TOKYO - Sitting on street corners with sleeping bags and portable CD players in hand are people waiting outside of shops in Tokyo's electronics district, Akihabara. If this were anywhere but Akihabara, one would assume these folks braving the cold were waiting in line for concert tickets or for a chance to see the first screening of a movie. But this is Akihabara, often referred to as the mecca of gaming, and it's pretty obvious what they're in line for: the PlayStation2.

　　Hard-core gamers have been waiting outside of popular game retailers such as Sofmap since Thursday just to ensure that they will be able to get their hands on Sony's next-generation PlayStation when it releases on Saturday. Sony has stated that it intends to deliver one million units of its PlayStation2 into the market this weekend, but many fear this number won't be enough. Many people aren't taking any chances, and lines are expected to grow to obscene levels during Friday and into Saturday morning.

　　We've taken a few snapshots from some of the retailers in Akihabara to let you see how everyone is preparing for the arrival of the PlayStation2.