Best Buy is axing the Xbox 360 Core

by Dustin Burg { Jul 30th 2007 at 3:00PM }

Via an anonymous tipster (which are our favorite kinds), Joystiq received picture evidence that electronics retailer Best Buy is getting rid of the Xbox 360 Core system and isn't going to stock anymore. The tipster supplied sheet shows the Core model with a "deleted" status which means Best Buy has discontinued the item with an "out of stock" date of July 27th. The anonymous tipster also mentioned that the Xbox 360 core preference code is set to "y", which means that the retailer isn't expecting any more stock.

So, with our rumor hat firmly secure on our heads, we have to speculate to what this exactly means. The most obvious conclusion would be that Microsoft themselves is discontinuing the Core system. But that isn't the case, because Joystiq has since heard back from Redmond since running the story and Microsoft is stating that the Core is still important to the 360 offerings and isn't going anywhere. So, could this just be a case of Best Buy removing the SKU due to inventory sake or could the removal of the Core hint at the rumored price cut? You know, using the logic that Best Buy feels a soon to be priced $349 Premium system would sell well enough that there'd be no need for the Core does make sense. No matter what the case is, we don't have any real answer for Best Buy's lack of Core love, but the news does get our heads thinking crazy thoughts.

Tags: best buy, BestBuy, core, nomorecore, xbox360, xbox360core

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

DjDATZ @ Jul 30th 2007 3:06PM

I say Core = pointless.

BestBuy agrees.

Josh @ Jul 30th 2007 3:13PM

gibber9583 @ Jul 30th 2007 3:16PM

core is pointless. however, MS is not going to admit they are going to drop the Core ahead of time. They are simply going to phase it out as best they can without much noise. Of course they are going to deny it for the time being.

Derka @ Jul 30th 2007 3:26PM

I kinda figured Microsoft was dropping it after we didn't see it get a price drop in the leaked ad as well. I guess the premium takes over as the entry level console for MS.

Josh @ Jul 30th 2007 3:29PM

The only reason I would consider the Core a viable option is if your 360 breaks and you're out of warranty then you can get a Core pretty cheap. Other than that it's a complete waste of money because sooner or later you're going to need a hard drive and want a wireless controller.

Michael Paul @ Jul 30th 2007 3:32PM

The POINT to the Core is as a spare.

Lower the cost enough and I'll certainly get one. $150 and I'm sold, since I'd be able to play SOMETHING instead of the nothing I'm doing right now. I look at my Xbox, PS2, and Gamecube titles and STILL want my 360 back...

Sircolby45 @ Jul 30th 2007 3:35PM

Meh. The core sucks anyway. Premium is da shizzle.

BrianM @ Jul 30th 2007 3:43PM

Get rid of this POS.

We need games that utilize the hard drive, without fear of offending the core peeps

drew @ Jul 30th 2007 3:57PM

I CAN CONFIRM THIS IS BULLSHIT I WORK FOR BEST BUY AND WE ARE STILL RECEIVING CORES AND ARE NOT GETTING RID OF UM!!!! STRIGHT UP BULLSHIT RUMOR HERE!!!!

Ben @ Jul 30th 2007 4:05PM

I work at BB, I'll go in and check if this is valid later today.

If it was marked as 'deleted', it would indicate something that is discontinued, though I've never seen a preference code in our inventory system.

Esquire616 @ Jul 30th 2007 4:40PM

I bought a Core after I got my Premium back "fixed" from MS. As a 2nd system/back up system I think it was a nice alternative (saved $100). I think a $249 price point for a Core would sell quite a few systems....and that is what it's all about.

htfy @ Jul 30th 2007 6:18PM

Doubt it...

I manage the video gaming section at a Target store and we will still be getting these. In fact the core system outsells the other models... And not only at our location. I called a few other stores and spoke with the managers there. They are also set to receive shipments of the core for quite a while.

It would be stupid for Microsoft to just axe it. Plus we will be getting more shipments over the next few months as well, so there goes that theory...

Maybe BB is axing them? That would be a nice boost to our sales then.

turok07 @ Jul 30th 2007 7:10PM

i think walmart doesnt sell xbox core anymore becasue i went there and there werent any tags of xbox core or maybe i am wrong

ZeroCorpse @ Jul 30th 2007 10:15PM

If the 512MB Memory Card were a LITTLE cheaper, the Core would be worth the money for people who don't intend to do XBox Live very much.

I think Microsoft should start putting the 64MB Memory Card in the box with the Core... That would make it a decent value.

But I ultimately would like to see the Core go away, because I want developers to be able to make games that require a hard drive.