Toys R Us ad shows Xbox $349 price drop
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Jul 29th 2007 at 9:50AM }
Cheapy D says, "When they become available, I fully expect the other retailer's ads to reflect the $50 price drop." Another member at CAG named Speedy, who was the one to expose the price drop for the PS3, typically gets Circuit City, Target and Best Buy flyers early; so we'll see what's really going on that week when he posts that week's flyer information. No word yet on how this will affect the Core or the Elite models of the Xbox 360.
[Thanks CheapyD, James, Zewone]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
hegemonyhog @ Jul 29th 2007 1:55PM
Regardless of warranty, the likelihood that something will go wrong and I'll have to deal with it is too high for me to invest in a 360 right now.
If you bought a car with a comprehensive, all-inclusive warranty for five years, with the caveat that you were almost sure to have to bring it in for major repairs at least once during that warranty, would you buy that car or invest in something different that was far more reliable?
logikil @ Jul 29th 2007 10:10AM
My sister works at Best Buy and has access to something called the Retail Insider or some such nonsense. She mentioned that the flyer indicated that the core and premium would get 50 dollar drops and the Elite would get an 80 dollar drop making prices look like this:
249 Core
349 Premium
399 Elite
If this is true, the best value is in the Elite based on the difference in the price of the drives, unless those see a drop as well.
a ham sandwich @ Jul 29th 2007 10:14AM
i hope you're right cuz those are great price points to keep the 360 fully in the running!
Christopher Grant @ Jul 29th 2007 10:14AM
$250 360 Core price matched to the still-hard-to-find $250 Wii. *showdown music*
Jake @ Jul 29th 2007 12:17PM
That would make the Elite a great deal. I'll believe it when I see it, though. It just seems odd that they'd drop the price more for one than the other.
I already have a 360 so I could kinda care less. I am just waiting for those Falcon chips so I can use my GS no questions asked warranty to "upgrade" to the more efficient model.
ssuk @ Jul 30th 2007 4:55AM
Second that happens, Nintendo will price cut. They don't have to, but it would do them a good turn to drop the price about $25-$50 just so they can remain the 'cheaper' sollution.
Else, they could just keep it at $250 and realise it's going to sell one way or another...
zwarrior @ Jul 29th 2007 10:14AM
smart move on MS's part, but I doubt it will dramatically affect Wii sales. At least not until Halo 3 hits.
a ham sandwich @ Jul 29th 2007 10:17AM
agreed
Markster @ Jul 29th 2007 10:21AM
Still no rumors on a Canadian price correction, though.
I'm sure it's coming, but the question is, will they bring the prices in line with the exchange rate finally?
We're still paying $470 USD for the Premium!
Marasai @ Jul 29th 2007 3:12PM
Amen markster. now I'm a big fan of the360 (so much so that I actually own a 120gig HDD...and you know how much those cost.) but we get raped due to no prcie correction. The ps3 for instance started at 660. then went to 700 and now is down to 550.
Even worse is the wii, where we pay 270 dollars american.
sheppy @ Jul 29th 2007 10:38AM
Hmmm, no comments about "You can smell Microsofts desperation" yet. Personally, I wanted to see a $200 core so I could case mod it. But oh well.
Fred Willard @ Jul 29th 2007 11:00AM
'Desperation' comments after price cuts only occur when Sony does it. When Microsoft does it, it's a smart business move.
sheppy @ Jul 29th 2007 11:04AM
No no, I'm pretty sure someone will say it about MS here too.
Fred Willard @ Jul 29th 2007 11:16AM
Wait...there are PS3 fans that read this site? I thought they were all boycotting Joystiq for some odd reason......
felixlighter @ Jul 29th 2007 11:17AM
Yeah console price cuts indicate desperation. Look how desperate the PS2 has become. PS2 you've lost all your dignity. You're almost just giving it away now. What a shame...
waves @ Jul 29th 2007 11:18AM
Seeing as how they still have the biggest install base (for now), it's hard to call it desperation.
Matt @ Jul 29th 2007 8:31PM
"'Desperation' comments after price cuts only occur when Sony does it. When Microsoft does it, it's a smart business move."
When your console is in a distant third place, and what many consider to be incredibly over-priced in the market, all kinds of moves can appear desperate. ;)
Ty101691 @ Jul 29th 2007 10:42AM
... finally!!!... ive been waiting for the 360 price drop for almost a year... this will make it somewhat easier since im out of a job right now...
Arno @ Jul 29th 2007 10:50AM
I sure hope so too, those look like some very sexy and appealing price points ;)
felixlighter @ Jul 29th 2007 11:02AM
Come on now you Xbox 360 non-owners, you've seen the games coming this holiday. It's gotta be getting harder and harder to resist. Just look at that scan. It's saying "Buy me.... Buuuuuuuuy me!..."
You can still outwardly hate Microsoft while secretly loving your Xbox 360. You'll feel naughty but no one will know... ;)
Hirsbrunner @ Jul 29th 2007 4:14PM
Well...okay. But you're absolutely sure NO one will know, right?
Todd @ Jul 30th 2007 3:15AM
If the Halo edition comes with the 65nm chips then I'll finally dive in and get a 360. I'd already have one if there was a new Steel Battalion game out for it.
john @ Jul 29th 2007 11:05AM
I tend to side with the rumors suggesting the price cut will not be universal for Core and Elite models. Its been said those models will get a smaller/$20 cut. The idea being that the extra $30 cut on Premium is achieved by depreciating the 20GB harddrive unit from $99 to $69.
sheppy @ Jul 29th 2007 11:06AM
Maybe I've become a bit jaded over the years. But I personally think a $50 price cut doesn't exactly scream "bargain" until it's a sub $200 console. But any progress is some progress on this.
Jeff @ Jul 29th 2007 11:11AM
I WANT a 360.
Good to know the price is dropping, now just drop the new chips in and make sure it lasts and I'll buy one.
I repeat, I WANT a 360, just waiting for the nonsense around its lifespan is sorted out.
ChrisBo @ Jul 29th 2007 12:20PM
You and me both, buddy. I do so want an Xbox 360, but I want this stuff about its reliability sorted out first. I very much want one, though. Does it have Wi-Fi? If not, then that's another roadblock. A PS3 also sounds quite nice, but I'm gonna wait until they're around $300-$400 before taking the plunge on that. Until then, the Wii's serving fine. Xbox 360s and PS3s are super hard to resist, though.
Roland @ Jul 30th 2007 1:44AM
Honestly, just go for it and buy a 360. The warranty's got you more than covered. In related news I went to Best Buy, Circuit City and Target today and already owning a XBOX360 which I love, I wanted to pick up a PS3. I've got a 55" Samsung 1080P DLP sitting in my living room and was thinking a Blu-Ray player would be a great addition, plus I could pick up some of the upcoming exclusive PS3 titles. At one point in Best Buy I even had the guy get me one and I was holding the box in my hands. I couldnt do it! I just freakin couldnt. The inner me wants ALL the latest toys but a couple of things really freaking bothered me about buying it:
1.) $500 60 GB system+ $50 extra controller + 20 Blue Ray DVD remote + $60 one game and then when the Best Buy rep offered me the $100 extended warranty I about blew my lid. That would be $674.10 without the warranty and $774.10 with it. Who the F do they think they are?
2.) I tried to pick out the game I wanted to get and I couldnt freaking find ONE must have out right now. Not a ONE.
3.) Although Blu-Ray looks to be in the lead with the whole next gen DVD thing, its still not certain and SONY has a long list of failiures. UMD anyone? It makes me nervous to invest in a library of movies and they dont become the next gen DVD.
4.) $30 for a Blu-Ray movie. I dont think I watch ANY DVD that much. Not even Grandma's Boy.
5.) Does anyone else hate the PS3 controller? I cant stand the back two buttons. They feal cheap. And the dual analogs are not in a comfortable position. The freakin 360 pad is perfect. I guess I am spoiled. And then if I get it, a few months from now, by the time there are actual good games out for it, will the new controllers with rumble come out forcing me to rebuy for the experience I could potentially be missing out on with some games?
6.) I'm used to XBOX Live, my friends list, achievements, leaderboards, and the marketplace. Without leaderboards now I feel like its all worthless. Have I become a stat whore?
I really wanted to buy one. Honestly. I couldnt bring myself to do it. It's sleek and sexy but the reasonable part of me couldnt do it for that much money and all those uncertainties.
The1 @ Jul 29th 2007 11:22AM
The Premium, should have a $75.00 or $100 price drop IMO.
Patrick @ Jul 29th 2007 11:59AM
Toys R Us offered $50 price breaks earlier this year, in the form of a $50 coupons to be used for a later purchases.
Patrick @ Jul 29th 2007 12:00PM
Sheez, sorry for my poor grammar...it's early!
Roland @ Jul 30th 2007 2:19AM
hegemonyhog:
It's still better than the PS3 alternative - Having a beautiful car just sitting idly in your garage because you dont have any gas. (No games you'd want to play).
GearsMaster @ Jul 29th 2007 12:10PM
I dunno how I feel about the price drop in the Elite...
If its true then oh well good for future buyers although it would sorta piss me off since they could have waited to release it at $400.00 this fall.
Even with the Core at 250 I still think the Wii might outsell it since its got teh Wiimote and other things going for it. Plus the core has no hard drive which decreases its value when compared to the premium and elite.
Tina Branford VI @ Jul 29th 2007 12:11PM
$5o dollars is not a price drop, to me anyway. They should lower the price more. IMO
I won't be buying a 360 anytime soon. MS needs to fix all the problems with that console before they get my money. An they need some better games. FPSs and racing games are just too boring to play. (Which is 90% of the games on that console)
will @ Jul 29th 2007 3:46PM
You're right about the games... do some research bud.
samfish @ Jul 29th 2007 5:02PM
This is always the standard reply when someone notes that the game diversity is extremely lacking on the 360. "Do some research".
I've done the research. There are only two games on the 360 that I'm personally interested in – Dead Rising and Kameo. A pretty damn good game and and OK game.
So instead of telling people to do some research into the brand of your choice (apparently), why don't you instead give some suggestions?
What games are on the 360 for people who aren't interested in shooters (1st or 3rd) and sports games/racing sims?
I would honestly like to know. Because I'm literally looking for an excuse to buy a 360 (although I'm not sure why).
...and when the Hell did we start calling racing games "racing sims"?
Crono @ Jul 30th 2007 11:36AM
Samfish:
There isn't a plethora of non-shooter games yet, but this holiday season shows us a wealth of RPGs. Blue Dragon, Eternal Sonata, Mass Effect (RPG/Shooter Hybrid). There's another big one I can't remember the name of. Also, there's Crackdown, which is very fun, and Oblivion, if you don't already own it for PC.
Not to mention all the live arcade games that are just really nice to have. Symphony of the Night is ace. Geometry Wars is a no brainer, unless you have a wii and want to wait for it on there. I'm also a big fan of Pacman CE. Street Fighter II HD is going to hit it eventually.
GearsMaster @ Jul 29th 2007 12:11PM
Theres nothing faulty about my 360 Elite. Its worked perfectly so far and I have no reason to suspect it won't continue to do well.
Plus theres a warranty...
In short you're the one whos missing out.
Tina Branford VI @ Jul 29th 2007 2:05PM
Missing out on what? FPSs and racing games,please.
I'll stick to playing my PS2. It has the kind of games i like to play.
HB96st @ Jul 29th 2007 12:14PM
Seriously, I don't think $50.00 is good enough. Sony dropped their price by $100.00. Why cant M$ match that?
GearsMaster @ Jul 29th 2007 12:21PM
Because MS is a business that actually knows what its doing.
sony did that out of desperation.
The prices for the different 360 are fine AS IS. They're only doing this to bring in the cheap ass consumers who have waited so long.
With the lineup that the 360 has this fall its going to move lots of consoles. However a price cut would increase the chances and possibly the high amount of consoles they'll sell.
MS didn't have a price drop. As soon as they sell out of the 60G its going to be only the 80G version at $600.00
cc123 @ Jul 29th 2007 12:29PM
See Sheppy you had it wrong!
Someone was able to get in a Sony is desperate comment in a MS price drop thread.
Ihya @ Jul 29th 2007 12:48PM
So when Sony price drops, its a sign of desperation, but when MS does it, it's a smart marketing move? Do you talk this much nonsense in real life?
Mr Khan @ Jul 29th 2007 1:25PM
When the person doing worst price-drops, it is always taken as a sign of desperation
That's just how people percieve things, i remember that's what everyone said back when the GC went down to $99, a lot of people figured at that point that it was their last hurrah before they dropped out completely
GearsMaster @ Jul 29th 2007 1:25PM
What nonsense? it doesn't take much logic or reasoning to see the difference between the two situations.
You've got MS who has the largest base of owners. They've got a great lineup this fall. On the other hand the system has been out for 1 year and needs to find a new way to push sales at a level that matches the Wii or what they were making back at the start of the 360's launch cycle. So a price cut will help guarantee that since it adds incentive for the cheap asses who find $399 or $480 too much. Which it really isn't hwen compared to the ps3.
Now look at sony. The console is failing. The price is clearly not agreeable with consumers sicne they feel it doesn't have any value. Both in terms of game and how much fun they'll get from it. Keep in my thats MY opinion. My analysis. However I don't think its a far stretch to see whats keeping people away from the ps3. People have money. They just don't feel like the system is worth it.
So sony had to lower the price. Its a desperation move because if they didn't do it then they face an even worse situation. They lose money on each console sold so of course they don't want to lower the price. However they basically had no choice.
So no I don't think its nonsense. For MS this has nothing to do with desperation...and all to do with business. MS probably feels a price cut is the best way to go although I'm sure they considered leaving the prices as is.
On the other hand it would almost amount to suicide if sony kept the ps3 at the $599.99. And whats funny is that the 80G is going to $599.99 after the 60G is done for. So they're not really lowering the prices at all in the end. Just increasing the value of hardware that you get for $599.99.
The question is whether consumers feel that 20G more is really worth a total of $600.00+.
HB96st @ Aug 1st 2007 1:48PM
Man, I own a 360... But I want M$ to destroy the PS3. (yes I am a proud sony hater) I just feel that if it was dropped by $100.00 that would seal Sony's fate this holiday season. The HALO sku will most def. get copped price drop or not, but I want Sony Destroyed this holiday season!
k4polo @ Jul 29th 2007 1:14PM
Sorry but this isn't going to fool me into getting a faulty 360 elite. I will wait more for falcon chips. I am not getting played here if it drops as tey will drop it again months later with falcon chips. Seems like a rip off to me.
k4polo @ Jul 29th 2007 1:18PM
jee i meant to say the 80 gig opps3 most likely drop to 499 as well. Why? They unpack / unbundle motorstorm and cut the price by 40 bucks to get 80 gigi 499 version. I am sure motorstorm wont stay with ps3 80 gig as it raises the price of the ps3. So i dont see the ps3 stuck with an 80 gig for 600 bucks
Mr Khan @ Jul 29th 2007 1:22PM
Yeah, and as someone said, a warranty on a 360 bought NOW will last you essentially to the end of the generation (2010, and all the new consoles should be out by 2011 at the latest)
that alone makes the 3-year warranty ingenious
Alex V @ Jul 29th 2007 2:18PM
why can't you all admit you love all consoles
hell im playstation fanboy at heart, nintendo at soul, and about to become xbox fanboy when i get one
just get all three consoles and your life will be happy
norbit @ Jul 29th 2007 4:01PM
Na Im about to trade my wii for a ps3 to go with my 360 since they have the best first and third party games coming out...