Microsoft announced today that 4,500 retailers will open at midnight tonight "to answer the demand" for Xbox 360 hardware and games. Certain stores, like Best Buy, will be holding special launch events. "Xbox 360 takes our customers' gaming experience to new levels," said Jill Hamburger, vice president of games at Best Buy. "Walk into any of our stores and you'll feel the excitement."

"The debut of Xbox 360 marks one of the biggest consumer launches in Microsoft's history," said Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft and chief Xbox officer.

Xbox 360 is set to launch in Europe on December 2 and finish its global launch in Japan on December 10.