http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/30/best-buy-done-with-xbox-360-core-model/

For those hoping that the expected $50 Xbox 360 price cut would bring the Core model down to the Wii diculously great price of $250, we got some bad news. According to a source at Best Buy who sent Joystiq these images, the Xbox 360 Core model is dead and remaining stocks are all that's left of the system.

The sheet, according to our source, shows the description of the Xbox 360 Core hardware and underneath it is the word "deleted, meaning it is being taken out of the system." The out of stock date reads 7-29-07 and the larger image (found after the break) shows the pref code "y." According to the source, "This means replenishment of this item is not expected."

In a statement from July 16, when we originally heard rumblings that the Xbox 360 Core was over, a Microsoft spokesperson told us in regards to it being discontinued, "No. Xbox 360 Core remains an important member of the Xbox 360 family." Well, if the Best Buy papers end up being true, an important part of the family is about to swim with the fishes. Like Fredo from The Godfather, it breaks our hearts. We've contacted Microsoft to see if they'd like to revise their "important member" statement.

Update: We heard back from a Microsoft representative who said, "Nothing's changed since last week."

The X360 core is being discontinued in Australia according to Wikipedia and it is a pointless SKU(no HDD or wireless controller with it).

Good, I think having multiple variations of consoles is stupid. The premium and the 80GB PS3 should be the only versions on sale in my opinion.

Considering how badly core was selling, I think that this was just a matter of time. I am pretty sure producing multiple models is not as efficient as producing a single model, and Microsoft needs to cut all costs they can.

- good, I have check forum before posting, so double thread avoided
- this information fit with a pics that show the price of the premium pack at 349$ without mentionning the Core at 249$
- Since the core was not selling it is a good point for the Xbox360 : no need to produce something that doesnt sell
- it means that the entry price of the Xbox360 is increasing that is a bad point for casual gamer that want a
cheap console
- it means that all the Xbox360 SKU will have hard drive that is good for future game.

Although I think it would be a good move in general for the 360 (having only HDD SKU's), I think this just might be a case of a retailer tired of the Core eating up space in the store, and not ordering more because of how slow it sells. I could be wrong though, I suppose we'll find out soon.

It should have been 18 months ago.

This drops the chance of 360 competting with the wii.

Umm it's not being discontinued. Ever.

The core is great for MS, that's why so many people hate it.

This rumor is extremely flaky and probably not true to start (how the hell do we know ANY of this is legit? From the printout, to what "pref code Y" means?). In fact, it kind of doesn't make sense. Why would the sku both be "deleted" and also say replenishment not expected? If it's being deleted, how could it be replenished?

Second, even if it IS true, most likely Best Buy is just getting a new core sku soon because of the price cuts.

Third, even if they are totally not carrying any core systems anymore, so what, that's just one retailer. Wal Mart, Target, Amazon, will carry it, and Best Buy could bring it back later when it gets more popular (or risk losing sales).

BTW,Core is confirmed to be getting a price cut to 279.99. Elite will be 449.99. Only premium got a 50 cut for now.

In October, more cuts are coming with Falcon. Core will be 249, Premium 299, and Elite 399. The current cuts are just to clear out 90nm premiums.

Eh. Not quite. It's not confirmed.

Honestly? I would assume, more than anything, they're just trying to kill off the current core system. If anything, MS could desire to re-launch the core once Falcon is out, and maybe intergrate a small USB-derived HDD, and keep the price near the Wii level.

Either way, consumers win. I do think that MS will keep it, but might just be readily trying to phase out the current core in favor of a more meaningful unit, as most consumers (as stated) do own HDDs. With Rockstar and other developers clamoring for HDD-only games, they might as well intergrate a 1gb flash memory card. This would be expecially wonderful for Halo 3 owners that need a basic HDD to re-play Halo 1 and 2 with BC.