Sometimes, I feel like posting something negative but I take the high road and look for the bright side.  That was one of those times.  Really, despite the record setting launch, I think the Xbox One isn't going to sustain its momentum very long at all.  I kinda expect a drop-off in PS4 very soon, too.

I do remember only two occasions where consoles were scarce, though--the PS2 and Wii.  I haven't been following sales but I've always been able to find new consoles on store shelves during the holidays because I was always in the market for them early in their years.  Of course, my experience doesn't exactly translate into universal experience.

I don't consider what I said negative. It's more realistic than negative lol. But yeah, the PS2 and Wii were the #1 consoles for their respective generations and both were scarce to the point where unless you were savy, lucky and/or knew the right person, you weren't going to just walk into a Toys R Us or Walmart and find one sitting there until spring the following year.

Unless the market truely IS contracting, I don't see why this generation would be any different.