Adding weight to the rumors of a planned Xbox 360 price drop to coincide with E3, Microsoft have cut the price of all Xbox 360 models in Australia. The not-quite-entry-level, hard-drive-less Xbox 360 Arcade is now priced at AU$349, and the Elite at AU$649 - but most impressive is the massive drop on the Xbox 360 Pro - now $499.
Sony has announced that it will be launching its 40GB PS3 in Japan on November 11th. In a surprise move Sony has also decided to offer a choice between the usual black console and the favored Sony alternative “Ceramic White”. As mentioned in previous articles the 40GB PS3 will not feature backwards compatibility and is expected to retail in Japan for 39,980 yen (about US$340).
The PS3 is also set to receive its first Japanese price cut (if you exclude the one it received before launch) on October 17th. The 20GB version is to be be marked down to 44,980 yen ($383) and the 60GB to 54,980 yen ($468).
In yet more announcements from Sony the DualShock 3 is to be let loose on November 11th in both white and black. The DualShock 3 will not be bundled with systems and will be available for 5500 yen ($47).
While the 40GB PS3 has been announced practically everywhere but the US, such announcements are expected to happen soon.
via Game | Life
Microsoft have announced the immediate price drop of Xbox 360 hardware in Australia. Unfortunately, there’s still no official word on the rumoured August 30 release of the Elite, but you can now pick up a crippled Core unit for AUD $399.95, or the preferable Premium for AUD $579.95.
This is seemingly more a case of Microsoft “making things official,” as street prices on both SKUs have dropped awfully close to these new prices in months late.
Canadians need not feel left out of the Xbox 360 price drop any longer - on August 8, they get an even bigger price drop than their North American neighbors are waiting an additional four days for. New prices are as follows:
Core: CAD $299.99
Premium: CAD $399.99
Halo 3 Special Edition: CAD $449.99
Elite: CAD $499.99
OK Microsoft, when Canada has the Elite for less than the price of a Premium in Australia, and we don’t even have the Elite yet, is it clear enough yet which country needs the next dose of Microsoft love?
via Opposable Thumbs
After being beaten to the punchline by just about every retailer in North America, Microsoft finally got around to admitting they are really dropping the price of Xbox 360 hardware.
The new prices are:
Core System: $279.99
Premium System: $349.99
Halo 3 Special Edition System: $399.99
Elite System: $449.99
via Gaming Today
It still may be too early to say we told you so, but according to a Circuit City advertisement sent to Joystiq, the Xbox 360 Premium will indeed be dropped to $350 as of August 12. What’s new, you say? Now it appears the HDMI-toting Elite will be dropped to $450, and the ghetto-tastic Core model will drop to a measly $280 on the same day.
