XBox gets launch date

The date for the European launch of the Xbox, Microsoft's first foray into the world of games consoles, was announced last week in Cannes with fanfare, lasers and large quantities of dry ice – along with the hyperbole that usually accompanies such events.

Yes, this is the one console that will change the future of gaming. Or so we were told. But from what we were shown in the Pierre Cardin-designed Palais Bulles, Microsoft's immediate domination of the console market is currently far from a sure thing. The singularly unattractive console (large, blocky and customised in green) will go on sale on 14 March for a rather unappealing £299, with games priced at £44.99.

Meanwhile, Sony has just reduced the cost of its PlayStation 2 to £199 and Nintendo's cheeky Gamecube is expected to retail at around $199 (£140) when it launches in the US next month.

As for the Xbox games, with the exception of the exceedingly smart-looking Halo, Lorne Lanning's intriguing adventure Oddworld and, at a push, Activision's Hong Kong-based driving game Wreckless, they are all looking much like souped-up versions of games we've already seen elsewhere. Nowhere is this more evident than with Tecmo's Dead or Alive 3. Yes, it looks fabulous but will the hordes be rushing out to pick up an Xbox for DA3 when they can already play a similarly breathtaking version on the PS2?

Is there room in the market for three consoles, anyway? Nintendo has a constant cult following and is aimed at a different demographic, so its Gamecube isn't really in this race. But without a Peter Molyneux number to woo the crowds at launch or a must-have Metal Gear Solid 2 to bring them running, the Xbox may struggle to dominate. Let battle commence.

s.chatterton@independent.co.uk