New $199 Xbox 360 Arcade bundle rumored to include motion controller

We've already heard plenty of talk about the Xbox 360 Arcade dropping to a mere $199, but a tipster to Xbox 360 Fanboy is now claiming that there's more than just a price cut in store for the entry-level bundle, with it also supposedly in line to get a motion controller as a pack-in. According to the source, who's supposedly "close to Microsoft's marketing department," the new bundle will include the usual Arcade games and 512MB memory card, as well as the forthcoming Fall update pre-installed, said motion controller, and some motion-controlled mini-games developed by Rare. Supposedly, it'll be released in time for the 2008 Holiday season, which may or may not mean that it's the same $199 Arcade bundle that's rumored to be on track for a September release. That same source also says that the motion controller will be sold separately and bundled with an even more expansive list of games, but word on a price or release date for it seems to be a bit harder to come by.

[w4rh34rt @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:07PM]

WHOOOOOOOOOOO...........

Jeez. This is boring. I don't want to have to wave another controller through the air everytime someone comes round.

Haha.

[Jagster @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:14PM]

I call BS. Why would they include a motion controller in with only the cheapest SKU. Unless it's some crappy controller that is used only for a few arcade games, it doesn't make much sense to limit it's distribution.

[Mik @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:11PM]

Hmm, arn't the other 2 consoles already doing this? I thought Microsoft never copies anyone? In the space of a few weeks, they copy Wii/PS3 motion controllers, the copy Nintendo Miis, they copy Apple's Coverflow...

[Mr Awesomer @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:38PM]

Everyone copies everyone else.

The important question is, whom will make the best copy.

[oGMo @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:16PM]

So far, motion control is FAIL. The Wii can't seem to deliver on its promise of innovative new genres, and the PS3 has more or less given up from early games except where it really makes sense---which, at least, is slightly more sane. That the 360 has decided to jump on the bandwagon is merely another indication that Microsoft has no clue what keeping the 360 relevant entails. (If they would merely look at what game sales boost console sales, they might figure it out...)

[Jake @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:11PM]

Hmm, arn't the other 2 consoles already doing this? I thought Microsoft never copies anyone? In the space of a few weeks, they copy Wii/PS3 motion controllers, the copy Nintendo Miis, they copy Apple's Coverflow...

[Mitch @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:20PM]

They all copied Ralph Baer since he was the first one to make a video game for the tv. It's not about who did it first, it's about who does it best in the end, that's how business works.

[Microswirl (MKWii:1676- 4270-3674) @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:53PM]

Jake, why did you shamelessly copy Mik?

[KickAssNickD @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:14PM]

i think is would be pretty cool but all this is, is a wii knockoff just like the avartars (if this is true)

[creepinshadow @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:20PM]

You must know i told engadget about a year ago that a german newssite (www.chip.de) wrote that microsoft is in the talks with the manufaturer that also builds intendos wiimote.. i got ignored..

[Ray @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:49PM]

You do realize that once you enter a comment on an Engadget story its sent into a black whole that is detonated by one million hydrogen bombs right?

[Gus @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:57PM]

Engadget...Xenu's last remaning outpost?

[Jason @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:34PM]

....I'm sorry, did you just say something?

[getStringFromObj() @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:22PM]

Add Microsoft to the defendant list in a patent infringement case by Hillcrest Labs.

I heard that Sony was bypassing motion controllers and going straight to mind controllers so you don't have to move at all in PS3Fit.

[koopa @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:25PM]

wow another Ps3 And Wii rip off

[Ordeith @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:01PM]

At a lower cost than both....

With a better games library....

With better media support and extender features.....


Sounds good to me!

[George @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:38PM]

How is it a ripoff? Microsoft had a motion sensing controller in 1998 with the Sidewinder Freestyle Pro.

[xValentine @ Aug 23rd 2008 2:52AM]

@Ordeith

Don't forget the :

-Brand New Console replacement every 3 months for 3 Years!

[Ordeith @ Aug 28th 2008 7:42PM]

@xValentine:

All I know is I have had mine for 2 years with zero problems.

My brother had a launch unit that did get replaced under warranty after he had it for 18 months, new unit is going strong.

I read that some people have bad luck. I don't personally know anyone that needed a replacement more than once.

Sony Fanboys like to latch on to whatever they think helps their cause. Take with a grain of salt.

[bob e @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:33PM]

Microsoft may have borrowed the design but the graphics for the Xbox motion controlled games will be so much better than Wii - I think it is a great idea.

I was thinking I may need to buy a wii, now I'll just get the Xbox remote.

[bondsbw @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:43PM]

Right. If Microsoft wants to "copy" motion control, then great, we (the consumers) win. And so Nintendo will probably fight with an HD console with more processing power, or perhaps another cool idea that hasn't been exploited by the others.

[E-Rock @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:44PM]

It will probably just take a tally at the number of times you throw your controller in frustration, for any number of reasons (horrible controls, crappy game, trying to get the d-pad to work...) To which Bill Gates will read reports based on those figures and laugh maniacally to himself.

[Joshua Walters @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:14PM]

And how would he get access to this information, undoubtedly recorded by Microsoft? He doesnt work there anymore.

I mean, I know Bill Gates can do everything, but there has to be SOME sort of limit.

[Dale @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:00PM]

Yes, because everything released by Nintendo and Sony is so wholly original!

Analogue control was a good idea, it was universally adopted. Motion control is a good idea (or will be when it is better implemented than on the Wii and PS3 - not that I'm saying an Xbox 360 implementation would be better), it will be universally adopted.

It's how it works. When something is popular, everyone else tries to ape it to glean some of the halo effect. So long as we're getting great games, what does it matter?

[Goatee Man @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:38PM]

Well said.

[Paulie Walnuts @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:38PM]

Microsoft had a motion controller back in May of 1998. It was called the Sidewinder Freestyle Pro.

[Spot2 @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:58PM]

Well, talking for me, I would buy it. I do want a console with has next gen technology... that means grafics and control...

[Cool8man @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:09PM]

I don't know if I believe the motion controller rumor, but wouldn't a 512MB card be an upgrade from the current 256MB card? That seems a lot more believable.

[Darren @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:12PM]

It's official. Microsoft is completely out of ideas.

[Itchy @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:02PM]

You get what you pay for.

[Luis Argote @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:11PM]

Everyone seems to forget that Microsoft did motion sensing YEARS AGO... All the way back in 1998 in fact (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_SideWinder#Freestyle_Pro).

Sure it wasn't as complex as the Wii but it's the basic concept.

[Mr. Ford @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:22PM]

It seems that Microsoft may have done motion control in the past. I think it might have been 1998, somewhere between April and June. The technology was in a device called the side swiper or side winder pro or something like that.

[Mr. Ford @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:24PM]

(http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/22/new-199-xbox-360-arcade-bundle-rumored-to-include-motion-contro/#commentform)

[DSeaver @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:58PM]

This almost makes me want to buy one.

[Mike @ Aug 23rd 2008 12:15AM]

I'm no Nintendo fanboy, in fact I'm a sony fanboy lol But does anyone else see a trend here? Nintendo comes out with a rumble pack, then every other game controller from then on vibrates, Nintendo comes out with Motion sensor and now every other game controller can motion capture....

It seems to me Nintendo is coming up with the (controller) ideas, and everyone else is stealing them.

[Dagreenman18 @ Aug 23rd 2008 3:33PM]

so $199 arcade+ 120 gb HD off eBay+ wireless controller= 100 bucks cheaper than Elite.

[Nathan Murray @ Aug 23rd 2008 7:19AM]

It makes sense for them to bundle a new feature/controller that, I'm sure, they plan to market to the casual audience in their most affordable bundle. Lower price=greater units sold=large test market slash introduction of new features aimed at the casual crowd.
It does seem odd they would be going this route in the first place though, I mean implementing motion controls this console generation. Microsoft's recent direction with the Xbox 360 has seen it move to becoming more of a multimedia hub for the living room and not just a gaming platform. Does this mean there is more of a market for stick waving (you know that's what it boils down to) than being the multimedia power house for an entire house hold?

[EdgeOne @ Aug 23rd 2008 8:54AM]

They would chose to include Motion Control in the Arcade but no HD on every unit. With XBOX Live and Netflix and Hard Drive prices being so cheap (even with their custom config), why do they cling to the idea of selling a unit WITHOUT a HARD DRIVE?! You can't be a family entertainment hub without one, but then I guess they have to try something to keep people from buying Wiis instead.

[troglodad @ Aug 23rd 2008 9:26AM]

Wii are not impressed.

I guess they had to do something with all those RRoD consoles...

[Jay @ Aug 23rd 2008 12:19PM]

Why is Microsoft even still selling a console minus a hard drive? They don't have Blu-ray which is a bad move, and they still want to sell a console with no internal storage even though they heavily pushing their internet initiative for additional revenue, which requires what? A hard drive, great think micro-blunder.

[ravensmithe @ Aug 30th 2008 11:42AM]

Blu-Ray?the discs are to expensive,plus how much better do i really need it to look?regular dvd quality is good enough.I don't need a glorified(blu-ray)dvd player with a small library,make blu-ray a add-on component,so I can decide if I want it or not.

[danny @ Aug 23rd 2008 1:11PM]

rip off! thats is going to be really stupid

[Jon @ Aug 23rd 2008 12:58PM]

i hope they leave motion controlling out for now, until they can make it standard and do it right.

[Matt @ Aug 24th 2008 2:45AM]

The old Sidewinder gamepad was nothing like the Wiimote though, it was tilt-sensing only. Although Microsoft did have similar technology, I think Nintendo really helped to develop motion sensing gaming with the remote-thing and games (at least, more games). So now, "it's on."

[am @ Dec 16th 2008 4:33PM]

does the arcade model have same graphics as the 20 g or premuim console
anyone????/