Gaming analysts Stateside have been watching with growing concern Sony's apparent indecision regarding the PS2's current pricing, which at $179 is now a lot more than the recently cut ($149). The experts suggest that should stubbornly refuse to cut pricing within coming weeks, then the Xbox could become America's top-selling console, a major blow for Sony given the dominance they have enjoyed.

"It is our position that Sony has not yet decided as to whether or not to cut prices between now and the E3 trade show in mid-May, but the April data may be a compelling factor to cut prices sooner rather than later," stated American Technology Research's PJ McNealy.

Indeed, if unconfirmed figures stateside are to be believed, the Xbox is currently out-selling Sony's machine by some 30% for this month, and this, alongside Sony's 18% games sale slide compared to last year, will make worrying reading for the leader.

Overall, PS2 sales this year are expected to drop from twenty to fourteen million as the early stages of market saturation begin to kick in and Microsoft's highly competitive stance applies further pressure. More on all such matters as we get it.

By Luke Guttridge