Price Drop in Europe and Asia

[Adiuvo]

Source,

TechRadar understands that the price of every Xbox 360 SKU is to be slashed by €50 on 14 March across Europe, according to numerous well-placed games industry sources.

We have corroborated this story with numerous UK retailers this morning, who agree that the 360 price is set to be slashed on this date.

The rumour is that the price cut will be in the region of €50 per SKU (£38.26 at the current exchange rate) which we will confirm as soon as we find a retailer willing to go on record. Microsoft has of course responded with a swift 'no comment' when we contacted the company this morning.

This effectively means that the cost of the Xbox 360 Elite system on Amazon will be in the region of £240 and the basic Arcade system (without a hard drive) will cost in the region of £150.

The news follows recent 360 price cuts by Microsoft in Canada.

360 cheaper than Wii

All this means that the Xbox 360 is to be cheaper than the Nintendo Wii this coming Easter. Trade magazine MCV notes that the price cut, "will allow its lower-spec Arcade model to compete with Nintendo’s Wii on price."

TechRadar spoke to a Gamestation store manager earlier today who expressed surprise that a price cut was being introduced.

“We are currently selling the Elite plus one game at £330, the Premium system with any game at £280 or £260 with FIFA Street or Assassin’s Creed and the Arcade version for £230 with any game or £220 with FIFA Street,” the retailer told us.

Knock around £40 off those prices and you have what is clearly this Easter’s biggest gaming bargain. “I might even buy one myself now,” the store manager quipped.

Tony Mott, editor of Edge told TechRadar today: "It's no secret that Microsoft is desperately keen to broaden the Xbox 360 user base, which is mostly made up of committed gamers, but it has neither the breadth of Nintendo's software range nor the consumer awareness enjoyed by Sony, so it's been a difficult push. The simplest way of reaching more consumers is to aggressively cut prices, so this move makes a lot of sense. As for Sony or Nintendo following suit, it certainly won't happen in the short term."

360 Elite MkII

Of course, this begs the question: What new iteration of the Xbox 360 does Microsoft currently have in the works and when will it be released?

Rest assured we will be the first to let you know the answers to both of those questions as soon as we find out. The games industry rumour mill is already discussing the new Opus and Valhalla 360 motherboards.

In the meantime, if you have still to buy yourself a 360 to enjoy the wonder that is Rez HD on Xbox Live Arcade, then you really do have no excuse this coming Easter.

Another for Asia.

Originally Posted by Kotaku

Microsoft, apparently having some difficulty infiltrating Asian markets, has reduced prices of the Xbox 360 in many areas. The biggest price reduction (20 percent to $366) happened in Singapore, though Taiwan's price drop wasn't far behind (17 percent to $340). Hong Kong and Korea both received smaller price reductions as well.

I'm not positive that increasing Xbox sales in Asia is as predictable as the rest of the world where the drop price, grow sales technique reigns supreme. But, you know, it probably won't hurt.

[almadawarrior]

kotaku also reported it, so i say...
true

[Abe_Froeman]

That's good news for the people in Europe. Cheaper than a Wii should bring in some new people who may have not been considering a purchase, etc.

[whitehawk]

Makes sense since us Canucks just got a price cut to match the US pricing.

[PeterPetrelli]

This will be awesome if its true.

[TensorWM]

are they doing this in order to rival the ps3's sales in europe?

(not flaming, just asking)

[ct-boy]

yay i might buy a 360 again in time for gears of war 2.

[PeterPetrelli]

Well, it is going to help, but its not the sole reason why.

[Vanden]

Well if Confirmed now...The price cuts will be effective in Europe as of March 14th.

Xbox 360 Arcade - from €279.95 to €199.95
Xbox 360 Premium + 2 games - from €399 to €299.95
Xbox 360 Elite - from €449 to €399.95

[Ratjar3]

Originally Posted by VagEYEnaVbe

Well if Confirmed now...The price cuts will be effective in Europe as of March 14th.

Xbox 360 Arcade - from €279.95 to €199.95
Xbox 360 Premium + 2 games - from €399 to €299.95
Xbox 360 Elite - from €449 to €399.95

LOL at anyone who buys one in the next three days and doesn't clue in.
haha

[UknownKiller]

Price drop = cheeper parts?
An price drop might not be good ideal.

[Ciaran_]

They will be using the cheapest parts whether they change the price or not. That's how almost every company does it.

[UknownKiller]

Originally Posted by Ciaran_

They will be using the cheapest parts whether they change the price or not. That's how almost every company does it.

I know, im talking about cheaper, cheaper parts.
Or they going use the same parts?

[Ciaran_]

Parts vendor will be constantly renewed to go with the cheapest bidders. They would already be using the cheapest available irrespective of retail price they are charging.

[UknownKiller]

Originally Posted by Ciaran_

Parts vendor will be constantly renewed to go with the cheapest bidders. They would already be using the cheapest available irrespective of retail price they are charging.

Either way ever console going use cheep parts.
That stinks =/
Maybe I should replacement my 360 fans to stop overheating.

[Ciaran_]

Not going to save it, your console is either doomed from creation or going to live a long and fruitful life.

[UknownKiller]

Originally Posted by Ciaran_

Not going to save it, your console is either doomed from creation or going to live a long and fruitful life.

No matter ever console break down at some point.
Well not xbox 1 never broke, as I know never brick.
*No way to mod make the life longer? D:*

[Captain Bodymod]

You can already get a Premium 360 console in Ireland for 200euro if you know were to look

[Adiuvo]

Another for Asia.

Originally Posted by Kotaku

Microsoft, apparently having some difficulty infiltrating Asian markets, has reduced prices of the Xbox 360 in many areas. The biggest price reduction (20 percent to $366) happened in Singapore, though Taiwan's price drop wasn't far behind (17 percent to $340). Hong Kong and Korea both received smaller price reductions as well.

I'm not positive that increasing Xbox sales in Asia is as predictable as the rest of the world where the drop price, grow sales technique reigns supreme. But, you know, it probably won't hurt.

With cuts like that I doubt it'll do anything. Even Europe's failed to impress.

[twelve]

Originally Posted by Adiuvo

Another for Asia.

With cuts like that I doubt it'll do anything. Even Europe's failed to impress.

Europe's price cut doubled sales, which is impressive. Problem for Microsoft is that the PS3 sales were still stronger.

[user friendly]

Originally Posted by Adiuvo

Another for Asia.

With cuts like that I doubt it'll do anything. Even Europe's failed to impress.

360 sales will never change in Japan. It's at 1k a week and a lifetime to date of 558,061.

PS3 isn't doing so hot in Japan either and that probably won't change until Metal Gear or FF13/versus. PSP is rippin' it up though, I think that's a result of the DSL hitting it's saturation point though. PSP has doubled DSL sales for the past few weeks/months.

[UknownKiller]

Originally Posted by user friendly

360 sales will never change in Japan. It's at 1k a week and a lifetime to date of 558,061.

PS3 isn't doing so hot in Japan either and that probably won't change until Metal Gear or FF13/versus. PSP is rippin' it up though, I think that's a result of the DSL hitting it's saturation point though. PSP has doubled DSL sales for the past few weeks/months.

Psp is selling more then the DS in japan?
Wow, I thought the Nintendo DS would sell alot in Japan.