Console Price War As Microsoft Slashes Xbox Prices

A price war appears set to erupt in market for games consoles, with Microsoft Australia yesterday slashing the recommended retail prices of its Xbox 360 consoles and Kinect bundles by $50 to $150.

The cut comes as the industry prepares for the key retail sales period from October until Christmas.

Game titles are also affected – for instance, Halo 4 will retail for $89.95 for a standard edition, and will be available in a limited edition at $129.95. The game launches on November 6.

New hardware pricing includes Kinect Sensor, now $149 (down $50); 4GB Xbox 360, now $199 (down $50); 4GB Xbox 360 with Kinect, now $299 ($100 saving); 250GB Xbox 360, now $299 ($150 saving) and limited-edition consoles $399 ($50 saving).

– Sony last week set prices of A$299-399 for its latest PlayStation 3 games consoles (CDN, Sep. 27). Nintendo Australia is expected to launch its new Wii U console in early December