Microsoft Announces XBOX Platinum Hits
From a Microsoft press release:
Microsoft Corp. today announced that for the first time in history, the Platinum Hits are now available for the Xbox. The Platinum Hits program will begin February 11 and will offer 16 best selling, critically acclaimed Xbox games for $19.99 at retail.
In order for a game to become Platinum, it must have sold a very high number of units, and received praise from the overall gaming community. In other words, it must be a top seller and have positive consumer and editorial feedback. Also the games have to have been on shelf 9 months or more to be included in the Platinum program.
The immediate range includes 16 games and more will be added on an ongoing basis.
* Project Gotham Racing
* Amped Freestyle Snowboarding
* Tony Hawk 3
* Max Payne
* Crash Bandicoot
* Star Wars: Obi-Wan
* Spy Hunter
* Wreckless: The Yakuza Missions
* Blood Wake
* Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee
* Star Wars: Starfighter
* RalliSport Challenge
* Silent HillŪ 2: Restless Dreams
* Simpsons Road Rage
* James Bond 007: Agent Under Fire
* SSX Tricky“The Platinum Hits program will drive increased interest in Xbox and broaden the target audience,” said Wayne Yodzio, vice president, world manager at Toys R Us Inc.”These games are all already proven winners that have sold well, and when we start offering them in our stores at this lower price point, I anticipate we’ll have our aisles filled with a lot of very happy gamers.”
The Xbox’s biggest hit title to date, Microsoft Game Studios’ HALO, will not immediately move to the discount program, and will continue to retail for $49, as it has since it launched with the Xbox in 2001. “It is doing very well at $49,” Ed Bland, a senior director of sales and marketing for the Xbox, told Reuters, noting that it will move to “Platinum Hit” status at some point later in the future.
