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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Technology
Keith Stuart

Can Xbox 360 Arcade out-mainstream Wii?

That's certainly the thinking behind Microsoft's decision to drop the price of the basic Xbox machine to $199 in the States. Aaron Greenberg, director of product management for Xbox 360, is quoted as saying, "Over 75 percent of all console sales historically were sold below $200... We know that there's tens of millions of PS2 owners who bought their systems when (the PS2) hit $199."

Sure, Aaron, but then PS2 wasn't completing with Wii - a brilliant machine designed specifically for an immense untapped market of casual users; it was competing with Dreamcast - a cult machine designed for people who wanted to play really good arcade conversions. And Chu Chu Rocket.

However, add the updated UI, the music games, the Netflix deal, and the avatar system, and you've got a compelling family entertainment solution for half the price of a PS3.

Or you've got a cheapo, HD-less version of a hardcore piece of kit that'll just confuse non-gamers looking for a Wii Sports clone. Wow, price cuts are confusing.

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