What would you say if I told you that the Xbox 360 would retail for $299 without a HDD, and with a wired controller? And what would you say if you’d have to shell out $399 clams to get a wireless controller and HDD (and a headset, remote, and Ethernet cable)? What would you say? (Beyond the obvious: is your source for real? In this case it’s the L.A.Times, but I don’t know where they got their info.)

I know what I’d say. I’d say that Sony is vindicated for warning of a high price for the PS3. Everyone was assuming that the Xbox 360 would sell for $299 with the wireless controller and HDD. Now it turns out (again, according to L.A.Times at least) that this won’t be the case.

Conclusion? I think that the price of the PS3 versus the price of the Xbox 360 will be more comparable than everyone had thought.

Link: L.A.Times (free subscription) – Microsoft Sets Price for Xbox 360 Versions

Update: SPOnG says that Microsoft has confirmed these details and more.

Core Xbox:

• $299.99 in US, £209.99 in the UK, €299.99 elsewhere in Europe
• wired controller
• faceplate
• standard av cables
• Xbox Live Silver membership

Deluxe Xbox:

• $399.99 in US, £279.99 in the UK, €399.99 elsewhere in Europe
• wireless controller
• faceplate
• component HD AV cables
• Xbox Live Silver membership
• 20GB removable HDD
• Live headset
• an Ethernet cable
• Xbox 360 media remote

With all the emphasis Microsoft has been putting on HD support, I’m surprised that the HD cables are only coming in the more expensive version.

Link: SPOnG – Xbox 360: $299 and $399 Pricing and Hard Drive Mystery Explained
Link: Gaming 360 for pictures