Xbox 360 Pro 'discontinued,' more PS3 price drops spotted - Retail Radar

By Tor Thorsen, GameSpotPosted Aug 14, 2009 3:46 pm PT

UK retailer posts, retracts claim that Microsoft's 60GB console is extinct; GameStop Spain announces, retracts Sony console price-cut announcement; PS3 already €299 in Portugal.

This week saw several retailers further stir up speculation that an Xbox 360 Elite price drop and PlayStation 3 slimline model are imminent. First up was the Xbox 360 Pro product page (pictured top) on the site of UK retailer Argos, which apologetically informed consumers that the SKU is no more. "We are very sorry but Microsoft have (sic) discontinued this line," reads the page, which urges would-be buyers to purchase the Xbox 360 Elite as an alternative--the same scenario behind the model's rumored repricing to $299. Also, attempting to buy the Pro from its Argos page leads to a 404 error.

Following a flurry of headlines on the "discontinued" Pro, Argos reportedly told British industry site MCV that the posting was an "administrative error." For its part, Microsoft stuck to the company line. "We've made no such announcements and are working with our retail partners to ensure they have the right inventory of consoles to meet the needs of their customers," a rep told GameSpot.

Meanwhile, the rival PlayStation 3 console appears to be getting a price drop elsewhere in Europe. Tech blog Engadget's Spanish site noticed that GameStop Iberia announced that the PS3's price was now officially €299 ($424.58) via Twitter, €100 ($142) less than the standard price. A caching site reveals that GameStop Iberia twittered no fewer than three different €299 price-drop announcements on August 9 and 10 (pictured center)--all of which are no longer on the retailer's Twitter feed. Why the posts were pulled is unclear, but overenthusiastic tweets have preempted major announcements before, most recently Command & Conquer 4.

Meanwhile, French electronics retailer Fnac is already offering the 80GB PS3 Infamous bundle for just €299. However, that price appears to be only for the Portuguese store (Fnac.pt, pictured bottom), with the regular Fnac.com being sold out of the stand-alone 80GB PS3. The French site does offer two Gran Turismo 5 Prologue 80GB PS3 bundles--one with Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 and the other with Grand Theft Auto IV--for the standard retail price of €399 ($566.58).

Sony reps had not yet responded to requests for comment on the apparently European PS3 price fluctuations as of press time.

570 Comments

  • kamizuka

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 1:57 am PT

    @McGregor well thats what the Xbox did they sell you trhe Wifi and evething as "accessories" but the ps3 didnt do that they sold you every thing jamed in the console, but as you all know the Xbox sales are better because of the RRoD and ppl want the cheapes and i think that sony is gnna be playing dirty just like the xbox now

  • McGregor

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 7:35 am PT

    @EYE0NE
    I 100% agree. The 360 "accessories" are just that, accessories. You don't have to buy them. Don't get me wrong, I think the PS3 is an awesome console, but if they removed some of the standard accessories (like wifi) and dropped the price, I think you'd see a huge increase in sales. What that does is gives you a larger install base, which results in more games/accessories sold, which increases profit margins...This price drop is definitely something the PS3 needed and I for one look forward to seeing a larger install base for the struggling console.

  • Marco_Rodrigues

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 4:23 am PT

    portugal and the price drop is for all stores here not only fnac but all others sony said is an official price drop

  • Marco_Rodrigues

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 4:22 am PT

    portugal and the price drop is for all stores here not only fnac but all others sony said is an official price drop

  • Marco_Rodrigues

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 4:22 am PT

    portugal and the price drop is for all stores here not only fnac but all others sony said is an official price drop

  • kamizuka

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 3:43 am PT

    @bigdawg8670 your right we should not fight about wich console is better you should just state your mind, and your right Ps3 is better . it is true that the price is high but it is even a better bargen than the Xbox, because if you bought the xbox you know that you'll buy a new one after a year or 2 (RRoD) PS: i love the Xbox but i will never buy one again

  • red12ocket

    Posted Aug 18, 2009 1:32 am PT

    HAHAHAHA bigdawg8670's little quip at the end there is priceless.

  • bigdawg8670

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 11:55 pm PT

    in the long run ps3 buyers save more because we dont need to pay for online capabilities. if you get a year of live then when that year up you either pay for more or you dont. and if your xbox has no live then it is much worse then the ps3

  • bigdawg8670

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 11:47 pm PT

    is our human nature so animalistic that we begin confrontations over something as trivial as a gaming console. xbox an ps3 have the same purpose to give pleasure to people worldwide and yet we continuosly conflict over which console is better. i truly believe all humans no matter the age thrive on confrontation because from birth it is all we see it is around them and eventually it engulfs ones personality and soon we become these monsters who dont fight for pide or honor, but for sport for money for happiness. btw ps3 is better

  • battlfrnt2006

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 4:18 pm PT

    well lucky me, I have an extra HDMI cable and wi-fi, so let the price-drops begin!

  • fatpumba3

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 3:03 pm PT

    Co can I please have an estimated price of what it will be in Australian dollars?

    Thank you and could one of you PM me with the answer? Thanks!

  • Spoon_Si posted Aug 17, 2009 12:59 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Spoon_Si

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 12:59 pm PT (hide)

    Sony needs take out wifi, and give out some damn HDMi cable & headset instead... freaking sad when no1 has a headset when you play fat princess and Killzone 2. av cables.. now that a joke..

  • AntDaGamer

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 12:37 pm PT

    PS3 is good most people that are still knocking sony are just 360 fanboys that can only get one system, idiots, are people that just don't have nothing better to do with there lives. PS3 is on the come up they dominated this year and it isn't gonna stop. The only issue with PS3 is the economy and its price. Which basically in my opinion is the same price as the 360. When you add in the costs of accessories for the 360 and Live its about another 100 bucks added onto the price of the console. Don't believe me Youtube it.

  • claykenobi

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 12:19 pm PT

    I'm just extremely surprised that the PS3 could be struggling so much. I have been so happy with mine and it's exclusives it seems to me like no doubt the better console but also no doubt the more expensive console. Maybe once the price drops people will be able to see how great it is. All I gotta say is Killzone 2...WOW!

  • EYE0NE

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 12:10 pm PT

    I'd like it address some of the bull crap in this conversation (if you can call it that). Some PS3 people don't seem to have a clue about the accessories of the 360s.

    First off, you don't HAVE to have the Wi-Fi adapter. You can just use the ethernet port on the back. Thats what I do anyway. Now I totally agree that $100 for Wifi is total crap. Though I hear it is much better than the PS3's built in wireless.

    Second, Xbox headsets plug into the controller not into the console so there is no wires "running on the floor" as one person said. And if you want there is a wireless headset (albiet an overpriced one)

    Thirdly, the battery pack for the 360 is only $29. Not $50 as stated by someone here. And again, you do NOT have to buy it. The controllers except AAs out of the box. Personally, I think it's worth every penny. Or you can get the play and charge kit like the Playstation's charging cord (except it's longer)

    That all being said, I own both consoles so leave me alone.

  • neonhair

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 11:31 am PT

    Aww man and too think i just hashed out $400 for my ps3

  • greatexastar

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 11:22 am PT

    cmon everybody it is a war out there and i wont lower the weapons and i expect the same thing from my xbox enemies
    (wii doesnt count ...its for pansies)

  • HardCore_PC_Gmr posted Aug 17, 2009 11:18 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    HardCore_PC_Gmr

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 11:18 am PT (hide)

    For superior gaming experience, PC Gaming!

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