Down Under: Pre-orders for Xbox 360 to begin next week

Participating leading retailers will officially begin taking Australian pre-orders for the Xbox 360 from December 8, it was announced today.



The program will allow customers to be among the first in Australia to own an Xbox 360, subject to availability at participating retailers. The Xbox 360 sold out on its US debut day last week and similar enthusiasm for the next-generation console is expected when it is released at one minute past midnight on March 2, 2006 in Australia.

Pre-orders for Xbox 360 (RRP*$649.95) will be taken at leading participating Australian retailers.

David McLean, Regional Director, Xbox Australia said he was excited that both retailers and consumers are putting the Xbox 360 at the top of their wish list. “We will be working closely with our retail partners during the pre-order program to best meet the anticipated high Australian demand,” McLean said.

“We are on currently on track with our manufacturing plans, with enough volume to support the Australian launch. However given the unprecedented demand shown in other parts of the world we would obviously encourage keen customers to pre-order their Xbox 360.”

Customers who pre-order the Xbox 360 will also be able to purchase the VIP Premiere Pack from leading participating Australian retailers – which includes discounted accessories† and leading launch title Perfect Dark Zero. The VIP Premiere Pack has a recommended retail price of $149.95* and includes:

- Leading launch title Perfect Dark Zero (RRP*$99.95)

- Additional wireless controller (RRP*$79.95)

- Limited edition faceplate (RRP*$29.95)

- Preview DVD featuring video of upcoming titles, recent Xbox 360 events and interviews with executives

- Access to a Xbox 360 VIP Premiere Pack website that includes exclusive content on the Xbox 360

The VIP Premiere Pack is not available with the Xbox 360 Core System. The VIP Premiere Pack will also be available from leading participating Australian retailer December 8.

“The VIP Premiere Pack is specifically designed for gamers,” McLean said. “These are people who are going to want an additional wireless controller, a great game and an insider’s account of the Xbox 360.”

The VIP Premiere Pack is only for exclusive use with Xbox 360. The accessories in the pack are not compatible with the original Xbox video game system.

Xbox also announced Australian recommended retail pricing for Microsoft Game Studios Xbox 360 launch titles today. Perfect Dark Zero, Project Gotham Racing 3 and Kameo: Elements of Power each will have a recommended retail price of $99.95*.

*The price set out or referred to herein is only a recommended price, inclusive of GST as at 30 November 2005, and there is no obligation on any person to comply with the recommendation. Price is subject to change without notice. Availability of stocks will at all times be dependent on inventories held by resellers and no guarantee is made by Microsoft as to the availability of any product from any person or at any time.