Microsoft announced today (again) that they are massing hordes of Xbox 360s in preperation for a general console flooding of Targets, Wal-Marts and Best Buys (but no Gamestops).

Starting this week, Microsoft will be doubling to tripling their Xbox 360 penetration in retail stores.

Beginning this week, Microsoft will distribute two to three times the number of Xbox 360 consoles to the retail channel weekly. With component supplies in full production and third manufacturing partner Celestica Inc. now producing the next-generation console along with partners Wistron Corp. and Flextronics Corp., Microsoft is producing more Xbox 360 consoles than ever.

Today we have turned a major corner, said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. With more consoles on their way to retail, 80 games available by June, and new content and experiences coming to Xbox Live all the time, there has never been a better time to own an Xbox 360.

While I applaude the increased effort, I'm still planning on seeing how many actually make it into people's hands.