New Xbox 360 Bundle - Microsoft Confirms Holiday Release

Microsoft has put the rumors to bed, and as long as you remember to leave out milk and cookies, there may just be a new Xbox 360 waiting for you under the tree when you wake in the morning - at least that is what Microsoft surely hopes.

[Excalibur]

If these are the New Falcons or M$'s way of clearing out the older systems.

[secret]

The dividing line has been drawn. Everything to the left of that line is the xbox360 and xbox360 multiports. Everything to the right of that line is the PS3 and the loyal PS3 developers like Insomniac games.

The following link is a Grand Turismo5 versus Real-life comparison quiz. Let's see how you do. Take the quiz and see the power of the PS3 rather than the smoke & mirrors of the xbox360. PS3 fans, you might want to try for yourself...enjoy the true next gen experience on the utlimate home theater console -- the PS3.

Unless you got all 14 answers on this quiz correct on the first try with 100% certainty, with absolutely no doubt at all while you were taking the exam, I don't think you should click disagree. Clicking disagree without passing this test in flying colors shows (to yourself) that you're untrustworthy, pigheaded, and easily amazed by microsoft's smoke and mirrors. You know who you are.(If Microsoft really loves you, then why does it continue to sell you a product that it KNOWS is still defective rather than HALTING production until the flaws are worked out?).

Thank you. Now take the quiz.

http://generationdreamteam....

PLAYB3YOND

[DaddyDC650]

Might have to return my newly purchased Halo 3 360 SE soon. I'm pheaning for a racing game and my nephew's visit me ever so often so the Marvel game should come in handy. =)

[gta_cb]

Forza Motorsport 2 is really good, i recomend you get it as soon as possible :P

[bluebrad1974]

I have already put my sons 360 in layaway.

[wageslave]

Im sure the retailer will let you out of the layway wont they? Just put it "back" and change it to the new bundle.

You'll probably be fine.

[Bnet343]

Marvel and Forza racing, nice

[Xi]

Game consoles should be bundled with games. GASP!

[Killfooler]

As far as I know, Sony started bundling before M$ did with Motorstorm. You're right though... I miss the good ole days when game machines came with games. Good times.

[Mikey_Gee]

... I remember those days.

You also got " TWO " controllers as well.

[Nostradavis]

@Mikey_Gee

Those days may be making a come back sooner than you think...

[Arutha]

I just wished they would throw in an HD DVD drive into the Elite. I know they would not use it for games, but I'd rather have one built in to my 360 and use that as a back up to my HD-A1. I know a few people holding out on getting a Add-on because they expect a 360 package to come out with the HD DVD drive built in.

[Close_Second]

...they should update the Elite SKU with built in Wi-Fi and HD-DVD unit to take on the new Sony 40GB SKU. However, they would still need to make such an updated Elite cheaper than the Sony 40GB SKU. Why? because there is a perception that Blu-Ray and Cell is cutting edge technology and if that it is cheaper to buy than whats in the 360 (Elite) then you know which way some consumers may go.

I will be interested to see what MS does with the Elite given that the 40GB PS3 is really in the same price bracket (or potentially cheaper) but will offer more capability, i.e. built in Wi-Fi, Blu-Ray, card readers.

[cdzie1]

I don't have any inside information, but I have seen a lot of clues that point to an internal Xbox HD DVD SKU coming next spring.

This year, they want to ride the success of Halo and other key titles to win the holiday, but they know in 2008 that high-def movies will become more important. We know that they've been seeking bids from Asia for lower-cost, higher production HD DVD drive manufacturing. Launching the Elite in spring of last year provided a jolt to Xbox sales at a time when hardware sales are traditionally slow. My guess is Microsoft will repeat that move again by introducing an internal HD DVD SKU with a larger hard drive in Q1 2008.

[Gina-get-u]

That's not going to happen. MS will not integrate an HD format into the 360 until an industry consensus format emerges, and HD televisions achieve deeper market penetration.

[The Karate Kid]

So let me guess, you get an ugly system with a wack game and a wanna be Gran Turismo for $399.99 DVD playback lol

40 Gig PS3 you get Blu-Ray playback, bult in Wi-Fi, 40 Gig Harddrive, Free Online Play, and you get to play Next Generation Titles like Uncharted Drakes Fortune, Ratchet & Clank, Metal Gear Solid 4. I think I'll be going with Blu This season!

[SETBAK]

That is IF you get to play the games mentioned above.

[celticlonewolf]

Should be a good holiday for all three consoles I mean the ps3 new sku and this great deal from ms(basicly a 90 dollor value free be) some people will be having a very merry christmas:)

[Ashira]

Crap.
Crap, crap, crap.
I don't want those games, I want the console and I want a lower price! Get it into your head, Microsoft! Stop bundleding games and crap and start releasing hardware at a lower price!

[cdzie1]

Get a $279 core system

[Sez]

@cdzie don't mind him. he just looking for something to complain about.the price is to high. yeah right.

[Double-Edged]

Sounds like a good combination.
You got racing and adventure.
Serious gaming and a pick up game.
This is a good start.. and i recommend the wheel if your getting Forza2.
It's so much better and it becomes a totally different game.

Kudos

[u got owned]

I guess the COD4 bundle was too good to be true, Forza is a very good game but the Marvel game, meh!

I have to agree with some people here, they should bring the console price down and forget about the bundle.

im waiting 4 more info on the Arcade sku.

[etownone]

this is being aimed at parents shopping for their kids....you add a racing game and a cool looking game with all the superheros kids like bundled in, and it seems like a great deal.

i'm very pro xbox and HD-DVD, but to think a $350 premium with two old games packaged inside can compete with a $399 PS3??? A PS3 that has double the HDD, 1080p Blu-Ray player built in, Wi-Fi, web-browsing, bluetooth controllers, and free online servies? and you get 5 free blu-ray movies?

again, i'm pro XBOX because of the AAA i love Gears, Halo, and now Bioshock, but any educated buyer will see the difference in value and should get a PS3.

M$ should drop the core to $249, premium down to $299, and elite $379.
You can't have a 360 more expensive than a PS3 that plays same quality games and has added Blu-Ray player!!!!

also drop the HD-DVD add-on to $149.....this holiday season might be the deciding factor in the format war too!!

[UltramanJ]

Cast your biased views aside for a moment and use your brain folks. The PS3 40gb is suddenly back in the position of being the high priced console again. Everytime Sony tries to level the playing field M$ pulls the rug out from under them. My launch day 360 died on August 1st, but I've waited patiently for this very bundle. Two free highly rated games and the system with the best library around (right now) for $350. No watching games get delayed and no 30 frames per second screwjob ports, I've missed my 360. Microsoft is going to kick Sony's ass up and down the block this holiday season, and unless Nintendo sweetens the dust magnet Wii, them as well. What consumer is going to want to spend more money and get less? Consumers aren't completely dumb, and like it or not the ROD issue has been drowned out by the biggest game release on any system (Halo duh).
Anyway, I hope Marvel and Forza come in seperate cases. I already own the Gold Edition of Marvel, so I might as well trade or sell the one that comes with the 360.

[wolfehound22]

This is a good deal and should sell good but towards your post its funny how you bash the PS3 and people that get that system but yet you start out saying how you x360 died in August. People call sony fanboys blind but just listen to you your 360 dead but you still can't wait to buy another one. Hey good for you but before you start bashing other peoples systems at least they can play theres

[emogen]

But Marvel Ultimate Alliance isn't. Everything's just so aweful in that game.

[wageslave]

I've not played Marvel Alliance yet (but will, after I buy one of these for a gift this Xmass).

But, according to Metacritic it is pretty damn good. 8.2 / 10.

http://www.metacritic.com/g...

Forza 2 has 9 / 10 AVERAGE on Metacritic:

http://www.metacritic.com/g...

There is only -- 1 -- game with a higher score than that for PS3. And that is Oblivion: ES.

So, Microsoft is packing in two EXCELLENT games.

[heavyarms]

Both of those games are great, My nephews played marvel alliance for an entire month lol and they still play it when they come around. Its a great deal no matter how you see it.

[mikeslemonade]

Give me games that I want to play. I hate how MS markets there stuff by packing in games without dropping price. It's still same price and the games that they give you I probably wouldn't even play for more than 2 hours, so there's no more incentive to get the 360 than before.

[wageslave]

Why would you think MS should lower the price? They're just adding value to the bundle -- a great move for Xmass Gift-Giving.

Alliance is 8.2 / 10 and Forza is 9/10 on Metacritic (see the links above). But the point is basically, MS is putting in two Best in Genre games; AAA in both cases.

[Texas GMR]

At least ship a mature bundle with Gears in it. :-)

[etownone]

add in a mature game? nah...everyone mature enough would have bought the system and games they wanted by now.

holiday season sales are aimed mostly at kids...parents lookings to buy their kids presents. And what can be better than a cool racing game and a superhero game that has all the characters including spiderman. Thats all parents need to know.

[goodganja]

No 360 bundle can compete with.

Heavenly Sword
Resistance
Motorstorm
Eye of Judgement
Uncharted
Lair
Tekken 5 Online
Tekken 6
Gran Turismo HD(AAA and FREE)
Gran Turismo 5
White Knight Story
Final Fantasy XIII
Metal Gear Solid IV
LA Noire
(((((Untitled Rockstar Exclusive))))))
Untitled Team ICO Game
Ratchet & Clank
Untitled Syphon Filter Project
Haze
Killzone 2
Little Big Planet
Super Stardust HD
LocoRoco
Untitled Twisted Metal
Untitled God of War Sequel
Jack & Daxter Sequel
Halo 3 Port in 1080p
Halo 4 in true 1080p

P L A Y B 3 Y O N D

[etownone]

normally i dont like responding to comments like yours..but halo3? halo 4 on your list??

AAA games on 360 are already there... 2006 game of the year GeOW, Halo 3, and most likely 2007 game of the year Bioshock.

AAA games on PS3 "ZERO" ......but hopefully will come out...maybe not this year, but next year.....one day....

[Covenant]

Ignore him. His username tells you all you need to know about his frame of mind, and what "influences" it.

Fanboys suck.

[Sez]

why would you name game you have to wait for. when 360 has the games now. most of the games you named are not all that exciting.
1)heavenly sword (too short for blu-ray)
2)resistance (ok)
3)motorstorm ( you got to be kidding me)
4)eye of judgement ( s**t looks like a fake yu-gi-ho game)
5)uncharted ( looks good)
6)lair ( i thought you sonyfanboy drop this game due to poor reviews)
7)tekken5 and 6 (wait)
8)GT( wait)
9)whiteknight story(wait)
10)FF ( may be delayed until 09...wait)
11)MGS4(wait)
12)LA NOIRE ( wait)
13)team ICO game. (wait)
14)R&C
15)syphon filter project.(wait)
16)haze (doesn't compete with COD4)
17)killzone2 ( they have to do more then graphic to inpress me. i played 1. and it sucked ballz.and yes you are still waiting)
18)LBP(wait.)
19)super stardust HD (wait)
20)twisted metal(unannounced and waiting)
21)GOW3 (unanounced.waiting)
22)D&J(same as above wait
23)halo 3 &4 (what the hell are you smoking i want some. keep wishing for this one)MS owns the rights. sony must be paying MS for a copy.looks like you have alot of games you have to wait for.while we are playing this Xmas.

[ElementX]

Lists suck and so do the people who post them.

[Covenant]

They've been in Best Buy's system for a few days now, so it's good to see official confirmation.

Two good games bundled with the system for the same price as just the console? Excellent deal.

And, has anyone else noticed that both of those games offer good multiplayer experiences? Couple that with Halo 3, and I expect Live memberships to skyrocket this winter. More people, more pwnage, but also more immature n00bs. Oh well.

[secur1ty911]

cuz its a company that doesn't have a heart, thats why.

[Nostradavis]

Its a business decision. I used to work for another large corporation that launched a site dedicated to helping consumers understand how to fix common problems that occurred with their products but they refused to publicize the site for the longest time out of fear that it would detract new consumers from buying their products. God forbid they know that the products break from time to time.

Most consumers are not going to know to ask about the inner workings of the console, and I will even venture to add that if a store sales associate said "this new 360 won't overheat like the last one" it will make soccer mom say "oh this machine had a problem in the past? I think I'll wait and see how it does before I buy it". They are not going to slap "NEW AND IMPROVED WITH NO RED EYE" on the side of the box.

That said, I understand where you are coming from, but as long as you know that is the case then you are all set.

[joydestroy]

yup, my 360 is "breaking" this holiday.

[Douglasp]

Always talking about the POWER of green or the POWER of Blue. Who cares. I for one am looking at the Aracde bundle as I need a cheap streamer box and since the X360 comes with streaming capabalities and dvd playback, for daddy and BOOM BOOM rocket for my son. I would put the new HDMI 360 in my LV with my 20gb, and put the older xbox, in my BR, so I can stream stuff I download from Vongo or have recorded using my Digital Tuner with cable on Vista Media center. The streamers like apple ITV, linksys or dlink all cost 300$. So the arcade pack at 279 with future possibility of being upgrade to a 120gb so I can download HD 360 movies so I can view them on my BR is my way to go. (Sometimes watching a movie with your wife in the BR is better than the LV couch. So the arcade pack is not just for soccer moms. But for movie download dads also. (as you can see I support movie downloads over, physical media or better yet I support movie or shows being in computer files than physical media) Damm I love TB drives.

[feejo]

They are terrible, if I would have get a 550$ Xbox in 2005 it would worth only 5$ now. They are so not creative, they just copy all the time SONY. Sony rule. HD-DVD suck. Blu-Ray is way better.

By the way for those who believe (cause it require alot of faith) that MS RRD is cure just see youTube for RRD on NEW elite.
On a SEP 3 2007 ELITE watch the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watc...