Japan's Sony said on Thursday that global retail sales of its latest, cut-price model of the PlayStation 3 videogame console had hit one million in the three weeks since its launch.

The new PS3 was went on sale on 1 September in North America, Europe and in Asia, except for Japan where it debuted in stores two days later.

The model is priced at 29 980 yen ($330) in Japan, 10 000 yen less than its earlier version. The recommended retail price is $299 in North America and €299 ($440) in Europe, Sony says.

The new version, like its predecessors, allows users to play games and movies on Blu-ray discs, but is slimmer and uses less power.

"The console packs cutting-edge technologies, including the (pre-installed) 120 gigabyte hard-disk drive and Blu-ray capability, at a lower price," said Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. spokesperson Makiko Noda.