Microsoft has officially announced the first batch of Platinum Hits for the Xbox 360. The games are:Perfect Dark Zero
Project Gotham Racing 3
Kameo: Elements of Power
Need for Speed Most Wanted
Conspicuously missing from the list is Call of Duty 2, the 360's first million seller. The first four Platinum Hits will be available for the bargain price of $29.99 starting October 15th -- the second set should be announced in the spring of 2007. It's a far cry from what we considered a bargain last gen, but it's definitely better than nothing. So, for those of you that haven't picked these up yet, will a $29.99 price tag make you reconsider?
See the full press release after the break.
Microsoft Announces Platinum Hits Lineup for Xbox 360
Four Top-Selling Game Titles Included in First Wave of Platinum Hits;
Second Wave to Follow in Spring 2007
REDMOND, Wash. - September 20, 2006 - Microsoft Corp. today announced
the debut of Platinum Hits lineup for Xbox 360 software titles,
available October 15 at retail locations in North America. The first
wave of Platinum Hits games includes "Perfect Dark Zero" (Microsoft Game
Studios), "Project Gotham Racing 3" (Microsoft Game Studios), "Kameo:
Elements of Power" (Microsoft Game Studios) and "Need for Speed Most
Wanted" (Electronic Arts). The games will carry a manufacturer's
suggested retail price (MSRP) of $29.99 USD.
The Xbox Platinum Hits program accounted for more than sixteen million
software sales - approximately 16 percent of all Xbox software sold.
Platinum Hits titles for the first Xbox console included "Halo: Combat
Evolved" (Bungie) and "Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge" (Microsoft
Game Studios), some of the best-reviewed games on the console.
"The Platinum Hits program allows existing gamers and new gamers alike
to have access to great games at a great price," said Mitch Koch,
corporate vice president of Worldwide Retail Sales for the Interactive
Entertainment Business. "Xbox 360 will have a ten million unit head
start by the end of 2006, and there will be plenty of new console owners
eager to jump in to the best-selling Xbox 360 games."
"Not only does the Platinum Hits program offer games at a
great value," Koch added, "it ensures that the platform's best games are
available to new customers at an amazing price. And if you missed
playing a game the first time around, now is a great reason to pick it
up."
"The Platinum Hits program was extremely successful for the Xbox, and we
are excited to see it continue on the Xbox 360," said Bob McKenzie,
Senior Vice President of Merchandising at GameStop Corp. "When you look
at the Xbox 360's fantastic games library, and now the inclusion of the
Platinum Hit program, it is easy to see the great value and choices that
all gamers are able to tap into."
The second wave of Platinum Hits arrives in spring of 2007 after
launching worldwide this holiday, with titles varying by region. Europe,
Asia, Latin America, Japan and Australia will all have Platinum Hits
programs with lineups tailored for the specific tastes of gamers in
those regions.
1. Technically, I think these were all priced at $30 already.
This is a rebranding effort to visibly draw attention to low price tier titles, not a price cut.
Posted at 1:15PM on Sep 20th 2006 by J.Goodwin