Xbox 360 Price Cut: For Real This Time?

Rumors have been flying for several weeks now about a possible price cut for the Xbox 360. First it was a rumor, then Microsoft denied it, and now someone inside the company is claiming that the denial was a ruse. Apparently a source for The Gaming Life is claiming that there really is a plan for a price drop in the core system from $299 to $199.

[Rhezin]

I thought they cut the core systems, jeezus.

[MK_Red]

Wow, if thats true, then a core 360 will be cheaper than Wii!!

To Rhezin:
No they did not cut core system. It was Sony that mostly killed 20Gb model.

[Dreamworker]

they will announce a price cut in july

[MK_Red]

Good guess. During E3 is also another possiblity. Hope the prices for all console get cut soon.

[DreamSnach2]

this is going to be good

[snoop_dizzle]

remember the core PS3 did badly, and the core 360 didn't really sell that well compared to the premium.

I still remember the core 360 in stock all the time but the premium being sold out during the first few months of the 360 launch.

What will probably happen is they get rid of the core and drop the premium 150 and drop the elite by 100.

Maybe even more.

[Thugbot187]

I don’t believe Microsoft will get rid of the core anytime soon. The reason why Sony got rid of their core was that it was more expensive to produce, and they didn’t sale well. Farther more Sony wasn’t going to put out a core system until they seen Microsoft had done this, and thought it could help them compete but that plan back fired quickly. On the other hand Microsoft’s core is actually cheaper to produce and it can be upgraded.

[THE TERMINATOR]

What do you expect with cheap technology that keeps breaking down, even $199 is too much to pay for that piece of junk.

[Lex Luthor]

I don't hear PS2 owners complaining.

[G_CodeMonkey]

gCM

[BubblesDAVERAGE]

This guy above me ..lol...I agree but..hey 360 is an okay system if u ever played GeOW anything else is okay...

[MK_Red]

Using a core system for both 360 and PS3 wasn't such a good idea but if this one reaches below Wii's price, the console wars will get really hot.

[Maddens Raiders]

needs to continue with the pricing the way it is, even if MS drops the price now. They are two totally different pieces of equipment, from the ground floor up. The PS3 is definitely worth the price, and people who buy and are familiar with SNE products recognize that. A price cut will come when appropriate.

When you lower the cost of something too early it diminishes the actual and perceived value of the product. SNE knows this like no one else as their products have always demanded a certain "premium" due to the quality yeah? Sure there have been problems with certain items before and haters will rant, but the PS3 does not suffer from a faulty chassis ~ we can all agree on that.

Microsoft *should lower the prices on these items. They have a loyal fanbase and they are feeding them garbage and cheap plastic made machines at the most cut-rate and cost-effective means necessary. Yes, they are repairing them, but what is that all really about?

Just like the XBox 360 HD-DVD player that can be discounted to $60.00 the 360 core could probably go for $75.00 and still be profitable to MS. Boy it's good to be Bill Gates.

People understand that the PS3 offers more and therefore demands a higher pricepoint.

P.S. - my PS3's have been on for 4 days straight now (just testing them out)..no problems to report. I like playing my PS3 with all my buddies. It's fun.

[MK_Red]

I think if MS cuts its price, Sony will be forced to do the same. Just look at Toshiba with HD DVD players. They cut their prices and Sony was forced to cut stand alone Blu-ray player prices.

[Odion]

i think if they drop the price then the general gamer will be more willing to buy one, followed by the large game list it makes it attractive

[Bloodmask]

in the coffin for the PS3. With the 360 already outselling it 4 to 1 every month, can you imagine what would happen if the 360 started at just $199 and the Pro at $299, with the PS3 priced at $599?

I would like to welcome the PS3 to the electronics graveyard of other overpriced Hall of Famers. PS3, meet your new family of overpriced brethren~CD-i, 3DO, and NEO-GEO.....

[TruthHurts]

the more core systems they`ll sell, the more their shooting them selves in the foot. the core is a massive problem for them.

GTA4 probaly won`t even run on the CORE, due to no HDD.

i don`t know how in that little mind of yours, you think selling lots of cores is a good thing. cause its not.

ps. you`ll actually compare the ps3 to Cdi, and 3DO, soon you`ll realize how dumb that actually sounds.
compare the 360 to the DC that a better comparison.

look save up some $$$ and get over your jealousy.
it`ll feel good.

[PS3n360]

the core at 199 with the 120 gb hard drive add on would be a really good deal. Most companies make money on add on peripherils and the core would get people on budgets into the action sooner and create a legion of upgraders. I would say the core with hd add on is the best deal going.

[DrunKao]

If anything Microsoft is hurting consumers, not themselves, since they don't include a memory unit with the core. Microsoft makes a greater profit selling core systems as opposed to Sony selling 20gb systems.

R* has already tackled the problems associated with the HDless core system, so GTA:IV is a non-issue. Just read the GTA:IV cover story in OPM:UK.

The affect the core has had on gaming is irreversible at this point, so it doesn't matter how many more Microsoft sells.

[ericbs]

Makes sense. They let hints slip out and they tried to cover it up. I mean, if people knew this was going to happen, they would hold off on buying an xbox until it happened. If this is true, Microsoft will officially tell us a week or so before it happens.

[Firewire]

This kinda pisses me off!
There gonna wait till everyone buys systems for Halo3 & GTA, then do the price cut!
Thats a guaranteed way to piss off a whole lot of people. It again proves my point M$ only cares about taking money from your wallet while screwing you in the butt!

poor little xbots!

[Eclipticus]

actually thats what most companies do. Though like I said before. the price cut will come before GTA4. but prolly after halo3

[Fat Onion]

Microsoft already lost $4 Billion on the first Xbox. Do you think they are some type of charity?

[closedxxx]

Is a broke bastard...
ow can he categorize himself as a "gamer" or even a game reporter if he doesn't own a next gen system.
Now, I suppose he may own a PS3 or a Wii, but since he's waiting for an XBOX360 price drop, it's doubtful that he owns a PS3.
If he owns a Wii... well... he still doesn't own a next gen console

[Covenant]

Cut the price of the Core? WHY?

It's gimped. By the time you buy everything that the Pro includes, you've spent $400 or so...and the Core barely sells anyway.

Everyone knows that the Pro is the best deal, unless you want an Elite.

Memo to MS: Cut the price of the Core to $199. Cut the Pro to $299. Cut the Elite to $399. Watch the market share come rolling in.

[Odion]

but see the idea is that the Core is for the 14 year old kid who wants Halo and Madden and thats it, so they just need the system and the memory card, and when u can say to your parents, its cheaper then the Wii CHA CHING

[Covenant]

Good point. Once you throw in the 64 MB card ($30) it's still cheaper than the Wii. And even if the kid eventually wants a hard drive, that's only $100 more, making it only slightly higher than the Wii. (And that's assuming MS doesn't drop the price on the HD, which they SHOULD.)

$199 is the magical price point in the gaming industry, and even if it's the "gimped" Core, it may still attract more people. Imagine if MS could say: "Xbox 360...now starting at $199."

But dropping the price on the Pro would REALLY bring in the gamers: "Next-gen HD system/Wireless controller/Live capabilities/Hard drive/Only $299."

[Skizelli]

Notice how all the Sony Cheerleaders have 1-2 bubbles and nothing intelligent to say.

[Lex Luthor]

that's what i was thinking, they are scared because the ps3 is failing. 360 is doing battle with the Wii while the ps3 struggles to just stay ahead of the GBA, a 6 year old handheld. LOL.

[genericname]

notice how all the x-kiddies talk about Sony and the PS3 more the the 360. Well, I guess you have to fill the time waiting for your red ringed console to get fixed doing something.

[nobizlikesnowbiz]

No actually I'm having a fantastic time playing real video games and not watching bluray movies. fu in the a.

[Skizelli]

The same can be said about Sony Cheerleaders. Any time positive news is posted in PS3's favor, all you Sony drones talk trash. It's like you guys are searching for anything to justify spending $600 on a console. I have nothing against PS3 itself, but you fanboys (360 and PS3) need to give it a rest. It should be about the games, not the console.

[Odion]

ya i think both would drop

[23478ueyur_938223]

I'd be happier to see that core eliminated and the Premium drop to its price.

Maybe when I have a job then I can buy one, and own both systems (not including Wii, no personal interest).

[blackmagic]

Wow, that's lower than I thought... I expected the core to only go as low as $225. I revise my price cut predictions to:
core - $199.99
Premium - $279.99
Elite - $329.99
20GB HDD - $79.99
120GB HDD - $149.99
HD-DVD add-on - $149.99
And I am going to double down and say E3 announcement. Of course, I could easily be completely out to lunch!

[BIadestarX]

Why are people asuming that microsoft will only drop the price on the core and not the other SKUs?
If the core is $199 and people can buy the drive for $100... why would anybody pay $399 or almost $200 more for the premium? It does not add up. I think microsoft will drop the price on all SKU... maybe not certain... but also maybe they will also drop the price on the Elite too.

[DrunKao]

I agree, it doesn't make since to only drop the price of the Core system. That would NOT happen.

[goonerfied]

the 360 is still selling well, and with the upcoming titles sales will pick up more.i think they should wait until next spring.

[DrunKao]

I hope Microsoft doesn't listen to your advice. I don't understand why people always say, "Microsoft doesn't need to drop the price of the 360 because it's outselling the PS3."

You know, Microsoft isn't only in the console business to outsell Sony's PS3. It's much bigger than that.

[Eclipticus]

they would drop the price to entice gamers that have been undecided. to Entice the players that are waiting for good/mega popular games like GTA4 to come out on ps3, to pull them away. $299 for a premium play halo3 and gta4. or buy the ps3 at $599. 300 bucks is a big difference.

[sumfood4u]

Gammers Win! Believe It!

[Xi]

I want it. Means I'm playing against more people in gears/halo/gta etc.
Spread the love, jump in!

[THAMMER1]

This will be welcome news to allot of people out here. $400.00 is still allot of money. The Sweet spot is $199.99. A price drop cause a huge sell ramp.

This could be the knock out blow.

[CrazzyMan]

well, time will show. =)
but when x360 stops having so big failure rate, then x360 will definately become a must have console for 279-299$.

[felidae]

now everybody who wants a PS3 can get a 360 and save money. do you want that? .... NO!

[BIadestarX]

Strange.... your "Play Games Not Consoles" is not compatible with what you just said. This is a good example of, "Do what I say... not what I do".

[TheMART]

The Netherlands:

MediaMarkt: Premium 360 for 333 EUro
Dixons online: Premium 360 megapack with 2 controllers, play and charge kit etc. for 399 EUro

[bootsielon]

Bladestar, TheMART and Bloodmask are in full force today. Bloodmask, you're lucky there are so many Xbots here, that's why so many people agree with you. Seriously, anyone that thinks the PS3 is dead right now is a dipsh1t. The 360 tard pack is not selling right now even when it's cheaper, what makes anyone think that at 199 it'll surpass Premium sales even when the premium is cheaper? Seriously, the tard pack doesn't even count anymore.