PS2 price drop?

by Blake Snow { Nov 22nd 2005 at 9:30AM }

In addition to CNN/Money's "battle" analysis of the next-generation console war, the article suggests a PS2 price drop in the wake of the pricey Xbox 360 release this holiday season. Though we've covered this speculation before, Peter Lewis writes: "Sony could slash the price of the current PS2, perhaps to $100, making the $400 Xbox 360 seem less attractive."

It looks like if this were the case, Sony would have already made their move, but there still is time for a holiday price cut. If true, would a PS2 price drop hurt Xbox 360 sales at a later date? Or is this just apples and oranges?

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Evil Inside @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

I doubt a PS2 price cut will hurt Xbox 360 sales in any way. The technology and price points are too far apart. Sure, a few parents who can't drop $400 for a gaming system for little Johnny this Christmas will go for it, but they are more likely to buy a Xbox instead, since the brand name is there and many of the Xbox 360 titles are available on the current Xbox.

What will hurt Xbox 360 sales is a lack of interesting software. So far, nothing I've seen has motivated me to drop over $500 on a new system, a second controller and a single game.

Jordan R @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

Sony knows that the first shipments of 360 will sell out no matter what so there is no point in a price drop. I only expect one if supplies of 360 sharply rise this christmass. (assuming they sell 100% of their inventory, which they probably will)

Roger @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

Sony shouldn't worry. Microsoft is currently shooting themselves in the foot with their extremely sparse availability of consoles on launch day. EB Games is now predicting availablity to be end of February. If we have to wait that long, may as well wait for the Playstation 3.

Sure, MS is giving lots of the new consoles away but that doesn't help the bottom line for number of units sold in 2005.

xbox360-forums.com @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

Agree with the first post. those with their heart on the xbox 360 won't change their mind and buy a ps2. i would not think.

Joe @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

I'm a Playstation gamer, but does Sony seriously think this would work. Xbox360 is next gen, who is going to convince their kid to get a PS2 instead of a 360? My little cousins would kick my ass if I tired to pull that.

Launch of next gen systems is always an exciting time. I'm waiting for the PS3, but the 360 is a good looking system. Enjoy the next gen gaming. I'll hopefully be there a year from now.

Shoruk @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

I was on the verge of buying a 360, but overwhelming responses concerning lack of great launch games and lack of a decent package when dolloping out $500 for a system stopped me dead.

But I will say that if PS2 drops to $100, I would go out and buy one right now! (I did for the GameCube)

Kevout @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

Anyone buying a 360 would have a PS2 by now I'm sure,,

Paul Cosgrove @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

I doubt there's a whole lot of overlap between the PS2's target demographic and the early-adopter crowd the X360 seems to be aiming for at this point in it's life cycle.

Not to mention, the apparent hardware shortages for the X360 (did that actually happen in the end?) will have probably tipped anyone who was on the fence between the machines to Sony's side even if the $400 X360 price tag wsn't enough to begin with.

dave @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

I've said it before - games are the sticking point for me. The hardware is impressive, but without games I like, what's the point of early adoption? Bragging rights?

Get back to me in a year, as the 360 will surely be more impressive then.

Heffer @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

Shoot, I was hoping for a price drop to $99. I would by one in a heartbeat. This is coming from someone who hasn't owned a console since the Sega Genesis. Since the PS3 is backwards compatible, I won't have to worry about my games getting dated so soon.

Chad King @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

I would definitely buy one. Early adopters should have learned by now that they are getting a raw deal (as far as merchandise goes). They are usually the guiena pigs.... higher price..no games..no 3rd party stuff...hardware failure (buggy).
Get the PS2 now for 100$...heck yes. Wait for the price drop and some worth while games for the 360, and for them to work out some bugs.
By the way if you haven't heard...Sony is a bit all over the place recently. A price drop could generate some much needed revenue and good poblicity for Sony this season!!!!

Donut @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

Uh, is there really a large number of people who don't already own PS2's? After 5 years? That are on the cusp of buying a X-Box 360?

pie @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

I doubt Sony will cut the price till Feb, shifting as many as they can beore the PS3. However, if all the posts on the xbox.com forums about Xbox360's freezing up (there are quite a lot of unhappy people) continue to increase I doubt Sony will bother to cut the price.

The Jeremy @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

The price drop is probably meant to swipe away sales from the GameCube more so than spoiling the Xbox360's debut. Maybe attact some of the current Xbox owners to buy a PS2 as a secondary console (to play all the games on it not available on Xbox) instead of devoting their spare cash to the 360. Just a thought.

Jago @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

If they drop the price to $100 (which they should have actually done a long time ago)...I will for sure buy another one just to keep my g/f's house and to take with me if I go to a friend's house.

DeadlyFred @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM

Even if it doesn't necessarilly hurt the 360's sales, its still a nice gesture! I'm personally still lost as to what all the hype is, the 360 is NOT that huge of a step up from the current Xbox. I've got plenty of current-gen games still to get to keep me occupied for quite a while. On a side note, check the reviews for the 360 version of Quake 4; pretty shoddy for a 400 dollar "next-gen" system.