$299 Xbox 360 Elite price cut due August 30?

Source: Gaming blog Kotaku.What we heard: Industry chatter continues unabated that Microsoft is on the verge of rejiggering its Xbox 360 hardware lineup.Currently, Microsoft offers its hardware in three tiers: the $199 hard-drive-less Arcade, the $299 60GB Pro, and the $399 120GB Elite. However,...

Source: Gaming blog Kotaku.

What we heard: Industry chatter continues unabated that Microsoft is on the verge of rejiggering its Xbox 360 hardware lineup.

Currently, Microsoft offers its hardware in three tiers: the $199 hard-drive-less Arcade, the $299 60GB Pro, and the $399 120GB Elite. However, according to a Meijer circular obtained by gaming blog Kotaku, Microsoft plans to officially replace the 60GB Xbox 360 Pro with the 120GB Xbox 360 Elite model at the $299 price point as early as August 30.

The change to Microsoft's Xbox 360 SKU lineup has been a hot topic since June. Late in the month, the same source that tipped Ars Technica off to the console's price cut in September 2008 informed the tech site of Microsoft's purported current plans.

Further corroborating evidence emerged last week, when Kotaku received a telling box shot from a retail source purporting to show the new packaging of the hard-drive-less, $199 Xbox 360 Arcade. Unlike the boxes of models shipped earlier this year, the box omits any mention of the 60GB Xbox 360 Pro, indicating that Microsoft would indeed be phasing out the SKU.

Should Microsoft be on the verge of cutting the Elite's price in September, the company certainly has a high-profile venue to make the announcement. Leipzig Games Convention successor GamesCom runs August 19-23 in Cologne, Germany. Microsoft was mostly silent at the 2008 Games Convention--an event that drew more than 200,000 attendees--but the publisher expects to hold its GamesCom press conference this year on Wednesday, August 19, at 1:00 p.m. PDT.

The official story: Microsoft had not responded to requests for comment as of press time. However, the publisher has been keen on responding to similar inquiries with the standard company line: "Microsoft does not comment on rumor or speculation."

Bogus or not bogus?: Looking increasingly not bogus.

545 Comments

  • robichon

    Posted Aug 27, 2009 6:41 pm PT

    @Batman_Vengence

    I totally respect your opinion and understand it. The reason I don't like the 360 is cause mine broke down... twice. Apart from that you are right the game library is great! I am very lucky to have both but I believe that if a choice is to be made between one and another, to take the PS3 because of the value I talked of in my last post. But I see your point and you are right

  • wolfen2k7

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 11:45 am PT

    @TWilliamz I agree... they need to add the self fed drive like what ps3 and wii have... never had a problem with my ps3 or wii damaging discs... but i had to replace Fable II and GTAIV do to the 360's crappy disc drive

  • TWilliamz

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 7:35 pm PT

    @Jerebear15
    I agree, but I won't be buying the new xbox unless they do something about holding my disc still while they're in the tray

  • Jerebear15

    Posted Aug 23, 2009 9:40 pm PT

    Aww, i want to buy that deal so bad! but i have a feeling that a new xbox will be released soon so im just gonna wait a little, thats what everyone does when a new product is soon released

  • CapitalCity49

    Posted Aug 23, 2009 3:15 pm PT

    o yea just bought the 299 dollar ps3 now i can just go to best buy and say my xbox 360 is broken and get an xbox 360 elite since its the same price. oooooooooooo yeaaaaaaaaaaa.

  • Harerazer

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 9:03 pm PT

    and... 7. XBox gives you the chance to pay extra for a wireless connection while the PS3 gives it to you for free.

    8. The Xbox lets you pay extra for nicely overpriced accessories while the PS3 uses standard USB connections. Like you want to hook your digital camera, printer, or even another hard drive to your game system, Pshaw!

    9. The XBox hard drives cost more while they use standard laptop drives for the PS3. What am I supposed to do with all of that money I save?

    10. When you turn on your XBox you have a 50/50 chance of it not working, the stupid PS3 just works when you turn it on! Damn that Sony!

  • Commando148

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 9:27 am PT

    So is there going to be a price drop or not?

  • akhauskinz

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 8:55 pm PT

    "GtBOOSTESDaudi
    Posted Aug 21, 2009 7:53 am MT

    Still not worth it!!! What sony should be doing is upgrading their online features. I hate my PS3 beacause of it. I don't care if they make the PS3 the size of the Wii I still wouldnt purchase one ever again until they make PSN like Xbox Live. I dont care about paying $50 a year for Live, its only $4.17/month. For all you that don't know:
    1.On the PS3 you CANT message a friend while playing a game, Xbox you can. On xbox you can even send them a voice recording while playing an online match or just on te dashboard.
    2.On PS3 you CANT view friends accomplishments unless they are online, Xbox view anything anytime. 3.More players on Xbox Live.
    4.On xbox live you can easily get in a party and join a match together and play different games while still in the party.PS3 you cant.
    5.On xbox you can chat with any of your buddies while playing a completely different game title or even watching a video.
    6.On the PS3 you cant switch profile unless you go back to the menu. On xbox you could switch profiles anytime"

    WTF only 3, 5 and 6 are true.
    And The difference between 500,000 and 1 mil playing a game online is pretty negligable.

  • GtBOOSTESDaudi

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 4:57 pm PT

    @toolkleikthese What makes you think I dont play the wii or pc games? If I didn't want to try variety why would I own a PS3 in the first place? Maybe, you're right I did kinda exaggerated a little bit. But Xbox 360 still wins. Truthfully, if it was between the two and you had to give one up which would it be?......... There is people who don't have the chance to get all the systems they want and have to choose between one and the Xbox 360 should be it between the two. But, if you have the money then go ahead buy all the systems to get an "overall" experience. Go ahead buy the DSI,PSP go, Iphone and all those wannabe handheld gaming devices so you get to try "all platforms'. Sorry i'm not a "Real Gamer".

  • haynsoljah

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 2:29 pm PT

    @1toolkleikthese Amen Sir.

  • 1toolkleikthese

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 1:35 pm PT

    @ GtBOOSTEDaidi No, REAL hardcore gamers dont choose the 360 as theyre gaming console because of its online. If your so called hardcore gamers stick to a single gaming console they're for single feature like this, they are called FANBOYS. Last time i checked FANBOYS aren't real gamers, there just casual normal people who prefer one company's product over the other and stick to it with deadly amounts of stupidity, ignorance, and...spelling errors ect. REAL harcore gamers, game on all platforms...AND NO the Xbox 360 isnt superior to the PS3 and vice a versa, theyre two totaly diffrent experiences... so your opinion in invalid, please try again. P.S. SalarianChemist quit pulling charts and numbers outta yer ass, sales have nothing to do with how good something is. Al those 360 sales are called hype, replacement xboxes for those that broke. and please try playing some PS3, Wii, or PC games, try some variety. Just some advice from a real Gamer. peace.

  • GtBOOSTESDaudi

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 7:54 am PT

    continue from below

    But, my point being is that this gaming generation is mostly about online play and online features, like it or not. The only thing the ps3 gots going for it is that its a blu-ray player. Thats why I haven't sold mine yet. Look at it like this, if there wasn't any online play for any of these two systems the PS3 would win because of the blu-ray. The console exclusives wouldn't be enough, they both got a few good exclusives but for the most part they share the same titles. The harcore gamers are mostly into the xbox for the online support that the get and all the features. Even though a lot a people say they dont care about Xbox achievements, most people DO. Theres people that play day and night just to get a higher gamerscore! Some like the excitement when they get to brag to their friends about their gamerscore. Its all this that makes the xbox the supperior on top of the ps3.
    And no i'm not a halo fan. I hated halo 3 and i never owned the original xbox so neve got to try halo 2. I was a ps2 fan before.

  • GtBOOSTESDaudi

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 7:53 am PT

    Still not worth it!!! What sony should be doing is upgrading their online features. I hate my PS3 beacause of it. I don't care if they make the PS3 the size of the Wii I still wouldnt purchase one ever again until they make PSN like Xbox Live. I dont care about paying $50 a year for Live, its only $4.17/month. For all you that don't know:
    1.On the PS3 you CANT message a friend while playing a game, Xbox you can. On xbox you can even send them a voice recording while playing an online match or just on te dashboard.
    2.On PS3 you CANT view friends accomplishments unless they are online, Xbox view anything anytime. 3.More players on Xbox Live.
    4.On xbox live you can easily get in a party and join a match together and play different games while still in the party.PS3 you cant.
    5.On xbox you can chat with any of your buddies while playing a completely different game title or even watching a video.
    6.On the PS3 you cant switch profile unless you go back to the menu. On xbox you could switch profiles anytime.

    And the list goes on and on. Im sure some of you guys can add more.

  • Phison

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 1:20 am PT

    YAY

  • Phison

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 1:20 am PT

    new retail price?

  • Batman_Vengence

    Posted Aug 20, 2009 11:20 am PT

    @BLACKFIREw

    As I said, perhaps the PS3 does have a few good things going for it. Perhaps these Blu-Ray discs are one of them. You bring up a good point, that they'll probably be required in the future. But that's just it. In the future. Perhaps Microsoft's next console will be Blu-Ray compatible. But I read in Game Informer that "The Big Three" have no intentions of releasing a new console in the next 5 years.

    @Attoyou

    I said DLC, not down loadable games. Take Star Wars The Force Unleased for example. They're releasing Ultimate Sith Edition both as an actual disc and as DLC.

  • Attoyou

    Posted Aug 20, 2009 9:23 am PT

    Batman_Vengence How many games that the "couldnt Fit on a DVD" are Up for Download on Xbox360?????

  • XanderZane

    Posted Aug 20, 2009 8:15 am PT

    metalkid9

    It's already $300 here in Canada
    *****************************************************
    That Elite will be $250 next year at this time. M$ will keep dropping the price I'm sure. The Arcade with be $150 next year.

  • BLACKFIREw

    Posted Aug 20, 2009 7:12 am PT

    @Batman_Vengence
    How can you say there is no point? That's exactly like saying there is no point in larger hard drive space. As game developers learn new things and make bigger games with more content, they obviously need more space. Another example is Metal Gear Solid 4, when Otacon says that at that time they reached the limit for a standard DVD. I know right now we don't need the space that much, but games are expanding, getter bigger, and developers are loading the discs with more and more content, eventually they will have to use Blu-Ray for the space. Also, you mentioned downloadable content; would you really want to pay more money for the data they couldn't put on a DVD? My answer is definitely no.

  • 1toolkleikthese

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 11:23 pm PT

    @ SalarianChemist and for the record, remember that 3/4 of Xbox sales are due to replacements. Period, and get M$ c0ck outta your mouth man its gross.

  • 1toolkleikthese

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 11:16 pm PT

    @ mophead14 The Xbox 360 isnt a gamers console FYI, if youre gonna intergrate twitter and facebook it is a CASUAL gamer console. Besides a REAL GAMER plays on all platforms and doent have favoritism.

  • Batman_Vengence

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 6:37 pm PT

    @BLACKFIREw

    And I'm kind of tired of people saying that there IS a point in it.

    And that might actually matter to someone who is interested in Rage. And you forget DOWN LOADABLE CONTENT. If you can't get it on disc, there's a good chance you can download whatever it is you're looking for online. And I don't purchase a game console to watch movies. I purchase it to play games. I'm not going into the whole Blu-Ray thing cause I already covered that. Look, maybe the PS3 does have a couple good things going for it, but I'm still unimpressed.

  • BLACKFIREw

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 2:49 pm PT

    @Batman_Vengence
    Im kind of tired of people saying there's no point in Blu-Ray. First of all look at movies; there is a HUGE difference in video quality compared to DVDs. And since you're more interested in games; in the newest Game Informer about Rage, Id is trying to squeeze the game's data onto one DVD for Xbox 360 and PC users; also Id's next game will have to be on three DVD's instead of only one Blu-Ray disc.

  • Batman_Vengence

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 1:39 pm PT

    @robichon

    That's your opinion, and I completely respect it. I don't hate the PS3, in fact, most of my friends own one. I was just stating facts to get obnoxious fanboys to shut up. The main reason I favor the 360 is for it's experience. The PS3 is a relatively young console, resulting in a smaller game library, and an undeveloped online interface. Quite the opposite with the 360. It just requires more care, rather than simply playing all day and all night without giving it a break. Just don't take me for a Microsoft fanboy, I don't even like them that much. They just slap together consoles on the assembly line, not putting much care into the integration of things, half the time resulting in hardware failure.

  • robichon

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 12:53 pm PT

    Just look at the overall value of purchasing a PS3 and the overall value of buying a 360 and you'll see that buying a PS3 is a better bargain then buying a 360. And Batman Vengeance, I HAVE both, and I PREFER PS3, the 360 broke down TWICE!!!!! Like I said good thing I had extended warranty, but Paying more ( in the end game) for a console that isn't even RELIABLE makes NO SENSE whatsoever to me. I have played ALL of the GOOD exclusives on the 360 and I haven't been that impressed.This is my opinion and I believe that anyone that owns BOTH will prefer their PS3.

  • Batman_Vengence

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 12:12 pm PT

    And just for all you PS3 fanboys, don't preach about how the 360 sucks because you have to pay for online services. It's only $50 a YEAR and XBox Live is infinitely better (more content,better organized,etc.). Blue ray is pointless compared to DVDs, because they cost more. And now you're going to say,"But Blue ray has more space so it has more stuff on it." I could care less. Half the crap they load on Blue Ray nobody cares about anyway and its friggin slow. And backwards compatibility anyone? I don't know about you, but I'd be pretty pissed if I couldn't play older games on my nextgen console. Seriously, the only things I can see myself playing on the PS3 are Uncharted (no multiplayer), Killzone (which apparently isn't even that great),and Metal Gear Solid 4. Not to mention ridiculous load times. It's all just a pathetic way for Sony to get back on top of the console market. So before you start talking trash about the 360, look up your facts. It saves you the humiliation.

  • metalkid9

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 10:50 am PT

    It's already $300 here in Canada

  • robichon

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 9:50 am PT

    Oh and for the record, I have never payed for xbox live, I only played on live during the trial period. I also haven't purchased the wireless adapter for the 360. After playing on live and on PSN, I preferred PSN.

  • robichon

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 9:45 am PT

    I don't understand how people would want to buy the 360 at 299 when you can get a ps3 at the same price. Same hard drive space (120 GB), PS3's online is free, you get a blu ray player and you get the wi-fi adapter. If your planning on buying the 360 elite for 299 and would be planning to play online via wireless, you would have to pay an extra 100 $ for the adapter and then you would have to pay an extra 60$ for every 12 months of xbox live. Since the current gen is estimated to last untill 2012, this means that for the live service, you would have to pay another 120$. Which brings the total ( before you even buy a game) for the speculated 299$ elite to 519$ ( with all the things that come in the ps3 for free). One could say they wont need the adapter then you would still be paying 419$. Which means you would be wasting 120$ that could be used to buy games if you buy a PS3. I already own both, The xbox broke down twice so I'm on my third 360 Good thing I had extended warranty. The exclusive games on the 360, I find, are not that good. PS3 has good exclusive games. The elite gets the price cut on the 30th of September, its the one thing it has advantage on the slim PS3. Buying a 360 is a big mistake, trust me I own one.

  • mophead14

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 9:09 am PT

    dear ps3 fanboys xbox is more of a GAMERS console ps3 is more for multimedia.

  • netsoj

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 9:03 am PT

    Doesn't matter now how low the 360 gets. As long as the PS3 Slim doesn't have a failure rate the 360 is dead. Besides it's about time Microsoft chucks this outdated system (isn't there a rumor for a new 360 in 2010 anyways?) So why buy this junk? It can't play blu-ray, you pay to go online; doesn't make sense to me.

  • jackomous88

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 7:08 am PT

    @mayceV

    Stores like best buy and the now defunct Circuity city don't make any money on console sales. There is no mark up because the prices are controlled by Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo. Working for Circuit, are mark up on an X360 60gb was .01c.

  • kwanzudood

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 6:56 am PT

    microsoft better pack something good in with that $299 360 elite, maybe like an extra console to replace the first when it breaks.

  • mztazmz

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 12:06 am PT

    Good luck MS, LOL

    $299 360 Elite VS. the $299 PS3 slim.

    Both have a 120GB hard drive, both have tons of AAA titles.

    PS3 has a Bluray drive, Wifi, Free online, and is WAY more reliable all for the SAME PRICE?!?!?!

    Besides diehard Halo fans, who in their right mind would choose the 360 now?

  • xthabeast

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 9:30 pm PT

    Woot I have been looking forward to this. But this can only mean that Microsoft is planing something bigger. For example a 250 gig Xbox 360 to compete with PS3 slim

  • PuppetMaster786

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 5:59 pm PT

    they need this if they can even think of trying to compete with the new PS3 Slim 80gig, 120gig and another 250gig. For 300 you can get the XBOX-360 60 gig and for the same price you can get a 80 gig PS3. Don't know about the other XBOX but the 120 gig is 400 and 250gig might be 500 but its not confirmed (250 gig version). But PS3 is going to sell a lot more now!

  • 88abdielr

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 9:19 pm PT

    awsome

  • necronaux

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 8:55 am PT

    Sweet deal, if you already don't have one (or want another).

  • crownknot

    Posted Aug 16, 2009 11:01 pm PT

    search if you click on that and ask to find chess it take you to another room if you click on the freechess it take me to pogo.com. the server act like there is internet interruption and it kick you off why your in a game. the reason i love playing chess. i was trying to help myself to get better at my chessmaster live game that i have ?

  • Aaron_Knuts1

    Posted Aug 16, 2009 3:21 pm PT

    w?

  • KingDustero

    Posted Aug 15, 2009 10:38 am PT

    @mayceV

    I see what you're saying about the price. Also you're just ten dollars off. It costs around $240 to make a PS3. I still believe it'll retail at $300 because if it is at $350 while M$'s console is at $300 they're not going to sell as much. They need to make their console the same price to actually compete. Most people don't take into account all of the extra costs that are needed with the 360. If the PS3 was $350 it would be cheaper then the 360 in the long run, but people ony look at the price of the system and they'll think the 360 is cheaper and buy it over the PS3.

    This is why the the 360 is selling more then the PS3. The price on the console is cheaper on the 360, so people think it is cheaper, when in the long run it'll cost them more for it then a PS3.

  • Zayn721

    Posted Aug 15, 2009 6:58 am PT

    mayceV i c where ur coming from but sony has WAY more consumer products than microsoft and i think that sony doesnt care about lowering the price of the PS3, as of microsoft they dont have as much other products as sony. Besides a PS3 is an Xbox360 with a higher HD count if im saying it right

  • mayceV

    Posted Aug 15, 2009 3:32 am PT

    I think the Ps3 price drop is going to be by 50$. why?
    a Ps3 cost 250 to make before they pack and ship it. The packing cos about 5$ and shipping costs about 10$ so thats 265$. you may think that that can give them 35 dollars per console if sold at 299. The reason I think it can't be like that is:
    1. Store like best buy don't just sit there and watch the consoles fly off the shelves. They need to make money off the console so they mark up about 30-25%.so 265 X .25 is 66$, round, to 70 and add 5 bucks to keep it in tens digits - thats 340$ don't get me wrong I want it to be lower to but unless sony wants to contiue losing money it won't.

  • mayceV

    Posted Aug 15, 2009 3:21 am PT

    @Vari3ty
    Sony is being sued for putting built in WiFi and if they lose the case (I highly doubt they will) They will be forced to remove it or pay A hell load of money.

  • sagameister3

    Posted Aug 14, 2009 8:25 pm PT

    If Microsoft were to lower the $100 wireless adapter down to $49 or so then I would find it more appealing. Considering the Ps3 hasn't lowered their prices yet then the 360 might still be selling more for a while.

  • steveroger

    Posted Aug 14, 2009 8:23 pm PT

    The truth is that some people like the looks of GoW 2 and others Killzone 2 or Unchared 2. To each his own.

    The way you describe the 360 in comparison to the PS3 is very, very silly. The 360 is not a piece of junk. It is a very sophisticated piece of hardware. The fact that it pushes a lot more polygons faster than the PS3 makes the 360 very attractive to developers and makes it's games look downright fantastic graphically. However, just the polygons alone are not the whole story so the PS3 has a lot to offer. But the PS3 is not God-like in comparison.

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