US Gets 360 Price Cut, 80GB PS3

Unknown whether European announcements may follow at Leipzig Games Convention this month.

After much speculation and denial, Microsoft has finally announced that gamers in America will be able to pick up an Xbox 360 for $349.99 - representing a price reduction of a tidy fifty dollars.

Starting on 8th August, Microsoft says the new price point complements what it believes will be the best Christmas line-up gamers have ever seen, even though Grand Theft Auto IV won't be along for the ride as expected until next year.

In America, Microsoft is touting Madden NFL 08 as the game that will boost sales of the machine at its new price, being one of the most important mass-appeal series in video games. Madden was the top-selling game of 2006, and also the top-selling video game series of the past 10 years.

Microsoft said: "The fact that we have been able to keep our launch price longer than any other console while retaining our leadership position demonstrates that consumers believe in the value of Xbox 360."

The traditional high-end Xbox 360 bundle still offers a 20GB hard drive, wireless controller and headset. But Microsoft is not dropping the lower-end 'Core' system, stating that its new price point of $279.99 offers "the ultimate value and the freedom to customize" the console.

Meanwhile the Xbox 360 Elite console, dressed in black and equipped with a 120GB hard drive, will now be available at $449.99, while the 'Spartan-green-and-gold' Halo 3-themed special edition console will hit shops in September at $399.99.

Microsoft isn't joking when it comes to the quality of game releases for its console either; highlights for this year include Guitar Hero III, BioShock, Project Gotham Racing 4, Mass Effect and Blue Dragon.

Although no price cuts for the UK have been announced, if one were to happen it would likely be revealed at the Leipzig Games Convention later this month. The Xbox 360 Elite is, however, expected in the UK on August 24th at £329.99, according to retailer GAME.

Meanwhile, again in the States, Sony has announced the availability of the new 80GB model PlayStation 3 console, packed with MotorStorm for $599.

"The 80GB PS3 offers expanded options in the PS3 family of products for those who want to enjoy more downloadable content," Sony said. The 60GB PS3 is currently enjoying a surge in sales following a price reduction in the US and Canada on July 9 of $100 to $499. Since that date, Sony claims, unit sales at the company's top five retailers have jumped 113% compared to a month ago.

Sony, too, is keen to emphasise its Christmas line-up with titles like Heavenly Sword, LAIR, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, SingStar, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and WarHawk.

Kikizo Staff