Xbox 360 to get US price drop

Console round-up: 360, PS3 and Nintendo newsbytes.

Usually the northern sunner presents us with a quiet period of console and gaming-related news, but this season seems to be more busy than most.

Xbox 360
It seems that earlier rumours of an Xbox 360 price drop at E3 are ringing true.

Certain outlets have been printing new sales literature based around the price-drop, which sets the Xbox 360 Premium at $299.99 for our US cousins.

Not only is Microsoft looking to drop the price of its flagship console, it
seems the company may even allow other manufacturers to utilise its hardware
within Xbox 360-compatible devices, according to EGM, via Xbox-scene.com.

We can only hope other manufacturers take more time and care on product
design than Microsoft.

Although nothing has been officially licensed yet, you can still pick up the
odd bit of hardware for your 360, including this aftermarket case. We suspect it may invalidate your warrenty.

Either that or you can stick it into your briefcase.

PS3/PSP
Sony CEO Kaz Hirai confirmed that PS3 Cell processors manufactured since 'last (US) holiday season' use the more efficient 65nm process technology, while smaller RSX chips are due in the Autumn.

The PS3 has allegedly cost Sony $3.32 billion (USD) so far. According to the company, the investment "may not be fully recovered".

Something that may help, is the 1 million units of MGS4 that have been sold in Europe since its release.

Similarly, selling a few movies via a download service expected in the summer, may boost the company's coffers.

Several suspected Playstation trophy screens have been leaked, and Joystiq
has two here and here. The site also lists all alleged features of the new firmware update.

Wii/DS
Hardware hackers over at Division 6 (via Engadget) have put together a MIDI port for your GBA, GBA-SP, DS or DS Lite.

And finally, a not-safe-for-work article on how to use Wii homebrew as a 'personal massage adapter'. Play safe, folks.