Sony on Friday kicked off a battle for supremacy in the next-generation video-game console market, a week ahead of rival Microsoft. Sony (SNE) began selling its PlayStation 4 console at midnight at major retailers in the U.S. The PS4 is the company’s first new living-room console in seven years. Next Friday, Microsoft (MSFT) will release its third-generation game machine, the Xbox One, setting up a major battle for consumer dollars this holiday shopping season. Both camps have been running TV ad campaigns to grab gamers’ attention. The PS4 boasts ultrarealistic graphics, a smoother gaming experience and new online gameplay and entertainment functions. It launched with 23 first- and third-party gaming titles, including Ubisoft’s “Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag,” Activision ‘s (ATVI) “Call of Duty: Ghosts,” Sony’s “Killzone: Shadow Fall,” “Knack” and “Resogun.” The PS4 also features 13 digital entertainment apps in the U.S., including Amazon (AMZN) Instant Video, Hulu Plus, Netflix (NFLX) and NBA Game Time…