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See also: Launch price

Price cuts in video game system often result in better sales, but may be an indication of slowing demand or an aging system. It may also mean more efficient manufacturing processes. Most price cuts vary from $20 to $50, though $100 reductions have occurred.

When the PlayStation 2 price dropped in June 2002 to $199, sales skyrocketed to a then-record -696,969 units.[1] A price decrease in mid-October 2007, improved sales for the Playstation 3 from 30K and 40K in week 1 and 2 to 75K and 100K in weeks 3 and 4, respectively.[2] A further drop to $150 doubled sales again.[3] After a price cut in Europe for the Xbox 360, sales more than doubled.[4][5] An Xbox price cut had similar results when it dropped $30 to $150.[6]

Price cuts for the 8th generation[]

Wii U[]

Wii U price cuts
Country Date Price (price change) Source
United States November 2012 $299 for Basic 8GB / $349 for Deluxe 32GB (launch price) [7]
United States September 2013 $299 on Deluxe model (-$50) [8]
Japan December 2012 ¥26,250 for Basic 8GB / ¥31,500 for Premium 32GB (launch price) [9]
United Kingdom November 2012 ???
Europe November 2012 ???

PlayStation 4[]

PlayStation 4 price cuts
Country Date Price (price change) Source
United States November 2013 $399 for 500GB model (launch price) [10]
United States October 2015 $349 for standard bundles (-$50) [11]
United States September 2016 introduce PS4 Slim
$299 for 500GB model (launch price)
[12]
Japan February 2014 ¥39,980 for 500GB model (launch price) [13]
Japan October 2015 ¥34,980 (-¥5000) [14]
United Kingdom November 2013 £349 for 500GB model (launch price) [15]
United Kingdom September 2016 introduce PS4 Slim
£259 for 500GB model (launch price)
[16]
Europe November 2013 €399 for 500GB model (launch price) [15]
Europe September 2016 introduce PS4 Slim
€299 for 500GB model (launch price)
[17]

Xbox One[]

Xbox One price cuts
Country Date Price (price change) Source
United States November 2013 $499 for 500GB Kinect model (launch price) [18]
United States June 2014 Introduce $399 Kinect-free model [19]
United States November 2014 $349 for Kinect-free model bundle (Ended January 3) [20]
United States January 16 2015 $349 for Kinect-free model bundle [21]
Japan September 2014 ¥39,980 for 500GB Kinect-free model / ¥49,980 for 500GB Kinect model (launch price) [22]
United Kingdom November 2013 £429 for 500GB Kinect model (launch price) [23]
Europe November 2013 €499 for 500GB Kinect model (launch price) [24]

Price cuts for the 7th generation[]

Todo: make graphs

Xbox 360[]

Xbox 360 price cuts
Country Date Price (price change) Source
United States November 2005 $299 for Core / $399 for 20GB model
United States April 2007 introduce 120GB Elite model for $479
United States August 2007 $279 on Core (-$20)
$349 on 20GB (-$50)
$449 on 120GB (-$20)
United States October 2007 Replace Xbox 360 Core with Xbox 360 Arcade
United States July 2008 $299 for 20GB model (-$50) (discontinued)
United States August 2008 introduce 60GB model at $349 to replace 20GB model [7]
United States September 2008

$199 for Xbox Arcade (-$80)
$299 for 60GB Premium (-$50)
$399 for 120GB Elite (-$50)

[8]
United States August 2009 $249 for Xbox 360 Pro (-$50) (discontinued)
$299 for 120GB Elite (-$100)
[9]
Japan December 2005 ¥29,000 Core
¥39,795 for 20GB model
Japan October 2007 ¥27,800 yen on Core (-¥1200)
¥34,800 on 20GB (-¥4995)
[10]
Japan September 2008 ¥19,800 on Core (-¥8000)
introduce 60GB model at ¥29,800 to replace 20GB
¥39,800 on 120GB Elite (-¥8000)
[11]

[12]

United Kingdom December 2005 £209.99 Core / £279.99 for 20GB Premium model
United Kingdom August 2007 £179 on Core (-£20)
£249 on 20GB (-£30)
introduce 120GB Elite model at £299
[13]
United Kingdom March 2008 £159 for Arcade model (-£20)
£199 for 20GB (-£50)
£259 for 120GB Elite model (-£40)
[14]
United Kingdom August 2008 discontinue 20GB model
introduce 60GB model at £199
[15]
United Kingdom September 2008 £129 for Arcade model (-£30)
£169 for 60GB model (-£30)
£229 for 120GB Elite model (-£30)
[16]
United Kingdom July 2010 Introduce Xbox 360 slim (250GB) at £199.99/149.99 (for 4GB) [17]

Microsoft has at least one Xbox 360 model that is cheaper than the Wii and the PlayStation 3 in all three major territories.

Miscellaneous price cuts: Australia

PlayStation 3[]


PlayStation 3 price cuts
Country Date Price (price change) Source
United States November 2006 $499 20GB model (launch price)

$599 60GB model

United States April 2007 Discontinue 20GB model (only 60GB remains)
United States July 2007 $499 on 60GB model (-$100)
United States August 2007 Introduce 80GB model at $599
United States October 2007 Discontinue 60GB model (only 80GB remains)

$499 on 80GB model (-$100)

United States November 2007 introduce 40GB model at $399
United States September 2008 drop 40GB model

$399 on 80GB model (-$100)

[18]
United States November 2008 introduce 160 GB model at $499 [19]
United States August 2009 introduce PS3 Slim 120GB at $299
$299 on 80GB model (-$100)
$399 on 160GB model (-$100)
[20]
United States Template:Dts/invalid input introduce PS3 Super Slim
$269 for 250GB model (bundle launch price)
$299 for 500GB model (launch price)
[21]
Japan September 2006 ¥59,800 20GB (initial price, had price cut before launch) [22]
Japan November 2006 ¥49,980 20GB (launch price)

¥59,980 60GB model

[23]
Japan October 2007 introduce 40GB white model at ¥39,980

¥44,980 for 20GB model (-¥5,000)
¥54,980 for 60GB model (-¥5,000

[24]
Japan October 2008 introduce 80GB model at ¥39,980 [25]
Japan August 2009 introduce PS3 Slim 120GB at ¥29,980 [26]
Japan October 2012 introduce PS3 Super Slim
¥24,980 for 250GB model (launch price)
¥29,980 for 500GB model (launch price)
[27]
United Kingdom March 2007 £425 60GB model only (launch price) [28]
United Kingdom October 2007 introduce £299 40GB model

£349 on 60GB model (-£75) (phasing out)

[29]

[30]

United Kingdom August 2008 discontinue 40GB model

introduce 80GB at £299

[31]

United Kingdom

August 2009 introduce PS3 Slim at £249/€299
£249/€299 on 80GB model (-£50)
[32]

[33]

Europe March 2007 €599 60GB model(launch price) 71
Europe October 2007

Introduce 40GB model at €399

€499 on 60GB model (-€100)(phasing out)

72

Europe August 2008

Introduce 80GB model at €399

Discontinue 40GB model

73

Europe October 2008

Introduce fat 160GB model at €499

74

Europe August 2009 €299 on 80GB model (-€100)(phasing out)

81

Europe September 2009 Introduce slim 120GB model at €299

75

Europe October 2009 Introduce slim 250GB model(only in bundle) at €350

76

Europe September 2010 Introduce slim 320GB model at €349

77

Europe October 2010 Introduce slim 160GB model at €299

78

Europe August 2011

€299 on slim 320GB model (-€50)

€249 on slim 160GB model (-€50)

82

Europe September 2012

Introduce super slim 12GB model at €229.99

79

[34]

Europe October 2012 Introduce super slim 500GB model at €299.99

80

Wii price cuts[]

Wii price cuts
Country Date Price Source
United States November 2006 $249 (launch price)
United States September 2009 $199 (-$50) [35]
United States October 23, 2011 $149.99 (-$50)
United States October 28, 2012 $129.99 (-$20) [36]
Japan November 2006 ¥25,000 (launch price)
Japan September 2009 ¥20,000 (-¥5,000) [37]
United Kingdom November 2006 £179 (launch price)
United Kingdom March 2009 £179 (-£0)(trade price increased about £16-20, retail price remained the same)
(Trade price dropped back in October)
[38]

[39][40]

United Kingdom October 2009 £179 bundle with Wii Sports Resort, MotionPlus
Europe: €199 (-€50)
[41]

[42]

United States 2011-05-15 $149 (-$50), bundle including Mario Kart Wii, Wii Wheel, and Wii Remote Plus [43]
United Kingdom 2011-05-20 £120 (-£50), same bundle as US one immediately above [44]

Price cuts for the 6th generation[]

Interestingly, all 3 consoles in the sixth generation of video games dropped their prices in May 2002. Sony was the first with a $100 price cut for the PlayStation 2, followed by Microsoft's Xbox, and then GameCube to keep its price advantage.[45]

The first PS2 price cut for Japan was on June 29, 2001 (1 year and 2 months after launch) to 35,000 yen from 39,800 and then another when Nintendo's and Microsoft's systems arrived on November 26, 2001 to 29,800 yen ($240).[46] The Xbox dropped its initial price of 34,800 yen to 24,800 yen on May 15, 2002.[47] In the same month, Nintendo dropped the price of its Gamecube to 19,800 from 25,000 yen.[48]

In the United Kingdom, the Xbox price was slashed to 199 pounds five weeks after its release.[49] GameCube dropped its price almost two weeks before its release from 149 pounds to 129 pounds.[50][51]

PlayStation 2 price cuts[]

PlayStation 2 price cuts
Country Date Price Source
United States October 2000 $299 (launch price)
United States May 2002 $199 (-$100)
United States May 2003 $179 (-$20)
United States May 2004 $149 (-$30)
United States April 2006 $129 (-$20)
United States April 2009 $99 (-$30)
Japan March 2000 ¥39,800 (launch price)
Japan June 2001 ¥35,000 (-¥4,800) [52]
Japan November 2001 ¥29,800 (-¥5,200) [53]
Japan May 2003 ¥25,000 (-¥4,800) [54]
Japan November 2003 ¥19,800 (-¥5,200) [55]
Japan September 2006 ¥16,000 (-¥3,800) [56]
Europe


United Kingdom

November 2000 £299.99 (launch price)

Xbox price cuts[]

Xbox price cuts
Country Date Price Source
United States November 2001 $299 (launch price)
United States May 2002 $199 (-$100)
United States May 2003 $179 (-$20) [57]
United States March 2004 $149 (-$30)
Japan ? ? ?
Europe
UK
? ? ?

Gamecube price cuts[]

Gamecube price cuts
Country Date Price Source
United States November 2001 $199 (launch price)
United States May 2002 $149 (-$50)
United States September 2003 $99 (-$50) [58]
Japan September 2001 ¥25,000 (launch price) [59]
Japan June 2002 ¥18,800 [60]
Japan October 2003 ¥14,000 [61]
Europe
UK
? ? ?

Dreamcast price cuts[]

Dreamcast price cuts
Country Date Price Source
United States September 9, 1999 $199 (launch price) [59]
United States August 31, 2000 $150 (-$49) [60]
United States February, 2001 $100 (-$50) [62]
United States December, 2001 $50 (-$50) [61]
Japan ? ? ?
Europe
UK
? ? ?

Price cuts for the 5th generation[]

PlayStation 1 price cuts[]

PlayStation 1 price cuts
Country Date Price Source
United States September 1995 $299 (launch price)
United States May 1996 $199 (-$100)
United States March 1997 $149 (-$50)
United States August 1998 $129 (-$20) [25]
United States August 1999 $99 (-$30) [26]
United States May 2002 $49 (-$50) [27]
Japan December 1994 ¥39,800 (launch price) [63]
Japan July 1995 ¥29,800 (-¥10,000)
Japan March 1996 ¥24,800 (-¥5,000)
Japan June 1996 ¥19,800 (-¥5,000)
Japan November 1997 ¥18,000 (-¥1,800)
Japan December 1998 ¥15,000 (-¥3,000)
Japan September 2001 ¥9,980 (-¥5,020)
France September 1995 2099 Frs ?
France August 1998 790 Frs (-200 Frs) [64]
France August 1999 590 Frs (-200 Frs) [65]

Nintendo 64 price cuts[]

Nintendo 64 price cuts
Country Date Price Source
United States September 1996 $199 (launch price)
United States March 1997 $149 (-$50)
United States August 1998 $129 (-$20)
United States August 1999 $99 (-$30)
UK March 1997 £250 (launch price) [28]
UK May 1997 £150 (-100£) [29]
Japan June 1996 ¥25,000 (launch price) [30]
Europe ? ? ?

Note, in mid-early '98 the price situation is a bit fuzzy. During this time the PS1 Dual Shock system was released at $129, so the old models were marked down to $109. At this time Nintendo had a "limited time" $20 rebate on their $149 N64. Soon, though, the Dual Shock system was put to $129, and the non-Dual Shock systems had ceased production. Nintendo made $129 their standard price too.[31][32]

Sega Saturn price cuts[]

Sega Saturn price cuts
Country Date Price Source
United States May 11, 1995

$399 (launch price) console only


$449 bundled with Virtua Fighter and a FMV only disk of twenty Saturn games 

[69]
United States October2, 1995 $299 (-$100)

$349 bundled with Virtua Fighter Remix

[66]
United States March 28, 1996 $249 (-$50)

$299 bundled with Virtua Fighter Remix (as of April 1)

[67]
United States May 17, 1996 $199 (-$50) [68][69]
United States June 4, 1997 $149 (-$50) [70]

Price cuts for the 4th generation[]

Sega Genesis price cuts[]

Sega Genesis price cuts
Country Date Price Source
Japan 1988-10-29 ¥21,000 (launch price) [71]
United States August 14, 1989 $200
United States June 1991 $149.99 (-$40) [72][73]
United States May 1992 $129.99 (-$20) [74]
United States May, 1992 $99.99 (-$30) [75][76]
United States June 4, 1997 $79.99 (-$20) [77]
United Kingdom September 1990 £189.99 [78]

Super Nintendo Entertainment System price cuts[]

Super Nintendo Entertainment System price cuts
Country Date Price Source
Japan November 21, 1990 ¥25,000
United States August 23, 1991 $199.95 (Launch Price) [79][80]
United States May 1992 $149.95 (-$50) [81]
United States 1992 $99.99 (-$50) [82]

See also[]

References[]

  1. [1]
  2. [2]
  3. [3]
  4. [4]
  5. [5]
  6. [6]
  7. http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/09/13/wii-u-price-release-date-announced
  8. http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/08/28/wii-u-price-drop-confirmed
  9. http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/sep/13/wii-u-japanese-launch-date-price
  10. http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/11/e3-2013-playstation-4-launching-for-399
  11. http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/10/08/ps4-price-drop-announced-for-north-america
  12. https://gamerant.com/ps4-slim-price-release-date/
  13. http://www.vg247.com/2013/09/09/playstation-4-to-launch-in-japan-on-february-22nd-2014/
  14. http://www.theverge.com/2015/9/15/9329211/sony-ps4-price-drop-japan
  15. 15.0 15.1 http://www.ign.com/wikis/playstation-4/PlayStation_4_Price_and_Bundles
  16. http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/ps4-slim-news-rumours-leaks-specs-release-date-price-uk
  17. http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/ps4-slim-news-rumours-leaks-specs-release-date-price-uk
  18. http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/10/microsoft-xbox-one-price-availability/
  19. http://www.polygon.com/2014/5/13/5713440/xbox-one-no-kinect-release-date-price-microsoft
  20. http://news.xbox.com/2014/11/xbox-one-now-available-starting-at-349
  21. http://www.polygon.com/2015/1/15/7554153/xbox-one-price-drop-349-dollars
  22. http://www.polygon.com/2014/5/26/5753354/xbox-one-costs-390-490-in-japan
  23. http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/10/microsoft-xbox-one-price-availability/
  24. http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/10/microsoft-xbox-one-price-availability/
  25. http://psx.ign.com/articles/060/060174p1.html
  26. http://psx.ign.com/articles/069/069593p1.html
  27. http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/news/123068.20020515.Playstation-2-Price-Drop-In-The-U.S/
  28. http://www.videogamer.com/news/analyst_compares_3ds_to_nintendo_64.html
  29. http://www.videogamer.com/news/analyst_compares_3ds_to_nintendo_64.html
  30. http://www.pvcmuseum.com/games/vs/game-console-launch-prices.htm
  31. http://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4789905-1.html
  32. http://web.archive.org/web/20090722204716/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-5680399_ITM

References[]

Video game industry
Sales trends · Holidays · Price cuts · Launch price · Market research · Fiscal reports · Video game costs · Video game delays · Leaks
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NPD sales figures · Costs (Most expensive games) · Best-selling games


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