Xbox 360 Arcade console listed on retail sites for Oct. 23

by Alexander Sliwinski { Oct 2nd 2007 at 5:59PM }

[Update: Though Toys R Us yanked their pre-order page, that didn't stop those scamps at X3F from nabbing a screenshot and the box art!]

Listings have started to appear on various retail websites like Toys R Us and Amazon.com for the "Xbox 360 Arcade Console" releasing Oct. 23rd. The system is allegedly the replacement for the Xbox 360 Core as we know it.

Rumors regarding the new model began springing up last month. The latest ~~information~~ rumor had it that the new version of the Core would come at the end of October and would have an HDMI port, wireless controller, 256MB memory card, and five XBLA arcade games (Boom-Boom Rocket, Pac-man, Uno, Feeding Frenzy, and Luxor 2) on a single disc at the Core's $279.99 price. All signs point to this Xbox 360 Arcade Console being the Core's replacement.

[Thanks Seth]

Tags: xbox360, xbox360arcade, xbox360arcadeconsole, xbox360core

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

LaughingTarget @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:07PM

One more thing Nintendo is doing right the others aren't - not confusing the hell out of us by changing their hardware every three hours.

marcandrer @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:15PM

the wii is basicly a cd player.. not much to improve or cheapen there ;P

Travis Brown @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:38PM

@marcandrer:

Ironically, the wii doesn't play audio CD's, or at least mine doesn't

Mr. P @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:50PM

I don't think it's confusing anyone. No one goes out and drops a few hundred dollars without doing proper research.

k04sm02 @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:09PM

any other launch-adopters feel a little cheated by the lack of our HDMI port?

MooseMuffin @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:30PM

You're confusing 'cheated' with 'jealous.' We paid our $400 knowing full well there wasn't an hdmi port on it. We didn't get cheated because we got exactly what we agreed to pay for.

DangerMouse @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:50PM

That's the risk early adopters take. It happens with everything. People spending $1000 on a DVD player probably never anticipated a better model appear on shelves only a few years later for 150 bucks. But that's the way it works. The fact that 360's are crapping out left and right is a much more solid argument.

Mr. P @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:52PM

Actually, not me. I ebayed my 360 after it died for the 6th of 7th time, and plan on buying one of the newer models once the price drops and they fix the issues (god willing).

sheppy2.0 @ Oct 2nd 2007 7:07PM

I would feel cheated.... if the damn thing was here instead of a MS repair center. Once it comes back, I'm ebaying it off and snagging a falcon. Not much of an improvement, but another three years of warranty is well worth the price when you consider my system has been in that center of theirs five times.

And people wonder why I buy multiplats on PS3 instead of 360.... now I can just point them at that "hot new" game called Halo 3 that I won't be able to play at LEAST until these units come out.

Rususeruru @ Oct 2nd 2007 7:32PM

Nope not at all. I'm still stuck in the world of SD well aside from the occasionally computer monitor I jack into. But then again I bought most of my accessories when the local Sam Goody was closing. $40 wifi adapter isn't bad if I say so myself let alone $15 VGA cable

blooh (CDF - Ass Ring) @ Oct 2nd 2007 8:22PM

sheppy that sucks for you, my 1st 360 rrod'd on me a month after launch, but i'd left it on for a few days. now i turn it off every night and haven't had a problem

krazy @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:11PM

lol true microsoft how many different packages do they have? aka SKU's its crazy, theres too many!!!

LaughingTarget @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:12PM

The exact same number as Sony - 4.

Peacefuloutrage @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:13PM

The hardware isn't that different. It plays all of the games. This is the xbox 360 without a HDD, but with a memory card, 5 arcade games, and a wireless controller. To even include Nintendo in that sentence (GB, GB color, GBA, GBA SP, GB Micro, DS, DS lite) with all of those variations for effectively 3 1/2 systems is inane. This is effectively a bundle for consumers.

LaughingTarget @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:24PM

That isn't particularly the same. This isn't a bundle, it is a hardware revision.

While Nintendo did make the adjustments, they did so to boost sales of a flagging product. The 360 hasn't finished up year 2 and it already has 4 versions, each with different hardware setups. On top of that, the differences are immaterial. Different HD sizes and HDMI ports. The PS3 differences are even smaller. At least Sony has the forethought of pulling the old model off the shelves, Microsoft is likely going to keep 4 different models in stores, further confusing the hell out of people.

PeacefulOutrage @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:24PM

I forgot to mention GB Pocket.

unosturgis @ Oct 2nd 2007 9:55PM

unless you were severely mentally retarded..I don't see how you can be confused by this. The descriptions are on the box!! That is why we learn to read when we are very little.

Skrag @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:13PM

Sooo... does it have Falcon?

Henry @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:40PM

Most likely. It's been confirmed that the Halo XBox has the Falcon CPU.

On topic. This is a package that makes sense. You get everything you need to start with. Doesn't have to start with buying memory cards or games.

Vol @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:16PM

No, we're not cheated by a lack of HDMI. Upgrades happen.

If Microsoft would just land a $249 Premium (somewhat feasible), the console war would be over and it would become the PS2 of this generation.

Burritoclock @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:17PM

First to k04sm02's question, no atleast I feel no more cheated than when I buy a new computer and it's outdated by the time I open the box, or when I bought a new tv and 6 months later the prices drop and the tech improves, or when you buy a new cell phone only to 3 months later open a newpaper and see your phone free with contract and a new better phone for the price you paid. It's the way tech has been and will always be.

Secondly, I understand the pack-in thing, but would not dropping the price by $50 and competing directly with the Wii been a better option...

I am getting sick of all the SKU's, we should picket both MS and Sony with signs that say "SKU's are NOT the answer!!!"

marcandrer @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:17PM

the falcon still does RRoD so who cares anyway ;P

Lucky @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:17PM

I hope this doesn't kill off my wired controller. I my self have two wired and two wireless. I find it's always good to have at lest one wired on hand for incase something is bothering the wireless. (Be it a stray cordless phone, dead battery, ect)

x.x

Burritoclock @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:18PM

Why the hell would this affect your wired controller....?????

Lucky @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:22PM

Rember the xbox1's Big controller? When they stopped bundleing it into the console it bassicly went extinct. Even thow there were (few) people who liked the big contoller.

Well there are (a few) people who like the wired controllers. Now that it's not bundled into the 360 core, this could mean the end of it.

Burritoclock @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:30PM

Oh you mean buying them in the future, I can see your point, although with a play and charge kit you can make a wireless into a wired.

Just out of curiosity, why do you prefer wired over wireless???

And I was one of those few people that liked "The Duke" back in the day.

Paranoised @ Oct 2nd 2007 8:03PM

Actually the play and charge kit just charges the controller and doesnt replace its wireless communication medium. So interference wouldn't be solved by using the play and charge kit.

Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:18PM

Well, name suits me ^_^

I want to have Xbox for basically two games - Viva Pinata and Blue Dragon - and most importantly Xbox Live Arcade. So "Arcade" sounds good to me.

As much as I do not like M$, still, XBLA is best what happened to gaming in a time. Selection is small - but I think it is going to improve with time.

I wish somebody cracked Wii's Virtual Console and made a home brew portal out of it. That would cool too. Yet, officially blessed by M$, XBLA is really have no competition.

baby sea tuna @ Oct 3rd 2007 8:22AM

Yes, get Viva Pinata. You will not be disappointed.

Vol @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:18PM

Fernando comment countdown commencing.. 3.. 2.. 1..

blooh (CDF - Ass Ring) @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:21PM

it's about time for this

still, xbla should have its own blade, it's a little tricky to find, which is why only about half of 360 owners know about it, or whatever % that study said last month

chad @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:22PM

That is actually a pretty good deal. Why the heck would you buy a wii over a 360 when the 360 is only $30 more?

playwhutyalike @ Oct 2nd 2007 7:33PM

It comes down to what you want (or are going) to play. Don't make the assumption that people bought a Wii becuase it was cheaper than all the other consoles.

holdtheketchup @ Oct 23rd 2007 9:06PM

the wii rocks balls. they are the only system out of the three that have done anything new (and i am a proud ps3 owner so this isn't a fanboy talking.) the ps3 and xbox 360 are just having a pissing contest with the whole memory upgrade deals going on. that is why not just spend 30 dollars more on the 360. because you are saving thiry dollars and getting a better system that you don't have to worry about rrod'ing on you.

Jason @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:27PM

I may buy this just for the HDMI port and then use my 20 GB hard drive. How much could I sell a hard-drive-less Xbox 360 Premium.

How many Xbox 360s have there been now?
Xbox 360 Core
Xbox 360 Arcade
Xbox 360 Premium
Xbox 360 Pro (Premium w/ HDMI)
Xbox 360 Elite

How many PS3s?
20GB
60GB
80GB
40GB?

Burritoclock @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:34PM

You forgot the Halo edition.

baby sea tuna @ Oct 3rd 2007 8:34AM

To be fair, the Arcade is replacing the Core, the Pro is replacing the Premium, and the Halo Edition is limited. Still, 4 versions is too many for anyone who hasn't done their research first.

That said, I think I may pick one of these up when they come out to replace my Elite (I got it for the HDMI, but I wanted a white Xbox) and just drag the HDD over to the new one. Plus, hey, free memory card!

Game Artist @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:36PM

Nice, but they should have kept the wired controller and dropped the price another $20. $260 for a 360 that has everything you need to play.... that would have been nice.

DangerMouse @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:58PM

isn't it possible that wired controllers cost more than wireless, but what you're actually paying more for is convenience?

Sky Shark @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:37PM

This is good killing off the intial core model is a pretty good thing. Now they'll have a SKU that will apeal to the person who only needs enough memory for game saves and a couple of XBL arcade downloads or some small Download able content. Though it would be nice to see them add the 20gb hard drive instead and nix the premium all together and keep the same price this will do fine. Also making all 3 SKUs comes with Wireless controllers is a good idea. I doubt Microsoft will remove the USB ports in the front due to add ons or specific controlers requiring them. Also HDMI in all SKUs is a plus too.

HineyWipe @ Oct 2nd 2007 7:59PM

One way to move some crappy XBLA games.

1. Rename
2. ???
3. Profit!

DeadPlasmaCell @ Oct 2nd 2007 9:15PM

Sounds pretty good.. I may sell mine off and pick up this one for the HDMI alone

Guybrush Threepwood (Sega Defense Force - Infallibility Ring) @ Oct 2nd 2007 9:41PM

They should release that but with a 512 MB or 1 GB memory card all for $249 or less.

It would actually take some of the Wii's lead away, methinks.

Shibathedog @ Oct 2nd 2007 9:47PM

Okay, I'm tired of people saying they feel cheated because their XBox 360 doesn't have HDMI.

Here are the hard facts:

-HDMI Offers NO Audio/Video quality advantage over HDMI
-HDMI Was Produced for only 2 reasons:
1. To make set up easier, Instead of having 3 video cables, and 2 audio cables (Depending on how your audio is set up) You now have just ONE cable to plug in
2. Security Measures to prevent copying HDDVD/Blu-Ray playback, Last time I checked you don't need an HDMI cable to play Blu-Ray/HDDVD on the Xbox 360. I could be wrong on this, but i doubt it considering ive seen premium consoles (Not Elite) with an HDDVD drive hooked up playing an HDDVD.
-1080p Content CAN be put through component, But on most hardware (such as the 360 I believe) It will limit you to 720p/1080i. But scientific studies have shown the human eye cannot tell the difference between 720p and 1080p unless your in some ridiculous situation where the screen is over something like 80 inches and your like 4 feet away from it.

Cheated? I think not.

Shibathedog @ Oct 2nd 2007 9:50PM

Oh and by no audio/video quality advantage I mean that there isn't going to be any difference between a 720p Component signal and a 720p HDMI signal as well as with all other modes

HDMI is mostly just component/audio outs/some digital signals preventing copy protection and telling your TV what mode to switch to automatically. So really all it does for the consumer is make setup easier. And most TVs will adjust the resolution automatically anyway with component.

busydoingnothing @ Oct 2nd 2007 10:28PM

Everybody please read what this man wrote; he speaks the truth. There is far too much misinformation being spread about the differences between component video and HDMI. Those people who believe they are "missing out" by not having HDMI are misguided. HDMI actually has some disadvantages, such as signal loss/failure at long lengths and the ever-unpopular DRM (HDCP; look it up).

vinny @ Oct 3rd 2007 11:15AM

i use my 360 hddvd player over component @ 1080i, looks incredible

Grover Saunders @ Oct 11th 2007 1:21PM

Shibathedog you're spreading quite a bit of misinformation yourself. While I think your central point is correct (that people stress over tiny details that have a negligible effect on the visual quality), your "hard facts" are wildly inaccurate. In response to your points:

1.) You really couldn't be more wrong about the video signal in HDMI. There is a core technical difference between component and HDMI in that an HDMI signal is purely digital all the way up to the display. You can debate over how much this improves the quality (which will largely depend on the display making the A/D conversion), but to say that "HDMI is mostly just component/audio outs" is bafflingly incorrect.

2.) It's true that for now that you can watch a full resolution HDDVD through component, but that's only because content producers (i.e. studios) have chosen not to make use of this security feature to push quicker adoption. If a studio decided to include the proper security flag on a title (which they could do at any time), your component-fed video would be downsized to 480p. I don't like it either, but those are the facts no matter how much you and busydoingnothing would like to think otherwise.

3.) If the Xbox can only deliver 1080p over HDMI, then for that device HDMI is a definite advantage. I doesn't matter if component video is capable of 1080p in theory if there's no way to do so on a 360.

Also, you are also exaggerating the "scientific studies." Just out of curiousity, have you ever actually seen one of these studies, or did you just hear that somewhere? Aside from the fact that 80 inches really isn't a ridiculous screen size in a world where home theaters are practically commonplace, you can absolutely tell the difference between 720p and 1080p on a 50" screen from more than 4 feet away. Maybe not with the horrifying abomination that is DirecTV HD, but a good clear signal 1080p signal from a HTPC or 360 is noticeably better than a 720p signal on the same display (generally...again, it depends a lot on the display).

Again, I agree with your central argument, because quality is a relative term. 720p is an enormous step up in quality from SD, and looks fantastic. I think the vast majority of people would be entirely satisfied with 720p if they didn't know any better. I personally would get a 720p LCD if I were buying right now and wouldn't dream of getting a new xbox solely to get HDMI. But you're backing up your argument with complete falsehoods and that harms your argument instead of helping it.