Microsoft sets Xbox 360 pricing

Pricing on the much anticipated Xbox 360 will start at $299.99, Microsoft announced Wednesday.

Scheduled to launch in North America in time for the holiday season, that core version of the tech giant's next-generation game system will include the console, one controller, a white faceplate and an audiovisual cable.

For $100 more, gamers can upgrade to the premium edition. That package will feature, in addition to the standard equipment, a headset, remote, membership to the Xbox Live entertainment and chat network, and a 20GB hard drive for storing games, music, and other content downloaded from Xbox Live. It will also swap out the wired controller for a wireless one.

The premium edition will be known as the Xbox 360 and will have a cream-colored shell, while the lower-priced version will be called the Xbox 360 core system and will come in a light green box, said David Reed, director of platform marketing for Xbox.

He predicted that many players who will buy the Xbox 360 this holiday season are likely to opt for the premium version. "There's no question we're going to sell a lot more Xbox 360 this holiday than we are of the Xbox 360 core system," Reed said.

Each of the optional components, along with memory units, battery packs and other accessories, can also be purchased separately.

Reed said that upgrading after the fact by buying the accessories piecemeal would likely cost around $200, while consumers will have the option to buy in at the premium level for $100 more than the core system.

Both the basic and premium systems come with built-in Ethernet ports and can play DVDs, CDs, MP3s and digital content from other devices including cameras.

Microsoft, which is racing rivals Sony and Nintendo to get its new console into the hands of gamers, also on Wednesday gave pricing for European markets. The core version of the Xbox 360 is expected to sell in Britain for 209 pounds ($378) and elsewhere in Europe for 299 euros ($368); including accessories, the prices would be 279 pounds and 399 euros.

The company said it would reveal pricing for the Japanese market at the Tokyo games fair next month.

Meanwhile, Reed acknowledged that Microsoft will likely have to subsidize the Xbox 360 in its early days, but he promised the console would eventually be profitable for the company.

He also said pricing for Xbox 360 games from Microsoft Game Studios would be in line with current-generation console games. Thus, gamers can expect to see Xbox 360 games from Microsoft, and probably other publishers, for around $49 to $59.

[bobby_brady]

Too bad, I was thinking of getting one, but $400?

That's very hard to justify. Too hard, IMO.

[Maxwell Studly]

Xbox 360 starts at $299

The core unit, which includes the Xbox 360, all necessary cables, and a wired control pad is $299. The high tier package which includes a wireless controller, a 20 gig hdd, remote control, and some other accessories will sell for $399.

If you want an Xbox 360 there is no reason not to get one.

[aemarques]

Actually, it's dirty cheap!

I don't know about the US, but when the original PS2 was launched, its price was 499 euros (the euro didn't exist at the time, but its a conversion...).
Later, when the original Xbox was launched, the price was also 499 euros.
So, this is actually good news - besides, this is not ONLY a console anymore: it's an entertainment center...

[Christopher Hall]

Gaming is not an inexpensive hobby

Only the "hardcore" will be there at launch day to get the Premium package. The rest will probably wait for the price wars to begin, which may take some time if Sony really stays out of the game until late 2006/early 2007.

[bobby_brady]

Too bad, I was thinking of getting one, but $400?

That's very hard to justify. Too hard, IMO.

[Maxwell Studly]

Xbox 360 starts at $299

The core unit, which includes the Xbox 360, all necessary cables, and a wired control pad is $299. The high tier package which includes a wireless controller, a 20 gig hdd, remote control, and some other accessories will sell for $399.

If you want an Xbox 360 there is no reason not to get one.

[aemarques]

Actually, it's dirty cheap!

I don't know about the US, but when the original PS2 was launched, its price was 499 euros (the euro didn't exist at the time, but its a conversion...).
Later, when the original Xbox was launched, the price was also 499 euros.
So, this is actually good news - besides, this is not ONLY a console anymore: it's an entertainment center...

[Christopher Hall]

Gaming is not an inexpensive hobby

Only the "hardcore" will be there at launch day to get the Premium package. The rest will probably wait for the price wars to begin, which may take some time if Sony really stays out of the game until late 2006/early 2007.

[aemarques]

correction...

I meant, "launched in Europe"...

[aemarques]

correction...

I meant, "launched in Europe"...

[sanjef]

Holding for the PS3

I'll be holding (onto my money) in anticipation of the PS3. I need to do some homework and lots of reading when the two giants finally have machines people can review side-by-side.

Nintendo? What's that? <grin>

[aemarques]

It's not the hardware

You should not hold your breath and compare the hardware - it's the games that matter the most.
Right now, the better machine, hardware-wise, is incontestably the Xbox, but that does not matter: there are a much bigger - and better - library of games for the PS2 and the graphical advantages of an Xbox game does not seems to be enough to tip the scale in MS favor..
So, let's just hope to be blown away by the next generation of games - from both platforms!

[sanjef]

Holding for the PS3

I'll be holding (onto my money) in anticipation of the PS3. I need to do some homework and lots of reading when the two giants finally have machines people can review side-by-side.

Nintendo? What's that? <grin>

[aemarques]

It's not the hardware

You should not hold your breath and compare the hardware - it's the games that matter the most.
Right now, the better machine, hardware-wise, is incontestably the Xbox, but that does not matter: there are a much bigger - and better - library of games for the PS2 and the graphical advantages of an Xbox game does not seems to be enough to tip the scale in MS favor..
So, let's just hope to be blown away by the next generation of games - from both platforms!

[201293546946733175101343322673]

$100 "premiun" is trash

$100 for a 20GB hard drive and a headset? Are you kidding me?

[Christopher Hall]

Read it again

You get the following:
::headset
::remote
::membership to Xbox Live (I'm guessing this is for one year)
::20GB hard drive
::wireless controller

So the remote's $30, the year of Xbox Live is $60, and a wireless controller is probably at least another $30. No matter how you cut it, the deal's quite a deal.

[Maxwell Studly]

Learn how to read

The $399 is an excellent bundle.

The extra $100 gets you:

Xbox 360 detachable 20 gig hard drive.
Component AV Cable
Xbox 360 Headset
WIRELESS controller
Xbox Live Silver Membership
Media Remote controller

All of these seperately would cost you well over $100. MSFT pulls through with a bargain.

[201293546946733175101343322673]

$100 "premiun" is trash

$100 for a 20GB hard drive and a headset? Are you kidding me?

[Christopher Hall]

Read it again

You get the following:
::headset
::remote
::membership to Xbox Live (I'm guessing this is for one year)
::20GB hard drive
::wireless controller

So the remote's $30, the year of Xbox Live is $60, and a wireless controller is probably at least another $30. No matter how you cut it, the deal's quite a deal.

[Maxwell Studly]

Learn how to read

The $399 is an excellent bundle.

The extra $100 gets you:

Xbox 360 detachable 20 gig hard drive.
Component AV Cable
Xbox 360 Headset
WIRELESS controller
Xbox Live Silver Membership
Media Remote controller

All of these seperately would cost you well over $100. MSFT pulls through with a bargain.

[Peter Bonte]

Crapola

I'l wait for the HD player, just like most people. When the PS3
comes out the standard will be set (blue ray or HDdvd) and the
price will be down to 200,- :D

The console market is matured now and a 'next gen' box with
just a little bit better graphics just won't do. Don't expect more
from the first crop of games, just better graphics.

The lac of a HD-disk is also a problem, DVD is sufficient now but
in a few years games will need more storage and the PS3 will
have it. HD players are added later but the game makers are
forced to support the core console and that is just DVD.

MS is making mistake on mistake with the 360, its not a
computer, its a console but the message is clearly not getting in
there thick heads.

[Peter Bonte]

Crapola

I'l wait for the HD player, just like most people. When the PS3
comes out the standard will be set (blue ray or HDdvd) and the
price will be down to 200,- :D

The console market is matured now and a 'next gen' box with
just a little bit better graphics just won't do. Don't expect more
from the first crop of games, just better graphics.

The lac of a HD-disk is also a problem, DVD is sufficient now but
in a few years games will need more storage and the PS3 will
have it. HD players are added later but the game makers are
forced to support the core console and that is just DVD.

MS is making mistake on mistake with the 360, its not a
computer, its a console but the message is clearly not getting in
there thick heads.

[Maxwell Studly]

msft announced

MSFT detailed what kind of integrating the 360 would have with XP & MCE PC's. Unfortunately I don't think this was ever on News.com... other "gaming" websites covered it.

[Maxwell Studly]

msft announced

MSFT detailed what kind of integrating the 360 would have with XP & MCE PC's. Unfortunately I don't think this was ever on News.com... other "gaming" websites covered it.