COMPUTER wars have hit Sussex - and youngsters are being caught in the crossfire.

Games giants Sony and Nintendo have slashed the prices of toys in Sussex stores as they fight for a greater share of the market.

Sony reduced its PlayStation launch price of £299.99 to £129.99 last year and its latest cut of another £30 looks set to cause a further stir.

Computer fans can now buy it and Nintendo 64 for a steal at just £99.99.

But games fans and stores are backing Sony to win the battle for business.

Chris Sinden, manager of Electronic Boutique, a computer specialist shop in Western Road, Brighton, said: "In my view there is only one winner and they have been winning all the time.

"Sony have always been the market leaders because they offer more games and more variety.

"Nintendo have spent too long promising better quality and more games but they just haven't delivered their promises."

HMV on Western Road, Brighton, has its own games department and is an ideal place for youngsters to try out new launches.

Jason Evans, 14, of Withdean Rise, Brighton, was having a bash at the latest Tekken game.

He said: "I really like the PlayStation games because I can afford to save up and buy them quite often.

"Some of the Nintendo games are really good but they're about £50 and that's just too much."

Martin Spink, 13, of Freshfield Road, Brighton, does not have a computer but he thinks he will save up for a PlayStation.

He said: "All my friends have them and if I buy one I will be able to borrow all their games."

Joe Gladstone, ten, from Stanford Junior School, Brighton, said: "The Nintendo 64 is better for graphics. But really it's the games that make all the difference.

"I prefer PlayStation games like Tomb Raider, Worms and Wipe Out and I like the feel of the controller. I haven't got a CD player so I think it's great that I can play music CDs as well as game CDs on my PlayStation as well."

Toby Eagle, spokesman for Virgin, on eestern Road, Brighton, said: "A game has to hook a player and make them want to play on.

"If it is too easy or repetitive the excitement is lost and the game becomes boring.

"My favourite games at the moment are GoldenEye and Banjo Kazooie which are both by Nintendo.

"They're fantastic games and totally addictive. I just hope Nintendo keep up this sort of standard and give Sony a good run for their money."

Two new faces to the games world are Sarah Jennings, 19, of Manor Hall Road and Rachel Boardman, 19, of Gordon Road, Shoreham.

Sarah said: We heard about Tomb Raider so we thought we'd come and have a look around. We don't know much but it all looks like fun."

Despite youngsters backing Sony, Nintendo insist their computers are the best.

A spokeswoman said: "Nintendo continues to be the fastest, most powerful games console on the market and we will continue to ensure it is the games console for discerning games fans."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.