Microsoft has today confirmed the expected European price cut of its Xbox 360 gaming console. The announcement comes just weeks after similar price cuts in Japan and the USA.
As of Friday September 19th, Microsoft's Xbox 360 will be available at an estimated retail price of £129.99 (€179) for the entry-level Xbox 360 Arcade, £169.99 (€239.99) for the 60GB Xbox 360, and £229.99 (€299.99) for the 120GB Xbox 360 Elite.
Microsoft will be hoping its price cuts result in a strong boost in sales, and states that its new pricing structure is part of its "ongoing strategy to open up the ultimate in high-definition gaming and entertainment to an even wider audience, with something for everyone."
For those of you who'd like to see how the Xbox 360's European pricing has evolved since its 2005 launch, here's the complete breakdown:
| December 2005 | August 2007 | March 2008 | September 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox 360 Arcade | £209.99 (Core) | £179.99 (Core) | £159.99 | £129.99 |
| Xbox 360 (60GB) | £279.99 (20GB) | £249.99 (20GB) | £199.99 | £169.99 |
| Xbox 360 Elite (120GB) | N/A | £299.99 | £259.99 | £229.99 |
Chris Lewis, vice president of Microsoft's interactive entertainment business in Europe, said:
We're proud to be expanding the reach of Xbox as the first next-generation console to break the €200/£150 barrier, making the platform up to €200/£170 less expensive than competitors. History shows that the majority of console sales happen after this price point has been breached, and we're well positioned to take advantage of this mass market pricing. We're passing on the benefits of being the first console to sell over 20 million units worldwide, and of the ever-expanding ecosystem of Xbox, to consumers.
We offer a large library of games and family entertainment for Xbox 360, with 90 titles coming between now and Christmas alone, and we're redefining what people can expect from entertainment with the new Xbox LIVE experience debuting later this year. Plus, with well over five million consoles sold to date the combination of the strongest games line up this Christmas, really innovative entertainment experiences and these groundbreaking new price points will ensure we continue to enjoy fantastic momentum in Europe.
Official press release: Microsoft Lowers Xbox 360 ESTIMATED RETAIL Price in Europe
