Allard on Xbox 360 prices: "in the neighbourhood" of $300

by Vladimir Cole { May 27th 2005 at 11:00AM }

Microsoft vice president J Allard (the face and voice of the Xbox 360 in all his earringed, shiny-pated hipness) says that the Xbox 360 is going to cost about $300. Welcome to May 10th, J Allard. Joystiq's way ahead of you.

In all likelihood, they'll remove an entire penny from that $300 figure to bring it in at around $299.99 so that husbands can tells wives (and kids can tell parents): "It's only about $200!"

No word yet on what peripherals will be included in the $300 package, but as we noted in our earlier post, the $300 package is expected to include one controller, the console, and the requisite cables. Speculators speculate that there will be a "deluxe" package that includes another controller and other gadgets.

GI says that the PS3 is likely to debut at under 40,000 Yen when it goes on sale in Japan. At today's exchange rates, that's $370.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Codejoy @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

"to bring it in at around $299.99 so that husbands can tells wives (and kids can tell parents): �It�s only about $200!�"

To whoever wrote t hat, halarious just freakin halarious :)

Zolo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

And when you pick this up at Best Buy:

+ Rechargable Batteries: $10
(because you know they will include single-burn batteries in the box)

+ Extended Warranty: $30
("What do you mean you have to ask your wife about it? Are you not MAN enough to buy this warranty?")

+ Cool, absolutely necessary, exclusive release day faceplate: $20
(which you will attempt to sell on Ebay, hoping to fetch the 100's of dollars that the E3 faceplates are going for, only to find out that "limited edition" realy means "we made one of these for every XBox available on release day")

Jake @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

I'm really glad this thing will be $300. I think I'll pick one up now instead of just getting the PS3 (which will definitely be under $360 now).

swarmster @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

"GI says that the PS3 is likely to debut at under 40,000 Yen when it goes on sale in Japan. At today�s exchange rates, that�s $370."

Except that you don't really expect the 'console exchange rate' to be the same, do you? The dollar may suck right now, but the PS2 launched at $370 in Japan and $300 in the US.

BlueOvalMike @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

Has anyone asked about the video cable connection? Is it the same as before, or will I have to buy another cable if I want hi-def component hook ups?

Reggie Jack @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

I expect it to come with hi def cables out of the box, they can't advertise the hi def era, and then require an accessory. thats just stupid, and I'd hope they wouldn't do that.

Rocket Punch @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

Well, thats good news to every potential 360 buyer. All the spec gangbashing aside, I am all for reasonable, non rapetastic prices.

Coupled with a slight price drop & Halo3 in a years time, It is a very effective anti-PS3 launch weapon.

Brinstar @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

"...so that husbands can tells wives (and kids can tell parents)"

That's making the assumption that wives aren't gamers themselves...

thies @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

now I just need to get me that 300eur 1080p hdtv display. wait... wha? Those sell for 6000eur?

That's kind of the deal breaker right there. What good does me a cheap hd console if I'm stuck on a standared tv due to ridiculous prices for real hdtv displays?

Tom Tuttle @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

What you get in the box:

Xbox360 console unit
Wireless controller
Batteries
LIVE Headset
Power cord
Ethernet cable
Composite(RCA)cable
Component(RGB+audio)cable

DVD playback out of the box, remote is optional, not needed for DVD playback.

mike @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

DVD playback out of the box, remote is optional, not needed for DVD playback.

Nothing like having two DVD players hooked up to one tv..

oh wait.. everyone has DVD players.. of course it has DVD playback!!!

Nick @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

Ummm I'd guess [drum roll] $360 with the HD and $299 for the basic system.

Reggie Jack @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

You guess wrong, they're not selling it without the hard drive, get the latest updates BEFORE you speculate.

Mariofan14 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

I got a question..Which is more proweful?? I know at first everyone would say ohh.."WELL THE PS3 IS SO MUCH MORE POWERFUL blah". Cause during E3 thats what i thought, I mean with the cell, 2 $600 graphics chips, and blue ray you would think thats a given. But at the last minute MICROSOFT emailed IGN with updated specs and said the 360 will be more powerful, link:http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/617/617951p1.html. So which is it??? But then Sonys like ohhh... Were not done with the Proccesor. I don't get it, cause in the next gen i want the most powerful consel!! Oh and on the topic of the entry i think that is a great price for the 360, even with out the HDD, i am probally getting one if only for the gr8t online stuff!!