For the third time since May, Microsoft has lowered the price of the 500 GB version of the Xbox One gaming console, with the new price tag being only $249.
The first price cut dropped the cost of the gaming console to $299, followed by another one that took it to $279. Now, at only $249, the price of the Xbox One is exactly half of its price tag upon its launch about three years ago, when it was still bundled with the Kinect motion system.
In comparison, a brand new and unbundled 500 GB version of the PlayStation 4 is being sold for $339, with bundles for the Sony gaming console that come with one free game being sold for $349.
The price cut for the Xbox One was revealed by Xbox Live director of programming Larry Hryb, more commonly known as Major Nelson, through Twitter.
Starting today and for a limited time in the US: All 500GB Xbox One Consoles will be $249 https://t.co/Byg74z1lvo pic.twitter.com/XITBD8C260
— Larry Hryb (@majornelson) July 24, 2016
Customers who grab the chance of purchasing the Xbox One for $249 will not only be getting the console, as the price applies to all bundles being offered for the 500 GB version of the console that come with a free game. One of the bundles, the Name Your Game Bundle, will give gamers the option to choose from digital copies of Forza Motorsport 6, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, Rise of the Tomb Raider or Rare Replay as a free game.
According to Hryb's tweet, though, the $249 offer is only for a limited time. There is no indication of when the price tag will remain applicable, so interested customers should definitely make their purchase as soon as possible.
Some gamers, however, might be interested in the Xbox One S, whose 2 TB version will be released on Aug. 2. The pending launch of the Xbox One S, which is a slimmer and sleeker version of the gaming console and capable of supporting 4K Ultra HD video, could also be the reason why Microsoft made another price cut on the Xbox One.
The price cut, which could be seen as an inventory-clearing sale, could be enticing gamers on a budget to purchase the console at an all-time low price, as the Xbox One S will be hitting the market with a $399 price tag.
The Xbox One S is a prelude to an even more powerful version of the gaming console, currently known as Project Scorpio. It is described by Microsoft as "the most powerful console ever," and will be released next fall.
All that said, $249 for a 500 GB Xbox One bundle is a great deal.
