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Microsoft slashes Xbox 360 prices in Japan

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DVDBack23 @ Sep 02, 2008 15:47 | 13 comments

Officially confirming a leaked story by Forbes, Xbox Japan general manager Takashi Sensui has announced that the company will be slashing the prices of the console in Japan beginning September 11th.

At a media event in Tokyo, Sensui went over the price cuts which are as high as 30 percent and should help the console compete against the Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 3 which sell more units on a weekly basis, by far, in the region.

The entry-level Arcade Model which comes with a small memory card and no HDD, will drop almost 30 percent to sell at 19,800 yen (about $183 USD), the first time a next gen console has hit the under-$200 price point. In theory, the Arcade being under $200 should open the console up to the complete mass market, however with its lack of hard drive and other features there are questions of whether it will do so.

The 20GB model will be phased out and replaced with a new 60GB model which will sell for 29,800 yen, ($275 USD), a nice price cut from the 20GB model.

Finally, at the top end of the scale, the Elite model with its large 120GB HDD will drop substantially as well, from 47,800 ($442 USD) to 39,800 yen ($368 USD).

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Comments

Comment by: DXR88 (Sep 02, 2008 16:40)

Lol,looks like the Samurai will be Slashing those prices.

Now we just need the American gladiators to Smash those prices in America.

t("t) Japan Xbox Prices

Comment by: ZippyDSM (Sep 02, 2008 18:49)

And just think if they slash prices world wide they will sale more units!

Comment by: redux79 (Sep 02, 2008 19:35)

Quote:
Takashi Sensui has announced that the company will be slashing the prices of the console in Japan beginning September 11th.

hopefully the leaked info about the US price cut on the 9th will hold true.

Comment by: Pop_Smith (Sep 02, 2008 19:35)

Holy crap, a nearly 10,000 yen (or nearly $100) price drop on the Elite is fantastic. Too bad they don't have the 60GB at >$250. If (or when) they did that would probably help things quite a bit.

Comment by: Bluevoid (Sep 03, 2008 01:45)

Actually the price cut is supposed to hit sept7 in US. the price cut is not as big, but similar.

Comment by: atomicxl (Sep 03, 2008 13:16)

If they really want the 360 to do better in Japan and not just setup the next xbox to do better than last two, they need to bundle these systems with system seller games or at least games that cracked the Top 10.

Tales of Vesperia gave MS their best week ever in Japan. At the same time, they've been out for two years over there and haven't even sold 700k units. The PS3 is considered to be flopping in japan but its at like 3 million in about half the time it took MS to reach 700k.

When you have that much of a disparity between yourself and the closest competition, I think you need something extreme. If every Pro/Elite came bundled with Tales of Vesperia and Arcades came with either Blue Dragon or Lost Odyssey, I think they could move some units.

You take a loss on software, but you get more systems in homes. 360 cracks the japanese Top 10 for major games. Selling software isn't really their issue. Considering the install base they are working miracles in software sales. However, the issue is getting more systems into houses. Bundles combined with cheap prices will help that alot.

Comment by: Bluevoid (Sep 04, 2008 05:12)

ITS OFFICIAL!! The pricecut will US this Friday Sept 5th. Prices are as follows.

Arcade $200
60gb $300
120gb $400

I ran into the info on penny arcade this evening and it was linked to an official Microsoft blog. Also if you go to the Micfosoft site you will see the updated prices. Looks ill be completing my trifecta of video game goodness on Friday.

Comment by: ZippyDSM (Sep 04, 2008 12:56)

the arcade is worthless put it at 150, the Premium needs to be 250 or lower.

Comment by: Bluevoid (Sep 04, 2008 15:31)

less than a wii is too much? youve gone crazy. you can pick up a hdd onloine for nothing now.

Comment by: ZippyDSM (Sep 04, 2008 15:34)

Originally posted by Bluevoid:
less than a wii is too much? youve gone crazy. you can pick up a hdd onloine for nothing now.

Yes because the games that are made are aimed at casuals and not gamers thus they all are over priced!

Comment by: toadie70 (Sep 04, 2008 17:55)

Originally posted by Bluevoid:
less than a wii is too much? youve gone crazy. you can pick up a hdd onloine for nothing now.

Really??, guess you still have to pay for S&H though..

Comment by: IPRFenix (Sep 04, 2008 23:23)

Quote:
Originally posted by Bluevoid:
less than a wii is too much? youve gone crazy. you can pick up a hdd onloine for nothing now.

Really??, guess you still have to pay for S&H though..

Which depending on where online you get it, usually costs the same as, or is so much cheaper, that it beats the crap out of paying the local tax value.

Comment by: 1bonehead (Sep 05, 2008 17:11)

price wars !

The BPI Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
The RIAA Soundexchange Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
The IFPI Are: The same anti consumer lot as listed above!
The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX.