time will be drawn, and that person will then be allowed to make the purchase before the next name is drawn.

In order to make that purchase, the shopper will have to have an estimated $989.95 on hand. The actual Sony Playstation 2 unit is $499.95 in the Annex but due to a "bundling'' arrangement with the supplier, the Annex has had to buy each unit with 14 games.

The "bundling'' agreement is being passed on to customers with the Annex stipulating that any customer buying a unit must also purchase at least seven games. The games vary in price but average $70 each at the Annex.

The Sony Playstation 2 is retailing in the US for $299 but it is not known whether purchasers are forced to also buy games.

The new product is definitely high tech and is more than a game machine. It also plays audio CD's and DVD movies flawlessly. It has an optical port that allows users to plug the device into high-end stereo receivers and home theatre amplifiers for Dolby Digital or DTS sound.

The units also contain a Firewire for high speed connections to devices like video cameras and high capacity hard drives providing capability for the user to include himself in some of the games.

The Playstation 2 does not have an Internet hook-up but it is expected that that is just around the corner and possibly as soon as the first quarter of next year.

When that happens, users will be able to play games with friends and family overseas through the Internet.

Pricey play: The high technology Sony Playstation 2 is in very short supply but there are three units for sale in Bermuda.