Xbox 360...price confirmed!

[THATinkjar]

EuroGamer have just posted this news article (http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=60545) with Microsoft's 360 pricing strategy. Here is a quote from that piece...

"Xbox 360 will cost £279.99 or EUR 399.99 in Europe, Microsoft has just told an audience at the Games Convention event in Leipzig. That is the main package, including 20GB hard disk, wireless controller, headset, Ethernet cable, high-definition television cable and wireless television-style remote control. The US price is $399.99.

A second package, called the Xbox 360 Core System, will be released at the same time, consisting of the bare bones console and a wired controller, for £209.99 or EUR 299.99. The US price for that is $299.99."

I'm astonished. That's a very competitive price (especially for us Europeans). And while a release date wasn't confirmed - other than the holiday season - November the 4th is still rumoured.

[Crazycarl]

eh, what i expected to pay for the beast. my fav. is the assumed price of the ps3 almost a hundered dollers more then the xbox.

[njiska]

I'm kind of pissed off the core system doesn't have the HDD, but hey i'm planning on shelling out $1500 CAD at launch anyways.

I really like that the higher model has special markings and includs the Remote. All in all it looks like you'll get pleanty of bang for your buck.

[Dobie]

Here's more...

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/236918_msft17ww.asp

Apparently the add-ons will cost...

20 gig hdd: $99
Wireless controller: $50
64 mb memory card: $39

No word on game prices though. Still, its looking like a $600+ investment for a bundle, extra controller, and a game or two.

Also... "The possibility of an Xbox 360 version without a hard drive has been a source of speculation since the company acknowledged that the hard drive would be detachable. Koch said the component of the console that enables backward compatibility -- the ability to play games made for the original Xbox -- relies on the hard drive."

[sabre2922]

a good price point but my question is wouldnt the hardrive pretty much be a necessity?

wouldnt you have to have a HD to play XBOX one games or can the 360 emulate the games without it?

wont most games require the HD for large amounts of memory? Madden 06 ? etc?

also will the majority of developers design their games with a HD in mind or not? :hmm:

[THATinkjar]

Matt over at Press The Buttons summed it up well, for me:

"The $299 price tag for a bare bones Xbox 360 seems to be a compromise to draw in people who don't want to pay the higher price to get all of the extras. However, those extras are core to what Microsoft keeps reiterating as the Xbox 360 experience."

[Captain J]

you get a bit more in the basic package, like a faceplate and a xbox live silver package. but what sucks is that you get a wired controller instead of the wireless one in the $399 package check out all the details here:

http://www.gaming-age.com/news/2005/8/17-54

[buttasuperb]

No, you get the wireless controller with the $399 bundle.

[s1lence]

Thats about what I figured the price to be set at. I still think the HD should be included for the 299.99 price though.

[njiska]

a good price point but my question is wouldnt the hardrive pretty much be a necessity?

wouldnt you have to have a HD to play XBOX one games or can the 360 emulate the games without it?

wont most games require the HD for large amounts of memory? Madden 06 ? etc?

also will the majority of developers design their games with a HD in mind or not? :hmm:

MS stated that the want all designers to make games without the 360 HDD being required. However i'm guessing many games will use the HDD for reducing load times. It's also worth noting that due to the speed of the drive (12x DVD) and due to the massive amount of ram, it's quite possible that the lack of HDD support won't be a problem.

However you do still need the HDD for downloaded content, emulation, etc. So basically the core system is worthless, however having it also makes the bundle look more worthwhile and to be fair the bundle is a good deal. Look at all the extra's. Like the Remote.

[l_lamb]

Yeah, the "core" system is worthless for a new buyer. No unlicensed accessories means there won't be many choices for less expensive parts. The memory card alone is $40 and is a necessity, the headset is $20, and if you want a wireless controller later, you'll have to shell out another $50. Not to mention no backwards compatibility. If you have a HiDef TV you'll have to pay another $40 for cables. And you know the games will have cool special features only available to HDD owners.

What I want to know is: why isn't WiFi built in? Both the PS3 and the Revolution¹ have built-in WiFi in their specs. Wireless gaming adapters are around $100!

¹ - System to be named later

[DoctorAwesome]

Shit this is killing my wallet. :/

The $399 bundle looks like the way to go in this situation. Nice packaging for that $399 system though, the white is great.

[PDorr3]

Im tempted to buy the basic to save $100 but I plan on playing online and I think a HDD is needed for downloadable content, also comes with a headset. So I guess Im gonna be spending over $600 sometime in November. Thank god my birthday is in november :roll:

[bargora]

That's odd. I'd heard that the 360 would launch for bargora in late 2007 at a price point of $175 for the full bundle, featuring a large library of reasonably priced new and used titles.

[Bluteg]

I'm with Bargora I'll wait until I find a deal on one for $150 or so. I'm still amazed by the current Xbox games in 720p so I think I can wait on this. However if the next Nintendo console is launched at $199 I'll be all over that just like I was with the Cube.

[Chuplayer]

MS stated that the want all designers to make games without the 360 HDD being required.

The first thing that ran through my mind when I read that was "that's bullshit." It was one of the most innovative things about the first bawks. Then I realized how underused and misused it was, and now I think M$ has got the right idea. It'll turn the 360 into more of a standard game console which was what the first bawks was trying to get away from, but considering how the hard drive was used in the first bawks, the first one was pretty much treated as every other console was.

It's a shame to see the hard drive support go, but barely anybody actually used it anyway. I was so disappointed in the first bawks because it promised gaming experiences only possible with a hard drive, and I just got the same old experience I could've gotten on a PS2 or a GCN or even a DC.

[Damion]

As Xbox heavy as my life is right now I'll more then lily get the premium package and as being a first adopter. Ill most likly end up geting a DRE the first six months or having it explode on the shelf. but hey at least I'll have an Xbox 360 smoldering on the shelf. lol

[Hypnotuba]

Does the $399 system come with standard composite or s-video cables in addition to the HD cables?

I guess if you want the full 360 system (and, who wouldn't, what with the extra cost it would take to bring the Core system up to the same level of functionality), but you don't have an HDTV or a TV with component video connections, you'll have to pay a little more just to get the cables you need?

Or am I missing something?

[fpstream]

The $299 "core system is just an excuse to say the ocnsole is launching at 300 bucks, no one in their right mind would get the "core system" rather than the bundle. And people that would get the 300 dollar one will now be tempted to get the more expensive because of the money it saves, smart on Microsoft's part. They now have a $300 system and they can flaunt that but everybody will get the more expensive one.

[PS2Hawk]

if they had 299 US with wireless controller and a slot for scandisk memory card or stick I would get it. I am not going to give 400 Us for a secondary console.

[dethink]

For those few even thinking about the core system think about this:

• Faceplate ($19.99, 19.99 Euros, 14.99 GBP)
• Hard Drive (20 GB) ($99.99, 99.99 Euros, 69.99 GBP)
• Memory Unit (64 MB) ($39.99, 34.99 Euros, 22.99 GBP)
• Wireless Networking Adapter ($99.99, 79.99 Euros, 59.99 GBP)
• Wireless Controller ($49.99, 44.99 Euros, 32.99 GBP)
• Play and Charge Kit ($19.99, 19.99 Euros, 14.99 GBP)
• Rechargeable Battery Pack ($11.99, 14.99 Euros, 9.99 GBP)
• Controller ($39.99, 34.99 Euros, 24.99 GBP)
• Headset ($19.99, 19.99 Euros, 14.99 GBP)
• Universal Media Remote ($29.99, 29.99 Euros, 19.99 GBP)
• Component HD AV Cable ($39.99, 29.99 Euros, 19.99 GBP)
• S-Video AV Cable (US) ($29.99)
• SCART AV Cable (Europe) (24.99 Euros, 17.99 GBP)
• VGA HD AV Cable ($39.99, 29.99 Euros, 19.99 GBP)

Reeeeeeeeeeeediculous!

I think I'm definitely passing on this launch. I love me some games, but it looks like the 360 is aptly named - $360 is the minimum price of entry. LOL

Oh, and...

http://www.major-nelson.com/blogimages/leipzig/xbox360core.jpg

http://www.major-nelson.com/blogimages/leipzig/xbox360package.jpg

At least the packaging looks nice.

[XYXZYZ]

I guess it's all about what it's worth to you. To me, even US$100.00 is too much for a latest-technology-whizbang colsole that doesn't have any games that interest me in the slightest.

I mean, I spend way more than this Xbox 360 range on Neo Geo stuff, and it's worth every cent.

By the way, I still don't own a PoS2 because it's still more expensive than it's worth to me. But looking at what games are available now... I'm about to break down.

[XYXZYZ]

http://www.major-nelson.com/blogimages/leipzig/xbox360core.jpg

http://www.major-nelson.com/blogimages/leipzig/xbox360package.jpg



Daaaaamn, $399.99 and they still don't give you two controllers!

I want 1990 back! :(

[-hellvin-]

That's odd. I'd heard that the 360 would launch for bargora in late 2007 at a price point of $175 for the full bundle, featuring a large library of reasonably priced new and used titles.

I think you summed up my purchase plan perfectly. Most of the projected titles I'll be playing on PC anyways.

[Griking]

$99 for a 20gb hard drive? Do they even make 20gb drive any more? Christ, we sell 200gb hard drives at Staples for $99 and half the time you'll even get a mail in rebate back on top of that?

Also, how are you supposed to download content updates without a hard drive?

[Joker T]

Pricey and I can play most of the games I want on my PC

[Captain J]

you get a bit more in the basic package, like a faceplate and a xbox live silver package. but what sucks is that you get a wired controller instead of the wireless one in the $399 package check out all the details here:

http://www.gaming-age.com/news/2005/8/17-54



No, you get the wireless controller with the $399 bundle.

I know thats what I am saying, "in the basic package you get a wired controller" instead of "the wireless one in the $399 package" what are you talking about!? LOL

[benkingofgames]

400$ thats expensive but worth it...:p

[Mianrtcv]

Sadly, I have to admit... I am actually o.k. with the pricing. I was anticipating a bigger hit. I definitely will not be on the pre-sell list as it's still too rich for my blood. If I did have the cash I think it would bee bundle time. Then again "you can wish in one hand...."

As far as PS3 price speculation. I doubt they woulod stray too far from the 360 pricing zone.

[RCM]

I'm upset that the HD isn't standard. A wired controller? What the fuck Microsoft? I can see this confusing more than a few consumers during the holiday rush.

THE ONE, THE ONLY- RCM

[Griking]

I'm upset that the HD isn't standard. A wired controller? What the fuck Microsoft? I can see this confusing more than a few consumers during the holiday rush.

So what's the big problem about a wired controller? Do you need to play your Xbox from 50 feet away from your television? Honestly I've never seen the big deal about wireless controllers. If it comes standard then great, if it doesn't I couldn't care less.

I'm more bothered about the standard version not coming with a hard drive. I suppose that means you'll have to buy a memory card if you want to save you games.

[LaRule]

too much.... i wish it was under $200...

[kevincure]

Griking is spot on about the HD issue - why so much? 200GB drives can be had retail for under $100 anywhere. I'd imagine a 20GB adds like $10 to the cost of the system wholesale, right?

Then again, I think a major console with a HD is a *big mistake*. Anyone who plays PC games with their patch-happy developers fear the sight of such a system.

[CreamSoda]

I keep saying I'm not gonna buy it...

But then again I said the same about the PSP, until they put the games out about a week before launch. I saw Twisted Metal and before I knew it, the store I had just gone into to look for PS2 games, I came out with a copy of Twisted Metal: Head On and a PSP reserve slip. LOL

[Lothars]

Yeah looks like im not going to buy it right away at least not at launch anyway

it really doens't interest me so far, especially for the most part the games seem kind of meh, though I am interested in Perfect Dark Zero, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and Full Auto, but otherwise I am not sure, I will see though.

when i do eventually go for it eventually the 399 package is the only way to go though, 299 corebox is honestly a waste of time and money IMO,

But I am really hoping MS fails though in saying that I gotta say I really have respect for the Xbox now, so I might be pleasently surprised at what they release.

[DJ_DEEM]

thats a real pretty system, i know im gonna cave and get one, better start putting money away now hahahahha


im a sucker for new video games, what can i say : P

[buttasuperb]

I know thats what I am saying, "in the basic package you get a wired controller" instead of "the wireless one in the $399 package" what are you talking about!? LOL

Doesn't read that way to me.


but what sucks is that you get a wired controller instead of the wireless one in the $399 package

edit: I see now. LOL you just worded it kinda funky.

[buttasuperb]

So what's the big problem about a wired controller? Do you need to play your Xbox from 50 feet away from your television? Honestly I've never seen the big deal about wireless controllers. If it comes standard then great, if it doesn't I couldn't care less.

I prefer a wired controller.

But if I get a 360, I'm still gonna have to get the $399 bundle.

[dethink]

i'm just concerned about the HD - bethesda claims that oblivion WILL use the HD...is it just for cacheing, downloaded content, or media center purposes?

splitting your user base, anyone?