X360 price cut for non-hard drive version, Nintendo's console might turn out to be very affordable. 

Nintendo has announced the pricings for its new Wii console in anticipation of its release, when it will compete directly with Sony's Playstation 3 and Microsoft's Xbox.

According to Nintendo executives, the console will cost less than £170 in Europe, although prices for Japan and the US are expected to be lower, at around £133.

However, no official release date has yet been given for the console, prolonging gamers' anticipation of the new gaming experience that the console's designers claim it provides.  

In related news... UK retail has confirmed to gaming news site GamesIndustry.biz that Microsoft has officially dropped the RRP of the Xbox 360 Core pack to GBP 199, effective from today.The readjustment from the previous RRP of GBP 209 is the first formal hardware price cut since the system launched across Europe last December.Many UK vendors had already started selling the lower-spec version of the next-gen system, which lacks a hard drive, for the reduced price - taking a hit on their own margins. The premium system still has an RRP of GBP 279.

Microsoft UK refused to confirm the cut when questioned earlier this week, commenting: "Retail price is set by our retail partners. Retailers are already selling Xbox 360 Core System from £199.99, which we believe is outstanding value to consumers." 

Source(s) Gameindustry, Monsterandcritics