EVERYTHING Xbox 360

[shivadee]

Its fully funtional. However there is an issue with using a LIVE headset with it.  There was a review article i found giving it a must buy for hardcore PC FPS fans. In all honesty that is what its designed for - and possibly RTS although there are few on consoles. Console controls are fine for everything else.

[Arcmanov]

It have wireless headsets to overcome dat man.
As soon as I'm able, I'm ordering this shiznit.

[vivman1107]

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night will be released on Xbox Live Arcade on Wednesday, March 21 for 800 MS Points. You can play it in original mode or an enhanced mode with improved graphics and audio. It has native high definition and widescreen support as well. We all know how amazing the soundtracks for Castlevania games are. It should be mind blowing to hear what is probably the best of them all in Dolby Digital 5.1. I know what I will be doing on Wednesday.

[W1nTry]

A side scroller with 5.1??? LMAO

[TheApprentice]

Looks like Game Informer's black Xbox 360 rumor wasn't so much a rumor as it was a pending exclusive in their shiny mag. Of course, GI weren't the first outlet to whisper secrets about an elusive revision of the Xbox 360 -- actually, Engadget got pics of the console's (dubbed Zephyr) HDMI port, proving its existence. Now, GI's April issue has the deets.

This news has been floating around for a couple days -- first hitting NeoGAF and subsequently our tips line -- but, Kotaku has managed to get some pics of the page and even confirmation from GI that this isn't an April Fool's hoax.

So, without further delay, the specs:

Uh, it's black
HDMI port and HDMI cable (oh, you bullies!)
120GB hard drive (but you told us 20GB was more than enough!)
A $479 price tag (ouch!)
No HD-DVD integration (yup), the "format's not proven" (pssst, and it's being outsold)
The 120GB hard drive will be available for under $200 (uh, we certainly hope so!)
It's coming in "late April"

Engadget adds:

Dubbed the Xbox 360 Elite
Limited-edition; probably a couple hundred thousand units
Case, controller, and headset will be black; new packaging
Confirmed: 3rd SKU; sold alongside Premium and Core bundles
Elite runs cooler than other models
Eventually Elite hardware (in white) will replace Premium; estimated to be in late summer or fall

Source: http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/20/hdmi-enabled-black-xbox-360-in-late-april-for-479/

The 360 looks like a worthy purchase for me after all...

[vivman1107]

Damn the torpedoes. Ah well, I guess the only thing I would be missing with my current 360 is the HDMI port and larger hard drive. Just keep in mind that M$ has not officially confirmed this yet.

[Arcmanov]

Most likely the HDD will be sold separately.  Eventually.
I'll be copping one as soon as they're available.

[W1nTry]

Actually at Cebit there were a whole HOST of Xbox systems with HDMI amoungst other connectors... they were however SDK type setups for game developers.... so THEY DO EXIST... whether a CONSUMER available version will come out is to be confirmed...

[shivadee]

70GB HDD's were seen at E3 last year on the developers systems
I have a Game Informer subscription......i think (as G4 Says) its a April Fools joke. Last year they announced World Of Starcraft in secret production for xmas launch

[vivman1107]

For those who don't have a 360 yet, this is a great deal. Dell has the 360 Premium with Gears of War for $399 US.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A1118814

[TriniXaeno]

sounds like a good deal indeed

[vivman1107]

I decided to check out the Xbox Rewards site to see if they added any new challenges. I noticed that my rewards for the Old Spice Challenge were posted. I got:

A level upgrade to Level 3
Token code for Contra on Xbox Live Arcade
Token code for Level 2 gamerpic
Token code for 100 MS points

Needless to say, I am very impressed with the prompt service from this challenge and I hope this continues for future challenges. This is definitely a nice incentive to get a 360 if you have not gotten one yet. Free stuff is always welcome.

[Arcmanov]

What I would like to know is HOW TO GET BLOODY MS POINTS!!?

Tryin to get em via Xbox Live and xbox.com is not working.

[vivman1107]

It could be that they do not take international credit cards like most online retailers. I just bought some points from Amazon. Here is a link to 1600 points for $20 US. If you happen to be ordering other stuff, you can just add a card (or however many) to the order.

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Live-1600-Points/dp/B000B9RI14/ref=pd_bbs_1/105-4437728-9078809?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1174877648&sr=1-1

[TheApprentice]

It really looking like a April's Fool joke now... cuz the Elite supposedly launching in April ..  yet Microsoft hasn't said a word.. 

Edit:
This appear on the net...
Xbox 360 Elite Manufacturing Photos

Check the following link:
http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/13097/Xbox-360-Elite-Manufacturing-Photos/

[Arcmanov]

Well I finally got my XFPS 360 adapter and attempted to test it out, but alas, it does not work with the wireless controllers.
I did some research and found out that a WIRED controller needs to be plugged into the device for the 360 to 'recognise' it. 
Only then can keyboards, mice and PSX controllers be plugged in and used.  I wished they said this BEFORE I purchased it!!!  So be warned.

I guess I'll have to get a wired controller then.
I'll update when I've tested it some more.

[Czar]

It's been confirmed peeps...well according to this article on DailyTech anyways...

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=6671

120GB HDD, HDMI connector, and $479.99 price tag.
And the 120GB HDD will be available as an upgrade for existing 360s at $179.99
Availability expected April 29.

[Arcmanov]

UPDATE:  Tested the XFPS 360 with a PS2 controller, and it worked FLAWLESSLY.

Over the weekend, I shall test it with PS2 keyboard/mouse, USB keyboard/mouse and
wireless keyboard/mouse.

[vivman1107]

Time to get a black controller, I think.

[W1nTry]

Yup confirmed:

Xbox 360 Elite goes official

120GB HDD, gets HDMI plus cable included

By Dean Pullen: Wednesday 28 March 2007, 08:56
MICROSOFT HAS officially announced the availability of the Xbox 360 Elite console.

This sleek black console, complete with black joypad and accessories, will feature as a third SKU along side the Core and Premium bundles, and will not be a limited edition unlike previous speculation suggested.

The console, packaging, peripherals, and specifications can already be seen on the Xbox.com US site here.

As rumoured for sometime, the unit will come complete with HDMI out - and will also feature an HDMI cable included within the box. Presumably this is a thumbing of the nose at Sony - the PS3 was criticised for not including the cable within the box, and charging a substantial amount for the additional accessory.

The package will also come complete with both component and composite cables. Nintendo and Sony take note.

Below you can observe the newly coloured 360, along with the Elite packaging and its respective paraphernalia.



The Xbox 360 Elite will have an estimated retail price of $479.99 and is expected to begin arriving in U.S. stores on April 29.

For existing Xbox 360 owners who wish upgrade their hard drives to the 120GB HDD, it will be sold separately for an estimated retail price of $179.99, including a data exchange cable, allowing existing 360 owners to transfer their data from existing hard-drives to the new 120GB.

Microsoft refuses to state when the 360 is expected to utilise the 65nm CPU/GPU parts that are known to be in development for the eventual cost reduction of the console. µ