Stocks of the family-friendly entertainment console have been in short supply since the beginning of October - eight weeks before Santa arrives!

And according to a number of retail outlets, supplies are going to be like hen's teeth between now and Christmas.

Since the Nintendo Wii launched in the autumn of last year, it has outsold its rivals and has fast become the number one games console on the market.

This Christmas it is set to go head-to-head with the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. But many retailers believe it will still outsell the newer versions of its rivals based on current demand.

"This is 'the' console for the whole family," according to Colin Watt, deputy manager of Smyths Toystore in Belfast. "It is not just for kids, it's for everyone. Anyone can play it - even mum and dad."

Supplies at Smyths had been steady right up until the end of September when organised shoppers began making inquiries. Since then the store has been inundated with requests and has had to pre-order a set number of consoles for customers.

John Oag from the Zavvi store (formerly Virgin) said his store was also reduced to pre-ordering for customers as Nintendo were allocating numbers to individual companies.

Yesterday the store received 30 consoles which were snapped up in 90 minutes.

He attributed the Wii's popularity to its "fun factor".

"I think the novelty factor of the Wii is what makes it so popular," he explained. "It has motion sensors which allows players to become more involved in the game, such as when you play tennis, the player has to move about in order to swing the racquet. Also the games are more 'old school' Nintendo games."

His view is backed up by Conor Hughes, manager of Gamestop in Belfast.

He explained most of the Wii games were simpler than the XBox and PlayStation games, and therefore had an "everyman" appeal.

But his store is one of the few retailers in the UK that has been able to get a small, steady supply.

"We seem to be the only place in the UK and Ireland that has been able to get a number of consoles basically every week," he said.

But because of its popularity, the consoles have been flying off the shelves.

Both he and the other retailers have recommended those wanting this year's must-have gizmo, to put their names down at their stores and keep calling on the off-chance one comes in.