At last more information about the Xbox 360 is starting to make its way to the surface. I can’t say I completely understand what’s going on with Microsoft’s marketing department. It’s hard to tell if it’s marketing brilliance via inaction or just inaction. Never the less it’s good to have some solid details on an product that is only 2-3 months away, or so rumour has it…
The word from Microsoft is that Xbox 360 will come in two different bundles. The cheaper of the two comes with just the console and one wired control for a ‘bargain’ price of $299.00 USD (about $425.00 NZD). Originally I was surprised to see the standard bundle didn’t come with a HD AV cable but it would appear that it was either a mistake from the Xbox marketing team, or something they have changed due to complaints from users. Whatever the reason the standard bundle now appears to include a HD AV cable, so all’s well that ends well.
The second more complete bundle comes in at $399.00 USD (about $570.00 NZD) and includes 1 wireless controller, a HD AV cable, a remote control and most importantly a 20 GB hard drive which enables backwards compatibility with popular Xbox titles plus the ability to save music etc.
To me the second bundle is the only way to go. Really it’s a minimal increase in price and provides significant increase in functionally and usability, not to mention it will make the purchase feel more complete and satisfying. For more info check out the official Xbox website.
The other news worth mentioning re Xbox 360 is the unofficial games line up of:
- Amped 3 (2K Games)
- Call of Duty 2 (Activision)
- Condemned (Sega)
- Dead Or Alive 4 (Tecmo)
- Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Bethesda)
- Final Fantasy XI (Microsoft)
- Full Auto (Sega)
- Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter
- Gun (Activision)
- Kameo: Elements of Power (Microsoft)
- Madden NFL 06 (EA)
- NBA 2K6 (2K Games)
- NHL 2K6 (2K Games)
- The Outfit (THQ)
- Perfect Dark LE (Microsoft)
- Project Gotham Racing 3 (Microsoft)
- Quake 4 (Activision)
- Ridge Racer 6 (Namco)
- Saints Row (THQ)
- Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland (Activision)
- Top Spin 2 (2K Games)
I’ve got my eye on Ghost Recon, which looks amazing, but really I’m just holding out for Halo 3. In fact I might just find myself holding out on Xbox 360 all together until Halo 3 is released. I guess it all depends on how much I enjoy playing on my younger brothers system, he’s sure to get it on launch.
EDIT: Well according to this joystiq post there’s been further flip flopping on the HD AV cable issue over night. Looks like the basic bundle now only comes with a standard av cable.