Microsoft Announces US Xbox 360 Platinum Hits

Following news of its UK 'Classics' range, Microsoft has announced plans to release a line of best selling Xbox 360 titles as part of its discounted 'Platinum Hits' line, with an initial lineup of four titles scheduled to debut on October 15 in North America. The first batch of titles as part of this new line will include Perfect Dark Zero, Project Gotham Racing 3, Kameo: Elements of Power, and Need for Speed Most Wanted, each of which will retail at a new lower MSRP of $29.99. The second wave of Platinum Hits is anticipated to arrive in spring of 2007, with titles varying by region. Microsoft notes that 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. All home console systems since the first PlayStation have had a line of discounted games, drawn from the system's best-sellers, with Microsoft taking the move even a step further earlier this year by introducing a Best of Platinum Hits line, further reducing select best selling titles for its original Xbox. However, as anticipation grows for the release of competing next-generation consoles from both Sony and Nintendo, this latest move seems to be indicative of the company's marketing effort to draw attention away from both the PlayStation 3 and Wii with comparatively lower priced software. "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."