In Canada, Microsoft pulled a fast one this past Halloween weekend by slashing the price of the Xbox 360 Pro to C$199.99, making it the most compelling gaming console in the market at this price point. (Handout)

(Evergeek) - In Canada, Microsoft's Xbox 360 Pro bundle, which includes the console, a 60GB snap-on hard drive, one Xbox 360 Wireless Controller and a wired headset and microphone, represents most everything a gamer needs to experience what the Xbox 360 has to offer (save for a 1-year Xbox Live subscription).

More tantalizing, albeit temporarily, the price of Pro has dropped C$80, down to $199.99 from its previously reduced price of C$279.99. The Pro now costs the same anemic Xbox 360 Arcade, the no-frills "entry level" version of the console that is sold without a hard-drive.

According to the websites of retailers such as Future Shop and Best Buy Canada, the sale is ongoing until November 5, 2009 or until supplies last.

As suggested by the original price cut, this significant drop seems to mark the end of the Xbox 360 Pro in the 60GB configuration, leaving the Xbox 360 Elite on the high end and the Xbox 360 Arcade as the entry-level console. Special edition game and console bundles make an occasional appearance, as is the case with a COD4: Modern Warfare 2 bundle sporting the forthcoming Activision game, a custom chassis and a whopping 250GB hard drive with the console at $429.99.

As of this writing, Best Buy Canada had sold out of all Xbox 360 Pro units by end of day while Future Shop still had a few "in-store" units available but no stock left for online purchases. Other Canadian retailers such as HMV, EB Games and Toys R Us seem to have discontinued the Xbox 360 Pro completely.

The introduction of a cheaper, slimmer PlayStation 3 in September triggered price cuts from Microsoft and Nintendo - good news for console buyers.

By comparison, Nintendo's Wii sells for C$209.99 while a slimmed down Sony PlayStation 3 can be had for C$299.99.

Microsoft's move stirs up an already-intense three-way price war between console makers heading into the holiday buying season.

File Under: Xbox 360

Link: http://xbox.com

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