Xbox 360 Elite
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New Xbox 360 250GB review
When we first saw its face in a Italian ad, more than one Engadget editor called its bluff: "The top half doesn't line up with the bottom," some said, "that's got to be Photoshopped." While that early image was indeed CG, the form factor was certainly not -- the new Xbox 360 sports enough sleek angles and disappearing curves we've taken to calling it the Stealthbox. As mother always told you, though, it's what's inside that counts; does that glossy exterior house any improvements, or is it hiding just another Xbox? Find out after the break.
Older Xbox 360 Arcades and Elites get prices slashed
If you're less concerned with form and function as you are with frugality, you'll be pleased to know that the release of the slimmer, blacker 360 model has led to the fairly substantial discounting of older, chubbier versions of the console. Both Amazon and Best Buy have marked the Arcade model down from $200 to $150, while the Elite model is down from $300 to $250. MCV reports that UK retailers are beginning to drop the price on their Arcades and Elites in anticipation of the arrival of the Xbox 360 S. If you're looking for a cheap opportunity to grab a 360 -- or if you're just a purveyor of ancient technological artifacts -- you may want to grab these while they're hot.
New Xbox 360 250GB now available for preorder at GameStop, Newegg and Amazon
We had our unboxing already, but you're just days away from yours -- the new Xbox 360 is now available for preorder at the likes of Amazon, Newegg and GameStop. $300 buys you the freshly-announced Stealthbox with 250GB of storage and built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi, a Kinect-ready auxiliary port and enough vents to hopefully make RRoD a thing a thing of the past. We'd tell you to read our early impressions and perhaps wait for our full guide, but if you've read this far you know what you want -- the preorder details -- and you'll find them three times over at our source links.
Snag the Splinter Cell Xbox 360 Elite bundle for $325
We know how it is. You've had your eyes on the Splinter Cell Conviction Xbox 360 Elite bundle for weeks now. "I want it!," you say, "But it's so expensive." You're in luck, because it looks like Sam Fisher did some 'negotiating' with Dell and got the company to knock a full $75 off the price, making it a cool $324.99. It's worth noting that Dell seems to have the bundle details incorrect. The bundle includes two wireless controllers, not one, and a 250GB hard drive as opposed to a 120GB model. It also does not include an HDMI cable, an accessory Microsoft stopped bundling with Elites some time ago. If $325 is still a bit too steep, you can also grab the Xbox 360 Elite Spring bundle, which includes Halo 3: ODST, Forza Motorsport 3, one wireless controller and a 120GB hard drive for just $269 ($30 off the usual price). Act now and you'll still have time to get in on the Halo: Reach beta. Lest you haven't heard, it has jetpacks. [Via Destructoid]
Xbox 360 receives 'limited promotional' price cut in Spain
Effective today, May 3, the Xbox 360 received a price reduction in Spain. The Arcade model was cut by €30 to €169 ($223), while the Elite experienced a €20 drop to €199 ($262). No other European countries seem to be experiencing a similar price drop. Following up with Microsoft in the States, the company's official comment to Joystiq was that "the limited promotional price of Xbox 360 Arcade in Spain does not reflect an official price drop." The company's statement continues, "We work closely with retailers to determine the best approach for our products on a region-by-region basis." [Thanks, Antonio R.; Via VG247, ElOtroLado]
Student-made Xbox 360 laptop channels the Heck out of... well, you know
Few can build 'em like Benjamin Heckendorn. Fewer still bother to try. Two college kids managed to do a bang-up job anyhow building this fully loaded, Jasper-juiced Xbox 360 laptop. With a built-in 17-inch Gateway monitor, keyboard, functioning Xbox Live camera and Wireless Network Adapter, this brick hits all the right notes -- yet remains remarkably stylish for a learn-as-you-go student project. If you agree, you can read a remarkably detailed account of how they built it at the source link, see a proof-of-completion video after the break, or even further their education by purchasing the mean machine on eBay for your very own.
New 360 Elite bundle includes Halo 3: ODST and Forza 3 for $300
Are you preparing to buy your first ever Xbox 360, and are looking for the best value for your money? Alternatively, did your Xbox 360 just commit ritual seppuku, and now you're looking for a SKU that comes bundled with some good games? Both parties are in luck -- Amazon recently added a listing for an Xbox 360 Elite Spring 2010 bundle, which includes Halo 3: ODST, Forza Motorsport 3 and a 120GB hard drive for just $299.99. According to the listing, this bundle will go on sale next Tuesday, March 9 -- the same day the $399 Final Fantasy XIII bundle hits Amazon's virtual store shelves. We're extremely excited about this news -- not because it's a great deal (though it really, really is), but because it's allowed us to break the world record for "Most Times Using The Number '3' In A Single Headline." Thanks for making this dream possible, Microsoft. [Via 1UP]
Gift cards at Best Buy with purchase of Xbox 360
A quick note to anyone looking to purchase an Xbox 360, Best Buy currently has a good deal on both the Elite and Arcade models. The retailer is currently offering a $30 gift card for the purchase of an Xbox 360 Arcade unit, while an Elite purchase will net you a $50 gift card. That effectively drops the prices of the Elite and Arcade to $250 and $170, respectively -- assuming you were planning to spend more money at Best Buy, anyway. To take part in the promotion, simply head to Best Buy's promotional pages for either the Arcade or Elite console, toss the selected hardware and the $50 gift card into your cart and place your order. Not a bad deal, especially if you want some actual games to play on that fancy new Xbox 360. Oh, and if you have an HDTV, don't forget that the "flexibility" of either console will require the purchase of HD cables. Source -- Best Buy Xbox 360 Arcade offer Source -- Best Buy Xbox 360 Elite offer
Vodafone Portugal releases IPTV service for Xbox 360
Portuguese digital television service, Vodafone Casa TV, is now available to Gold members of Xbox Live. In fact, the company is even promoting a special IPTV Xbox 360 bundle there, which includes an Elite console, 12 months of subscription for Xbox Live Gold and four games -- Lego Batman, Pure, Fable 2 and Halo 3 -- all for €259 (about $375). The Vodafone Casa TV service not only lets you watch on-demand TV through your Xbox 360, but also grants Portuguese patrons the ability to access content from their set-top boxes and set times for their set-top box to record live television. While users won't be able to directly record content to their Xbox 360, they can still access certain functions of the console while streaming content, including private chat and accepting game invites. Existing Vodafone Casa TV subscribers with an Xbox 360 can snag the software for a mere €9.90. [Thanks, Assassin Monk]
250GB Elite bundle with Halo 3 and ODST drops into Canada
Microsoft just pulled back the curtain on a brand-new bundle exclusively for our brothers and sisters to the north. Aside from a 250GB Xbox 360 Elite console, the bundle also includes a double dose of Bungie goodness: Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST. Starting today, you can get your maple syrup-soaked hands on this for a suggested retail price of $399.99 CAD. If you're a US gamer wondering why we didn't get this piece of gear down here, relax -- let Canada win this one! You have any idea how many driveways a Canadian has to shovel to earn this thing?
Japan getting Lost Planet / Ace Combat 6 Xbox bundle
Seems like everyone has to get in on the Elite bundle action these days. Game Watch reports that a new Xbox 360 Elite bundle is headed to Japan, with both Lost Planet: Colonies and Ace Combat 6 baked right in. it also comes packed with the normal Elite goodies -- headset, wireless controller and (incredibly flexible) composite cables. Unfortunately, the bundle fails to meet super Elite status, as it contains only a paltry 120GB hard drive. Still, at ¥29,980 (~$330), it's not a bad deal. The bundle goes on sale in Japan starting October 29.
New Xbox 360 Elite holiday bundle and Wireless Controller Game Pack announced
We'd been hearing that Microsoft had a new Xbox 360 holiday bundle in the works, and here we go: $299 will nab you an Elite, Lego Batman, and Pure. Not a bad deal -- and if you already have a 360, you can score a new controller, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, Lumines LIVE!, Bomberman LIVE! and Ms Pac-Man for another $60. The new Elite pack should be shipping to retailers today, but you'll have to wait until November to snag the controller bundle. Now if only Microsoft would see fit to bundle in some freaking WiFi, we'd be all set.
Xbox 360 Elite Holiday 2009 Bundle shipping today
Rumored, pictured, and now shipping to retail, the 2009 edition of the Xbox 360 Elite Holiday Bundle ($300) includes a pair of family-friendly titles from last year in Lego Batman and Pure. But, well, you knew that. (Protip: Grab and stash this before October 5 to be eligible for the $50 rebate.)Also announced today, the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Game Pack will go on sale in November for $60. The black gamepad and bundle of XBLA titles is so close to perfect with Geometry Wars 2, Lumines Live, Bomberman Live and ... a code for Ms. Pac-Man? Make that a Pac-Man: Championship Edition token and we'd be looking at one of the best gifts you could have given this holiday -- 'cause let's face it, you (should) already own those games.Oh, and still no official word on that popcorn box o' peripherals.%Gallery-74224%
Video: a brief history of game console teardowns
Granted, none of these are teardowns we haven't already seen ad nauseam, but seeing every Sony and Microsoft console ripped to shreds and placed side-to-side in a series of glass cases is still a sight to behold. Peruse the display yourself, found at Tokyo Game Show and shown courtesy of the Museum of GAME Science, in a video tour after the break.
First pics of Xbox 360 Holiday 2009 Bundle
While our mole may not be as prolific or mysterious as some others' we do have an inside man/woman who sent us these images of the rumored Xbox 360 Elite Holiday 2009 Bundle. With the inclusion of Pure and Lego Batman the bundle certainly looks legit, and we think it's a safe bet this is what you'll be seeing on shelves this holiday season. Also: "It's More Fun Time on Xbox 360" is a very bad slogan. That is all. %Gallery-73796%
Xbox 360 rumored to be getting new holiday bundle, marginally cheaper WiFi adapter
Not interested in the hassle of a $50 mail-in rebate on the Xbox 360 Elite? Then it looks like you may soon have another option that sweetens the deal over the basic $299 console, at least if Ars Technica's usually reliable "mole" is to be believed. As rumor has it, Microsoft will rolling out another of its usual holiday bundles around the middle of October (after the rebate deadline, naturally), this time packing Pure and Lego Batman in with the Xbox 360 Elite (no word on a new Arcade bundle). In other, more disappointing news, the mole has also apparently "confirmed" that Microsoft will indeed be dropping the price of its 802.11g network adapter once the new 802.11n model rolls out, but it'll unfortunately still cost $79.99 -- or just $20 less than it costs today (and only twenty bucks cheaper than the 802.11n adapter). [Via Joystiq]
Microsoft kicks out $50 rebate for $299 Xbox 360 Elite
Didn't Microsoft's Xbox 360 Elite just drop to $299, like, three weeks ago? Yes, yes it did. Evidently that cut just wasn't deep enough for Microsoft (or else it had a change of heart following the release of Sony's $299 PS3 Slim), as the Redmond mega-corp has today lit up a new mail-in rebate program to bring the cost down to $249. Consoles purchased between today (sorry, Monday shoppers!) and October 5th are eligible, and it's anyone's guess as to what'll happen to the 360 lineup come October 6th. So, is Santa coming early for anyone this year, or what?[Via Major Nelson, thanks Logan]Read - Rebate pageRead - Microsoft release
Xbox 360 Elite for $249 (with rebate) until Oct. 5
Microsoft is offering a $50 mail-in rebate on all Xbox 360 Elite purchases starting today (September 22) and ending October 5, making the previously $400 console SKU a mere $249. The offer is valid only in the US, but purchasers can certainly use that cash-back toward component cables, a Wi-Fi adapter, HD transfer cord, HDMI cable or ... any one of the many missing peripherals that brings "flexibility to consumers." Shortcut: Rebate form [Via Major Nelson]
Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach beta bundled with Halo machine
While entirely devoid of ill-fitting iconic helmets, one of Microsoft's new Xbox 360 Elite bundles -- designated for European markets, judging by the rating information on the box -- offers everything you need to stride 'n' strafe into the Halo universe. It's no "Super Elite," but the 120GB package offers a fair amount of elites to shoot at in the included Halo 3, its upcoming expansion, Halo 3: ODST, and (consequently) the beta for next year's Halo game, Reach. As usual, Microsoft has thrown in a one-month Xbox Live Gold membership, which is just long enough for you to realize that you can never ever beat the internet at Halo. Prices are sure to vary from region to region (fun fact: it goes for roughly $580 in South Africa), so have a look on your shelves at the start of October, which is when retailers expect the bundle to drop in.
Xbox 360 sales predictably spike in UK after price drop
GfK Chart-Track notes the Xbox 360 had a 43 percent sales increase over the weekend in the UK, following the price drop which sent the console's Elite version to a friendlier £199. With Sony's PS3 Slim model expected to hit the region this week, it'll be interesting to compare the percentage increase in sales for both consoles. We'd prefer actual sales numbers instead of percentages, but that's apparently not happening. To get a good grasp on the actual console sales, post price drop, it appears we'll have to wait for September's US NPD figures, which won't be released until mid-October. At that time, we'll compare them to the August numbers to get a better idea of the price drop's impact. Exciting!
