Xbox 360 matches Wii price point in Australia

Tech News

By Stevie Smith Aug 16, 2007, 15:28 GMT

The recent tiered North American Xbox 360 price cut has duly widened the hardware price-point gap between Microsoft’s unit and Sony’s PlayStation 3; it has also brought the basic Core model of the Xbox 360 a step closer to the low retail sales point of the Nintendo Wii. However, the announcement of another regional Xbox 360 price drop, this time in Australia, has seen Microsoft’s console go one better in terms of retail footing.Indeed, as of yesterday (Wed Aug 15), the 20GB Premium Xbox 360 has seen a solid $70 AUD snipped from its $649 AUD pricing, leaving it at $579.95 AUD. However, the hard drive-free Core model of Microsoft’s console has shifted down to $399.95 AUD (a $30 AUD drop), which places the basic Xbox 360 package on exactly the same price plateau as Nintendo’s hot-selling Wii.Citing reduced costing throughout the hardware’s production process as the central reasoning behind the price drop, Xbox regional director David McLean outlined that the Premium (or Pro as they’re called in Australian and New Zealand) and Core models were now perfectly positioned to sit favourably against the considerably more expensive PlayStation 3 ($1000 AUD) and the casual attraction of the vastly underpowered Nintendo Wii. "I think we will do really well during the holiday period against PlayStation," chimed McLean in a GameSpot report. "Our strategy was always to focus on the core and serious gamers. We think we've done a great job there, and the numbers support that. What we now need to do is start thinking about broadening our strategy, and this price movement is a component of that strategy."While dismissing rumours that the bottom rung Core unit of Microsoft’s gaming force would soon be moved into discontinuation, McLean did intonate that the new HDMI-ready Xbox 360 Premium models would soon start to appear throughout the region. "We're just reviewing our inventory position and when that will start to flow into the market. No specific details to give you on it, but what's happening in other regions in the world will certainly happen in Australia," he said before also offering similar assurances concerning the 120GB Elite model of the Xbox 360. "You're not going to be asked to wait very much longer; I think within the next week or so we can give you details on what we're planning to do with Elite."Notification of a similar European price reduction to Microsoft’s Xbox 360 has still to emerge. A recent US price drop applied to Sony’s 60GB PlayStation 3 saw Europe miss out on the cheaper unit, receiving a supposedly better value ‘Starter Pack’ instead.

View blog reactions

Latest Headlines in Tech

Talkback

Add your comment (no registration required)

page: 1

georgeAug 16th, 2007 - 19:02:22

sweet, with the games for the xbox 360 its a must have, and now i could afford the xbox 360 AND the Wii for the price of the Sony, my decision is made...

Report this comment

dougAug 16th, 2007 - 22:23:05

I still wont buy an xbox360 until it generates less heat and less noise.

Report this comment

jinAug 18th, 2007 - 18:10:15

i got an xbox360 with an intercooler i live in a place where there is less air conditioning and temperature can go up to 40 degrees Centigrade... and it has no noise and no heat problem

Report this comment

page: 1

Add your comment (no registration required)

Latest from M&C Blogs

Second presidential debate; no 'gamechanger' ? - Global Eye on October 8, 2008 5:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Debate: did McCain do enough? - Global Eye on September 29, 2008 6:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (24) | TrackBacks (1)

Should Sen. John McCain's health records be made public? - Global Eye on September 15, 2008 8:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (53) | TrackBacks (0)

Raindance Film Festival - Estomago - London Calling on October 8, 2008 9:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Raindance Film Festival : It's Hard To Be Nice - London Calling on October 8, 2008 9:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

London Film Festival - Dean Spanley - London Calling on October 6, 2008 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport - The World in Pictures on October 2, 2008 4:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Devotee to Chinese Shrine of Sapam has face pierced - The World in Pictures on October 2, 2008 4:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Indian Muslims offer prayers on the occasion of Eid-al-Fitr - The World in Pictures on October 2, 2008 4:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Tech

Xbox 360 matches Wii price point in Australia

Tech News

Latest Headlines in Tech

Talkback

Latest from M&C Blogs

Similar articles

In Monsters and Critics

Corporate

The Fine Print