Details of a new model of Xbox 360 have been leaked by major American retailers, and it may well mean the death of the Core.
The new system bears the name 'Xbox 360 Arcade' and will ship for $279.99 (£137) plus tax. The exact date that it will be released is up for grabs, with October 23rd and October 25th both possible.
A listing of the new system can be found over on the American Toys 'R' Us website. Team Xbox also reports that Amazon.com carried a listing†, but it appears to have been pulled down.
SPOnG contacted Microsoft for confirmation, but no comment was available at the time of press. We will not be at all surprised if the company rolls out the old adage, 'We don't comment on rumour and speculation', but with two big, reputable retailers having featured the console and a legitimate-looking picture (see right), it seems unlikely that this is anything other than genuine.
Microsoft just cut the price of the 360 in Europe back in August.
The introduction of this new version of the 360 looks like bad news for the Core system. Back when the Elite was announced there was much speculation that the Premium edition would drop down to take the place of the Core system, leaving two SKUs on the market. It seems highly unlikely that Microsoft will leave four different versions of the 360 on the market and risk the confusion that could cause consumers.
Of course, if that happens it will mean that Microsoft is moving out of direct competition with the Wii and effectively saying 'Sony is our competition, Nintendo's won that area of the market'.
The other possibility is that the 360 Arcade will replace the Premium version. The problem Microsoft faces is what to ship the Arcade with if the Premium stays on the market. With the Premium only having a 20GB hard disk there's not much room beneath it in the market for a 360 for a smaller one. If, on the other hand, the new model ships without a hard drive, it will simply be seen as a more expensive version of the Core. Give us your thoughts on the subject in the forum.
†Source: Team Xbox
The new system bears the name 'Xbox 360 Arcade' and will ship for $279.99 (£137) plus tax. The exact date that it will be released is up for grabs, with October 23rd and October 25th both possible.
A listing of the new system can be found over on the American Toys 'R' Us website. Team Xbox also reports that Amazon.com carried a listing†, but it appears to have been pulled down.
SPOnG contacted Microsoft for confirmation, but no comment was available at the time of press. We will not be at all surprised if the company rolls out the old adage, 'We don't comment on rumour and speculation', but with two big, reputable retailers having featured the console and a legitimate-looking picture (see right), it seems unlikely that this is anything other than genuine.
Microsoft just cut the price of the 360 in Europe back in August.
The introduction of this new version of the 360 looks like bad news for the Core system. Back when the Elite was announced there was much speculation that the Premium edition would drop down to take the place of the Core system, leaving two SKUs on the market. It seems highly unlikely that Microsoft will leave four different versions of the 360 on the market and risk the confusion that could cause consumers.
Of course, if that happens it will mean that Microsoft is moving out of direct competition with the Wii and effectively saying 'Sony is our competition, Nintendo's won that area of the market'.
The other possibility is that the 360 Arcade will replace the Premium version. The problem Microsoft faces is what to ship the Arcade with if the Premium stays on the market. With the Premium only having a 20GB hard disk there's not much room beneath it in the market for a 360 for a smaller one. If, on the other hand, the new model ships without a hard drive, it will simply be seen as a more expensive version of the Core. Give us your thoughts on the subject in the forum.
†Source: Team Xbox
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Comments
alexh2o 3 Oct 2007 15:26
1/7
white drive trim... lack of visible hard drive... im going to say its a core replacement
more expensive because of hdmi and maybe wireless controller
more expensive because of hdmi and maybe wireless controller
SuperSaiyan4 3 Oct 2007 15:28
2/7
I clearly remember reading when the Elite was confirmed for Europe that Microsoft stated they would be rebranding the Core model to ARCADE pack and the Premium would be called the Pro instead.
So this isn't much of a surprise other than apparently it being bundled with a wireless controller.
Personally I dont see why Microsoft just doesnt scrap the Core and make the Pro £229.99 which is way more than the US price given. And make the Elite £279.99.
At least its affordable to those that want a hard drive and can play ALL the games and will not penalise those that want to play certain games that need a hard drive.
So this isn't much of a surprise other than apparently it being bundled with a wireless controller.
Personally I dont see why Microsoft just doesnt scrap the Core and make the Pro £229.99 which is way more than the US price given. And make the Elite £279.99.
At least its affordable to those that want a hard drive and can play ALL the games and will not penalise those that want to play certain games that need a hard drive.
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Smelly 3 Oct 2007 16:15
3/7
Problem is with all these different models.. it's confusing as hell to the consumer.
Its becoming like buying a pc. Well you just paid top notch for this pc, but if you want to run this game on it, you'll need this and that upgrade..
Its becoming like buying a pc. Well you just paid top notch for this pc, but if you want to run this game on it, you'll need this and that upgrade..
realvictory 3 Oct 2007 19:04
4/7
The problem with the different models is, (a) there's no point, they just need a cheap and an expensive one. (b) they're screwing people over who bought the old versions.
Also, I hate the box - it's a disgusting colour, meaningless silhouettes and a meaningless catchphrase to go with it.
Also, I hate the box - it's a disgusting colour, meaningless silhouettes and a meaningless catchphrase to go with it.
deleted 3 Oct 2007 19:24
5/7
in all fairness spong joystiq reported this around about 1 month ago.
soanso 4 Oct 2007 01:52
6/7
that looks like a 360 with 5 old games preloaded onto it.
PreciousRoi 4 Oct 2007 10:55
7/7
what with the white drive trim and box art, and barely discernable text, I'm gonna say its:
a Core model 360 with
no HDD
Wireless Controller (rep. Wired in Core)
Memory Card (preloaded with 5 games?)
Component/Composite AV Cable
and something illegible.
a Core model 360 with
no HDD
Wireless Controller (rep. Wired in Core)
Memory Card (preloaded with 5 games?)
Component/Composite AV Cable
and something illegible.