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Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite to be pulled from console line-up?

Will become basis for game-themed editions instead, it's claimed

Microsoft’s flagship Xbox 360 – the Elite – could soon be canned and replaced with limited-edition models linked to game launches, it has emerged.

The firm will, it's claimed, stop taking orders for the Elite during Q2 so that existing stocks of the top-of-the-range console can begin to shrink, according to sources speaking to website Fudzilla.

Limited-edition Elites – such as the recently unveiled red Resident Evil 5 bundle – will then be sold through selected retailers to maintain exclusivity.

It’s possible that limited-edition Elites may cost more than the current £200-ish ($275/€218) model, which comes with a 120GB hard drive. However, Microsoft may try to sweeten the deal by throwing in a larger hard drive and themed extras.

Since the existing Elite appeals mainly to the hardest of hardcore gamers, it’s reasonable to assume that Microsoft stands to make more money by selling the high-end console as a limited edition game-themed model.

Microsoft’s yet to comment, but it will surely be watching sales of upcoming limited-edition Xbox 360 Elite bundles to get an idea of how such a move would be viewed by gamers. ®

Latest Comments

Id rather wait and get .....

one of the 45nm PS3's that'll be appearing towards the end of 2009 instead, Cool running and quiet as a mouse and as a final bonus, It'll use far less electricity.

In the meantime,.... time to fire up Killzone 2 on my original 60gigger, that one needs it's own personal powerstation, lol !

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Anonymous Coward

LOL

What game launches will those be then? I don't see anything noteworthy being released exclusively in 2009 so far.

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Anonymous Coward

One last attempt...

...at turd polishing

Good plan... paint it all red and and claim the RROD is just a design highlight....

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hmm duno

how well will this work? not sure how its been with limited editions so far, but i always associate out of stocks with a new console. with one less version, the current elite, on the shelves will they be missing vital sales from the 'hardest harcore' gamers who cant get an out of stock limited edition. and cant get an elite because its discontinued.

not so sure on this one, feel free to prove me wrong anybody tho.

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