Confusion still reigns at the post-Christmas UK video game retail market, with the Xbox still out of stock, and many stores discounting the GameCube so heavily that some observers have assumed they are about to drop the format altogether.
Before Christmas, as
previously reported, the PlayStation 2 console was impossible to purchase in UK stores without pre-ordering, with the situation only improving a few days before Christmas. During the same period, Xbox supplies were also low, but the stock situation for Microsoft’s console seems to have only got worse, with most High Street and online stores sold out.
Quite the opposite seems to be happening with the GameCube, however, with UK catalog store Argos discounting the console to an almost insignificant £39.99 ($75), with the format’s accessories and games undergoing similar price cuts.
Other retailers such as arch-rivals Index, as well as national chain Woolworths, are also following suit, with even recent games being discounted to just £9.99 ($19). Although no announcement has been made by any company, the conclusion of many is that this is a prelude to some mainstream retailers dropping the format entirely.
The GameCube, and Nintendo formats in general, has never performed well in the UK and Argos initially attempted to drop the format early last year, after a similar round of discounting. After sales increased by 400 percent the company reversed its plans, but with the console now nearing the end of its natural life, it may not be saved from this retailer a second time.
