We've gotten reports that the DS Lite is already on sale in some parts of Europe, despite not officially being launched until this Friday!

Despite the official release date of the DS Lite in Europe being the 23rd (this very Friday), Revo-Europe has recieved reports that the lighter, brighter version of the DS is already available to buy.

While stores across Europe already have their shipments in stock, some stores in Holland appear to have jumped the gun, with our source telling us that both colours are already available, though with an apparent 3:1 ratio of White/Black.

Update: Lots of Lites are being sold early it seems - you've been contacting us in your droves with information: Revo-Europe readers Andreas from Sweden and Henri Mattila from Finland have both let us know that because of the mid-summer Juhannus Festival the Lite has officially launched in both countries today, as Friday is a bank holiday - something confirmed by R-E Forum members DHondt and RevoJack.

Both Michael Poelzl (aka the "Banjonator") and David Godane say the DS Lite has been on sale since yesterday from Austria, where according to David there was an equal number of White/Black colours, and according to Dan Jones Play.com shipped their pre-orders last night - they should be in the post at this very moment.

Meanwhile on the forums at time of press, R-E forum members Cheebee confirmed the Lites on sale early in Holland, SWatsi let us know at least one UK shop is selling them in Castleford, West Yorkshire, nicolasmasset said they're on sale in some Belgian branches of Bart Smit and FreeRecordShop, conzer16 alleged that one chain of shops in the UK's Sheffield and Leeds have been selling them since Monday (with the Black colour more prevalent than the White), while YenRug recieved his from GAME this morning a day early.

Second Update: Tyrian� sends word from sunny Italy that Lites have been available since Wednesday, and that he's picked a black one, meanwhile Nils from Belgium was told by text that his pre-order at a GameMania store was ready today to picked up. Meanwhile R-E Forum member Kurt R confirmed his order from GamePlay had arrived, while forum member Beano picked up a white coloured Lite at Media Markt in Zwolle, Holland.

Thanks for all your messages prior to the big day, R-E wishes you all many happy hours of early Lite gaming!