Xbox 360 Invites Everyone to Play

[alexp999]

Imagine if friends and families had the ability to instantly watch movies from Netflix, live out their musical fantasies through Rock Band 2 and Lips, star in their own Hollywood classics with You're in the Movies, or have the power to never miss the latest episode of Heroes-all from one device, starting at $199.

That device is Xbox 360, and today Microsoft announced lower retail prices for the gaming and entertainment console in the United States, which offers the leading Xbox LIVE service. Beginning September 5, Xbox 360 Arcade retails for the estimated price of $199.99, the Xbox 360 console for $299.99, and Xbox 360 Elite for $399.99.


Industry Milestone
"We are thrilled to be the first next-generation console on the market to reach $199, a price that invites everyone to enjoy Xbox 360," said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "Xbox 360 delivers amazing performance at an extraordinary value with the leading online service and best lineup of games, downloadable movies and TV shows available from a console. The majority of consumers make the decision to buy consoles once the price falls to this mark, making this an important milestone for consumers and the industry."

History shows that more than 75 percent of all console sales happen after the price falls below the $200 mark. For millions of consumers who have been waiting for the perfect time to buy an Xbox 360 console, their moment has finally arrived. At $199, Xbox 360 is the most affordable next-generation console on the market, offering something for everyone with the most dynamic, interactive entertainment experiences available.

Digital Entertainment Powerhouse
Xbox 360 Arcade plus a 12-month Xbox LIVE Gold Membership and a Netflix subscription costs $100 less than 12 months of digital cable. Xbox 360 invites everyone into a limitless world where the best games, movies and TV shows can be enjoyed live side-by-side with your personal pictures and music library.

No matter what kind of game makes your heart race, Xbox 360 has something for everyone. Music lovers can play new games such as Lips, the only singing game that offers wireless motion-sensitive microphones and the ability to sing along to your own music collection.

If you're ready to rock and roll, Guitar Hero World Tour and Rock Band 2 let you virtually step into the shoes of your favorite bands. Enjoy family-friendly games such as the big-screen movie-maker You're in the Movies and blockbusters such as Gears of War 2, the biggest entertainment event of this holiday season. With Xbox LIVE Arcade, downloadable games are available that the entire family can enjoy-titles such as Braid, Castle Crashers, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, PAC-MAN Championship Edition, and UNO.

Hi-Def Movies and TV Shows
Whether you want access to streaming movies and TV shows or a library of high-definition content, it's on Xbox 360. Starting this fall, Xbox 360 is the only game console to offer instant streaming of more than 12,000 feature films and television shows from Netflix.

In addition, the Xbox LIVE Video store has more than twice as many hours of high-definition (HD) movies and TV shows than the nearest competitor. Download your favorite TV shows such as 30 Rock, The Office, and House, or even get a little old school with episodes of The A-Team. If it's movies you want, check out the latest blockbusters and the best in family films, cult classics, horror and much more, all available through Xbox LIVE and Xbox 360.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[SK-1]

Damn I wish it had Bluray It looks like PS3 for me in December. But this is a great deal.

 

[Bl4ck]

yeah wright, 199$ in US, back here in EU in my country it costs like 777,- and should be charged like 450,- , stupid weak US currency .

 

[newtekie1]

But the $199 console can't play older Xbox cames, and can't stream media...

 

[3870x2]

i have a 1200p 24" lcd, and blu-ray rom in my computer. Blu-ray isnt yet supported unless you have vista, and it is beautiful. Imagine 42GB movie definition over 4GB movie definition.

 

[holy_]

OMG, I want to play IU and ToV if I have this

 

[Darkrealms]

They already announced in Japan they would be selling the bottom model for ~$199. I assumed it was already happening in the US.
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=70153&highlight=xbox

 

[Ravenas]

It's amazing to me how Microsoft thinks money means everything. Money is only a fraction of the consumers decision. A larger portion of the decision is actual product value to the customer. Currently, the Xbox 360 is lacking a HD player. Furthermore, they are charging for multiplayer via the internet and also overcharging for their accessories (tremendously).

The PS3 is finally finding it niche in the market, and very successfully at that. Microsoft needs to find ways to improve their product value of the Xbox 360 so consumers actually see something they want over the PS3 (in terms of future and current use).

For example, recently my parents bought 2 (yes 2) PS3's for their HDTVs, so in other-words, they never play games but just want the HD player and the video rental service. That's pretty crazy to me. They bought a PS3 only for the Blu-Ray player, that's called product value my friends. My grandparents also recently purchased a PS3 precisely for the Blu-Ray player...

In terms of the Wii, it obviously has it's own little product value. You get to hold a shaft and direct things with motion plus. Also you get to dance around on a pad and consider that as exercising.

My two cents.

 

[Bl4ck]

It's amazing to me how Microsoft thinks money means everything. Money is only a fraction of the consumers decision. A larger portion of the decision is actual product value to the customer. Currently, the Xbox 360 is lacking a HD player. Furthermore, they are charging for multiplayer via the internet and also overcharging for their accessories (tremendously).

The PS3 is finally finding it niche in the market, and very successfully at that. Microsoft needs to find ways to improve their product value of the Xbox 360 so consumers actually see something they want over the PS3 (in terms of future and current use).

For example, recently my parents bought 2 (yes 2) PS3's for their HDTVs, so in other-words, they never play games but just want the HD player and the video rental service. That's pretty crazy to me. They bought a PS3 only for the Blu-Ray player, that's called product value my friends. My grandparents also recently purchased a PS3 precisely for the Blu-Ray player...

In terms of the Wii, it obviously has it's own little product value. You get to hold a shaft and direct things with motion plus. Also you get to dance around on a pad and consider that as exercising.

My two cents.

I agree that most ppl buy the PS3 mostly b/c it is the cheapest BR player, add couple of bucks for the PS3 remote and there you go, but the Blue Ray player mounted in PS3 isnt the best drive in house either, it must be cheap for some reason.

 

[eidairaman1]

in the beginning the PS3 didnt seem worth it, because they tried the same strategy as the PS2 and it wasnt popular from the get go, i guess thanks to price tag etc, and i guess with all the problems still plaguing the XB360, looks like MS may can it, but i guess they are trying to spur sales, 200 dollars seems to be the sweet spot for any game console, as it was during the 8bit-64bit era.

 

[Ravenas]

in the beginning the PS3 didnt seem worth it, because they tried the same strategy as the PS2 and it wasnt popular from the get go, i guess thanks to price tag etc, and i guess with all the problems still plaguing the XB360, looks like MS may can it, but i guess they are trying to spur sales, 200 dollars seems to be the sweet spot for any game console, as it was during the 8bit-64bit era.

200$ for a console with no hard-drive and a wired controller. Yeah, that makes sense. Great console there!

 

[Wile E]

i have a 1200p 24" lcd, and blu-ray rom in my computer. Blu-ray isnt yet supported unless you have vista, and it is beautiful. Imagine 42GB movie definition over 4GB movie definition.

Blu-Ray is supported in XP. Works just fine in Cyberlink Power DVD.


Back on topic: I think the 360 getting cheaper is great, but I still prefer my PS3. Sure, the entry cost is more, but you get a lot more for your money. MS will make up the difference by charging you monthly fees and gouging you on accessories anyway. I rarely play my 360, because I refuse to give MS money for playing online.

 

[WarEagleAU]

Stupid weak US Currency? Stupid strong GBP and EU. Hell I cant help that.

 

[eidairaman1]

Blu-Ray is supported in XP. Works just fine in Cyberlink Power DVD.


Back on topic: I think the 360 getting cheaper is great, but I still prefer my PS3. Sure, the entry cost is more, but you get a lot more for your money. MS will make up the difference by charging you monthly fees and gouging you on accessories anyway. I rarely play my 360, because I refuse to give MS money for playing online.

whats funny is no-one has figured out how to hack the XB network or allow interplay between PC and XB games like COD4?

 

[SK-1]

but the Blue Ray player mounted in PS3 isnt the best drive in house either, it must be cheap for some reason.

Hmmmm,...everything I have read about the PS3 BlueRay player is positive,...very positive as a matter of fact

 

[Wile E]

Hmmmm,...everything I have read about the PS3 BlueRay player is positive,...very positive as a matter of fact

It is the weakest link in the console tho. Most PS3's that fail, have the BD drive go bad. What's funny is, most of the time, it will still read DVDs, just not BDs. Tho that all happens a lot less often than the 360 RRODs.

 

[candle_86]

meh not a single console personally interests me, unless they give me Super Mario Bro's 3 and Sonic the Hedgehog 2

 

[eidairaman1]

ya that was the Primary Reason id buy a Console was because of good Platformers, and Fighting Games, even beatem ups like Streets of Rage

 

[mlupple]

I bought a 20GB for my GF's bro 2 days ago for $299. good thing he hasn't received it yet! Now I can return this heap and get the 60 GB! WOOT

 

[hacker111]

Damn I wish it had Bluray It looks like PS3 for me in December. But this is a great deal.

Hey man.. if the vp says that thats going to happen then it is..

 

[hacker111]

Stupid weak US Currency? Stupid strong GBP and EU. Hell I cant help that.

How is the currency of the US have to do with the 360?