nomorecore
Latest
Devs still bitter about non-HDD Xbox 360 Arcade
We thought we were in the clear regarding the controversy that surrounded both the hard drive'less Xbox 360 Core and Arcade models, but we've come to accept that sensitive topics like this will never die.In a recent chat with CVG, Bourne Conspiracy lead designer Rory McGuire flat out said that Microsoft made a "mistake" with their decision to not make a hard drive mandatory in all Xbox 360 models. McGuire told CVG that "in retrospect I wish Microsoft had made the choice to have [mandatory] hard drives like Sony did with the PS3." McGuire further went on to explain the development advantages of having a HDD saying that "if you have a hard drive, the whole game loads faster. Obviously you'll be facing a short install time, but the developer benefits from it and you definitely benefit from it as a player." Take that Microsoft!On second analysis, it's entirely possible that Microsoft could make HDDs mandatory in all Xbox 360 consoles by axing the Arcade and taking out another $1.9 billion hit to ship 20GB HDDs to Core and Arcade owners. Makes sense to us.
Microsoft acknowledges Xbox 360 Arcade
After seeing proof of its existence months back via pre-orders, retail leaks and even unboxings, Microsoft has finally decided to announce their new console. Meet the new Xbox 360 Arcade. And just as expected, the Arcade 360 is the Core system's replacement offering newer and more exciting features. W00t, w00t!Enough chit-chat, let's get down to the deets. The Xbox 360 Arcade console is available at retailers right now in the US for $279 (Europe on October 26th for £200/€279) and comes packaged with a 256MB memory card, wireless controller, HDMI connectivity, standard composite cables, and five FULL VERSION XBLA games including Pac-Man: CE, UNO, Luxor 2, Boom Boom Rocket and Feeding Frenzy. And just like the Core system before it, the Arcade will not come with a HDD (that's what the memory card is for, silly).Again, sorry if the revelation of a new console doesn't surprise you as Microsoft has made a habit of having retailers make their announcements for them. No matter though, the Xbox 360 Arcade is definitely a step in the right direction as far as a replacement for the Core goes. Getting all the same Core goodness plus a memory card, wireless controller and games (not to mention HDMI too) all for the same price makes us rather jolly fanboys. Can't you see our smile?
Engadget unboxes 360 Arcade
So, we guess it's real then. Our buddies over at Engadget have some exclusive shots of a reader unboxing a brand new Xbox 360 Arcade. Yeah, they managed to snag unboxing photos before Microsoft has even officially confirmed its existence. Take that, public relations! As reported before, the console comes complete with an HDMI port (sans cord) and a 256MB memory card. One interesting new bit of information: it turns out that the console does not come with 5 Xbox Live Arcade games. What it does come with are 5 Xbox Live Arcade demos. Yeah, demos. That you could have downloaded for free anyway. Sure, the inclusion of a larger memory card makes it more usable than the (now defunct?) Core, but it doesn't quite seem like such a good deal a>[Update: There seems to be some confusion regarding whether or not the 360 Arcade comes with 5 full games. The verbiage on the box (Plust 5 Trial Games!) refers to the 5 games on the disc or extra trial games beyond the 5 full games included. We're looking into it. Update as soon as we know for sure.][Thanks, DaveC]
360 Arcade spotted in retail ads
Falling under the category of "all 360 rumors are true," GameSpot has, um, spotted further evidence of the impending arrival of the Xbox 360 Arcade console. It seems an unknown retailer is already displaying a store advertisement describing the Xbox 360 Arcade and all its marvelous features. The ad reconfirms everything we've already heard: wireless control, 5 arcade games, and a 256MB memory card. The ad makes no mention of price though, but we're willing to bet the current Core System price of $279 will stick to the Arcade as well. All we really need now is a date. Let's just throw one out now. Hmmm ... how about Black Friday? Sound good? Great.We're sorry Core, but your days are numbered.[Via Joystiq]
Xbox 360 Arcade console up for pre-order [update]
Update: Toys R Us already yanked the pre-order page. Those Microsoft ninjas are quick, but we still have proof.Adding more street cred and pretty much confirming the rumor of a new Xbox 360 Arcade console that is set on a mission to replace the Core is brand new pre-order proof. Both Amazon.com and Toys R Us are offering pre-orders for a yet to be announced product called the Xbox 360 Arcade console set to retail for $279 in the US and be released either on October 23rd or the 25th. The new Arcade console (which features a wireless controller, memory card and a few XBLA games) has been rumored for a while now and recently appeared in Best Buy's product database, but now with these pre-orders popping up all over we're rather confident in accepting its existence. Sorry Microsoft, your product announcement plans have been foiled once again by the evil that goes by the name of ... retail.[Via TeamXbox]Read - Pre-order at Amazon.comRead - Pre-order at Toys R Us
Rumor: 2 new 360 bundles for the holidays
A little bird told Opposable Thumbs that two new Xbox 360 bundles are headed to retailers in time for the holidays this year. The first rumor concerns a new Xbox 360 Premium system that comes with both Forza 2 and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. The games are rumored to be contained within a single case, though they will be pressed on separate DVDs, unlike the Sega GT / Jet Set Radio Future bundle on the original Xbox. This bundle is supposedly dropping October 9th with an Elite version of the same bundle following on October 23rd. If this sounds familiar, it's because the same bundle was first rumored last month, although no date was given at the time.The second rumor concerns a new version of the Core system that includes a 256MB memory unit and 5 Xbox Live Arcade games (Boom-Boom Rocket, Pac-man, Uno, Feeding Frenzy, and Luxor 2). The system is also supposed to have an HDMI port. This rumor also began last month, branded as the Xbox 360 Arcade console. This second round of rumors would seem to lend credence to the first. We'll see soon enough.[Via Joystiq]
Rumor: New Xbox 360 Arcade console and re-branding
Juicy news is making its rounds on the internet this morning with a Belgian Microsoft source revealing details about a new Xbox 360 console, potential re-branding and the extinction of the Core as we know it. Gamernode received the presentation slide you see above (larger version here) from their secret Microsoft source who said that a new Xbox 360 Arcade console will be priced at 279 GBP, replace the Xbox 360 Core and include the addition of a wireless controller, 256MB memory card, five XBLA games and possible HDMI connectivity. Also revealed was the re-branding of all three consoles offerings with the Elite getting a "Go Big" slogan, the Premium losing its name and becoming "Go Pro" and the Core being renamed to Arcade with a "Just Play!" slogan.It's also interesting to note that Gamernode was told that the new Xbox 360 Arcade console will be a world wide offering and, presumably, so will all the re-branding efforts. And it's not like we didn't see the death of the Core coming. Best Buy and Target have reportedly pulled the Core from their shelves and overall no more Core sentiment has been building among retailers and consumers alike. The addition of a memory card, games and wireless controller make the Arcade console a much more complete offering than the Core ever was. Again, we haven't received any official word from Microsoft about this rumor, console changes, prices, availability or future console plans. So, patience will need to be practiced.[Via Joystiq]
Target ditching the 360 Core system too?
Following last week's rumor that Best Buy will no longer stock the Xbox 360 Core system, Joystiq has received an anonymous tip that Target will be doing the same. The tip was accompanied by several images of the product listing in a store PDA, with the image above regrettably being the clearest. The upper right corner displays the Core system's status as "Discontinued." Coupled with the Best Buy rumor, it's starting to look like the Core is definitely being phased out. The question is whether or not another product will take its place or if the Premium and Elite models will become the only remaining choice.We're curious to see what our readers think about the possibility that the Core is going the way of the dodo. While it would eliminate the cheapest 360 offering, it would also ensure that future 360s would all benefit from a guaranteed hard drive, which would also conceivably allow game developers to utilize the hard drive for more detailed games. What do you think? Should the Core be discontinued or is it better for Microsoft to keep its bottom tier choice?
Best Buy is axing the Xbox 360 Core
Via an anonymous tipster (which are our favorite kinds), Joystiq received picture evidence that electronics retailer Best Buy is getting rid of the Xbox 360 Core system and isn't going to stock anymore. The tipster supplied sheet shows the Core model with a "deleted" status which means Best Buy has discontinued the item with an "out of stock" date of July 27th. The anonymous tipster also mentioned that the Xbox 360 core preference code is set to "y", which means that the retailer isn't expecting any more stock.So, with our rumor hat firmly secure on our heads, we have to speculate to what this exactly means. The most obvious conclusion would be that Microsoft themselves is discontinuing the Core system. But that isn't the case, because Joystiq has since heard back from Redmond since running the story and Microsoft is stating that the Core is still important to the 360 offerings and isn't going anywhere. So, could this just be a case of Best Buy removing the SKU due to inventory sake or could the removal of the Core hint at the rumored price cut? You know, using the logic that Best Buy feels a soon to be priced $349 Premium system would sell well enough that there'd be no need for the Core does make sense. No matter what the case is, we don't have any real answer for Best Buy's lack of Core love, but the news does get our heads thinking crazy thoughts.
