Xbox 360 Elite bundle rumored to include Halo 3 and Fable 2 for $400

Don't get all loony just yet -- this one's still a long, long way from panning out -- but ArsTechnica has it from a reliable mole that Microsoft is gearing up to ship an even more attractive Xbox 360 Elite. One that comes bundled with hits Halo 3 and Fable 2 for the same $400 that the console alone runs you now. We already heard last month that Microsoft was considering phasing out the standard Elite in favor of bundled "limited edition" models, so that certainly jibes. Though, we will caution you that the last time Ars's mole spoke of console price drops, he / she didn't completely nail it. While said mole did accurately suggest that a $400 PS3 would hit America before the 2007 holiday rush (it happened in late October of that year), the whole "$100 PS2" thing took a full two years to come to fruition. Then again, E3 is just around the bend...

[Via Joystiq]

[Scott @ Apr 10th 2009 4:43PM]

finally a reason for me to get an Elite!

[Latin_Trident @ Apr 10th 2009 5:02PM]

Ummm... NO THANKS!

[HektikLyfe @ Apr 10th 2009 5:10PM]

If you don't have one and want one less likely to die on you...This is the package to get. I have the 120 GB drive and with a few good demos and Live Arcade games it fills up pretty quickly. Especially if you install games to the drive.

[Samboini @ Apr 10th 2009 5:59PM]

Good deal, but doesn't everyone in the world already own Halo 3?

[jacjustjac @ Apr 10th 2009 9:07PM]

Maybe everyone in the world who owns an xbox owns Halo 3, but not everyone in the world owns an xbox. Likewise, Halo 3 would be one of the first games any new xbox owner would buy, which is why this bundle is such a good idea.
For almost two years I roomed with a guy who had an xbox and Halo 3, and I enjoyed the game immensely. Now that I've recently moved out and am consoleless, I'm considering buying an xbox, with Halo 3 of course. This bundle is just what I've been wishing for.

[BigD145 @ Apr 10th 2009 4:45PM]

They're still doing bundles?! I would assume bundles would be dead with today's economy. Most people are living hand to mouth and if they do have some cash they'll be doling it out in smaller portions: buy a console this month and buy a game next month.

[HektikLyfe @ Apr 10th 2009 4:54PM]

I know things are bad but if people really are starving I don't think they will be buying a console at all let alone an Elite.

Who buys a system without a game anyway? That would suck!

[Massmass @ Apr 10th 2009 4:59PM]

I'm sorry but the economy isn't nearly as bad as you'd like to imagine it.

[BigD145 @ Apr 10th 2009 5:08PM]

Unemployment is as bad as I think it is. People will still buy entertainment even if they have to tighten their belts.

[HektikLyfe @ Apr 10th 2009 5:15PM]

>Massmass: Certain industries are suffering really bad. My company recently laid off 50 people and I know 4 of my close friends are out of work from other companies. All in California. I don't know anyone who ISN'T feeling the pinch to some degree.

>BigD145: I agree, but they will think twice about getting the most expensive version of it. Americans love their big cars as much as they love their entertainment but I still see a lot less SUV's and more hybrids on the road.

[Massmass @ Apr 10th 2009 7:09PM]

I'm not saying it isn't bad, but it isn't nearly AS bad as some people like to imagine. I was an Architect but after the crunch my services were no longer needed as much; being independent, and I was unable to attach permanently to a firm since they were having hard enough time keeping their loyal employees. So, I became a Pharmacy Technician and I recently was let go of that job as well. So, now I am back at freelancing architecture and doing landscaping labor to make ends meet. But again, I don't pretend that the economy is in such disarray that I can weep in a corner. It's already back on track and to be frank, most of my financial problems are my own fault and the same for most other people/families.

People need to live more frugally and when downturns happen, it wouldn't be so severe. And then when people are affected it's the people who actually need the help (ones who didn't take their finances for granted) and actually were always living paycheck to paycheck. So that government money makes a real difference. People are suffering, but of those that are, only a small fraction actually aren't accountable for their actions and actually are REAL casualties.

Anyways, I digress.

[jacjustjac @ Apr 10th 2009 8:58PM]

When you're unemployed, you have more time to play video games, right? In terms of cost over hours of enjoyment, games like Halo and Fable are definitely more bang for your buck than renting movies or paying for cable TV.

[JustinC @ Apr 10th 2009 4:45PM]

Wow, what a freakin deal.

I remember getting my Halo 3 Special Edition for $400. That's without Halo 3. >_>

[HektikLyfe @ Apr 10th 2009 4:54PM]

Now you can pick up Halo 3 pretty dang cheap so don't feel too bad.

[HektikLyfe @ Apr 10th 2009 4:51PM]

This doesn't make sense. Those are two system selling games and to package them together is giving away some of the best that they have. I can see two separate bundles but not together.

Why? Microsoft is doing OK right now. Until a PS3 price drop happens there is no need for Microsoft to change anything.

Halo and Fable fans already bought 360's. Halo Wars with Pub Games and an Elite...that's possible even if they don't mix well.

[martin @ Apr 10th 2009 6:53PM]

I'm actually a pretty big fan of both halo and fable and I haven't bought a 360 yet. Though I do agree that this bundle is a little to good to be true, If I bought it I cant imagine buying many more games for a few months.

[tom @ Apr 10th 2009 4:59PM]

By the way, I just saw that several of the Xbox 360 SKUs (including the Resident Evil 5 Bundle) are on sale over at Dell for $50 off the normal price. http://www.techdealdigger.com/deals/save-50-on-xbox-360-consoles-at-dell-home/8359

[Massmass @ Apr 10th 2009 5:01PM]

Don't forget the PSPs as well. 134 for the 2000 (sold out, but can still buy) and 139 for the 3000

[JehxOne @ Apr 10th 2009 4:59PM]

suck on tht Sony

why cnt you do something like that

[arcticpenguins @ Apr 10th 2009 5:09PM]

Why can't you spell properly?

[HektikLyfe @ Apr 10th 2009 5:23PM]

For one, Sony isn't doing so well financially right now.
Two, they don't have Halo OR Fable. They may have an equivalent caliber RPG in FFXIII but that won't be out for a while. Killzone 2 and Resistance 2 were good but nowhere near the stay power of Halo.

It would be smart for them to do an Uncharted/Folklore pack to counter. That would be nice. Or they could toss in some of those great PSN titles.

[obsol337 @ Apr 11th 2009 3:37AM]

Yes, Hektik, I believe you're right when you say Sony will have an equivalent caliber RPG in FFXIII, seeing as it's coming out for BOTH platforms.

[Hungry Hungry Hippo @ Apr 10th 2009 5:00PM]

Halo 3 sucked. I played it for like 30 minutes and it was lamer than the one before it.

[Massmass @ Apr 10th 2009 5:02PM]

"I didn't enjoy Halo 3, and I found it to be lamer than the one before it."

Fixed from fact to opinion...

[HektikLyfe @ Apr 10th 2009 5:27PM]

"I only played 30 minutes of a game and feel like I can give a definitive review to a sequel of a game I was predisposed to disliking because I disliked the one before it."

Fixed some more.

I am not a big Halo fan. I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it more so than the second but not as much as the first. I played through them all multiple times and played many hours in multiplayer and co-op.

If you like 3D action shooters, you will find something you enjoy about this game.

[Hungry Hungry Hippo @ Apr 10th 2009 5:34PM]

"I am such a loser that I have to correct peoples post that have nothing to do with me"

Fixed from annoying comment to fact.

[HektikLyfe @ Apr 10th 2009 5:39PM]

Your OPINION of one of the free games in part of a rumored nice package was a tangent that YOU went off on.

[Hungry Hungry Hippo @ Apr 10th 2009 5:43PM]

Geez I wonder why your company laid off 50 people what with you doing so much work posting comments on engadget and all...

I think for once an avatar is very accurate of the person behind it. That is I think you have a big head and need to go away.

[obsol337 @ Apr 11th 2009 3:41AM]

And you, Hungry, have many buttons that can be pushed very easily. Not to mention a hole in your head.

Yes, I'm aware of the fact I have the exact same avatar.

[PC @ Apr 10th 2009 5:08PM]

Me want console price drops and all X360s to come with HDMI support!

[HektikLyfe @ Apr 10th 2009 5:29PM]

They all come with HDMI support now. Price drops. Not until Nintendo or Sony do it first. Microsoft was the last of the big 2 and a half ;) to offer a real price drop.

[PC @ Apr 10th 2009 6:11PM]

@HektikLyfe

Orly? The "Pro" 60GB comes with HDMI support now? I thought just the Elite and Arcade offered it. Maybe websites should update their spec pages?

[PeterF @ Apr 10th 2009 6:43PM]

All new 360s for the past year and a half have had HDMI.

[Richard @ Apr 10th 2009 5:18PM]

Just let this SKU be Jaspers... Please!

[HektikLyfe @ Apr 10th 2009 5:37PM]

My system has been getting the sporadic E74 error ever since the NXE was released so I may pick this up and give those two games to my nephew since I already have them.

[Frankie Dumlao @ Apr 10th 2009 5:31PM]

If its not Jasper.. DO NOT GET IT... it's also bundled with the RRoD

[HektikLyfe @ Apr 10th 2009 5:40PM]

I agree. You can pick up both games for less than the price of a system reparation. That is of course if it happens after the 3 year warranty expires.

[obsol337 @ Apr 11th 2009 3:44AM]

Never heard of a Falcon RRoD'ing either. Nobody's that I know, nor my own, have.

[Jeffrey @ Apr 10th 2009 6:36PM]

I'll just wait for a price cut on the xbox 360s to pick one up.

[Chin @ Apr 10th 2009 9:31PM]

Great bundle, do I get the RRoD with it as well?

[Old Man Josh @ Apr 11th 2009 3:08AM]

meh. love my elite. hate halo. no feelings for fable. nothing too ooh and ahh over.

[Patriks7 @ Apr 11th 2009 6:57AM]

Red ring of death included for free? What a bargain!

[Leejin @ Apr 17th 2009 2:50PM]

Is this a Jasper or a Falcon? Anyone know?

Which hard drive is in this??

I've totally put off buying a 360. Will this be the bundle that sways me?

[jacjustjac @ Jun 30th 2009 11:11PM]

When you're unemployed, you have more time to play video games, right? In terms of cost over hours of enjoyment, games like Halo and Fable are definitely more bang for your buck than renting movies or paying for cable TV.