Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Captain America Xbox 360 mod inspired by The Avengers assembled, photographed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/10/captain-america-xbox-360-mod-assembled-inspired-by-the-avengers/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/10/captain-america-xbox-360-mod-assembled-inspired-by-the-avengers/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/10/captain-america-xbox-360-mod-assembled-inspired-by-the-avengers/#comments Captain America Xbox 360 mod stands up for freedomThe Avengers-inspired Captain America Xbox 360 S mod above was created by Zachariah Cruse, a self-professed fan of the Cap. The design itself looks simple, yet elegant. It's also really shiny.

Cruse put in a blue LED for the power button, mounted a shield on the side and adorned the opposite side with the famous A and wings that rest upon the brow of Captain America's mask. Sadly, Cruse doesn't go into much detail in his blog post on how intricate this mod really is - does the shield detach? Is the shield custom made or store-bought? Can we wear the shield as a hat? We have important questions that need answers!

JoystiqCaptain America Xbox 360 mod inspired by The Avengers assembled, photographed originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>captain-americamicrosoftmodmodsthe-avengersxboxxbox-360-sxbox-360-slimzachariah-cruseMon, 10 Dec 2012 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[320GB hard drive coming to Xbox 360 S models for $130 this month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/320gb-hard-drive-coming-to-xbox-360-s-models-for-130-this-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/320gb-hard-drive-coming-to-xbox-360-s-models-for-130-this-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/320gb-hard-drive-coming-to-xbox-360-s-models-for-130-this-month/#comments

Finally, you can stop being jealous of your friends who waited until 2011 to buy a 360. The 320GB hard drive included in the Gears of War 3, Modern Warfare 3 and assorted other bundles will go on sale by itself later this month for $130.

We know what you're thinking. "Joystiq, isn't that roughly 200 percent more than I'd typically pay for a hard drive that size?" That's true, dear reader, but Microsoft's got an ace up its sleeve: The hard drive comes with an Xbox Live download code for Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars, a $20 value!*

So now who's getting the great deal, huh? ... What's that? Still not you? You say a better pack-in would be a bottle of heinie lube? Well now that's just vulgar.

*Note, that deal doesn't go for Japan, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia and the UAE, because the Force is illegal there.

Joystiq320GB hard drive coming to Xbox 360 S models for $130 this month originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>320gbhard-drivelego-star-wars-3-the-clone-warsmajor-nelsonmicrosoftxboxxbox-360-sTue, 11 Oct 2011 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Get $75 credit with purchase of 250GB Xbox 360 today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/get-75-credit-with-purchase-of-250gb-xbox-360-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/get-75-credit-with-purchase-of-250gb-xbox-360-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/get-75-credit-with-purchase-of-250gb-xbox-360-today/#comments Amazon's Video Game Deal of the Day kind of comes with other deals built-in. The retailer is bundling a $75 credit with sales of the 250GB Xbox 360 hardware bundle, which is priced at $300. So, by buying this, you instantly get at least one free game to go with it.

Unless, of course, you choose to use that credit in other ways -- that's up to you. Maybe you want to buy a bunch of Microsoft Points. That works! Or maybe you want to wait on the whole Xbox 360 game thing for a while, just watch Netflix on the console, and buy $75 worth of Cyber Clean to make a horrific lint-eating blob. Totally your call.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

JoystiqGet $75 credit with purchase of 250GB Xbox 360 today originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>250gbamazondeal-of-the-daymicrosoftxboxxbox-360-sWed, 31 Aug 2011 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[All Xbox 360 S models moving to matte finish]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/all-xbox-360-s-models-moving-to-matte-finish/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/all-xbox-360-s-models-moving-to-matte-finish/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/all-xbox-360-s-models-moving-to-matte-finish/#comments If you're in the market for an Xbox, and also happen to be a fan of fingerprints all over your stuff shiny things, you'd better get a move on: Major Nelson has announced on his blog that all 250GB Xbox 360 models will be transitioning away from their historically glossy finishes in favor of the 4GB's matte-black finish.

The updated units will start arriving on store shelves "over the coming weeks," and aside from possible gloss finishes on forthcoming limited edition consoles, your local retailer's current stock of 'boxes appear to be the last of the breed. Now, if only a matte-black Kinect existed, we could eradicate smudges from our living rooms all together.

JoystiqAll Xbox 360 S models moving to matte finish originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>glossglossykinectmattemicrosoftxboxxbox-360-sMon, 15 Aug 2011 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War limited edition Xbox 360 bundle on Sept. 20 for $399; controller for $59.99 on August 11]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/gears-of-war-limited-edition-xbox-360-bundle-on-sept-20-for-39/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/gears-of-war-limited-edition-xbox-360-bundle-on-sept-20-for-39/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/gears-of-war-limited-edition-xbox-360-bundle-on-sept-20-for-39/#comments Sure, you've seen the footage on Gears of War 3, but without an Xbox 360, how are you going to gunsaw dudebeasts in half? Well, with a limited edition branded console, of course! Epic and Microsoft are teaming up to offer not only a special console bundle pack, but also custom, individual controllers -- both of which will be accompanied by download tokens for in-game content.

For $399, you can snag the console bundle (which has special sound effects like the Halo: Reach console), which features a 320gb hard drive, two Gears of War 3-branded wireless controllers, a copy of the game, headset and two pieces of DLC: the Infected Omen Weapon pack, skins for the game's starting weapons (the Lancer, Retro Lancer, Gnasher, Hammerburst and Sawed-Off Shotgun) and the Adam Fenix multiplayer character. This bundle goes on sale September 20.

If you're looking for just a special controller, you can snag one of them for $59.99 starting on August 11 -- which has that new transforming d-pad and the aforementioned in-game content. Hit the gallery below for some shots of the new hardware, conveniently posed up against a red wall. So much red!

Gallery: Gears of War 3 Limited Edition console/controller

JoystiqGears of War limited edition Xbox 360 bundle on Sept. 20 for $399; controller for $59.99 on August 11 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 23:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consolee3e3-2011epicGears-of-War-3gears-of-war-3-consolegears-of-war-3-limited-edition-consolelimited-edition-consolemicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosxboxxbox-360-sMon, 06 Jun 2011 23:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Deal: Buy a 4GB Xbox from Newegg, get $50 gift card]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/deal-buy-a-4gb-xbox-from-newegg-get-50-gift-card/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/deal-buy-a-4gb-xbox-from-newegg-get-50-gift-card/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/deal-buy-a-4gb-xbox-from-newegg-get-50-gift-card/#comments Hey, see your little nephew over there? He wants an Xbox 360 for his birthday and you, wonderful person that you are, want to buy one for him. But what's in it for you? As it turns out, there's $50 gift card, that's what! At least, there will be if you buy a 4GB Xbox from Newegg before May 30.

Continue reading Deal: Buy a 4GB Xbox from Newegg, get $50 gift card

JoystiqDeal: Buy a 4GB Xbox from Newegg, get $50 gift card originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 May 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4gbmicrosoftxboxxbox-360-sWed, 25 May 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Students: Free Xbox 360 with purchase of Windows 7 PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/students-free-xbox-360-with-purchase-of-windows-7-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/students-free-xbox-360-with-purchase-of-windows-7-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/students-free-xbox-360-with-purchase-of-windows-7-pc/#comments Microsoft is about to launch a new promotion offering any student who purchases a Windows 7 PC (laptop or desktop) at $699 or more a free 4GB Xbox 360 S. The promotion officially runs from May 23 through September 9, though Windows Team Blog notes that the end date will vary by retailer.

Currently, the offer is only valid in the US, though details on similar offers in France and Canada are forthcoming. For all of the fine print, hit up the source link below.

JoystiqStudents: Free Xbox 360 with purchase of Windows 7 PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 May 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcstudentstudentswindows-7xboxxbox-360-sFri, 20 May 2011 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Xbox 360 update incompatible with some models, MS offering replacements [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/new-xbox-360-update-incompatible-with-some-models-ms-offering-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/new-xbox-360-update-incompatible-with-some-models-ms-offering-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/new-xbox-360-update-incompatible-with-some-models-ms-offering-r/#comments Microsoft has confirmed that some Xbox 360 consoles weren't happy with a recent firmware update upcoming, mandatory firmware update. The console manufacturer will replace consoles that have become unable to read retail game discs with a new Xbox 360 S with 250 GB hard drive.

"Following a recent update to our system software, we have become aware of an issue that is preventing a very small number of Xbox 360 owners from playing retail game discs," a Microsoft statement reads. "This issue manifests itself a as a unique 'disc unreadable' or 'disc unsupported' error on the screen and is unrelated to our recent public beta (alteration from original Eurogamer statement). We are also able to detect this issue over Xbox Live and are proactively reaching out to customers that may be impacted to replace their console."

The firmware update implements new anti-piracy measures (along with a 1GB bump in disc storage capacity) that apparently don't play nice with certain DVE drives. Given that the Xbox 360 has had several revisions to its guts over the years, this is the reason why only certain models will be affected.

We've contacted Microsoft to find out what North American consumers should do if their console is incompatible with the update. European consumers have been told to go to Microsoft's general support page.

Update: Altered text above with new information. Microsoft's official statement can be found after the break.

Continue reading New Xbox 360 update incompatible with some models, MS offering replacements [update]

JoystiqNew Xbox 360 update incompatible with some models, MS offering replacements [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 May 2011 09:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftreplacementsxboxxbox-360-sxbox-360-slimxgd3Wed, 18 May 2011 09:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Get a $50 credit from Amazon with purchase of a 4GB Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/get-a-50-credit-from-amazon-with-purchase-of-a-4gb-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/get-a-50-credit-from-amazon-with-purchase-of-a-4gb-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/get-a-50-credit-from-amazon-with-purchase-of-a-4gb-xbox-360/#comments Folks in the market for a 4GB Xbox 360 should point their browser to Amazon. The online retailer is offering a $50 credit with the purchase of the $199 console. Surprisingly, the credit isn't restricted to games, and applies to most merchandise sold by Amazon. That's a lot of Blueberry Muffin Tops.

Continue reading Get a $50 credit from Amazon with purchase of a 4GB Xbox 360

JoystiqGet a $50 credit from Amazon with purchase of a 4GB Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4gbamazonmicrosoftxboxxbox-360xbox-360-sWed, 06 Apr 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Major Nelson: Xbox 360 sold out in Dec., supply tight now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/major-nelson-xbox-360-sold-out-in-dec-supply-tight-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/major-nelson-xbox-360-sold-out-in-dec-supply-tight-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/major-nelson-xbox-360-sold-out-in-dec-supply-tight-now/#comments According to Xbox 360 hype man Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb, Microsoft isn't expecting to "win" December's hardware sales battle, as depicted in the NPD's monthly report (to be released later today). "I found out we ran out of consoles at the end of the month," Hryb tweeted, with a follow-up that added, "Jan/Feb supply is tight as well."

That said, he's anticipating "likely amazing YOY [year-over-year] growth numbers for Xbox." In non-business speak, that means he's expecting last month's Xbox 360 hardware sales to have surpassed the figure recorded in December 2009. While that would mean more than 1.31 million Xboxes were sold in the final month of 2010, if Hryb's prediction is correct, it would also mark the second year in a row that the Xbox was bested by Sony's PlayStation 3 in one of the year's most important sales months.

Either way, coupled with the many millions of Kinect units sold last year, Microsoft likely enjoyed its holiday -- though anyone who got a Kinect without an Xbox 360 was probably feeling scrooged.

JoystiqMajor Nelson: Xbox 360 sold out in Dec., supply tight now originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>larry-hrybmajor-nelsonmicrosoftnpdsalesxboxxbox-360-sxbox-360-slimThu, 13 Jan 2011 11:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect standalone power supply now available from Microsoft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/09/kinect-standalone-power-supply-now-available-from-microsoft/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/09/kinect-standalone-power-supply-now-available-from-microsoft/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/09/kinect-standalone-power-supply-now-available-from-microsoft/#comments So you bought a new Xbox 360 S console bundled with Kinect last week and, like many others, found your new camera doodad doesn't come with its own power supply -- clearly, Microsoft thought you intended to use your Kinect with this console and this console alone. You were up the proverbial creek, sans paddle ... until now.

Microsoft's online store now has a listing for the power supply. No, you can't simply get one on the arm since you purchased the Xbox 360 S bundle -- no, instead you've got to reach into your wallet for $34.99 if you want one. That's almost one whole fifth of the cost of Kinect on its own but, hey, if you need one, now you know where to get it.

JoystiqKinect standalone power supply now available from Microsoft originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Kinect-Adventuresmicrosoftmicrosoft-kinectpower-adapterxboxxbox-360-sxbox-360-slimTue, 09 Nov 2010 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Xbox 360 S Kinect bundle doesn't come with Kinect AC adapter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/psa-xbox-360-s-kinect-bundle-doesnt-come-with-ac-adapter/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/psa-xbox-360-s-kinect-bundle-doesnt-come-with-ac-adapter/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/psa-xbox-360-s-kinect-bundle-doesnt-come-with-ac-adapter/#comments Here we are, having our own little private November Christmas, tearing apart the freshly delivered Xbox 360 S console bundle, replete with Kinect and Kinect Adventures, only to make an inconvenient discovery -- the Xbox 360 S Kinect bundle doesn't contain a standalone power cord for Kinect, leaving folks who want to use those Kinects on older (pre-Slim) Xbox 360s in the lurch. How in the world are we going to show Grandma all our stylish new Dance Central moves when she's only got a regular Xbox 360?

As of this minute, Microsoft isn't showing individual Kinect power cords on its website, though a Microsoft rep is looking into whether they'll be offered in the future. An Xbox Support team member notes on the Xbox.com forums, "If you wish to use your Kinect with an older Xbox, you would need to purchase the Kinect stand-alone kit. This includes the sensor, [Kinect] Adventures, and all the necessary cables." Otherwise, unless Grandma's got her own Kinect, or an Xbox 360 S, your dance moves are staying firmly holstered in your own abode.

[Thanks Drew!]

JoystiqPSA: Xbox 360 S Kinect bundle doesn't come with Kinect AC adapter originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bundlekinectKinect-Adventuresmicrosoftpower-cordpsaxboxxbox-360-sxbox-360-s-bundleThu, 04 Nov 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 bundle with Alan Wake, Forza 3 confirmed for US]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/xbox-360-bundle-with-alan-wake-forza-3-confirmed-for-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/xbox-360-bundle-with-alan-wake-forza-3-confirmed-for-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/xbox-360-bundle-with-alan-wake-forza-3-confirmed-for-us/#comments The holiday Xbox 360 S bundle packing Alan Wake and Forza 3 has been confirmed for the US. Previously revealed for multiple territories, Major Nelson has officially unveiled the bundle for the US. As with other regions, the bundle will include a 250GB Xbox 360 S console, a retail copy of Forza Motorsport 3 and a token to download Alan Wake from Xbox Live Games on Demand. The bundle runs $299.99 and should hit the shelves within the next few weeks.

[Thanks, Kromis]

JoystiqXbox 360 bundle with Alan Wake, Forza 3 confirmed for US originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alan-WakeForza-Motorsport-3holiday-bundle-2010microsoftxboxxbox-360-holiday-bundle-2010Xbox-360-STue, 02 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Phil Spencer confident in Kinect: It's 'fundamentally different' from PlayStation Move]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/25/phil-spencer-confident-in-kinect-its-fundamentally-different/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/25/phil-spencer-confident-in-kinect-its-fundamentally-different/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/25/phil-spencer-confident-in-kinect-its-fundamentally-different/#comments Just a few weeks before Kinect's retail launch, Microsoft hosted an event in San Francisco to celebrate the much-anticipated new hardware. There we spoke with Microsoft Game Studios VP Phil Spencer not only about the hands-free camera peripheral, but also the company's success with the "Xbox 360 S" console refresh, Ubisoft's strong Kinect launch lineup and, of course, the PlayStation Move.

Continue reading Phil Spencer confident in Kinect: It's 'fundamentally different' from PlayStation Move

JoystiqPhil Spencer confident in Kinect: It's 'fundamentally different' from PlayStation Move originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kinectKinect-AdventuresmicrosoftMicrosoft-Games-Studiosphil-spencerplaystation-movexboxxbox-360-sMon, 25 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 4GB bundle deal featured on Microsoft Store]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/xbox-360-4gb-bundle-deal-featured-on-microsoft-store/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/xbox-360-4gb-bundle-deal-featured-on-microsoft-store/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/xbox-360-4gb-bundle-deal-featured-on-microsoft-store/#comments The Microsoft Store has launched a decent deal on an Xbox 360 S 4GB bundle. For $250, the bundle includes the 4GB system, two wireless controllers, a year of Xbox Live Gold and 4000 Microsoft Points (a.k.a. $50 worth of Xbox bucks). All of these items purchased separately would normally cost $350, so you're technically saving $100. However, we'd be remiss not to point out that if you ever want a hard drive, it'll run you another $130.

Of course, you could stave off the inevitable with a liberal dose of flash drives, or, if you're feeling particularly adventurous, you could always mod that old Xbox hard drive.

JoystiqXbox 360 4GB bundle deal featured on Microsoft Store originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4gbbundlemicrosoftxboxxbox-360-sxbox-360-slimFri, 15 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mod at your own risk: How to put an old Xbox 360 HDD into Xbox 360 S]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/25/mod-at-your-own-risk-put-your-old-xbox-360-hdd-into-your-xbox-360-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/25/mod-at-your-own-risk-put-your-old-xbox-360-hdd-into-your-xbox-360-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/25/mod-at-your-own-risk-put-your-old-xbox-360-hdd-into-your-xbox-360-s/#comments We're no good with screwdrivers -- OK, well, some of us are -- so we'd probably never attempt to mod our shiny new 4GB Xbox 360 S by fitting an old hard drive in it. If you're braver than us (very likely), feel free to check out the step-by-step guide past the break, which pulls back the curtain on the magical process of techno-wizardy fueling this hybrid of form and frugality.

Continue reading Mod at your own risk: How to put an old Xbox 360 HDD into Xbox 360 S

JoystiqMod at your own risk: How to put an old Xbox 360 HDD into Xbox 360 S originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hddhdd-modmicrosoftmodmoddingxboxxbox-360-sxbox-360-shortxbox-360-slimWed, 25 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vejle bares all: Xbox 360 Slim's system-on-chip exposed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/vejle-bares-all-xbox-360-slims-system-on-chip-exposed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/vejle-bares-all-xbox-360-slims-system-on-chip-exposed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/vejle-bares-all-xbox-360-slims-system-on-chip-exposed/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Technophiles have no doubt been anxious to traverse that final frontier of Xbox 360 S technology: the shared CPU/GPU, dubbed Vejle after the city in Denmark. This 45nm system-on-chip (SoC) trims much of the fat of its predecessor, slimming down to 372 million transistors (it is summer -- gotta look your best out there!), requiring a mere 40 percent of the power and less than 50 percent of the die space used by the original Xbox 360 chipset.

It's actually the first desktop-class processor to combine a CPU, GPU, memory and I/O logic onto a single slice of silicon, which cuts down manufacturing costs dramatically. But perhaps one of its best features is how the chip will actually self-induce lag so as not to run faster than the previous chip -- a necessity of the architecture of the Xbox 360, since the new console must perform exactly as the previous hardware has.

The rest of it is probably too technical for us to try and explain, so hit up the source links below for additional info. If you need help breaking it all down, call up Tom, that smart friend of yours -- he's probably just sitting around, watching Star Trek or something.

JoystiqVejle bares all: Xbox 360 Slim's system-on-chip exposed originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftsystem-on-chipvejlevejle-chipxboxxbox-360-sxbox-360-shortxbox-360-slimTue, 24 Aug 2010 20:40:00 EST<![CDATA[4GB Xbox 360 arrives in Japan on Sept. 9]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/4gb-xbox-360-arrives-in-japan-on-september-9/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/4gb-xbox-360-arrives-in-japan-on-september-9/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/4gb-xbox-360-arrives-in-japan-on-september-9/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Microsoft is launching its cheaper 4GB XBox 360 S in Japan on September 9. It'll sell for the same ¥19,800 ($235) price as the original Arcade system, and will come packed with a wireless controller, AV cables and an AC adapter. No big surprises. It makes even more sense to have a cheaper Xbox bundle in Japan than it does here, since Microsoft has to do something to try to sell some of these.

What is a bit more surprising, considering the stealth launch of the accessory in America, is that Microsoft officially announced a separate 250GB hard drive for Japan at the same time. The ¥15,540 ($184) price is a good indicator that people should seriously just buy the 250GB Xbox 360 bundle.

Joystiq4GB Xbox 360 arrives in Japan on Sept. 9 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>250gb250gb-hddJapanmicrosoftRelease-DatexboxXbox-360-SXbox-360-SlimTue, 24 Aug 2010 10:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 S 250GB hard drive available ... right now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/20/xbox-360-s-250gb-hard-drive-available-right-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/20/xbox-360-s-250gb-hard-drive-available-right-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/20/xbox-360-s-250gb-hard-drive-available-right-now/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you already want a hard drive for that 4GB Xbox 360 S you bought, you could wait patiently for Microsoft to announce the accessory ... or you could just go to Gamestop and buy one. Reader Iain informs Joystiq that he spotted the 250GB hard drives for the redesigned Xbox in his local store -- and they're also available on GameStop.com right now. (We couldn't find the item being offered by any other retailer yet.)

Of course, the $130 price for the drive completely obliterates any savings you might temporarily enjoy after buying the $200 4GB model (or the upcoming Kinect bundle), but it sure beats a mountain of USB flash drives.

[Thanks, Iain]

JoystiqXbox 360 S 250GB hard drive available ... right now originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>250gbgamestophard-drivemicrosoftretailxboxxbox-360-sxbox-360-slimFri, 20 Aug 2010 09:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: $400 Halo Reach Xbox 360 bundle on the way [update: confirmed!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/22/halo-reach-xbox-360-bundle-on-the-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/22/halo-reach-xbox-360-bundle-on-the-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/22/halo-reach-xbox-360-bundle-on-the-way/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ars Technica is reporting that Microsoft is on the verge of announcing a Halo: Reach Xbox 360 hardware bundle. The $399.99 package will contain a silver version of the new Xbox 360 S (equipped with a 250GB hard drive), a copy of the game (of course!) and two wireless controllers. The bundle was detailed by -- who else? -- the Ars Mole and would likely be released alongside the various retail editions of the game on September 14.

Further evidence of the Reach-branded hardware comes by way of Joystiq reader "killer rin," who sent us a link to this Xbox.com page (now removed), which had advertised a Reach-themed controller (captured above) for $60. The controller appears to reflect the design suggested in Ars' report.

Update: Microsoft has announced the bundle. See glamour shots and find all the details here!

JoystiqReport: $400 Halo Reach Xbox 360 bundle on the way [update: confirmed!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bundleBungieHaloHalo-Reachhardwaremicrosoftxboxxbox-360-sxbox-360-shortxbox-360-slimThu, 22 Jul 2010 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Discounted original Xbox 360s outsold new 'S' model in June]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/discounted-original-xbox-360s-outsold-new-s-model-in-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/discounted-original-xbox-360s-outsold-new-s-model-in-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/discounted-original-xbox-360s-outsold-new-s-model-in-june/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Microsoft enjoyed a "significant sales spike" for Xbox 360 hardware in June, but according to Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter, discounts on the original version of the Xbox 360 may have had more to do with driving consumer excitement than the new model.

40 percent of Xboxes sold in the US last month were new "Short" systems, Pachter told investors in a report (summarized by GamesIndustry.biz), with $150 Arcade systems accounting for another 35 percent. That leaves various bundles, also discounted by $50, as the other 25 percent of the month's sales.

"It is clear that the sales spike for the 360 was largely temporary, as clearance items accounted for around 60 per cent of total sales," Pachter concluded, "and it is not clear that software attached heavily to these purchase." Those discounted Xboxes would account for an even higher percentage by volume!

Gallery: Xbox 360/Xbox 360 'Short' visual comparison

JoystiqDiscounted original Xbox 360s outsold new 'S' model in June originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hardwareMichael-PachtermicrosoftNPDsalesxboxxbox-360-sxbox-360-shortxbox-360-slimTue, 20 Jul 2010 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft claims 'unprecedented demand' for new Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/05/microsoft-claims-unprecedented-demand-for-new-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/05/microsoft-claims-unprecedented-demand-for-new-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/05/microsoft-claims-unprecedented-demand-for-new-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Although Microsoft didn't provide specific sales figures (per usual), the company claims it's seeing "unprecedented demand" from retailers for its new Xbox 360 console. In a statement released following May's NPD results, Microsoft claimed a "significant sales spike" for its new Xbox 360 250GB "short" model, along with its older Arcade and Elite units (which both received a $50 price reduction).

The new console hit US store shelves around June 14. As for the sales spike's impact on the June NPDs (which will be released next month), Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter stated in his analysis of May's results: "We think that the boost in June hardware sales could allow June software sales to approach flat, notwithstanding a lackluster release schedule."

Gallery: Xbox 360 Slim

JoystiqMicrosoft claims 'unprecedented demand' for new Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>michael-pachtermicrosoftnpdxboxxbox-360-sxbox-360-shortxbox-360-slimMon, 05 Jul 2010 16:45:00 EST