For the second time in just six months, Microsoft lowered prices across all of its Xbox 360 models in Australia, bundling the systems with complimentary games for a limited time as Christmas approaches. The company cut the price of its Xbox 360 Arcade model by AUD50 ($33) to AUD299 ($199), as well as the Pro and Elite models by AUD100 ($67) to AUD499 ($333) and AUD599 ($400) respectively. In July of this year, Microsoft enacted similar cuts for its consoles in the country, discounting the Arcade model by AUD50 along with the Pro and Elite models by AUD80 ($53). Microsoft notes that its Xbox 360 Arcade model is now priced at less than half of "the next-cheapest hi-definition console," the Playstation 3 40GB system, which costs AUD699 ($465). For comparison, the Wii typically sells for AUD399 ($267) in the region. "Gaming is set to be one of the hottest categories this year. Consoles are a great gift for the whole family. Now that we're making gaming even more affordable Australians can have more fun for less this holiday," says Jeremy Hinton, Xbox group product marketing manager for Australia and New Zealand. He continues, "Xbox 360 is the cheapest next-gen console on the market, has the biggest number of next-gen games, and it's the home of Xbox Live, the largest social network on TV."