The gaming industry’s most loved-to-be-hated analyst is at it again, this time with predictions for launch prices for Microsoft and Sony’s next-gen consoles. Pachter says the PlayStation 4 will launch for $349, while the Xbox One will launch for $399. This is much lower than many people predicted for these consoles, so a lower barrier to entry could mean greater adoption of these consoles. As Pachter stated, the $599 debut of the PS3 “negatively impacted its long-term popularity.”
Currently available consoles are also expected to see price cuts according to Pachter. Both the PS3 and the Xbox 360 could drop as low as $199, while the Wii will be just $99. As for the Wii U, Pachter says that Nintendo could contemplate a price cut or a bundle that will include more of the Wii U’s popular software. In a final statement, Pachter says the PS Vita will likely see a price cut, too.
It’s interesting to note that Pachter has not released any predictions for the future of these consoles yet as he did the Wii U upon its unveiling, though we expect to see more of that after E3 next week.