Analysts are predicting that the shortage of next-gen consoles will last well into 2007. Nintendo and Sony aren’t producing enough? Perhaps it’s time for Microsoft to do something drastic to snag more market share.

Via DailyTech.

The launch of the Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 3 game consoles in the U.S. had thousands of people wait in lines sometimes for days just to get the coveted prize.  With thoughts that the holiday rush will possibly slow down the demand of the consoles, analysts have said not so fast.  Some market analysts are now predicting that the console shortages will not ease until at least March.  American Technology Research analyst Paul-Jon McNealy believes the PS3 drought will last through the June quarter, while the Wii shortage may be ease in the March quarter.

Stores offering the consoles have been receiving shipments ranging from 1 or 2 to 25 per shipment.  A local Bay Area, CA Best Buy received around 50 PS3 consoles two days before Christmas — the Wii was no where to be found at the same location.  Not surprisingly, the PS3s didn’t last long.  Similar experiences were also abound for consumers trying to get a hold of Nintendo’s Wii.

As an alternative to the Wii and PS3 game consoles, shoppers are turning to things such as the Microsoft Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2 game consoles.

Sites such as PS3Seeker.com show anxious consumers when and where shipments of the PlayStation 3 and Wii will be made available.  The site also gathers inventory listings from eBay and Craigslist for consumers to take into consideration.

Killa says: The Best Buy in my area has had PS3’s on the shelves for days. Not many people seem to want to buy one, I guess. The demand doesn’t seem to be there. The Wii, on the other hand, gathers campers the night before just so they’re guaranteed their console. It’s still too early to predict a winner of this generation’s console wars but Nintendo definitely has something going for them, what with the family-factor being considered with almost every purchase of their latest console. It has something for everyone, even people who have never played a video game before in their lives. Maybe I’m biased, but what good reporter isn’t?