Rumour: Natal to price at $149 for a tentative October 26th release

Sources claim that Microsoft’s Natal will be going for $149 in the US this October, and may see the 26th although it could shift easily by then.

Pricing elsewhere will be determined by other factors, like exchange rates, meaning right now it would cost about GBP 100 at UK retailers.

”Microsoft expects to sell millions and millions of Natal units in its first year on the market so you can expect the software launch line-up to target non-traditional gamers,” a source said, reports Edge. $149 is the standalone cost, whereas an Arcade bundle is $299.

Should Natal arrive in the UK at £100 then this is quite above what publishing execs where expecting, as some predicted a £50 price tag. It would also mean that Microsoft would be charging more for Natal than Sony will for PlayStation Move.

”A major marketing campaign will also play a key role in attracting and educating the expanded audience about Xbox 360’s controller-free revolution,” they continued.

An October 26th date is the current target but it could move forward or backward easily by the time we approach it warns the source. Microsoft ”does not comment on rumour or speculation”, so they’re no help at all. Will pricing unveil at E3? Unlikely.