Microsoft Announces Significant Price Cuts in Canada

Following recently-announced cuts in the U.S., Microsoft has stated it will be making even more dramatic price reductions to its Xbox 360 consoles in Canada.

The Xbox 360 Core System will now be priced at $299.99 CDN, while the Xbox 360 Premium package has been dropped to $399.99 CDN, a reduction of $100 and $50 CDN respectively. At the high end, the Elite will also drop $50 to come in at $499.99 CDN, and a new Halo 3 Special Edition version of the console will be priced at $449.99 CDN. "The fact that we have been able to keep our launch price longer than any other console while retaining our leadership position demonstrates that consumers believe in the value of the Xbox 360," said Microsoft's Mitch Koch.

Confirmation of the Xbox 360 price cuts come in the wake of Sony's pre-E3 announcements of its own cuts on the PlayStation 3, which led to an upswing in the console's sales. It is believed that Microsoft is relying on the price cut, as well as strong lineup of releases for the holiday season, to counter Sony's recent moves.

In the past, a low-valued Canadian dollar has meant higher prices for identical products than in the U.S., encouraging cross-border shopping despite potential warranty difficulties and other issues. A recent surge has brought it close to par with American currency, however, making price cuts more feasible for retailers and bringing pricing in line with that of the U.S.