Microsoft has officially announced the arrival of the Xbox 360 Arcade console, a new high-definition version of the company’s popular Xbox gaming system. Although the new Xbox Arcade has been on store shelves in some metropolitan areas for a few weeks already, Microsoft waited until October 23 to officially announce the release the new Arcade version.
Surprisingly, the new Xbox 360 Arcade has been priced lower than expected, $279.99, while offering features that are obviously a step up from previous Xbox versions. The new 360 Arcade includes a high def interface and increased onboard memory — 256 MB — for stored games and other content. The new console also ships with full versions of five classic Xbox games, including Pac Man championship edition, Boom Boom Rock, Feeding Frenzy, Uno and Luxor 2.
Other new features include a wireless controller and larger screen resolution. The new high def multimedia interface (HDMI) allows the Xbox 360 Arcade to plug directly into HDTV home entertainment systems.
Critics have pointed out that with the new Xbox Arcade’s increased resolution, 256 MB of onboard memory is not nearly enough. Of course, adapters are provided for using external hard drives, and with the new high def format this is likely to be a “must” for serious gamers.
The original Xbox 360 has held its own against the competition for several years now, and be introduction of the 360 Arcade should keep Xbox gamers satisfied for some time. Of course the Xbox’s biggest competition these days is the Nintendo Wii system, priced at $249.99, and the battle for holiday shoppers this year is likely to be between the new Xbox 360 Arcade and the Nintendo. But so far, the Wii seems to have the advantage, with a lower retail price and more robust storage capabilities.
Of course, Microsoft is also offering beefier versions of the Xbox 360 Arcade, but these come with significantly higher price tags. Two up-graded configurations of the Xbox 360 Arcade are currently being offered at a retail price of $349.99 and $449.99, making them a tough-sell next to the more moderately priced Nintendo Wii.
Microsoft is also expanding its Xbox 360 game library with the release of several new “family-oriented” games, and the inclusion of more than 100 new television episodes from Warner Bros. and Nickelodeon. The new programming will include classics like Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny and other children’s favorites. Among the new “family-oriented games” for the Xbox 360 are titles such as SpongeBob and Underpants Slam.
First reports indicate that the new Xbox 360 Arcade looks great and works flawlessly with most high-definition televisions. Microsoft is gambling that existing gamers and new buyers will opt for the high def Xbox 360 Arcade over the less expensive Nintendo Wii this holiday season; but only time will tell if users are willing to pay more for a higher resolution version of the Xbox.
Related Website Directory Categories:
PlayStation and Xbox fans should know by now that Nintendo Wii is beating them in record numbers in terms of sales. Years ago, when PlayStation and Xbox were kings of gaming industry, we have to content ourselves by using gamepads to play. I mean, if we want to actually play a game of tennis or bowling, we would actually want to go outside right? With buttons, I can be as ruthless as I want without even batting my actual eyelids.
But now, things have changed. People wanted to actually place themselves in video games. Instead of buttons, why don’t our arms move and our characters mimic our movements? The idea seemed crazy for serious gamers but for a casual gamer who just want to have some fun, its magic. Even though there are lots of serious gamers there who might stick to games that require skills, millions are looking at games that can actually be fun instead of spending hours figuring out how to increase their characters’ HP level. So Wii took over the gaming world by storm with their cute characters and family fun gaming. PS and Xbox will just have to watch their sales go down.
Gamers who would like to have a piece of action could buy Wii for themselves. However, Wii will cost you. Besides, we have to admit, some of the games are not as attractive as in PS or Xbox in terms of extreme actions. As much as we shun it in real life we’d like to kick the butt of our enemies even if it’s only in online gaming. Wii doesn’t have enough games that will make us think and stick it out with our characters for many hours a day. If you’re ready to trade your PS or Xbox 360 to slug it out and forget the great games your soon-to-be-former-console has to offer, you go ahead. ‘Cause I know I won’t.
Why? Cause there’s a gadget called BodyPad. This product is not from the official PlayStation and Xbox creators but its one great addition to your present console.
BodyPad was created in Europe by some independent developers. After years of research and development, they were able to figure out how to coordinate your body movements to the actual movements of your characters.
All you need to do is to attach straps in your body: one in each hands, another in your arm, another in your stomach and both legs. These things are on remote but it will never have any lag as the receiver packs in a massive 2.4Ghz of transmission. If you’re just standing near to it, there won’t be any problem.
The games are only limited with supported game titles, but the title list is really impressive. You can play Dragon Ball Z, a couple of Tekkens, Battle Arena, Street and Virtua Fighters, Knockout Kings and a whole lot of dance revolution. Now let’s see how Son Gouku actually feels like to do a kame hame wave…
The price? For 79Euros (around $130) you can actually have two of these control systems. Compared to a whole new set of Wii, this price is already a catch. Now your game nights will never be the same again.
Related Internet Directory Categories:
Comments