Xbox 360 Elite drops to $299, loses HD cables

After weeks of rumors, Microsoft's finally confirmed it--the Xbox 360 Elite is dropping to $299. But that's not all that's getting dropped...

Xbox Elite drops to $299, Pro to $249

With a new box, and without HDMI cables, the Xbox 360 Elite is now $299.

While numerous info leaks from retailers have made it known for weeks, Microsoft made it official this morning, announcing that starting this Friday, the 120GB Xbox 360 Elite will be dropping in price to $299. Additionally,the 60GB Xbox 360 Pro will see a cut to $249 on the same day to clear out its remaining stock.

It seems like the Elite may be losing some of its appeal after the price drop, however. Recently released images of the system's new packaging on Xbox spokesman Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb's Flickr page (one of which is shown above) seem to show the system without the previously-included HDMI cables. Instead, the system will be sold with composite cables, which cannot display the system in high-definition.

The news comes a little over a week after Sony announced its price drop of the PlayStation 3 to $299 alongside the unveiling of a new PS3 slim model. Here's Microsoft's official announcement.

Xbox 360 Drops Elite Console Price by $100

Xbox 360 today invites you to experience more fun, more entertainment and more ways to connect with friends and family at an even better value. Beginning August 28, the price of an Xbox 360 Elite console will drop by $100, now priced at just $299.99 estimated retail price in the United States.

On top of that, the Xbox 360 Pro console will now be priced at $249.99, reflecting a price reduction of $50, while supplies last. Starting at just $199.99 for the Xbox 360 Arcade console,Xbox 360 puts all your entertainment in one place so you can play games, watch movies and TV shows, listen to music, and, coming this fall, keep up with your Twitter and Facebook social circles, all from your Xbox 360. And, as announced earlier this year, the Xbox 360 you buy today will work with code-named "Project Natal" and controller-free gaming in the future.

"With the holiday season right around the corner, it's already time to start looking for entertainment and gifts that everyone will enjoy," said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of strategy and business development for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft Corp. "If you're looking for deep experiences that don't require deep pockets, now is the time to purchase an Xbox 360. We've got the best games, a vast library of TV shows and movies, new music experiences, more ways to connect friends and family, and so much more on the horizon including 'Project Natal'?no controller required."

THE VERDICT by Dave Rudden Dave Rudden's Avatar

After weeks and weeks of leaks and leaks, I'm understandably underwhelmed by this announcement. I thought the delayed reply to Sony would come with extra incentives, like a bonus game or accessory, as rumored on OMGHalo. Not to look a gift price drop in the mouth, but the fact that it seems like the system doesn't come with any HD cables out of the box is also a bummer.

Comments [60]

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lovetelephone

Does it come with a Blu-Ray player? Or a built-in wireless connection? meh... I'll pass.

Toneman

PS3 doesn't come with HD cable either... but either way... I have the PS3 and Wii so I don't need the 3rd console for the few exclusives. Sweet deal nonetheless

duffmanth

I don't know why people bitch about the Elite not coming with HDMI cables, considering most people still probably don't have HDTV's?! Just as a side note, if you want an HDMI cable, you don't have to spend $100+ on some over priced Monster cable, just get a generic one for $25. They do the same thing.

GasTankKiller

shotgunzzzz wrote:

Man that makes it 450$ to get live 500$ if you get an hdmi cable, pass

What makes $450 or $500? When I figure it out this is what I have come up with.
---
Option A - 360 is $299.99 + HDMI Cable for $50 (why buy a $50 Cable) + $50 for XBL = $399.99.
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Option B - 360 is $299.99 + HDMI Cable for $20 (Cheaper HDMI Cable) + $50 for XBL = $369.99.
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Option C - 360 is $299.99 + HDMI Cable for $20 or less + $40 for XBL (Buy.com or Amazon.com) = $359.99.
---
I bought my XBL from Buy.com for only $38.

Still having a hard time trying to figure out how you did your math here. None of my options have come out to $450 - $500.

Mario4746

MS had to make this move, but I agree about the HDMI cables, it should have came with them just to gain a little edge back since the PS3 does come with WiFi and BluRay. I'm by time Xmas MS will come out with a bundle for the Elite. I still won't buy a PS3 and anyone who does just shows Sony that they can do whatever they want and people will still follow. I'm not fallin in to their BS, they should have never tried to play all of us consumers by tryin to over charge us, just cause they thought they could since it's Playstation. I'm not havin that, I'll stick with a company that understands the consumer and not trying to bully us cause of the success of their past consoles. That's all they tried to do, when they charged $600 for a system and the sad part was and still is, what game wise, has it done better than Xbox?? Nothing and even videogame critics say the samething everytime a game comes out, that there is no difference graphically or game play wise on either system, so why was I and why did people pay $200 more for the same.

numba1gamer

GasTankKiller wrote:

shotgunzzzz wrote:

Man that makes it 450$ to get live 500$ if you get an hdmi cable, pass

What makes $450 or $500? When I figure it out this is what I have come up with.
---
Option A - 360 is $299.99 + HDMI Cable for $50 (why buy a $50 Cable) + $50 for XBL = $399.99.
---
Option B - 360 is $299.99 + HDMI Cable for $20 (Cheaper HDMI Cable) + $50 for XBL = $369.99.
---
Option C - 360 is $299.99 + HDMI Cable for $20 or less + $40 for XBL (Buy.com or Amazon.com) = $359.99.
---
I bought my XBL from Buy.com for only $38.
Still having a hard time trying to figure out how you did your math here. None of my options have come out to $450 - $500.

You can't play online without a connection to the internet so people who don't have a wifi adapter will have to pay $100 to buy it seperate if they want to use XBL.

The HDMI cable is no big deal but i've heard from others that they can be found very cheap for like 10 bucks or under and all HDMI cables do the same thing

I myself don't think this is good enough with the still overpriced hard drives and wifi adapters. But the RROD is still their numba1 problem.

tparsons5150

GasTankKiller wrote:

shotgunzzzz wrote:

Man that makes it 450$ to get live 500$ if you get an hdmi cable, pass

What makes $450 or $500? When I figure it out this is what I have come up with.
---
Option A - 360 is $299.99 + HDMI Cable for $50 (why buy a $50 Cable) + $50 for XBL = $399.99.
---
Option B - 360 is $299.99 + HDMI Cable for $20 (Cheaper HDMI Cable) + $50 for XBL = $369.99.
---
Option C - 360 is $299.99 + HDMI Cable for $20 or less + $40 for XBL (Buy.com or Amazon.com) = $359.99.
---
I bought my XBL from Buy.com for only $38.
Still having a hard time trying to figure out how you did your math here. None of my options have come out to $450 - $500.

+ a Blu-ray player ?

and + $50 for XBL (why pay for what Sony offers for free)

fgijonc

Its truly a shame I already have an Xbox360, though not the elite version with HDMI capabilities, but oh well.

But what I do have my eye on, is the PS3 now, which Ive had my eye on it for a long, but I nearly ripped my eye out once Sony announced the PS3 price drop. So, soon, I'm getting on.

Microsoft, I think you may have a competition on your hands, because the PS3 offers quite a few things your console doesn't. Don't get me wrong, I like the Xbox, and some of the stuff it offers is neat and all, but the PS3, just smacks you in the mouth when compared.

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