Gamers hoping to place a preorder for the upcoming Sony PlayStation 2 console may have waited too long.

　　Several premier video game retailers have stopped their preorder campaigns for the machine, which is expected to arrive in the U.S. in October.

　　The reason behind the move is the expectation by retailers such as Electronics Boutique and Funcoland that the initial supply of PS2 consoles, accessories and games will not match the expected demand.

　　At this time, it is likely that gamers who preorder the console now will not receive their PlayStation 2 on October 26, the system's launch date.

　　GameSpot spoke with major retailers regarding the availability of the PlayStation 2 console at both their online and standard retail outlets. Each company and its plans for PS2 preorder and launch sales is detailed below:

　　Electronics Boutique has stopped all preorders at its standard retail outlets. It is still taking orders online through EBWorld.com, but the company does not guarantee that customers ordering online now will receive their console on October 26.

　　Babbages/Gamestop is taking preorders for the October 26 shipment through its online store, Gamestop.com. However, customers who have placed their orders after July 3 are not guaranteed to receive the console at launch. The company's standard Babbages and Gamestop stores are only taking preorders for the third shipment - set to arrive around Christmas.

　　Funcoland has stopped preorders at its standard retail stores and does not expect to restart the campaign before launch. The company is still taking preorders online through Funcoland.com, but customers who order after August 1 may not receive the console on October 26.

　　Toys 'R Us has also stopped all standard preorders at this time. In fact, the company does not expect to restart the preorder campaign. However, it hopes to receive some additional units of the console that will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Its online store is still taking preorders, but launch day availability is once again suspect.

　　WalMart and Target have not initiated a preorder campaign for the Sony PlayStation 2. Both retailers will be selling the console, games, and accessories on a first-come, first-served basis. For those who haven't preordered yet, these major department stores may provide the largest supply of PS2 consoles on launch day.

　　These policies are being implemented at most locations across all of the retail chains.