What began as a few complaints may have turned into a serous problem for Microsoft. Initial teething problems are always to be expected with any new console but it seems that there has been a continued stream of disappointed voices over Microsoft's new console.

The complaints have take three distinct forms; games freezing consistently; the system over-heating and hard drive errors. This range suggests that gamers are experiencing more than one specific problem, meaning that there isn't a manufacturing error that is inherent to the system but that those loud voices have been the unlucky few with dodgy consoles.

It is too early to say for certain whether Microsoft have a serious problem on their hands but it isn't too early to hope that all those gamers who managed to nab a 360 have a fun-filled christmas.