Console Wars: Price round up
Recent price cuts from Microsoft have made the Xbox 360 the cheapest console on the market. And, while the Xbox360’s price has gone down, despite the rand losing about 30% of its value against the dollar, the Nintendo Wii is now significantly more expensive.
Where the Wii was once the cheapest console around, it is now almost double what an entry level Xbox 360 costs.
The PS3 has held on tight and is still sitting at around the R4 600 for the 40GB version.
Many argue that the Xbox arcade is not of much value as it doesn’t include a dedicated hard drive. However, even the 60GB Pro offers good value. Currently consumers can pick up the Xbox 360 60Gb Pro with Gears of War 2 for R400 less than a Wii.
The Wii sports pack is now available for R3400, about R700 more than it cost about a year ago.
The Wii, being the console for the casual gamer, has traditionally been cheaper than the Xbox 360 and PS3. Now being priced in between the more serious consoles, it remains to be seen whether it will retain its value proposition.
Currently available console deals
Wii sports pack – R3 400
Xbox 360 elite 120GB – R3 500
Xbox 360 Pro 60 GB – R2 700 (with Gears of War 2 R3 000)
Xbox 360 Arcade – R1 800 (same as Slimline PS2)
PS3 80GB + Unreal tournament and Grand Turismo 5 – R5 400
PS3 40 GB – R4 600
Gaming console pricing discussion
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