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:
It’s fairly obvious that the Arcade edition was created to compete directly with the Wii during the holiday season. But I still think that an arcade style game (directional pad, a, b, s, y, r, l) is never going to be able to compete with the Wii. But at the same time the Wii is never going to appeal to the even meekest of gamers. I’m yet to see a good port for the Wii from an XBOX 360 or PS3 game. Nintendo has finally successfully created a family game system.
Comment by Free XBOX 360 — December 20, 2007 @ 1:47 pm