Backwards-compatible Xbox 360 to cost $399.

by Vladimir Cole { Aug 17th 2005 at 8:21PM }

Dream of playing current-generation Xbox games on your new Xbox 360? That feature, known as backwards-compatibility, is going to cost you because you'll need to purchase the Xbox 360 package that comes with a 20 GB hard drive (or you'll need to acquire the drive separately for $99.99). The premium Xbox 360 package is expected to cost $399.99.

According to an anonymous tipster, an official Microsoft document includes the following text:

"Key Benefits/ Why to buy: Includes a Hard Drive to save games, download new content and play top selling Xbox games"

The running assumption all along has been that the HDD would be required in order to play current-generation Xbox games, but now that we've seen the two-pronged pricing strategy, the fog over the Xbox landscape is beginning to lift.

Still, most Joystiq readers would agree that the $400 package was already the better deal because of all of the extra components to be included in it. The addition of backwards-compatibility to the list of features that will only be included in the pricier package just solidifies the price of entry into next-generation gaming.

[Via Engadget tipster "Proper Bo"]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

TCW @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

Ugh....the $299 version will play them too. You just need the HDD to download the emu's. Please everyone chill about the 2 sku's.

What is the major problem here guys. The unit is $100 more than the original was. They didn't take anything away from you. Just made another SKU for those parents or kids who can't fork over the 4 bills right away. I for one am happy to pay $400 for this machine...if you can't afford the hard drive version we are all sorry but don't take it out on Major.

Morgon @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

Yes, the $299 version will play them, too - Right after you buy the $99 hard drive.

Therefore, the title is not false, though the article itself could be corrected.

And while you're right, we shouldn't take it out DIRECTLY on Major, he is our only link to the Xbox team, and 99% of the visitors to his site today have felt a need to express their disgust.

ryan bauer @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

I think microsoft has a good strategy i myself am getting the $399 version as its a better deal you get the harddrive the headset wireless controller an free universal dvd remote i think more gamers will want the fully loaded system you just get more for your money

homer @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

i knew the evil empire would do this type of sh*t as soon as they entered the console ring, which is why i don't own an xbox. i don't agree with tcw - "You just need the HDD to download the emu's." he probably works for m.s. and how much will that hdd retail for??? yeah, probably upwards of $100. pure greed in play here, people.

lansing @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

I hope joystick's readers become a little less biased because of this recent news because the blind hatred of PS3 was getting old. I'm kind of happy this happend because now it will be easier to wait and see which system is better.

jc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

Chances are, when the 360 comes out, we should be able to get an xbox1 for less than $80 (used with controllers).

Here is what I am going to do: $80 - Xbox1 in Nov, X360 (base model as the HDD is useless for anything other than emulation) when the price drops to $225 in the spring (PS3 release) and then get the PS3 whenever the price drops to $299.

I will be damned if they think I am going to pay top dollar to beta test their systems. Plus I should save at least $500.00 this way.

I feel better already

(I will consider the Nintendo Rev... as soon as anything is known about it.)

Spartacus @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

LOL. For everyone who is confused and disgruntled, you're looking at it the wrong way... THE XBOX RETAILS FOR $399, this is not all too surprising. The package has all that we were expecting and more, but for a little more dough than we were hoping for. Now, if you DON'T like that price, you can do a few things: Wait and see what the PS3 sells for (likely just as much or more), wait and see what the Revolution sells for, OR buy the stripped down 360 for $100 less and upgrade at your own pace. What are we whining about? Oh yeah, the HDD cost. How much did the PS2 HDD cost again? Riiiight... Does the PS3 come with a HDD? Riiiight... How much are PS3 HDD's supposed to cost? Well holy crap! Looks like a tie... Except the 360's HDD can actually be used for GAMES and is INCLUDED in the $399 price, while the PS3's is NOT- funny how that works. The $299 kit is just marketing bait, nothing more.

Matthew @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

All I can say is that 360 is out of the question for me. I'm going to wait for Revolution, which will most likely retail at 199. The problem with me is that I live in Canada. So 299 becomes 399 over here. And 399 becomes 499 over here. That's just too expensive for my budget. That's not even including taxes plus a game. I'll just wait for a price job. But my first system that I'll be purchasing will be the Revolution. I need my Nintendo games. I purchased all three systems this gen, but I don't think it's worth it. If your going to get two systems, you'd have to go with Sony or Microsoft with Nintendo. Nintendo's systems have a great contrast to what the other systems are. I can't tell you how similar my Xbox and PS2 feel. Incidentally, I have to say that the Cube has the best games this gen.

jc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

I guess my only other question about the X360... what happens when our original system needs the next gen Optical Drive upgrade... do we have to buy a new system just for the blueray/hd-dvd option?

anyone have any ideas?

Digi Smalls @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

the $299 version is just there to insure that developers don't take advantage of the HDD in all their games. the built in HDD was to be the 360's big advantage on the PS3. what a LAME MOVE.

swarmster @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

#1: "What is the major problem here guys. The unit is $100 more than the original was. They didn't take anything away from you."

While people are pissed that they'll have to fork over $100 more this generation, I think the "major problem" is that Microsoft _has_ taken something away: the ability of any games to seriously make use of the hard drive. Since the cheapest model doesn't have one. Sure, maybe developers could write two different versions (one that supports the drive, and one that still functions without), but with games costing a fortune to develop for the Xbox 360, do you really think they're going to want to finance two versions?

This is the first console to ever ship with two different price points and feature sets. That's not how they're supposed to work.

Vella @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

There doesn't need to be two versions. The hardware checks to see if there is a HD present, if so it caches data. It's apparently very easy to do with XNA... A fractured install base is no reason not to include caching, as it looks like most Xbox 360's will include a HD.

Rare Hare @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

#8 Spartcus:

wow, how is it that you've warped into the future and witnessed full details about the release and capabilities of the PS3?? however you did that, i want in on the secret!

don't talk out your ass.

GameDever @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

#12 -- Developing 2-versions of the game is not going to be required. It's going to be you either need to have the HD to play the game (FFXI) or you don't, but I'll be glad to take advantage of it if you've got one. It's not that hard and isn't going to cost millions.

batman @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

MS just just kicked themselves in the balls with this move. They had a real shot (they still sorta do) at owning the market, they did everything right, they made an awsome system, they got the japanese developers, they made live better, the competition was launching way later and a t a higher proce, then at the hieght of it all, they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

Here's what I think MS should've done if they wanted to have a "deluxe" system:

1. Hard Drive In Both
They should have made the HDD standard so devs could take advantage of it, and besides the HDD should be way bigger than 20gigs, thats small nowadays, double it, just stick in a 40gig drive and be done with it.

2. DO NOT HAVE A $399.99 VERSION!!!!
If MS wanted a deluxe version they should launch it at $360 (c'mon thats just obvious ;), that package would include:

XBox 360
Wireless Contoller
Hard Drive
XBox Live Silver
XBox Headset
HD Cables
Maybe like some kind of limited edition launch Face Plate too, oh good idea, they should have year model plates that that come installed on all new systems, that change yearly.

(Notice, no remote control, instead market the deluxe version as the gaming rig, with the media fuctions as add-ons)

The dumbed-down verison you still sell for $299.99, but in that you only get:

XBox 360
Wired Controller
Hard Drive
Composite Cables

(notice no HD cables, trust me the bargin-bin buyers won't need HD for a long time anyway)

Anyway I think that if MS had followed my nice little business plan they'd be a lot more succesful than they will probably end up, what do you guys think?

PS. TO MS: Do not sell new HDDs for $100 you greedy pricks, HDDs twice that size cost 1/2 the price! Do not sell your accessories at such high prices you greedy pricks, if you want people to upgrade, you have to make it affordable!

delerious @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

Hahaha, can you see the Sega price announcement and Sony pricing all over again. What if Sony just does $299 with more features like back then.

Yea, yea I know probably won't happen. But it would be really, really funny to see that again.

Rare Hare @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

#16 (batman):

where do you get the wired controllers idea? from my understanding the 360 doesn't even support wired controllers. there aren't even slots for them.

ill trooper @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

Ha hah ha where is Arch-360? No comment on Microsoft removing features, something he was soooo happy to point out when Sony pulled the router concept?

Sparticus, 'Upgrade at your own cost?' Cool, except it's not a PC, it's a video game console, upgrading was something I had hoped to avoid... One cost, one box, one set of features to unite them all - like the current-gen XBox. This can split-up the market into the 'haves' and the 'have-nots,' so developers often go for the lowest common denominator - the $299 360 in this case. You know, the XBox without the hard-drive. Funny how THAT works.

As for you're math, I suspect you're wrong anyway:

XBox360 + Hard Drive + HD Media drive (if that happens)

will probably be about the same cost as:

PS3 + Hard Drive

I think Microsoft is splintering the market and making it difficult for anyone who buys the system to feel totally confident that they have what they want - even if we buy the $399 one, when is that HD-DVD drive going to come along and add an upgrade to the cost? Or the (highly unlikely, I admit) possibility that we won't be able to upgrade the first-gen 360? That would suck!

I'm only chuckling because the guys like Arch-360 and Sparticus can't seem to handle the possibility that these systems are going to be pretty close in price once they both have hard-drives and the ability to play HiDef movies... Maybe you don't need the movie thing, and you'll be fine. But don't act like it's so much cheaper you are allowed to spell 'right' with three 'i's.

But don't worry, Sparticus, I'm buying the $399 XBox360 and the PS3 when that finally comes out too. And I'll probably add the hard drive to it.

m @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

#18:
http://joystiq.com/entry/1234000550054771/
"The $299 version will come bare with a wired controller...."

I didn't think there were controller ports either but I guess they must be somewhere on the system.

JamesP @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

The psp in japan didn't seem to fail and it had 2 packages. But yes, it is japan, and yes they are crazy, but this proves that atleast some people are capable of deciding whether or not to buy a base or delux edition of the same product. I will be buying the $399 version. I don't have a current gen xbox or ps2 so backwards compatibility isn't the most important thing in the world for me when considering a ps3 or 360. The 20 gig hard drive isn't big but how many people have filled up the ones on the current xbox (note: not everyone has 300 hours of cher music).

batman @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

#20(m) I'm pretty sure the wired controllers are usb, so as to plug into the usb ports hidden behind that little door on the bottem (side??) of the system, oh and the reason for the 30hr battery life is the rumble feature, if it wasn't there i'm sure it'd be quite similar to the wavebird.

chad @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

i think just the time frame that xbox 360 is coming out in, may actually be a bad thing... economy's a little rough right now with gas prices, stocks going down, ppl saving up money for Christmas presents... it'll be hard for people to part with $400 for a game system and no game.
i hadn't really thought of it, until I considered the relatively short time until November... I used to have that rabid "gotta get it!!!" thing going about the 360, but reality set in, there's just not enough time to save money for it, and buying something for myself would just be wrong, with a wife and 2 kids to buy gifts for...

The PS3 will be out right after I get my yearly bonus and raise (not to mention tax return--people are forgetting that)... so that ought to work out nicely..

CV @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

The $299 version is a waste of time. They're sacrificing the hard drive being a standard feature just so they can say the Xbox 360 is under $300. Game developers are actually being told NOT to take advantage of the hard drive because of this? Exactly how is Microsoft making this a more attractive platform to develop for than the PS3? I'm excited about many of the features of the Xbox 360. The Guide sounds like a really great tool. The ability to connect compatible USB devices is cool. Why did they have to mess with perfection and decide to release a version that doesn't have a hard drive? This move is for people who ONLY see the price tag, not the features. It's screwing the gamers who pay attention. It's one less standard feature that sets it apart from the PS3, and Microsoft needs all of the standard features it can muster. They can't rely on Sony to half-ass another system if they want any chance at all of digging more deeply into their market share. I know they're in it for the long haul and don't necessarily need to win this next round, but they could at least play like they mean it. First they don't guarantee a digital video connection, and now the developers don't get to rely on the hard drive. "Yes, let's take a major loss on hardware," they're saying, "but not enough to where our hardware is meaningfully different from the competition." It makes no sense.

wung @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

they have to jack up the price so there's room to drop the price when PS3 debuts.

Sonic_Extreme @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

I think the only think to me is not the price. With hd cables, wireless controller and a HDD 100 more $ is well worth it. But for me 20gb is to small. Since it supports external USB devices.. I wonder if I can put my own USB 2.0 300gb drive and it will detect and work with it.??? Only time will tell. If i can find out i can put my own usb drive and work with it prior to launch I think i will be getting the 299 version and or I just may still buy the 299 and just wait for a hack to support USB drives. I have two 160gbs USB drives that I have waiting to be used. Can't wait to play with them on the X360..

b @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

Hey, don't forget that you need to fork 100 dollars extra to have the Xbox be wireless enabled (to connect to the internet, instead of using the ethernet cable), so that would make it 499. And when it comes out with HD-DVD, it could be 599. Plus 50 dollars a year for Xbox live, 49 dollars (to update your hardrive for playing Xbox1 games and to play games online). PS3 will come with all this except the HardDrive for 499 tops, and with the hardrive, perhaps 599 or 649 (it depends on the capacity, which some say will be 80, others 120 Gb), plus playstation online, 699.

Adding only one Online game per console (Let's say, Halo 3 and Killzone 2), 59.99 each, so it will total:

So it's 709.99 for a fully operational next generation 360 with al services, and 759.99 for a full next gen PS3 with al services. And that's not including taxes.

After taxes:

Assuming tax is 5%, 360 fully operational with just one game, will reach $750.
PS3 will reach $800 for the same (but better graphics, seven controllers and Linux).

Revolution will most likely be 200, plus a 50 dollar game, WiFi enabled FREE, plus 30 dollars for a dongle to play DVDs...After taxes, it costs around: $299.

So decide:

Everything on PS3: $799
On 360: $750
On Revolution: $299

Of course, this may be exaggerated, maybe HD-DVD will be cheaper, maybe it won't cost after the price cuts, bla bla bla who knows, this is speculation after all. Also I may have missed adding peripherals to the PS3 that the 360 will include. Whatever, if you can say something constructive about this, go ahead.

Bubba @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

You fools! The original Xbox cost $299 and it didn't come with a wireless controller, High Def Cables, Xbox Live Subscripion or a Remote Control!

Let me add these up for you:
Remote Control $30-$40
Wireless Controler $50
High Def Cables $30-$40
Xbox Live for 1 year $50
That's $180.00 worth of stuff.
So if they are throwing it in, along with backward compatibility...how dare anyone wine and complain that it's $400.

Do you guys remember the deals with the original Xbox.....you could buy and Xbox w/ 2 controllers, and a remote control for and sometimes with a game for $350-369. Did anyone whine and complain then! Your not paying more for nothing here folks, there is a tremendous amount of added value that none of us should expect to get for free.

This is a steal and anyone who says any differently is simply uninformed to the reality of the cost of these parts individually.

Dirty @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

Why does everyone get so offended that MS is doing this? It is a BUSINESS. To put it in perspective, if you buy a car for $1,000, fix it up real nice, put a new stereo in it, some wheels, etc, are you going to turn around and sell it for $500? Hell no you aren't!! Only in the 360s case, you are dealing with hundreds of millions of dollars in R&D, hardware costs, salaries, etc.

To the guy that said MS should sell it for $360, its a nice idea, but no. Maybe sometime in January (after the holiday season) as a promotional drop, but $399 sounds about right. Say MS sells 5million machines on the first day, 5,000,000 x 39 = 195 million dollars extra. If you are going to spend the extra money on the premium set, you are going to spend the extra 39 bucks.

thunder @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

the 400 package is a ripp off, why they hell do the have the 300 option. to hell with microsoft i will get a rev and maybe a ps3

Spartacus @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

Rare Hare: Nothing I said is secret. Read before you post. The PS2 HDD was expensive, the PS3 HDD will follow suit, simple economics. Sony also stated that the HDD would be sold separate and that it wouldn't be used for games, only media. Which part of that came out of my anus? And yes, the 360 has USB ports for wired controllers. This has also been known for a while (since E3), so once again, read a little before you post...

ill trooper: Yes, it's a game console, not a PC. However upgrading has been part of the console world for a long time, it's called add-ons. You buy a console, you get one controller. SO you buy a few more for multiplayer. Then you buy other accessories such as the NES gun, or the power glove or the speed pad. In more modern gaming you have memory cards, new fangled PS1 controllers that have rumble features and the N64 memory expansion that allowed a few extra megs so you could experience better graphics (and Perfect Dark). For the PS2 you had to buy the dongle to allow 4 controllers and the network kit to allow for online play. For the Xbox you needed the DVD playback kit, memory cards, a LIVE kit and SOME crazy people bought Xboxes JUST for the modding and upgrading potential (larger HDDs mod chips- the whole nine yards). Sites like GCskinz make a killing off of decal kits that upgrade a console's shell- hardly something that affects gameplay... So I'm sorry if "upgrading" consoles doesn't interest you, but you don't speak for the rest of the consumers that spend tons of money of this very concept. And for the sweet touch of irony, though you yourself do not want to have to upgrade any of your consoles, you make the arguement that a PS3 with an ADDED (AKA upgraded) HDD will in all likelyhood be about the same price as a 360 with a HiDef Optical drive... Furthermore, my ranting was directed toward whining XBOX FANS, not toward any Sony boys, so don't take any offense. I am fully aware that fully "upgraded", both systems will probably be around the same price. I have no problems with that. In fact I would expect no less. If one system was priced drastically less than another the competition wouldn't be as hot. And for the consumer, competition can only benefit us. Where exactly in my post did I say the 360 was BETTER because it was cheaper? I just pointed out that it wasn't going to be MORE expensive than the PS3! As of right now, not much is known about the PS3. What is known is that Ken says it's gonna be expensive and that it won't come with a HDD. RIGHT NOW, we can then speculate (as many have) that the PS3 will be $400 or more + the cost of the HDD and any other accessories (read upgrades) you might want. That puts it north of the price of the 360 RIGHT NOW. If an HD-DVD drive become available for the 360, who knows wht it might cost. But for me, I normally get a game console to play GAMES. The 360 plays games and the HDD is meant to enhance the GAMES at the $399 price point. The PS3 will not have a HDD and if and when you DO buy one, it will have nothing to do with the gaming aspect of the console (I'm sorry if you haven't read, Ken said that too). But if you want a PS3, go right ahead, I don't mind. I'm sure it will be a good system. My initial post was directed at all the 360 supporters who were jumping ship because of this news, which was rediculous. I was simply stating that Sony wasn't going to offer any more of a bargain than Microsoft has. Sorry if I ruffled some feathers.

Both of you: It's S-P-A-R-T-A-C-U-S. It's Latin, meaning "man from Sparta"- you know the ancient Greek city of world reknown. While you're catching up on all the latest news you can read up on that too. So trooper, don't talk to me about putting extra i's in "right" when you put i's in a word that doesn't even have them.

Frank @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

By the way Spart, it's "ridiculous" not "rediculous." Sorry, couldn't help myself.

This is a dumb move. Each unit that goes out the door without a hard drive reduces a developer's incentive to use it. Why allocate programming resources to support a device that not everyone will be able to use? And if they do implement a really cool feature that uses the hard drive and actually makes people want to buy the upgrade, do they see any of the profit from that? Nope.

After years of playing games on my Commodore64, I went out and bought a Commodore128, excited about all the new capabilities it had. You know what happened? The 128 actually could boot into the old C64 environment so game companies just kept churning out C64 product. Why bother addressing a small portion of the population when you can make a product that will work with all of them?

Everyone who is going to go out and buy the $399 package (myself included) can safely be called a hardcore gamer. Most of them will probably also be enticed to buy a PS3 when it arrives. Hell, the consoles don't really go mainstream until they dip to the $199 price point. This leaves Microsoft a very short window to gain some traction and give us some decent games. The PS3 is going to be armed with Blu-Ray (which WILL become the dominant format, btw) and it would be suicide for MS to try to introduce a third Xbox 360 with a high def drive down the road. Talk about market segmentation.

Hey I don't care if the Xbox 360 is purple and runs on steam. If the games are good, they'll get my money. But they were going to get mine anyway. They've got to worry about John Q Public. This was a dumb move.

RM @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

I think the point people are missing is that Microsoft said it would come with WIRELESS controllers and an HD for downloading content.
Now they say well, only if you ponie up more
money do you truly belong in the next gen.
For that kind of money, PS 3 sounds like a better deal, at least Sony said all along it would be expensive, and didnt lead everyone around by their dick since E-3.
The money is about the same for both (est) and at least you get a next gen optical drive with it. With 360, that will be later, and another 100.00 or more............. No thanks.
PS3 here I come

Julian @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

NO 5.1 Surround sound conectors......

when will they learn...

ill trooper @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

Spart - Yeah we know the movie, the spelling, the origins, but who cares?

It seems like we're arguing the same point.

By the way, no irony involved, I was just trying to say that I was HOPING for a single system to be released, not that I wouldn't be able to handle buying a controller or something. Buying a controller doesn't suddenly add a hard drive.

We are talking about something different here - and I think I do speak for gamers when I say how WEAK it is that Microsoft is putting two different 360 systems out at the same time, setting up a weird limitation from the get-go... I think a $299 price point will help sell systems, no argument there - but for hardcore gamers like myself, it puts a small, nagging doubt in my mind that developers will use the hard drive-equiped system to it's potential, since they will be unable to predict which potential game-buyer will have the hard-drive.

Look at it this way: I bought all of the upgrades you mentioned - I had the N64 memory upgrade, dual-shock analog, 32x, etc...

BUT, it's 2005, and XBox 360 could have come out in a singular form, like the XBox before it, realizing all of the technical advances that have come before it, and off we go. All you need is your second controller, Spartacas, maybe an AV cable for whatever you're hooking it up to. But instead, this is Microsoft's way of admitting they are making a more expensive box as well, and I was reacting to the posters on this board seeming to be unable to deal with the revelations that these boxes are not coming in as cheap as we first hoped.

I think from your posts you feel this too, so more power to all of us, and let's start saving our nickels and quarters. November is coming and I need that hard drive.

Proper Bo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

I just thought it was really slimey for Micro$oft to not let this information get into the public domain. They promised the Xbox 360 would play top Xbox titles, but only the souped up version does. Lots of people will want to (and already have) preordered the �209.99 version, not knowing this little detail, which in my opinion takes a lot away from the console.
I think Micro$oft may have dodged a bullet here though, The "Xbox 360" is backwards compatible. The "Xbox 360 Core System" however, is not.

Proper Bo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

Hey everyone, me again. Just thought i wouldnt let people get wound up about this, im gonna give you some proof ;)
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/192/360hdd3ue.jpg
http://img3.imageshack.us/my.php?image=360hdd3ue.jpg
Thanks guys!

Bryan @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

Well I do not think the pricing is that bad. I will gladly pay the extra �60 to have �157.95 worth of extras. The deluxe package is a very good offer. So if you take the �157.95 from the cost of the package the actual console is only costing �122.04. Think about it. It's a great offer!!! I for one cannot wait to get my xbox 360!!

Cheese-Boy-Wonder @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

I think personally the HD if it's an option won't succeed. Historically 'add-ons' have had limited success, as many people have already pointed out sales drive games and developers want to make sure their games work on as many systems as possible to cover their costs.
Anyone remember Nintendo 64's 'bulky drive' or the 32X on the Megarive, or even the Sega MegaCD? I'll admit the latter two add-ons were towards the end of the lifecycle of the Megadrive/Genesis, but whilst a limited number of games came out they never captured the same level of market share or zeitgeist.
If history repeats itself then Microsoft's HD will fail which can only be a bad thing because we want developers to be pushing forward technology not be held back by lack of technology.

The only add-on I can think of that has truely gained recognition was a CD-ROM drive Nintendo were developing for their SNES/Famicom. Nintendo binned the project and their partner Sony went on to develop a little thing called the 'PlayStation'.

It's all very well at this stage grinding numbers as some people have above, but don't forget your consoles need food - games. Owning the hardware is a tiny proportion of the console experience, buying and playing the games is what it's all about otherwise you have all this shiny new hardware and nothing to do with it. Console technology should be 'transparent', people should just be able to plug it in and switch it on. With prices and upgrade paths approaching those of PCs it begs the question why not just buy a PC?

Bryan @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

Vancaeyzeele @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

Hmmz... i have some comment tough... Microsoft has stated that ,unlike previous consoles, other compagnies won't be able to sell controllers and other add-ons that would like always be much cheaper.
This confirms that Microsoft is making excess profit out of the HD's and extrenal controllers. Let's face it, 20gb is not what i would call next-gen for lets say using my XBox as a HD-recorder.

b @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

Christopher7xii @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

First off, Spartacus, you're an idiot. No system has required an upgrade aside from the N64. You're thinking perephirals. The difference, upgrades are required in order for the games to play, perephirals are optional that enhance the play. So controllers, are not upgrades. Rumble packs aren't upgrades. Dance pads aren't upgrades, mod kits aren't upgrades, or any of that other shit you listed. Just because it's hardware that connects to the system doesn't mean it's an upgrade. Lets analyze the word. It means to enhance the performance of the machine, not the user. The only things that could legitamitly be considered upgrades in the history of consoles to my knowledge are
-the 4mb memory expansion for the N64
-the broadband adaptor for Cube/PS2
-Sega's 32x

And look at how well recieved those were. The 4mb expansion was used for like 2 games, PS2/Cube network adaptors were meaningless(the cube more so with their ONE game support), and the 32x... Well, it just should have never been. People honestly buy consoles instead of computers because the ease of "insert game, turn on, and play". If they wanted to go through more than that they'd build a PC, since it emulates every console system eventually anyways. I know it makes me really uneasy about buying a product that I know will be outdated outside a reasonable time frame. Every 6 years or so I expect to buy a new console. I don't plan to upgrade it each year during that process, only to have to upgrade to a new system anyways at the 6 year mark(or 4 year in the premature house of MicroSoft). Anyways, I'm done with you. Don't respond.

Moving on to Mr. Imaginary numbers.

"plus playstation online, 699."
-Playstation won't charge for an online service. They're not organized enough. Just trust me on this one, it will definitely not charge $50 to play games online

"And when it comes out with HD-DVD, it could be 599."
-at the rate they're charging for a HDD, do you honestly think a cutting edge optical drive will go $100? You gotta keep in mind this isn't something you can do yourself, that voids the warranty to open your box. So you have to take into consideration shipping fees for your Xbox360 to mail them to the company or paying maintainence fees as well. That's IF they sell it as a seperate piece of hardware.

"Plus 50 dollars a year for Xbox live"
-Pay attention to the MMO market. Fees go up. Apparently (someone on Joystiq said, I dont remember), Xbox LIVE launched at $74.99 for a starter kit. So atleast it'll match that, since you're paying for the "gold" service after all. Atleast $60 to match game prices, as current Xbox Live does.

So all and all, you're looking at the same, if not cheaper prices for the PS3, and that's going off the idea it launches for $499(not going to happen).

Make of it what you will, I'm in preference of the PS3, but I'm buying both. Just don't skew the facts, MS is going for a computer approach. Within most communities I know there's a saying though, "you don't go to Microsoft for hardware, they're a software company". It holds true for ALL their computer perephirals, don't see how it'd hold different for their console division.

Also, whoever said "well the PS2 charged $100 for their HDD, what's wrong with Xbox360 doing it?!" - You're retarded. 1)That came with a game, so knock $40 off that price. 2)It was a 40gig HDD, so TWICE THE SIZE of X360 HDD, not to mention that was 2 or so years ago. We all know technology goes down in price with time as well. So it's not even a remotely fair comparison. Eitherway you look at it, the HDD's of the next gen are worthless storage devices. I'm not gonna fire up my X360 to watch a DVD I ripped to the hard drive. I just want hardware in my system that enhances gameplay. Neither system of which seems to be doing such though, which is why I'm assuming the big N isn't including a hard drive.

It's amazing how much more amazing the Revolution, the enigma, is looking as more and more news is released for PS3/X360.

Cheese-Boy-Wonder @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

#42 Christopher7xii makes some interesting points, at what point is something a peripheral and at what point is it an upgrade? Memory expansion cartridges such as those in the N64 or the Sega Saturn were optional, but some games made them mandatory. So in some respects if you wanted to play those games you needed the extra memory (later games came supplied with the 'upgrades'). However, more recently Sega when they released the Dreamcast cheekily didn't supply the controllers with either memory cartridges OR rumble packs. As you didn't _need_ those to play games (sure there was no feedback and you couldn't save your progress but...) I'd class those as peripherals. As an aside the Dreamcast was a and still is a staggeringly good console with real innovations (VMUs, out of the box internet access).

So if Microsoft release their XBox 360 and allow games to work just fine without the Hard Drive it becomes just another peripheral like a controller or as #42 Christopher7xii mentions Dance mats etc. However if you need it to play the majority of games (at some later stage) then it makes the lower priced XBox 360 a moot point because you're going to need to upgrade anyway. On the other hand if you don't need the HD and it is just a peripheral then as many have said, who's going to drop $100 for a 20GB hard drive - that's madness!

Henning Hoffmann @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

"Includes a Hard Drive to save games, download new content and play top selling Xbox games.�

Notice the two words in there: "top selling" ? The Xbox 360 won't be fully backwards compatible, which seems to be suggested by the post.

batman @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

one thing that i just realized but no one has said, if you're a hardcore gamer, you'll want the deluxe version for sure, it's a way better deal, but imageine this scenario:

it's launch, or right after, or whatever, it's not christmas yet, but it's after launch, imagine going to the store to but a 360 and discovering that they've sold out of the deluxe version, but thankfully (yeah right) they still have plenty of core systems left in stock!

I think the situation that i just described is going to play itself out thousands of times arounds the world come the holiday season. And consequently, stores will have a abundance of the $hitty core systems and abosoluty no real 360's. In case you guys haven't cottoned on yet, the 360's REAL price is 399.99 the $hitty 299.99 price is just a market ploy, one thats goign to com eback to haunt M$ in the very near future, greedy pricks.

batman @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

sorry about the spelling, it never was my strong point :)

Dan @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

Can we just delay this whole console generation, like, a year while everybody gets their shit together?

I mean come on MS, Sony. Just... settle down. Take a deep breath. Figure out what in fuck's name you're doing.

Just put out Grand Theft Long Island or Halo 2.5 or something in the meantime, we'll be cool.

Exxo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

Bottom line: Microsoft mislead the hell out of us. It is too late to change this scheme, so all we can do is keep on bitching. I doubt anything will change. A lot of people will be forced to buy the "Xbox 360" package because of the way Microsoft has presented this. The best we can do to express our anger is keep on complaining and trying to get the message through to them, while at the same time not bothering with the 360 until the price of the system or the hard drive drops.

Either way, Microsoft has screwed themselves in the developer department. Splitting the consumer base was a very bad idea. They completely defeated the purpose of launching earlier than the other two systems.

Sadly, there is nothing we can do about it. Kids will buy that "Core System" not knowing what a rip off it is, and hardcores will be forced to buy the "Xbox 360". The hard drive is what gave them the edge, and now they've fucked it all up.

To the first poster, TCW, and anyone else who feels "happy" to drop $400 on the machine alone, and fullfil Microsoft's retarded plan:

You are a complete dumbass.

Sloopydrew @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

This is a joke. $99 for a 20 gig hard drive? I can buy a 160 gig hard drive for that price. For a few dollars more, a 200 gig. Yes, I can afford the $400 for the XBOX (I don't even consider the $300 "core" as anything more than another Microsoft screwover). No, I won't be buying it. Only a complete and utter moron would pay $99 for 20 GB of hard drive space. I'll wait for the Playstation 3 or the Nintendo Revolution.

Sloopydrew @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM

Let's see if I have this straight. The core system is $299. That comes with one controller and no games. You'll obviously want a game, so that's another $59 dollars. So you're at $358. Throw in a memory card, which you'll need because you won't have a hard drive, and you're at $400 dollars. Your 400 dollar console will not play online games (unless you pay an additional $50.00). It will not let you watch DVDs (you have to pay to unlock the DVD player to watch movies). It will not let you play two players, since it only includes one controller.
It will not let you save on a hard drive, because it doesn't come with one. It will not let you play your games in high definition, because the HD wires are not included. Wow! Look at all that you will not be able to do with your 400 dollar XBOX 360.

| 1 | 2 | Most Recent | Next 50 Comments