Microsoft cut the price of its Xbox game console in Taiwan from NT$6,666 (about US$196) to NT$5,980 (US$176), effective immediately, the company announced yesterday. The decision is part of Microsoft’s strategy to boost global sales of Xbox consoles to 15 million units in 2004, said Alan Bowman, Microsoft’s regional director for Xbox.

Global sales of Xbox consoles have exceeded 9.5 million units so far this year, Bowman said. The price cut will help better position Xbox consoles against rivals, according to sources at Microsoft Taiwan. Sony’s PS2 (PlayStation 2) is now NT$6,980 and Nintendo’s GameCube is NT$4,980.