News: System $50 cheaper on Wednesday.
Beginning Wednesday, August 8, if you don't own an Xbox 360 already, you can buy one for $50 less than today. Microsoft made the rumored price cut official by reducing the Xbox 360 Premium bundle (20GB hard drive, wireless controller, Xbox 360 headset) to $349.99. The Core is still around and also received a $20 markdown for a new total of $279.99.
The Xbox 360 Elite is going to sell for $449.99 on Wednesday as well while the September 25 release of Halo 3 will be joined by the previously announced Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition Console for the new price of $399.99. This system package will include an authentic Spartan green-and-gold finish, a matching Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, Xbox 360 20GB hard drive, Xbox 360 Headset and an Xbox 360 Play and a Charge Kit.
In a statement, the company attributed lowering the console's price to the upcoming release of Madden NFL 08:
УThe fact that we have been able to keep our launch price longer than any other console while retaining our leadership position demonstrates that consumers believe in the value of Xbox 360,Ф said Mitch Koch, corporate vice president, Global Retail Sales and Marketing Group, Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. УOn the eve of the best holiday games lineup ever and the launch of СMadden NFL 08,' there has never been a better time to jump into Xbox 360.Ф
While it's true that Microsoft wants to spur the sale of Madden, the price cut of the PlayStation 3 last month was probably a better reason, one that wouldn't appear in an official statement.