Microsoft to Revise The Xbox 360 Core System

Gikoku · 08-21-2007, 06:13 PM

The 'supposedly' new Marketing Sheet for Xbox 360 (Click Image for larger view)

Quote:

Originally Posted by DailyTech.com

Reports from Belgian gaming blogs covering the Leipzig Games Convention indicate that Microsoft will replace the Xbox 360 Core system with a superior version – and at likely without any change at the price point. The new entry-level system, called “Xbox 360 Arcade: Just Play,” will still lack a hard disk drive, but will be packaged with a 256MB memory card. Its namesake comes from the fact that the new system will come with five Xbox Live Arcade games. Additionally, the new Core system will come with a wireless controller, replacing the current wired one.

The upper-class versions of the Xbox 360 will also receive taglines as part of a marketing effort. The Xbox 360 Premium system will be tagged with the words “Go Pro,” while the Xbox 360 Elite will carry the words “Go Big.”

The latest production batches of Xbox 360 Premium units in the U.S. now feature an HDMI port, signifying Microsoft’s move to the “Zephyr” motherboard that was first introduced in the Xbox 360 Elite. The next move could be for Microsoft to manufacture Xbox 360 Core units with the “Zephyr” motherboard as well.

The news comes from a Microsoft source in Belgium, who sent the following email to Gamernode:

"The embargo just lifted on some news I got earlier. At an as of yet unknown date, the Core will be completely phased out and repackaged as the 'Xbox Arcade: Just Play' pack. It will come with 5 games (I assume Uno and Pac-Man are two since I believe I saw them on the box art shown), a 256 mb memory card, and will be priced at 279. I'm not 100% sure about this part, but my notes say it will have an HDMI exit, but no cable in the box."

To be honest, this sudden change still has me feeling bad for those who have already bought the Core system when it first came out, especially since these newer versions have enhanced Motherboards.

Dark Drakan · 08-21-2007, 07:01 PM

Well to be honest people who bought the core system are few and far between (me being one of them) and its been a while since it was the only option. I bought mine when they were only consoles in stock and that was over a year ago, the premium offer is much better these days and way more people have bought that.

Gikoku · 08-21-2007, 07:10 PM

True, but there's still a good small thousand of them that probably got the core recently (as there are some who can't afford the Pro version). And it would kinda suck, as some will probably wish they waited just abit longer to get the even better deal that's just right around the corner.

Dark Drakan · 08-21-2007, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gikoku

True, but there's still a good small thousand of them that probably got the core recently (as there are some who can't afford the Pro version). And it would kinda suck, as some will probably wish they waited just abit longer to get the even better deal that's just right around the corner.

The premium version isnt to much more expensive though and you get much more for the money, so only misinformed people would by a core now. Especcialy with the Elite coming here on Friday, the core would seem even more like a waste of cash.

Rhadiel · 08-21-2007, 07:13 PM

im just goin for the core system, an easy 300 bucks, and an additional 60 since i need a game.

Dark Drakan · 08-21-2007, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucien

im just goin for the core system, an easy 300 bucks, and an additional 60 since i need a game.

Need a hard drive and Xbox Live too to make the most of the system.

Rhadiel · 08-21-2007, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Drakan

Need a hard drive and Xbox Live too to make the most of the system.

hard drive? u mean the core dont have a hard drive? if so, thats lame.

Dark Drakan · 08-21-2007, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucien

hard drive? u mean the core dont have a hard drive? if so, thats lame.

No it doesnt you have to buy that separately.

Gikoku · 08-21-2007, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucien

hard drive? u mean the core dont have a hard drive? if so, thats lame.

Well, if you're just gonna buy it for Naruto and Fable 2...then it's no biggie, you can just purchase a Memory card, for like...$20+ i think. And you're good to go, no need for spending $100 for GB's of unecessary space..(unless you want to be able download demos from Live and store music on your console).

Dark Drakan · 08-21-2007, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gikoku

Well, if you're just gonna buy it for Naruto and Fable 2...then it's no biggie, you can just purchase a Memory card, for like...$20+ i think. And you're good to go, no need for spending $100 for GB's of unecessary space..(unless you want to be able download demos from Live and store music on your console).

Yeah and all the best features need a hard drive, Xbox live storage for demos and downloadable content most of all. You can put all music on flash device and not have to store it on Hard Drive like me to save space but still stream it through games which is handy.

Rhadiel · 08-21-2007, 07:37 PM

damn, i dont feel like saving up an extra 100...o well.

Gikoku · 08-21-2007, 07:37 PM

Don't forget Media streaming from the PC to the 360..that saved me loads of GB space on my 360's Hard Drive.

Dark Drakan · 08-21-2007, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gikoku

Don't forget Media streaming from the PC to the 360..that saved me loads of GB space on my 360's Hard Drive.

Yeah thats another good way though mine acts up when i try and doesnt want to detect it but its a good way.