Price cuts

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	02012-11-01-0000November 2012	$299 for Basic 8GB / $349 for Deluxe 32GB (launch price)	^[7]
United States	02013-09-01-0000September 2013	$299 on Deluxe model (-$50)	^[8]
Japan	02012-12-01-0000December 2012	¥26,250 for Basic 8GB / ¥31,500 for Premium 32GB (launch price)	^[9]
United Kingdom	02012-11-01-0000November 2012	???
Europe	02012-11-01-0000November 2012	???

PlayStation 4[]

**PlayStation 4 price cuts**
Country	Date	Price (price change)	Source
United States	02013-11-01-0000November 2013	$399 for 500GB model (launch price)	^[10]
United States	02015-10-01-0000October 2015	$349 for standard bundles (-$50)	^[11]
United States	September 2016	introduce PS4 Slim $299 for 500GB model (launch price)	^[12]
Japan	02014-02-01-0000February 2014	¥39,980 for 500GB model (launch price)	^[13]
Japan	02015-10-01-0000October 2015	¥34,980 (-¥5000)	^[14]
United Kingdom	02013-11-01-0000November 2013	£349 for 500GB model (launch price)	^[15]
United Kingdom	September 2016	introduce PS4 Slim £259 for 500GB model (launch price)	^[16]
Europe	02013-11-01-0000November 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	02013-11-01-0000November 2013	$499 for 500GB Kinect model (launch price)	^[18]
United States	02014-06-01-0000June 2014	Introduce $399 Kinect-free model	^[19]
United States	02014-11-01-0000November 2014	$349 for Kinect-free model bundle (Ended January 3)	^[20]
United States	02015-01-16-0000January 16 2015	$349 for Kinect-free model bundle	^[21]
Japan	02014-09-01-0000September 2014	¥39,980 for 500GB Kinect-free model / ¥49,980 for 500GB Kinect model (launch price)	^[22]
United Kingdom	02013-11-01-0000November 2013	£429 for 500GB Kinect model (launch price)	^[23]
Europe	02013-11-01-0000November 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	02005-11-01-0000November 2005	$299 for Core / $399 for 20GB model
United States	02007-04-01-0000April 2007	introduce 120GB Elite model for $479
United States	02007-08-01-0000August 2007	$279 on Core (-$20) $349 on 20GB (-$50) $449 on 120GB (-$20)
United States	02007-10-01-0000October 2007	Replace Xbox 360 Core with Xbox 360 Arcade
United States	02008-07-01-0000July 2008	$299 for 20GB model (-$50) (discontinued)
United States	02008-08-01-0000August 2008	introduce 60GB model at $349 to replace 20GB model	[7]
United States	02008-09-01-0000September 2008	$199 for Xbox Arcade (-$80) $299 for 60GB Premium (-$50) $399 for 120GB Elite (-$50)	[8]
United States	02009-08-01-0000August 2009	$249 for Xbox 360 Pro (-$50) (discontinued) $299 for 120GB Elite (-$100)	[9]
Japan	02005-12-01-0000December 2005	¥29,000 Core ¥39,795 for 20GB model
Japan	02007-10-01-0000October 2007	¥27,800 yen on Core (-¥1200) ¥34,800 on 20GB (-¥4995)	[10]
Japan	02008-09-01-0000September 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	02005-12-01-0000December 2005	£209.99 Core / £279.99 for 20GB Premium model
United Kingdom	02007-08-01-0000August 2007	£179 on Core (-£20) £249 on 20GB (-£30) introduce 120GB Elite model at £299	[13]
United Kingdom	02008-03-01-0000March 2008	£159 for Arcade model (-£20) £199 for 20GB (-£50) £259 for 120GB Elite model (-£40)	[14]
United Kingdom	02008-08-01-0000August 2008	discontinue 20GB model introduce 60GB model at £199	[15]
United Kingdom	02008-09-01-0000September 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	02006-11-01-0000November 2006	$499 20GB model (launch price) $599 60GB model
United States	02007-04-01-0000April 2007	Discontinue 20GB model (only 60GB remains)
United States	02007-07-01-0000July 2007	$499 on 60GB model (-$100)
United States	02007-08-01-0000August 2007	Introduce 80GB model at $599
United States	02007-10-01-0000October 2007	Discontinue 60GB model (only 80GB remains) $499 on 80GB model (-$100)
United States	02007-11-01-0000November 2007	introduce 40GB model at $399
United States	02008-09-01-0000September 2008	drop 40GB model $399 on 80GB model (-$100)	[18]
United States	02008-11-01-0000November 2008	introduce 160 GB model at $499	[19]
United States	02009-08-01-0000August 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	02006-09-01-0000September 2006	¥59,800 20GB (initial price, had price cut before launch)	[22]
Japan	02006-11-01-0000November 2006	¥49,980 20GB (launch price) ¥59,980 60GB model	[23]
Japan	02007-10-01-0000October 2007	introduce 40GB white model at ¥39,980 ¥44,980 for 20GB model (-¥5,000) ¥54,980 for 60GB model (-¥5,000	[24]
Japan	02008-10-01-0000October 2008	introduce 80GB model at ¥39,980	[25]
Japan	02009-08-01-0000August 2009	introduce PS3 Slim 120GB at ¥29,980	[26]
Japan	02012-10-01-0000October 2012	introduce PS3 Super Slim ¥24,980 for 250GB model (launch price) ¥29,980 for 500GB model (launch price)	[27]
United Kingdom	02007-03-01-0000March 2007	£425 60GB model only (launch price)	[28]
United Kingdom	02007-10-01-0000October 2007	introduce £299 40GB model £349 on 60GB model (-£75) (phasing out)	[29] [30]
United Kingdom	02008-08-01-0000August 2008	discontinue 40GB model introduce 80GB at £299	[31]
United Kingdom	02009-08-01-0000August 2009	introduce PS3 Slim at £249/€299 £249/€299 on 80GB model (-£50)	[32] [33]
Europe	02007-03-01-0000March 2007	€599 60GB model(launch price)	71
Europe	02007-10-01-0000October 2007	Introduce 40GB model at €399 €499 on 60GB model (-€100)(phasing out)	72
Europe	02008-08-01-0000August 2008	Introduce 80GB model at €399 Discontinue 40GB model	73
Europe	02008-10-01-0000October 2008	Introduce fat 160GB model at €499	74
Europe	02009-08-01-0000August 2009	€299 on 80GB model (-€100)(phasing out)	81
Europe	02009-09-01-0000September 2009	Introduce slim 120GB model at €299	75
Europe	02009-10-01-0000October 2009	Introduce slim 250GB model(only in bundle) at €350	76
Europe	02010-09-01-0000September 2010	Introduce slim 320GB model at €349	77
Europe	02010-10-01-0000October 2010	Introduce slim 160GB model at €299	78
Europe	02011-08-01-0000August 2011	€299 on slim 320GB model (-€50) €249 on slim 160GB model (-€50)	82
Europe	02012-09-01-0000September 2012	Introduce super slim 12GB model at €229.99	79 [34]
Europe	02012-10-01-0000October 2012	Introduce super slim 500GB model at €299.99	80

Wii price cuts[]

**Wii price cuts**
Country	Date	Price	Source
United States	02006-11-01-0000November 2006	$249 (launch price)
United States	02009-09-01-0000September 2009	$199 (-$50)	[35]
United States	October 23, 2011	$149.99 (-$50)
United States	October 28, 2012	$129.99 (-$20)	[36]
Japan	02006-11-01-0000November 2006	¥25,000 (launch price)
Japan	02009-09-01-0000September 2009	¥20,000 (-¥5,000)	[37]
United Kingdom	02006-11-01-0000November 2006	£179 (launch price)
United Kingdom	02009-03-01-0000March 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	02009-10-01-0000October 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	02000-10-01-0000October 2000	$299 (launch price)
United States	02002-05-01-0000May 2002	$199 (-$100)
United States	02003-05-01-0000May 2003	$179 (-$20)
United States	02004-05-01-0000May 2004	$149 (-$30)
United States	02006-04-01-0000April 2006	$129 (-$20)
United States	02009-04-01-0000April 2009	$99 (-$30)
Japan	02000-03-01-0000March 2000	¥39,800 (launch price)
Japan	02001-06-01-0000June 2001	¥35,000 (-¥4,800)	[52]
Japan	02001-11-01-0000November 2001	¥29,800 (-¥5,200)	[53]
Japan	May 2003	¥25,000 (-¥4,800)	[54]
Japan	November 2003	¥19,800 (-¥5,200)	[55]
Japan	02006-09-01-0000September 2006	¥16,000 (-¥3,800)	[56]
Europe United Kingdom	02000-11-01-0000November 2000	£299.99 (launch price)

Xbox price cuts[]

**Xbox price cuts**
Country	Date	Price	Source
United States	02001-11-01-0000November 2001	$299 (launch price)
United States	02002-05-01-0000May 2002	$199 (-$100)
United States	02003-05-01-0000May 2003	$179 (-$20)	[57]
United States	02004-03-01-0000March 2004	$149 (-$30)
Japan	?	?	?
Europe UK	?	?	?

Gamecube price cuts[]

**Gamecube price cuts**
Country	Date	Price	Source
United States	02001-11-01-0000November 2001	$199 (launch price)
United States	02002-05-01-0000May 2002	$149 (-$50)
United States	02003-09-01-0000September 2003	$99 (-$50)	[58]
Japan	02001-09-01-0000September 2001	¥25,000 (launch price)	[59]
Japan	02002-06-01-0000June 2002	¥18,800	[60]
Japan	02003-10-01-0000October 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	01995-09-01-0000September 1995	$299 (launch price)
United States	01996-05-01-0000May 1996	$199 (-$100)
United States	01997-03-01-0000March 1997	$149 (-$50)
United States	01998-08-01-0000August 1998	$129 (-$20)	^[25]
United States	01999-08-01-0000August 1999	$99 (-$30)	^[26]
United States	02002-05-01-0000May 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]

References[]

CONSOLE PRICE CUTS: THE EVIDENCE

Video game industry

Sales trends · Holidays · Price cuts · Launch price · Market research · Fiscal reports · Video game costs · Video game delays · Leaks
Dev kit · Attach rate · Gaming conventions · Recession · Rumors · Sales bumps · Casual and hardcore games · Game piracy · Grey market · Controversies · Developer disputes · Video game research · Game development
NPD sales figures · Costs (Most expensive games) · Best-selling games

This article is a stub. You can help Video Game Sales Wiki by expanding it.

[1] [1]

[2] [2]

[3] [3]

[4] [4]

[5] [5]

[6] [6]

[7] ttp://www.ign.com/articles/2012/09/13/wii-u-price-release-date-announced

[8] ttp://www.ign.com/articles/2013/08/28/wii-u-price-drop-confirmed

[9] ttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/sep/13/wii-u-japanese-launch-date-price

[10] ttp://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/11/e3-2013-playstation-4-launching-for-399

[11] ttp://www.ign.com/articles/2015/10/08/ps4-price-drop-announced-for-north-america

[12] ttps://gamerant.com/ps4-slim-price-release-date/

[13] ttp://www.vg247.com/2013/09/09/playstation-4-to-launch-in-japan-on-february-22nd-2014/

[14] ttp://www.theverge.com/2015/9/15/9329211/sony-ps4-price-drop-japan

[:0-15] 15.0 ^15.1 http://www.ign.com/wikis/playstation-4/PlayStation_4_Price_and_Bundles

[16] ttp://www.trustedreviews.com/news/ps4-slim-news-rumours-leaks-specs-release-date-price-uk

[17] ttp://www.trustedreviews.com/news/ps4-slim-news-rumours-leaks-specs-release-date-price-uk

[18] ttp://www.engadget.com/2013/06/10/microsoft-xbox-one-price-availability/

[19] ttp://www.polygon.com/2014/5/13/5713440/xbox-one-no-kinect-release-date-price-microsoft

[20] ttp://news.xbox.com/2014/11/xbox-one-now-available-starting-at-349

[21] ttp://www.polygon.com/2015/1/15/7554153/xbox-one-price-drop-349-dollars

[22] ttp://www.polygon.com/2014/5/26/5753354/xbox-one-costs-390-490-in-japan

[23] ttp://www.engadget.com/2013/06/10/microsoft-xbox-one-price-availability/

[24] ttp://www.engadget.com/2013/06/10/microsoft-xbox-one-price-availability/

[25] ttp://psx.ign.com/articles/060/060174p1.html

[26] ttp://psx.ign.com/articles/069/069593p1.html

[27] ttp://www.gameplanet.co.nz/news/123068.20020515.Playstation-2-Price-Drop-In-The-U.S/

[28] ttp://www.videogamer.com/news/analyst_compares_3ds_to_nintendo_64.html

[29] ttp://www.videogamer.com/news/analyst_compares_3ds_to_nintendo_64.html

[30] ttp://www.pvcmuseum.com/games/vs/game-console-launch-prices.htm

[31] ttp://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4789905-1.html

[32] ttp://web.archive.org/web/20090722204716/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-5680399_ITM

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

Price cuts

Contents

Price cuts for the 8th generation[]

Wii U[]

PlayStation 4[]

Xbox One[]

Price cuts for the 7th generation[]

Xbox 360[]

PlayStation 3[]

Wii price cuts[]

Price cuts for the 6th generation[]

PlayStation 2 price cuts[]

Xbox price cuts[]

Gamecube price cuts[]

Dreamcast price cuts[]

Price cuts for the 5th generation[]

PlayStation 1 price cuts[]

Nintendo 64 price cuts[]

Sega Saturn price cuts[]

Price cuts for the 4th generation[]

Sega Genesis price cuts[]

Super Nintendo Entertainment System price cuts[]

See also[]

References[]

References[]

Fan Feed