We
brought you rumors of it last week, but now it's been confirmed by Microsoft that the Xbox 360 will be receiving across-the-board price cuts this Friday, making the Arcade version of the console cheaper than the Wii. Straight
from Major Nelson (along with our own exchanges into U.S. dollars) here's how it shakes out:
- Xbox 360 Arcade – was €269.99 / £199.99 ($414) now €199.99 / £159.99 ($307)
- Xbox 360 Pro - was: €349.99 / £249.99 ($536) now: €269.99 / £199.99 ($414)
- Xbox 360 Elite - was: €449.99 / £299.99 ($691) now: €369.99 / £259.99 ($566)
If you'd like to see how that compares industry-wide, the Wii will cost you € 234 ($356) on Amazon's UK site, while the 40GB PS3 is €370 ($563). Now we'd like to hear from our European friends: If you haven't bought a 360, is this enough to motivate you to do it?
{ Mar 10th 2008 at 11:15AM } 
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jhongerkong @ Mar 10th 2008 11:25AM
Id get one, but I fear the RRoD.
AirIntake @ Mar 10th 2008 11:34AM
AFAIK, the new ones (with HDMI) do not have the RRoD problem.
Hyams @ Mar 10th 2008 11:46AM
They do, but it's not as bad as before.
It's still not a major problem, is it? If it RRoD's, then you just send it off to be repaired. It only means you won't have the console for a few days - which is no worse than if you never bought it in the first place.
It's not like you have anything to lose.
Ignatius @ Mar 10th 2008 11:48AM
Actually, the content that was tied to your now-dead 360 is only available if you are signed into Xbox Live (not all of us have the privilege of a constant connection). Therefore, if you want to access the games and content that YOU PAID FOR, you are only allowed to do so through the gamertag that you paid for it with and when you are signed into Xbox Live.
No one can use it on the console at all unless there is an Internet connection to the machine. Too bad Microsoft won't fix this.
Hyams @ Mar 10th 2008 11:50AM
Really? Well, that sucks.
Brian @ Mar 10th 2008 11:59AM
yes they do AirIntake.
Bj Sisco @ Mar 10th 2008 1:10PM
Not true... You can sign in with your gamer tag without an internet connection and watch or play all the content you've downloaded before. I do it all the time.
You must not own one.
Dr. Stabbingworth @ Mar 10th 2008 1:38PM
Bj Sisco -
Only if you buy the content and play it on the same 360 you bought it on. If you get a new 360 (say your's red rings and you get a new one) you have to sign in to play the games.
Shitty DRM that MS refuses to fix. Kinda bullshit. I haven't bought any content from MS for the last year and a half because of that. Bitches.
Vol @ Mar 10th 2008 2:46PM
DRM petition site:
http://www.xboxdrm.com
It's weird that I haven't seen any press coverage of it yet.
Pedobear @ Mar 10th 2008 8:17PM
What's the big deal about signing in to play the content? Aren't you always signed in anyways?
Dr. Stabbingworth @ Mar 11th 2008 8:44AM
No, it doesn't have to do with signing in to your gamertag, it has to do with signing in to Live. Since I don't always have my 360 connected to the internet, all my games are bunk.
Einhanderkiller @ Mar 10th 2008 11:25AM
Do the new 360 models still RROD?
FrankTheCrank @ Mar 10th 2008 11:46AM
Just check the XBOX forums...RROD is rampant in there.
It's the reason I've stayed away.
Brian @ Mar 10th 2008 11:55AM
Yes, every 360 made can get the RRoD
Cyro @ Mar 10th 2008 1:15PM
@ Brian: Yes and every single human alive right now can die in any moment.
Brian @ Mar 10th 2008 1:21PM
@Cyro: ARH!
Badboy1979 @ Mar 12th 2008 1:33PM
I can only speak from personal experience when I recommend that if you're interested in getting a 360 THEN do so! I have an original launch console (Nov 2005) and a "launch" Elite console (2006)... both have been running fine since purchase without a hiccup (no overheats or freezes).
I can't sit here and say that none of the 360s will RROD just as I can't say that all of them will RROD (as in my case, they haven't). We can speculate a percentage but no one except MS knows the exact number that do (and as it has been pointed out those with problems with be a lot more vocal than those that don't).
I love my 360 for it's games and especially its Media / Media Center capabilities. I eventally plan on getting a Wii and a PS3... and since I've had no problems with both of my current 360s I'm even thinking of picking up a 3rd one.
P.S. - My advice would be for everybody to get their 360s from the Best Buy in Conyers, GA :) ... they must be a very lucky store since the two I've brought from them are still running, lol!
Synthaxx @ Mar 10th 2008 11:31AM
Until i get conformation the FINALLY fix the RRoD issue... no way in HELL.
WhoMe @ Mar 10th 2008 11:33AM
Still too expensive as a second system. Really the only choice would be the Elite and it's matched with the PS3, which I don't really understand.
I guess undercutting the Wii is good for them, but I don't think any self-respecting gamer will want the Arcade since it's so gimped.
Snatcher (MDF - Halo Ring) @ Mar 10th 2008 10:33PM
The Wii is gimped at full spec. Try playing it on a bigscreen. No HD, Blah..
mattclarkie @ Mar 10th 2008 11:37AM
Well 10days after buying an Elite the price goes down by £40, I am paying £40 for Vegas2, so that is the amount I would have saved.
Nathaniel @ Mar 10th 2008 11:46AM
Good price, but i don't want to send it back within six months because of the RROD.
mattclarkie @ Mar 10th 2008 11:39AM
The Elite was a replacement for a RRoD Launch.
DarthDavid @ Mar 10th 2008 11:42AM
I feel that the 360 is done......only in the US its alive....other than Gears 2 (major AAA) what's left? Is this the final year? Tell me what you think!
Hyams @ Mar 10th 2008 11:44AM
I think you're getting ahead of yourself. The 360 still has around 6.8 million more consoles out there than the PS3.
deaftly @ Mar 10th 2008 11:52AM
I think you're an idiot.
gregory mitchell @ Mar 10th 2008 12:42PM
and the wii has WHAT exactly coming out. and not to mention AAA titles that are out already. there are many multi-platform AAA titles coming which because of Live alone makes it more attractive on xbox.
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Mar 10th 2008 12:48PM
Fable 2 and Ninja Gaiden 2 say hi.
Mr. Cantu @ Mar 10th 2008 1:14PM
Yeah, it's pretty ridiculous to think the 360 has no exclusives coming out this year. So far there's:
Lost Odyssey (came out recently)
Gears 2
Splinter Cell: Conviction
Fable 2
Ninja Gaiden 2
Left 4 Dead (console exclusive)
Too Human
Alan Wake (maybe this year)
Banjo-Kazooie 3
Halo Wars
Universe at War: Earth Assault (console exclusive)
There are also, ofcourse, unannounced games like Lost Planet: Colonies that will come out this year.
Matt B @ Mar 10th 2008 2:25PM
And they will all look and play better on a PC. :P
The Boo @ Mar 10th 2008 2:53PM
@Matt B
So does your mom. :P
Mr. Cantu @ Mar 10th 2008 2:54PM
Yeah, they would IF they were all coming to PC but they're not.
Also, out of those that do, only some will come out on PC shortly after their 360 release, the others will come out in 1, 2 or more years later. But hey, no biggie if you don't mind waiting that long. :D
Matt B @ Mar 10th 2008 7:57PM
I don't. You learn patience when you grow up. Something to look forward to, trust me.
Mr. Cantu @ Mar 11th 2008 10:46AM
Oh, I have patience, but usually when a big game takes 1 or 2 years to come out on another platform it looks & feels like a bit dated when compared to new games, of it's genre, on that platform.
Hyams @ Mar 10th 2008 11:43AM
Only £160 for an Arcade? Awesome. I've got a friend who wants to upgrade into the current generation, but is put off by the high price.
I'm curious if Sony will respond to this with a price cut of their own. The PS3 is building up momentum, and I don't think Sony will want to lose that.
Maverick Saturn @ Mar 10th 2008 12:00PM
Doubt it, they might do, but not for the sake of the 360, more in sake of the amount of big titles listed for this year. Sort of a motivational thing.
FrankTheCrank @ Mar 10th 2008 11:45AM
That's a substantial price drop of over $100 on each SKU.
That's pretty big news. I wonder if their ready to drop the axe in America. A $100 price drop would mean a $249 360 premie.
Since they own America till next month when Nintendo surpasses them, Microsoft will probably just give us a $50 price cut. Which will do nothing for their market share.
As far as I'm concerned Microsoft is losing steam. They blew their load way too early.
Rooster752 @ Mar 10th 2008 11:48AM
The lineup doesn't look as strong as last year's but there is still gears 2, fable 2, ninja gaiden 2 and too human. Don't forget about a certain game involving a certain mammal carrying around a certain bird in a certain bag, if you're into that kind of thing. Hopefully E3 will reveal something big.
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Mar 10th 2008 12:58PM
Tis what I'm hoping too.
Jerry @ Mar 10th 2008 12:44PM
I am a poor student ( that is working for a half year)
And this like the 3rd time im going to buy a 360.
the last 2 times I had to sell it cause of the lack of money, the price drop is a godsend to me. in a month or so, gta + 360 will kill the competition no doubt about it.
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Mar 10th 2008 1:20PM
..
That's so sad.
mattclarkie @ Mar 10th 2008 11:50AM
The 360 has used up basically all of it's A game, but if it hadn't it would likely be trailing by quite a bit.
I see the 360 holding it's own, but I still expect it to come up 3rd.
We aren't going to see another Halo this generation, unless you count Halo Wars, but I assume Halo3 has sold all the consoles that Halo is going to, and that just means they have a Halo game to use for the NextBox.
Maverick Saturn @ Mar 10th 2008 12:17PM
Doubt Halo Wars will be as big as its predessesors, but its got the Halo name on it nonetheless.
Either way, Europeans may be tempted by the offer, its never too late to play some Halo 3 online etc, or even Gears.
Besides, with GTA releasing and the 360 version having more, theres this counter balance playing.
Should I buy 360 cheaper and get GTA with more, or buy Wii with an average price as a hot product and get SSBB coming soon, or should I get PS3, most expensive, but the line up for this year is extremely tempting.
Guess its everyone for their own pick.
Tony @ Mar 10th 2008 11:50AM
The continuing history of RROD (@ GDC '08 -- OMG!) says this is about all 360s are worth, and that buyers should still hold off until Msoft truly know their hardware.
I see this as more an admission of obsolescence/ unreliability than a true proposition of value. :((
gregory mitchell @ Mar 10th 2008 12:45PM
they are doing what they said they would do once the 65nm falcon came it would cost less to make, they are simply reflecting this in the price....no more no less
asnozz @ Mar 10th 2008 11:54AM
amazon UK is in £'s not euros. If you're going to quote euros use a european site it just devalues your article using incorrect sources.
Anyone who bought a xbox off amazon in the last 30 days can get the difference refunded.
deaftly @ Mar 10th 2008 11:57AM
Gotta love the Sony fanboys trying to make this into a negative thread. Sorry guys but this is gonna sell a shitload of 360's. Good for Europe, good for MS.
Neptune @ Mar 10th 2008 12:21PM
The amount of units sold depends on the actions of the two competitors. If 360 will be the cheapest console, it will get massive sales increase. If Nintendo and/or Sony will announce price drop, the effect of Microsoft's price drop will be lesser.
Imo this is good call from Microsoft though.
Christian @ Mar 10th 2008 11:57AM
I am trying to cut down the number of boxes in my living room, not increase it. And it still looks like and old Dell and sounds like a vacuum cleaner. My only wish is for a PlayTV add-on with DVB-C so I could ditch my cable set-top box (or a PS3 with built -in PlayTV would be even better.)
Less boxes is 'Living Room FTW'
daniel @ Mar 10th 2008 12:00PM
i paid £199 for my premium last october,so im not annoyed about this at all