Microsoft announced the launch of their Xbox Elite today, which is due to hit the shelves in the US on April 29, but there has been no official word of a European release from the American giant.

High Street retailer HMV, however, has stepped in and has suggested the new-spec console will be available by late summer.

"All we understand is that it's at some point perhaps around the late summer", a spokesperson for HMV said.

"We're expecting the product to be sold sooner rather than later, and obviously at that point we'll have a fuller idea of all their launch plans, precise timings, pricing and everything else from a retail point of view."

Tim Ellis, head of games at HMV, commented, "I feel sure that there'll be demand for this product, and Microsoft now enjoys the level of brand penetration and player loyalty for it to be successful".

"There should be quite a few core gamers out there that may want to upgrade or who will at least want the extra capacity now on offer", he added.

>> Read - It’s official - Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite