Microsoft Xbox not up to scratch?

Microsoft has denied the need to recall its Xbox device after some users reported that the console was scratching game disks.

The company said it was likely that scratching was due to the DVDs being improperly placed on loading trays.

"In the case that there is actual damage that makes it impossible to play games, we will of course replace the console," said Midori Takahashi, a Microsoft Xbox spokeswoman.

"But so far we have not found this to be the case."

Microsoft Japan had received 243 calls about the scratched disks by Sunday evening and said that gamers in the US had reported similar problems.

The Redmond giant is hoping that the Xbox will carve out a significant chunk of the video games market.

Although it has yet to publish official figures, numerous sources said that Microsoft was able to ship about 125,000 consoles in the first three days since it went on sale on 22 February.