Xbox 360 Elite, now £199.99.

Microsoft has today confirmed that Xbox 360 Elite will be dropping to £199.99 from the 28th of August. This official confirmation comes only a few days after Sony announced that the PS3 (80GB and Slim) will now retail at £249.99. It seems like the console price wars (between Sony and Microsoft anyway) have well and truly begun which can only be good news for any potential buyers.

In addition to the Elite price cut Microsoft also finally confirmed that they will be phasing out the 60GB Xbox 360 (Premium/Pro) and the Arcade Xbox 360 will now be sold at the higher price of £159.99, news which we reported a week or so ago.

While the Elite price cut news is great and all, some of might like to know that the bundle will no longer include a HDMI cable. It is rather interesting that both of the companies that go on about HD gaming now don’t actually bundle their consoles with a HD cable; contradicting themselves much?!

As a side note, American gamers might be interesed to know that the Elite will be dropping to $299 but the Arcade bundle will remain at $199.99. This really does make the pricing structure in the UK seem very strange and unfair. There is only a £40 difference between the inferior Arcade console and the superior Elite console. Why on earth would someone buy an Arcade without the free arcade games plus no hard drive for £159.99 when they can get an Elite with a 120GB hard drive for £199.99?! Please let us know what you think!