AFP
Microsoft said on Monday it is cutting the price of its Xbox 360 consoles in Europe as the software giant battles with Sony and Nintendo for devotees in the multi-billion-dollar video game market.

Microsoft, which trimmed 50 dollars from the price of Xbox 360 models in the United States on August 7, said the video game console will cost 279.99 euros (377 dollars) or 349.99 euros, in Europe from Friday, a reduction of 20 or 50 euros, according to the version.

Microsoft's new-generation video game console had the advantage of being released a year before Sony's PlayStation 3, and Nintendo's Wii debuted in November last year.

However, the Xbox 360 reputation was tarnished by a design defect that Microsoft says it has fixed.

Meanwhile, Wii systems with their group-oriented games and motion-sensing controllers have proven so popular they sell as quickly as they are made.

Sony recently cut PS3 prices in North America and Japan in an effort to invigorate its sales in the face of fierce competition from the Wii and Xbox 360.