Xbox 360 Arcade unboxed (and still unannounced)
by Christopher Grant 
{ Oct 15th 2007 at 11:19AM }
What's not included: An Xbox Live headset, an ethernet cable, an HDMI cable, high-def component cables (the Arcade is composite only we're afraid) ... oh, and the full version of the above listed trial games. Though Amazon listed a $279.99 price point, the tipster reports a price more like $299. Now all we need is a press release acknowledging this thing exists so we can double check that price.
[Update: Looks like there's some confusion over whether or not the above games are in fact full games or simply trials. The box lists the five games and says: "Plus Five Trial Games!" Is that "You get the console, the peripherals, plus these five trial games!" or "You get these five full Xbox Live Arcade games plus five totally separate trial games that aren't listed on this box anywhere so as to make this a confusing piece of marketing!"
Your guess is as good as ours (see Microsoft, a press release would've really helped out here) but we're trying to get an answer for you guys. Sit tight.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
blooh (CDF - Nipple Ring) @ Oct 15th 2007 11:22AM
only the trials? that's pretty gay
then there's no reason that should be more expensive than a core
Slaziman @ Oct 15th 2007 11:28AM
256MB memory card? Wireless vs Wired controller?
I think those are worth something
blooh (CDF - Nipple Ring) @ Oct 15th 2007 12:09PM
the core didnt come with a mem card? i thought i heard it did. whateva
and i never even use my wireless controller, the batteries kept dying every couple of weeks. wired rules
Vidikron (FU) @ Oct 15th 2007 4:43PM
Man, I can barely stand using wired controllers anymore. Have you not purchased any of the play-n-charge kits? Makes a big difference when you don't have to swap batteries all the time... just attach the charge cable and keep playing.
The only thing that annoys me is that I think the blinking light to warn you the battery is running low stars waaaay too early. You can usually keep going for a couple more hours.
blooh (CDF - Nipple Ring) @ Oct 15th 2007 5:03PM
well i sit about 3 ft from my 360, so wires aren't a problem
chad @ Oct 15th 2007 11:26AM
Only trial versions, how cheap is that!
JJ Rooster @ Oct 15th 2007 12:01PM
That's a bold-faced lie by MS really... I wouldn't consider demos as free games, otherwise Marketplace has 100+ free games for Premium owners.
WiseGuy @ Oct 15th 2007 11:32AM
What? They should have it at $279.99. That is not much higher than the Wii and with all the games out for 360 this holiday... those units will surely sell for Christmas. HDMI as well? Some of the early adopters are going to be mad... but wow, 360 has never been hotter!!!
aka Prof Chaos @ Oct 15th 2007 11:43AM
I'm just waiting for the RROD comments. SDF assemble!!
borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Oct 15th 2007 12:55PM
You rang? I swear, with all the invitations to wax poetic about the RRoD you think it was a point of pride. I see more XDF requests for our opinion than SDF people initiating a discussion.
Don't take guff about the 360 not being fun, but don't defend a shoddy product build either. Is that too hard to understand?
Chris @ Oct 15th 2007 11:32AM
This is a joke, right??? Uno... what is with microsoft and that game. what about castlevania or doom. Who is this targeted at anyway, morons, rich people - seriously.
samfish (MSDF- Nurse Outfit!) @ Oct 15th 2007 11:33AM
Trials? That is so incredibly weak.
I honestly believe Microsoft DOESN'T want people to buy the gimped units.
...on the other hand, it IS Microsoft. Anyone who's ever installed Windows knows a thing or two about Microsoft's wuv for trial versions.
Rususeruru @ Oct 15th 2007 11:36AM
Hmm... I suppose it could be worse they could back track on a promise of the platform by doing something insane like removing the wireless remote compatibility.
HineyWipe @ Oct 15th 2007 11:35AM
So THAT is where all those refurb'd RRoD death returns went to...
I SEE WHAT YOU ARE DOING THERE, MICROSOFT!
monkeymonkeymonkey @ Oct 15th 2007 11:36AM
I purchased a 360 bundle from Outpost.com on Friday. Its the Pro with HDMI, Forza2 and Marvel bundle with Orange Box, Bioshock, and Two Towers for $399. Even though ive heard about the issues on the 360, ive been reading up on the forums. Im surprised to see how many horror stories people have. I know that with most online reviews/forums people who have issues tends to speak out about it more than people who dont have any issues, but Im curious to know Joystiq readers experiences.
Rususeruru @ Oct 15th 2007 11:38AM
Currently on my 3rd 360. The first one fought valiantly. In other words it RRoD for two weeks... fixed itself for 2 months then died. The unit to replace that lasted around 2 weeks but the third one seems to be working fine. Since you have the revised hardware (evident of HDMI) you shouldn't have issues.
Liquid @ Oct 15th 2007 12:00PM
More RROD information than you could read in a day.
http://www.joystiq.com/search/?q=rrod&x=0&y=0
I bought a core unit at launch (couldn't get my hands on a premium) and got the red ring a little after a year. This was before the 3 year warranty was in place so I was SOL. Determined not to pay Microsoft to fix the unit, I found some workarounds online. Basically, I popped open the box, removed the X clamps, and replaced some factory screws. To my surprise, the box fired up and has worked ever since. Thank god for the internet!
blooh (CDF - Nipple Ring) @ Oct 15th 2007 12:06PM
mine rrod'd about 3 months after launch, but the one they sent back hasn't yet. I just turn it off at night and it's fine
Shagittarius @ Oct 15th 2007 12:21PM
My 360 just died this past Friday. Sucks, I was in the middle of Halo 3 and Eternal Sonata. This was a unit I bought on launch say so it almost made it 2 years before it broke.
My friend who also got his on launch day however is on his 3rd unit already so I consider myself lucky so far.
jovin6 @ Oct 15th 2007 12:39PM
Had mine for about 4 months now with no problems. It saw pretty heavy use initially and was sitting right next to a fat ass, hot receiver in a 95F+ room. It's been used a bit more lightly for the past month or so though.
borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Oct 15th 2007 1:02PM
@Liquid: Thank god for the internet!
In that context you're damn right. My PS2 started the DRE problem after four years. All I had to do was adjust a little dial raising the laser and it was good as new. Sometimes you get lucky and a major error just needs a little tweaking.
ill trooper @ Oct 15th 2007 2:32PM
Quick recap, my launch 360 RRoD'd 5 months in, the replacement RRoD'd a month ago (so it made it about 17 months), and my replacement arrived on Friday with a manufacture date of 9/8/2007 (no HDMI however), so I'm hoping I at least now have one with the additional heat sinks. It's extremely frustrating and very inconvenient when they die but the games are great, so what else can you do? Microsoft has us by the balls.
Mighty Shockwave @ Oct 15th 2007 2:35PM
Forza2+Marvel HDMI Premium with the Orange Box, Bioshock, and Two Towers for $399! Shit dude, you made out like a bandit. I wish I could get a deal like that.
Konny @ Oct 15th 2007 11:37AM
Stop whining guys; at least you can pop in your XBOX games to keep you busy.. oh wait a minute; no HDD = no backwards compatibility.. i guess you can pony up the $100 for the 20gb version to enable that feature, eh?
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Oct 15th 2007 11:39AM
Hows that new 40gb PS3 treating you Konny? Do PS2 games look nice on it?
Matt B @ Oct 15th 2007 11:59AM
Isn't it all about choice Crono?
I'm sure his PS2 plays his games just fine.
blooh (CDF - Nipple Ring) @ Oct 15th 2007 12:02PM
i'm sure my xbox plays xbox games just fine then too
Babel @ Oct 15th 2007 12:30PM
Guys, guys... I'm sure we can agree that BOTH companies have got it wrong. Hurrah!
blooh (CDF - Nipple Ring) @ Oct 15th 2007 12:41PM
at least you can upgrade the core 360 to be b/c. can't do that with the 40gb ps3
borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Oct 15th 2007 1:07PM
@blooh: The prime difference between the Xbox/PS2 fallback is that Sony still produces PS2 machines. The Xbox is gone, dead, and buried underneath a hill with Jimmy Hoffa.
You either pay more for the 60/80 with BC, or you have the option to buy a PS2 for 3 more years. Smack talk all you want, but legacy support is still far more prevalent/supported in the Playstation line. I'm not really feeling the burn here from you.
blooh (CDF - Nipple Ring) @ Oct 15th 2007 1:24PM
or i'll just keep my ps2 and save 599 us dollars
borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Oct 15th 2007 1:30PM
"or i'll just keep my ps2 and save 599 us dollars"
Fair enough, though at least get the price tag right: $400. $600 will net you all the BC you want and two games. Depending on the part of town you buy it, you may also be able to negotiate a handjob with rumble included.
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Oct 15th 2007 1:37PM
Are you guys seriously trying to argue that removing the BC in the PS3 was a good idea?
Thats almost as idiotic as when you guys argued that taking out the rumble was a good idea.
Almost...
borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Oct 15th 2007 1:43PM
"Are you guys seriously trying to argue that removing the BC in the PS3 was a good idea?"
No, I'm not since the Playstation brand inaugurated BC expectations. However, I'd be more worried about the large price drops if features weren't dropped as well. And while BC is a large thorn, it enables them to bring pricing in line with expectations. And most people still have a functioning PS2 if needed. The PS3 upscaling/smoothing for HD is really the only thing truly sacrificed.
ALH @ Oct 15th 2007 11:40AM
composite only? Does that mean even if you wanted to buy component it wouldnt work?
Rususeruru @ Oct 15th 2007 11:49AM
No, it just means that the component cables aren't included in the box.
soups @ Oct 15th 2007 11:41AM
wow- stupidsoft has topped itself again. trial games!?!?! retarded. oh and no component cables?!?! this package is a joke. i thought the goal of stupidsoft was to constantly get more people on LIVE. how do they plan on doing that with no cat5 cable. they should try to get people hooked on their only competitive advantage point, their online infrastructure.
btw- no fanboy here, i already own an elite.
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Oct 15th 2007 11:47AM
Claiming not to be a fanboy after posting one of the most fanboyish things I've ever read really doesn't do you very much good.
Gangsta Smurf @ Oct 15th 2007 1:51PM
"stupidsoft"? What the hell?
Mr Slavio @ Oct 15th 2007 11:42AM
Uhm, aren't all trial games free? What a scam. This would have been a great low cost bundle with 5 full version XBLA games.
Martin @ Oct 15th 2007 11:46AM
While I agree that the trial games is somewhat of a ripoff, including a wireless controller and a 256MB memory unit is nice bump from the Core.
I'm not sure why it doesn't come with a headset though.
Mr Slavio @ Oct 15th 2007 12:03PM
Yeah, but that is seriously some shady advertising though. Check out the front and back pictures.
http://www.engadget.com/photos/xbox-360-arcade-unboxed/440335/
http://www.engadget.com/photos/xbox-360-arcade-unboxed/439669/
I bet there's going to be some pissed off parents. I mean, really, why stop at just 5 if you're only including the trials? And why not throw in some retail game demos like Bioshock & Eternal Sonata, if you're only packaging content that's already free?
CanesTim @ Oct 15th 2007 11:53AM
Arcade bundle... No headset and no ethernet cable? Seriously, what the hell were they thinking?
WiNG @ Oct 15th 2007 12:10PM
The Wii comes with 5 minigames
This XBOX comes with 5 minigames
Difference is your grandma won't threaten to kill you over Boom Boom Rocket.
samfish (MSDF- Nurse Outfit!) @ Oct 15th 2007 12:27PM
You also don't have to (re?)-pay for the Wii's 5 minigames.
CaptainAmericaX @ Oct 15th 2007 12:14PM
Yeah there are some positives and some HUGE negatives to this this "Arcade" busines...
Why not Ethernet cable? I understand not having HDMI cables or component. That I can deal with and I think is a good move in order to lower the price.
However how exactly do they want people to join Live? Its much easier to attract people to it if they are easily able to get online and see the advantages...
Just boggles my mind....and no headset as well...but I guess that goes along with the "No Online" theme they've got going on.
But I'm happy its a wireless controller.
Anyways I've got an Elite and I'm very happy with it. I think MS created this for people who aren't that serious about gaming and could care less about Live, Online Multi, etc....
Those who just want to sit down and enjoy a game by themselves or with friends on the same screen...
arman @ Oct 15th 2007 2:19PM
I agree the packaging on the back is a bit confusing but I think this is actually Five Full Version games plus additional game demos. If you look at the screen shot here you see there are clearly Five Games listed (no demo listed in title although doesn't disprove it is a demo) and there is a separate option lower down to access a separate menu of game demos. FYI
http://www.engadget.com/photos/xbox-360-arcade-unboxed/439662/
JJ Rooster @ Oct 15th 2007 2:44PM
Agreed. Really, it would be incredibly stupid for MS to boast 5 free games when they're actually demos. It must be the 5 arcade games, plus 5 other game demos like Bioshock, PGR4 and some other 360 exclusives they want to hype.
arman @ Oct 15th 2007 12:22PM
Reading all these replies just shows that there is a heterogeneity of opinion and you can't satisfy everyone. One person screams bloody murder when no Ethernet cable is provided while another user screams bloody murder for one being included because they have some many extra's laying around. This arcade bundle is clearly aimed at the Wii and only the Wii. I think it makes a lot of business sense to market an SKU that tries to compete directly with the Wii. Little Tommie who has been saving his pennies will have to figure out which one is the better option come this Holiday season. Mom/Dad are mostly interested in the bottom line which is "How much does it cost" unlike some of us who work for a living and don't agonize as much about such purchase decisions.
jovin6 @ Oct 15th 2007 12:49PM
Agreed. Ethernet cables cost $5, and I probably have five extras around the house so I think that's a retarded selling point. On the other hand, some people have been claiming that they don't care about wireless controllers or that they even prefer wired, but that's a big selling point for me. Try getting four people to sit down around one box for some Halo, while there's a table and a bunch of other crap in the way and see what happens to the cables on your controllers. PITA.
I think it's a pretty smart pricing move. If only the box weren't so damn confusing.