Following a price cut in Japan, Microsoft has followed through in the Unitied States. Now the cheapest current generation console, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is the first to reach $200.

Proving rampant rumours correct, the press release writes:

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.

Apparently that device is the Xbox 360, which now enters the market at $200, $50 cheaper than Nintendo’s Wii.  The following prices will go live this weekend:

Xbox 360 Arcade $199.99
Xbox 360 $299.99
Xbox 360 Elite $399.99

We won’t know the impact of this price slash until NPD next month, nor will we know how the other console makers will respond, but we do know that Microsoft is very pleased with themselves.  Now confident that the Xbox 360 can lock down second place in the console race, Microsoft’s Don Mattrick comments: “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.”

Tags: Price-cut, Xbox 360

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