Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2007/08/15/ms_oz_xbox_price_cuts/

MS cuts Xbox 360 prices Down Under

AUD100 off

By Tony Smith

Posted in Personal Tech, 15th August 2007 00:54 GMT

Microsoft has today slashed the price of the Xbox 360 in Australia, bringing the basic Core model down to the same price as Nintendo's globally popular Wii console.

It's now priced at AUD399.95, 20 per cent less than the AUD499.95 Microsoft was previously charging for it. The standard Xbox 360 has also had AUD100 knocked off its retail price - it now costs AUD549.95, down from AUD649.95. Prices include the local GST sales tax.

The cuts comes a week after Microsoft pared back the prices of the Xbox 360 in the US by up to $50, depending on the model. European gamers are also waiting for local price reductions, which are now more likely that Australia, a region that likewise uses the PAL TV standard, has seen its Xbox 360 prices pruned.

Australian Xbox buffs, meanwhile, are awaiting the arrival of the Xbox 360 Elite, which brings a 120GB hard drive and an HDMI port to the games console. The Elite has yet to be price up over here and a release date set. It is believed that the console will debut down under on 30 August, just after the console's 24 August European arrival. It is said to be pegged at AUD729.95.