'Price bombshell hits Sony' yells the lead header in trade paper MCV this week. The story details Virgin Megastores' lone mission to bring down the cost of full-price PlayStation games. "Consumers are voting with their wallets," Virgin's games product manager, Bart Saunt, told MCV. "They will not pay £45 for a new release; £29.99 is an acceptable price. And that is backed up by ChartTrack data. The average selling price was £38 12 months ago, today it is £23." Virgin's move has since forced other retailers to drop their prices accordingly - indeed, if you're a member of chain MVC you can pick up Driver for £27.99. The big question is though, how long will the cuts last? And what will Sony's reaction be?

MCV also reports that an independent retail chain, which boasts six stores in the north east, is set to launch Europe's first games retail franchise. The quaintly named 'Chips' expect another six shops to open before the end of the year.

Computer Trade Weekly leads with the news that Gem have won the race to distribute Sega's Dreamcast in the UK. Six companies were initially ear marked for the role, but Gem won the day after an eventual head-to-head with Jack of All Games.

CTW must also be congratulated on their story regarding Infogrames' acquisitive nature, particularly for the following paragraph: 'Infogrames currently has a war chest of around FF 50 million (£5 million) and has the facility to lay its hands on a further $80 million (£50 million) if needed.' Anyone who can fit the term 'war chest' into a sentence demands respect.

CTW also reports that Zelda: Ocarina of Time is unlikely to be released on Nintendo's £29.99 Player's Choice label this year. With Sony's Platinum range already a huge success, retail are expecting Nintendo to add more titles to their budget range. Banjo-Kazooie and GoldenEye would do us nicely for starters...