Xbox 360 Fanboy

With rumors of European Xbox 360 price cuts flying around, we have yet another 360 hardware rumor making the internet rounds and it targets the 360's hard drive.

According to TrustedReviews and their "rock solid source", they're claiming that Microsoft has plans to replace the Xbox 360 Pros' current 20GB HDD with a larger 60GB drive by this June. A move that isn't all that far fetched seeing that they probably want to to help accommodate all that HD content they want you to purchase off the Marketplace. TrustedReviews ratchets up the rumor mill even further by saying that their insider told them that Microsoft is bouncing around the idea of adding yet another SKU to the 360 lineup. A new console that would reap the fruits of the rumored Sony / Microsoft negotiations and feature a Blu-ray drive. So, is anyone willing to take a stab at what the rumored 60GB HDD or Blu-ray equipped models would be called? We'll be trail-blazers and go with "Xbox 360 Six Pack" for the 60GB model and "Xbox 360 HD DVD Died So Blu-ray It Is" for the Blu-ray version.

[Via Engadget]

Crazy, the FutureShop employee was actually telling us the truth as late last night, Microsoft announced that all of the Great White North (that's Canada) will see Xbox 360 price cuts effective immediately. The new console pricing will be dollar for dollar equal to the 360's price in the United States, with the Xbox 360 Pro dropping from $399 to $349, the Elite going from $499 to $449 and the Arcade sinking from $299 to $279. So, if you're Canadian and need another 360 or know someone who does, then jump in. There's no better time then now ... price cuts FTW!

If you're new to the Xbox 360 world, have been lurking here at X3F without actually owning a console and have finally summoned up the courage to "jump in" and purchase a new Xbox 360 then we say ... congrats! The Xbox 360 is one sexy gaming machine and you won't regret your decision to own one.

But you've also come to realize that purchasing an Xbox 360 isn't as simple as picking up a box and calling it a day. There are numerous versions of the 360 (Core, Arcade, Pro, H3, Elite, etc.) and keeping up to date on what's included in each box can make your brain turn to mush. And that's where our friends over at Joystiq come in with their guide to explaining the Xbox 360 SKUs. In their article they lay out all the details, break down each model, give you the prices and tell you what's in the box all on one handy little chart. Their article will not only help you decide on which Xbox 360 console is right for you, but it will also make you informed enough to be able to correct those somewhat delusional sales people who get their 360 facts messed up sometimes.

Juicy news is making its rounds on the internet this morning with a Belgian Microsoft source revealing details about a new Xbox 360 console, potential re-branding and the extinction of the Core as we know it. Gamernode received the presentation slide you see above (larger version here) from their secret Microsoft source who said that a new Xbox 360 Arcade console will be priced at 279 GBP, replace the Xbox 360 Core and include the addition of a wireless controller, 256MB memory card, five XBLA games and possible HDMI connectivity. Also revealed was the re-branding of all three consoles offerings with the Elite getting a "Go Big" slogan, the Premium losing its name and becoming "Go Pro" and the Core being renamed to Arcade with a "Just Play!" slogan.

It's also interesting to note that Gamernode was told that the new Xbox 360 Arcade console will be a world wide offering and, presumably, so will all the re-branding efforts. And it's not like we didn't see the death of the Core coming. Best Buy and Target have reportedly pulled the Core from their shelves and overall no more Core sentiment has been building among retailers and consumers alike. The addition of a memory card, games and wireless controller make the Arcade console a much more complete offering than the Core ever was. Again, we haven't received any official word from Microsoft about this rumor, console changes, prices, availability or future console plans. So, patience will need to be practiced.

[Via Joystiq]

Holiday console bundles are nearly a guarantee every year and by the looks of the images above, we think we know what Microsoft's plans are for Christmas '07. French website gamick.fr was browsing a Microsoft marketing website when they stumbled across the two console packaging images above (which have since been pulled) labeled as "Holiday Value Bundles" which state that both Marvel Ultimate Alliance and Forza Motorsport 2 are included in the box. Oh joy!

So, it looks like some territory will be receiving two free games with the purchase of an Elite or Premium (now Pro?) Xbox 360 this holiday, but the big question is who? Remember, a French website found these images, so which territory will be receiving this exact bundle is still a mystery. And is it just us or you loving the whole "Go Big" and "Go Pro" marketing thing too?

[Via Joystiq]