The return of the black Xbox 360 rumor

For the second time since the console's launch, rumors are circulating that Microsoft is working on a black Xbox 360 design, with the source this time being a banner advert from Best Buy depicting what appears to be a matte black console. The low resolution picture, coupled with the fact that the advert doesn't even mention the Xbox 360 -- let alone a black one -- means that this is about as good a confirmation as earlier Photoshop jobs. However, we doubt this is the last we'll see of the black Xbox 360: what with the home theater-matching PlayStation 3 just around the corner, we wouldn't be too surprised if Redmond ends up throwing fans the color-inverted Xbox 360 that they've always wanted.

[Eric @ Sep 24th 2006 9:36PM]

pretty sure it was just (maybe accidentally) inverted. Put it into paint and invert the colors. Plus, why else would the IR receiver be white? That being said... I'd love a black one =)

[Silver R. Wolfe @ Sep 24th 2006 9:41PM]

Aye, this looks to be just an inverted photoshop job.

[rems @ Sep 25th 2006 12:24AM]

try it with inverted colors with GIMP you'll see.

[a ham sandwich @ Sep 24th 2006 9:41PM]

check out the screenshot i took from gamespot at www.joshs-site.com

coincidence?

[ele�tro @ Sep 24th 2006 9:43PM]

Real or not, I'd be more willing to buy a black one than a white one. That, and some games that are actually WORTH paying $60 for.

[funkbass23 @ Sep 24th 2006 9:46PM]

OMG! That would mean that MSFT would copy Sony! Heavens to betsy, companies work off each other for ideas!

[tekdemon @ Sep 26th 2006 11:59AM]

lol, selling a black version isn't really copying Sony. It's not like Sony has a frickin' patent on using the color black. Anyways the first xbox was black...if anything MS' use of green in both xboxes would be the only color innovation in recent consoles.

I really don't think black is going to do much for the 360 other than maybe make the HD-DVD option more attractive for home theater use. But as far as gaming goes I think the 360 is actually very attractively designed as is.

Now, if only it were more reliable lol.

[disciple83 @ Sep 24th 2006 10:02PM]

no oe is allowed to be innovative anymore. Everyone fighting over media player copyrights, (GUI layouts, case design, button layout and features, conector port methodology), Operating systems duking it out over which came first, the 0 or the 1, everyone comparing this to that, my daddy will beat your mother, leaves no room for creativity anymore.

[Brian @ Sep 24th 2006 10:15PM]

I CAN believe that it's inverted. What I CANT believe is that a graphic designer thought that inverting a photo of an xbox 360 when there isn't one in existence ( that is known about ) would be ok. I mean he doesn't know the torture he is applying to the fanboys.

[wxrman @ Sep 24th 2006 10:16PM]

Who the hell cares?

Is your life so shallow that your spirits are lifted by the color of some here-today-outdated-tomorrow, game console?

Spend some time outdoors... foster a child, play a guitar...

Live a little... at least before you die!

[Popstand @ Sep 24th 2006 11:05PM]

Um, I agree that a black console is a silly thing to get excited about, but don't you think your comments are a little out of place on a gadget blog? Maybe you should go play the guitar outside for your foster child, since you are clearly such a saint.

[Don Wilson @ Sep 24th 2006 11:50PM]

"play a guitar" hahaha. Nice joke there

[Zach @ Sep 24th 2006 10:21PM]

Since when do you turn to Best Buy to confirm anything?

[Nathan M @ Sep 24th 2006 10:26PM]

I managedo get a screenshot form a related ad one gamespot. ("a ham sandwich" posted a screeny from this same page, the ad is on gamespots frontpage).

http://usera.imagecave.com/DelusionalKangaroo/blackbox.png

[Nathan M @ Sep 24th 2006 10:28PM]

managed to*

Darn my horrid typing skills.

[Matt @ Sep 24th 2006 10:32PM]

Just to settle this one and for all, THIS IS NOT A PHOTOSHOP JOB OR PAINT JOB. The ad is in fact, REAL.

-Go to http://www.gamespot.com

-Sometimes there is an ad before you get to the actual page, just advance past that

-Look below the "Latest News" section (on the righthand side) and you will see a Best Buy ad

- A variety of things will flash by, a PS2, a PSP, etc.

- Look for the black Xbox 360 right after the white Xbox 360 controller passes by

If you can't find it just comment

[Thomas @ Sep 25th 2006 5:18AM]

Sorry, I don't see ads. ;)
Adblock works great.

[Darrol @ Sep 24th 2006 10:36PM]

I would love to buy a black one if they ever made one.

[m.dark @ Feb 1st 2007 1:26PM]

this would look better than the regular XBOX360white one. If I buy anygame station it would be this one

[Killamajiger @ Sep 24th 2006 11:00PM]

In the last OXM in the Rumor Mole section they mentioned a jet black 360 that would be part of the Microsoft-DirecTV partnership.

"Picture a $600 jet black Xbox 360 with a built in HD-DVD drive, a HDMI A/V port, a 250GB hard drive, and TiVo like PVR functionality. Will it happen? So says one of the Mole's trusted sources."

Sounds like every feature that people have been wanting on the 360 and then some bonus PSX functionality. But if it is from DirecTV then it would only work on satelite (bummer), and only be avalable in the states (We don't even really have OTA HD in Canada, so what is the point?)

[rockintom99 @ Sep 24th 2006 11:08PM]

Am I the only one who thinks a black 360 would be ugly as hell?

[Raider @ Sep 24th 2006 11:21PM]

I think a black 360 would look much better than the f-ugly current one. Especially since most people's home theater setups contain basically all black components. I guess if you want to draw attention to the system by being white and ugly... go MS.

BTW.. the lights around the power button would look better on a black machine.

[Don Wilson @ Sep 24th 2006 11:47PM]

Save the image into Photoshop, invert the colors, and it looks like a perfectly normal 360.

[Koclobster @ Sep 24th 2006 11:54PM]

If you look in the October EGM there is a possible picture of it.
Here is the scan....I blew up said black 360
http://img83.imageshack.us/my.php?image=blackboxdm0.jpg

[Brian Hawkins @ Sep 25th 2006 1:49AM]

The black xbox 360 there is an dev kit if you look at some of the videos on bungies site when they give studio tours they have a whole row of black x360s and they said that they were dev kits. Check here for another picture of a black xbox 360 http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/9046/Xbox-360-Dev-Kit-Photo/ [teamxbox.com] Plus I also agree that the photo looks inverted.

[LittleJoe @ Sep 25th 2006 1:07AM]

Spray paint people. Go buy a friggin can of black spray paint and stop drooling.

[Ferny @ Sep 25th 2006 2:26AM]

what about a brown one to match the zune?

[T-Will @ Sep 25th 2006 3:13AM]

I'd go for a black 360, it'd match better with other stereo components.

[Chris @ Sep 25th 2006 3:41AM]

Wxrman, is your life so shallow that your spirits are lifted by ridiculing other people's interests in comments on a blog?

*ahem* That said, I'd dig a black 360 as well.

[GhostDoggy @ Sep 25th 2006 5:53AM]

Last night I was talking to a friend about our consideration for leaving the Xbox scene and returning to the PC. With the advent of the current Live incarnation and the end pimping of the only game publisher treating its loyal consumers as ho's, we are thinking the consumer best choice might be back on the PC.

[Jeff @ Sep 25th 2006 7:10AM]

"The black xbox 360 there is an dev kit"

DEBUG kit. DEBUG.

I've explained the difference three or four times on this site now. QA testers (as in the EGM article posted earlier) use debug kits, not dev kits.

[Jake @ Sep 25th 2006 8:48AM]

Some of you may remember the posters for the 3rd Generation iPod. They pictured a black iPod, even though it was never released in such a color...

[Christian Reyes @ Sep 25th 2006 10:04AM]

Here is the X360 officially in black:

http://www.decalgirl.com/browse.cfm/4,4150.htm

[JoKoLoKo @ Sep 25th 2006 10:39AM]

I already have a black 360. Got a replacement case, and just swapped. Looks sooooo much better.

[Fire Hazard @ Sep 25th 2006 12:35PM]

u know u can buy after market cases for the 360. though it will void your warranty.

[aseriesoftubes @ Sep 25th 2006 12:43PM]

I used to work for a Best Buy sudsidiary, and worked specifically with their marketing and web teams. I can assure you that just because something appears on bestbuy.com does not mean it has any actual basis in reality whatsoever. The most likely scenario is that one of the contract workers they use to develop and maintain bestbuy.com f'ed up and inverted the photo, and either didn't notice or didn't feel like making the change. I may sound like I'm joking, but I'm not--Best Buy is probably the most bass-ackward large corporation on the planet.

[jrosado5 @ Sep 25th 2006 1:28PM]

I dont care if its purple right now! My $400 white clunker piece of sh!t died with the red ring of death with very light use (once or twice a week)and I still haven't got it back from MS! RELIABILITY PEOPLE! That's more important than debating color.

[AK @ Sep 25th 2006 3:31PM]

Need a black 360???

Buy a "carbon fiber" look faceplate, paint the rest of the console black. Voila!!!!!

[scottk52 @ Sep 25th 2006 11:42PM]

Foster a child? I thought we were talking about, well, toys. Like the 360. Most people who like the 360, or anyone, probably should take some time looking at all the important factors dealing with becoming a foster parent. Sir, you should remember the fun, of toys, it's all in the choices, and sometimes the idea of a black version of the 360 makes all the difference in creating a perfect world to experience my games. On my toys. So yes, I care. The black one sounds dope. I want it. Kids? Not so much.

[swanx @ Sep 26th 2006 2:06PM]

wow, a black xbox!!!! come on,is that really going to be earth shattering. If you want a black one just spray paint the damn thing.

[Zelpus @ Sep 27th 2006 5:31PM]

XCM makes custom cases for xbox 360 and they just so happen to make a black one for $50 which looks exactly like this image. Coincidence I think not...

[david @ Mar 20th 2007 1:30PM]

April's issue of Game Informer has official details on the black 360:

price: 479.99
HDD: 120 GB
HDMI port: yes
HDMI cable: included
all accessories are black

120 GB HD retial less than 200.. which will mean 199.99 =p

GameStop and EB games will be taking reserves on this as soon as they get qty allotments from microsoft. 9 times outta 10 they offer a trade in upgrade option so for you previous owners you wont just have to buy a whole new system.

I know some of you are gonna be upset about the higher price, but if you brass tax it...

the current pro bundel is priced at 399
PS3.. well you know how much they are and they do NOT include an HDMI cable (or component cables either)
quality HDMI cables will run ya anywhere from $50-120
so... 80 more bucks for an HDMI port, larger HD and an HDMI cable... im sold.

my onry regret is, my HD-DVD drive wont be black >.>