Rumor: Xbox 360 Arcade Drops To $199 In September
So the Xbox 360 "price cut" at E3 was just Microsoft making room for a new SKU, with the 60GB Pro taking over at $349. Now a tipster at VGChartz has a screenshot from the inventory system of some unnamed retailer that shows the Xbox 360 Arcade dropping to $199 on September 7th from its current price of $279. If you can't find it amongst all that garishly colored text, look for the words "Next Promo Price" on the lower half of the right side of the screen. Earlier rumors pegged this drop, as well as a drop to $299 for the 60GB Pro and $399 for the Elite.
Will any of that come to pass? A price drop for the holidays seems likely, and $199 has long been floated as the point where the mass market hops on board (although the Wii seems to proving that conventional wisdom a little dated). As the writer at VGChartz points out, the price drop would come just two weeks before the timed exclusive Rock Band 2 is set to hit shelves, and with the media attention the game has been getting lately, it's got a good chance at being one of the biggest titles of the year. It would be a huge move heading into the Christmas buying season, and one that their competitors likely wouldn't match this year.
VGChartz Exclusive: Xbox 360 to Cut Arcade Prices to $199 on Sept. 7 [VGChartz]
Dawdle
Posted to Hot Stuff, Video Games on 3 August 2008
· Comments (3)
Other stuff like this: arcade, holidays, microsoft, price drop, rockband, rumor, xbox 360
I'm kind of curious about this, as many different websites question the validity of many things on VGChartz.
But if it is, then a lot of kids are going to be disappointed this holiday as they realize that their parents got them the subpar Arcade SKU just because it was cheaper.
Still, though, this has to have Sony worried, what with the price of standalone Blu-ray players coming down, and the US being in a recession.
All in all, this is pretty good news. But I'm still holding out for Zune/Live Marketplace integration, as well as making XNA games free again (like they should have been to begin with.)
@ armless-phelan
I am sure microsoft is working on integrating the zune and live (I assume u are tlking abt marketplace) but there are some obvious legal issues (and software) that they have to work out. I bet they don't want to release it until as much of the content as possible is transferable. On other integration, idk... zune games achievemnts. Since it is unregulated right now people could make a game that you press up or something and you get 200 points.
BTW, I am hoping also (from a proud owner of a zune 80, previously 30)
Well, i'm grateful. my mom kept saying to wait until the price drops and then get it. and if this is true, then i hope to get it by the middle of next month if i save now. besides, i can buy the extra cables and memory in the long run