Xbox 360 Arcade Drops Price to $199.99
Xbox360 Price Drop Makes Console More Affordable Than Nintendo Wii
Sep 4, 2008
On September 5th, retailers everywhere will drop the prices on the Xbox 360 Arcade edition to just $199.99, while the regular console costs $299.99 and the Elite package is $399.99.
The Xbox 360 Arcade Edition Breakdown
Xbox 360 Arcade includes:
- 1 wireless controller
- 256 MB Memory Card
- 5 Live Arcade games
- HDMI output for HD 1080p potential (cord sold separately)
The Xbox 360 Arcade Edition Difference
The most significant difference between the Arcade edition and the regular or Elite console versions is that the two higher end models include a hard drive for saved games, game updates and downloadable content such as map packs, movies, and other marketplace items.
There is an included 256 MB memory card that can be used for profiles and saved games, but won't fit much else. Other memory cards are available for purchase up to 512 MB, but still come up short for large content items that are available for download. A 20 GB hard drive is available separately for around $89.99 and a 120 GB hard drive for about $149. But adding one of those pushes the price point of this Arcade edition close enough to the other bundle options.
The Xbox 360 vs. Nintendo Wii - A Comparison
This price point definitely makes the Xbox 360 a formidable foe for the Nintendo Wii as it also does not come with a hard drive, but does have 512 MB of internal memory as well as expansion ports. Then again additional cards have to be purchased to obtain more storage space.
Unlike the Wii, the 360 can also play DVD's and will soon offer the ability to watch over 12,000 Netflix movies (for those who subscribe to both Xbox Live and Netflix Unlimiteed) streaming from the internet on their televisions.
As far as game options, the choice between the two really comes down to the preferences of the gamer, but with Xbox Live (at a $49.99 yearly cost), the 360 offers a far more significant and deep online multiplayer option than Nintendo has demonstrated thus far, which may play a huge part in how future sales progress.
Despite consoles from both Microsoft and Sony offering real next-gen graphics, high-definition opportunities, movie playback and more robust online options, Nintendo's Wii, with it's marketing and design focused more squarely on families than just hardcore gamers, has been outselling the 360 and the Playstation 3.
However, it's clear that the new price point will begin to make Microsoft's console an affordable option coming in $50 less than the Wii.
Final Thoughts on the Xbox 360 Arcade Edition
The jury is still out on whether this will help Microsoft climb to the top of the console pile, but with holidays coming soon there is no question the price drop will draw some very interested buyers.
However, without the hard drive the Arcade edition doesn't offer as much depth and options as its two higher priced siblings. But it does come in offering a better next-generation experience and quite a few more options when compared to the Wii.
 |
