US online X-box sales soar

Leading US retailer Toys 'R' Us claimed on Wednesday that its online store sold its first batch of X-box video game units in just 30 minutes.

However, toysrus.com refused to say how many consoles numbered the first batch, commenting only that the bundle included $200 worth of extra hardware and games and sold at $499, rather than the standalone $299 price.

The console launches in the US on 8 November. European launch dates and prices have been promised next month by Microsoft.

In the US, the firm is providing co-marketing funds for stores that sell a bundle with an extra peripheral and two games, one being from a third-party publisher.