Xbox 360 Price Cuts Arrive Wednesday
Confirming earlier speculation, Microsoft on Tuesday announced price cuts on the Xbox 360 that will take effect tomorrow..
As rumored in late July, pricing on the Xbox Premium will be lowered by $50, the Elite by $30, and the Core system by $20. The new pricing places the three consoles at a price of $349, $449, and $279 USD, respectively.
For the moment, the changes will reach United States consumers only. Microsoft says, "We will announce other regional price decreases at the appropriate time," but declined to provide further specifics.
Microsoft also announced that it will be producing a special version of the console for its Halo 3 game that is priced at $399 USD and will become available in September. The console has a special Spartan green and gold finish with matching accessories.
The price cuts follow a move to help sell the remaining models of Sony's PlayStation 3 60GB version, which is now offered at $499 USD. Once supplies are depleted, only the 80GB version at $599 USD would be available. Sony said it had "several months" of 60GB console inventory in mid-July.
"The fact that we have been able to keep our launch price longer than any other console while retaining our leadership position demonstrates that consumers believe in the value of Xbox 360," Microsoft Entertainment and Devices marketing chief Mitch Koch said.
Indeed, Microsoft was able to keep its launch price for 21 months -- whereas the PlayStation was forced to make changes only eight months after its launch, and in Japan before the console even made it to the store shelves.
Regardless, Nintendo still seems to be the real winner this console cycle. After being written off over the Wii, the device has become a cult favorite and could very well surpass the Xbox as the number one console this generation.
Supplies of the Nintendo Wii are still extremely tight some nine months after its launch, and checks at Philadelphia area retailers still showed little -- if any -- available stock.
According to nexgenwars.com, which estimates console sales, the Xbox 360 has sold about 11.79 million consoles, compared with 9.46 million for the Wii, and nearly four million for the PS3.