The dust has cleared from the European launch of the Xbox 360, Microsoft's next-generation games console, and preliminary reports indicate it's a runaway success.

Thousands of avid gamers queued up at stores in the 16 European launch countries on the evening of December 1 to be among the first to purchase the machine, resulting in a sell-out situation across the region in its first day at retail.

Early reports also show a huge demand for games and accessories, with most customers leaving stores not only with an Xbox 360, but with multiple games and accessories.

Top-selling games include Perfect Dark Zero, Project Gotham Racing 3, Kameo: Elements of Power, FIFA Road to the World Cup, Call of Duty 2, and King Kong.

Accessories like the Wireless Networking Adapter, extra Wireless Controllers and Faceplates have also proved popular.

Kevin Sage, 33, of London, joined the queue at Game on London's Oxford Street in the early afternoon of Thursday to ensure he got a console.

"I can't wait to get home and play this game," he said. "I will remember this for the rest of my life!"

Neil Thompson of Xbox: "The demand for Xbox 360 has been incredible and we are well aware that many gamers are disappointed to have not got their Xbox 360 on day one."

"Xbox 360 sales have been tremendous this weekend," said Lisa Morgan, UK managing director for Game.

"We have sold out almost all of our initial allocation over the weekend, and have seen great sales on games and accessories too. We will be getting more stock in over the next few weeks and expect similar levels of support from consumers and expect the exceptional levels of demand to continue."

Despite the sell-out, gamers who missed out on launch day can still experience the 360 this Christmas. A spokesman for Xbox said the company will be replenishing stock at retail over the coming weeks and into 2006.

"The demand for Xbox 360 has been incredible and we are well aware that many gamers are disappointed to have not got their Xbox 360 on day one," said Neil Thompson of Xbox.

"We are working around the clock to manufacture as many Xbox 360s as we can and are replenishing retail stores in Europe in the weeks coming up to Christmas. We remain committed to delivering up to 3 million consoles to consumers worldwide in our first 90 days alone. Consumers should check back with their retailers frequently."

Fifteen Xbox 360 titles are now on sale in Europe, with more lined up in the near future such as Dead or Alive 4, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Splinter Cell 4, Tomb Raider: Legend, Burnout Revenge and The Godfather.