Regardless of current speculation, rumour, supposed facts, and spurious figures, concerning the poor post launch performance of the PlayStation 3 in Japan and North America, Sony is claming that the console’s imminent release across Europe, has prompted retailers to report that "overwhelming demand" is building prior to the console’s 23 March arrival.

More specifically, Gian Luzio, head of games at online retailer Play.com recently told GamesIndustry.biz that the site has registered six times as many PS3 pre-orders as it took for the Xbox 360 prior to launch in 2005, and a whopping fifteen times more than it recently saw for the Nintendo Wii. However, it should be noted that Play.com is offering a pretty solid 60GB bundle package to entice customers, which includes Genji, Motorstorm, and Resistance: Fall of Man for a combined £524.99 GBP.

Furthermore, in light of massive unit shortages and the subsequent customer disappointment experienced by Play.com during the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii launches, the online retailer is also pledging (note: not guaranteeing) to deliver ALL pre-ordered PlayStation 3s on the console’s launch day. Luzio intonated that Play won’t be accepting any pre-orders beyond their established consignment of units in order to prevent pre-order customer frustration, while he also offered assurances that "Sony are doing all they can to fulfil demand."

Luzio also went on to ‘big-up’ the inbound PlayStation 3 by suggesting that its onboard Blu-ray drive will result in "massive impact" being seen across Play’s sales, offering that US "Blu-ray movie sales are outselling HD-DVD by a factor of 2:1 since the launch of PS3."

Sony itself is also keen to point out that it’s not just Play.com that’s experiencing impressive pre-order registrations prior to the PS3’s European release, stating that "Woolworths, Amazon, and Play, to name a few, are reporting record-breaking pre-orders and an overwhelming demand for PS3."

Come 23 March, come the day of reckoning for European wallets, purses, and piggy banks. Don’t forget, it’s 60GB or nothing, and an accompanying price tag of £425 GBP or €599 Euros.