Microsoft have cut the price of the console, the firm's branch down-under following in the footsteps of the cut in North America, announced last week.

The cut sees the 20GB 360 Pro reduced to 579.95 AUD, from its previous price of 649 AUD. In even more interesting news, the price of the Core Xbox 360 is now the same as the console in Australia: 399.95 AUD (from 429 AUD). These new prices are effective from August 15th.

The HDMI-enabled Pro console which recently arrived in the will also begin arriving in Australia soon (though no specific date has been offered), with regional boss David McLean stating that the console was slashed after manufacturing costs were reduced. MS will be hoping that the Pro Xbox 360 will now be more appealing than the 1000 AUD PS3, while the 399 AUD Core system can compete with the Wii for the mass market.

"I think you'll see, on a games point of view, we're well ahead [of the PlayStation 3]. And now once again we're offering all of these experiences at a really affordable price. So I think we will do really well during the holiday period against PlayStation," McLean explained. "Our was always to focus on the core and serious gamers. We think we've done a great job there, and the numbers support that. What we now need to do is start thinking about broadening our strategy, and this price movement is a component of that strategy."

Microsoft also announce that the Elite and 3 Special Edition Xbox 360s will make it to Australia and New Zealand, though no dates or prices as yet. More on all this soon.

By Luke Guttridge