Xbox Rumourrang - 250gb HDD (MW2 Elite bundle) not for separate sale

[aubergine]

While sort-of interesting and feasible, the rumours that Microsoft are going to drop the (let's face it, redundant) 60g pro model and keep the Elite as the basic model and, for some reason, raise the price of the Arcade and dump the bundled games (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ms-increases-arcade-360-price-in-uk), has not been worth reporting on until the affore-linked article actually seems to show it's coming true.

[HiredMan]

Yeah, it's a bit strange, though you didn't mention that the increase is only for the UK. I believe it's to do with the weakness of the British Pound vs the Euro. Sucks to be a pom.

Remains to be seen whether the Arcade price bump and games dump will make it to other markets.

The other accompanying rumour is that the Elite will have it's price cut (http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/08/elite-360-dropping-in-price-rip-pro-model/) to the current level of the Pro.

[Clockw0rk]

The other accompanying rumour is that the Elite will have it's price cut (http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/08/elite-360-dropping-in-price-rip-pro-model/) to the current level of the Pro.
"its", HiredMan.
I wouldn't be surprised at an Elite price cut seeing as the only difference now is the HDD size, a component which would have dropped in price considerably over the last few years.

[HiredMan]

"its", HiredMan.

Thanks, VindiClockw0rk.

[Clockw0rk]

No problem, HM-GTZ.

[HiredMan]

Arrrgh! Fell right into that one! :(

[jawsy]

Did I also read somewhere that they are getting rid of the HDMI cable that comes with the Elite? Or has that already happened?

Either way it was nice not to have to fork out for that extra cost when I picked up mine.

[Azzaman]

"its", HiredMan.
I wouldn't be surprised at an Elite price cut seeing as the only difference now is the HDD size, a component which would have dropped in price considerably over the last few years.

Wait, isn't the elite black? THAT'S A HUGE DIFFERENCE!

Personally I think raising the price of one of their sku's is not going to do them any favours. Especially if Sony is going to be releasing ps3 slim cheaper about the same time...

[Clockw0rk]

"Cheaper" for a PS3 will still be more expensive than an Xbox 360 Elite.
The constant changing of Xbox 360 SKUs is a bit annoying really, and only has the end effect of confusing consumers.

[Stevorooni]

Did I also read somewhere that they are getting rid of the HDMI cable that comes with the Elite? Or has that already happened?

Either way it was nice not to have to fork out for that extra cost when I picked up mine.

According to Kotaku, not only are they getting rid of the HDMI cable, they're also getting rid of the Component cables!

They totally stole the PS3's idea of shipping with only composite cables!

[aubergine]

Yeah, holy crap, shipping the elite with only composite (http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/08/elite-360-no-longer-ships-with-hd-cables/#more-350773) cables?

It better involve a major price drop as well, given the cables are $50-$60 each for the branded ones.

Buying an Elite over a Pro was a value proposition when you factored in the $60 HDMI cable + Sound Adaptor but this is just a way to raise the price of the console without actually changing the sticker price - people were expecting price CUTS not rises!

[dimorphic]

I heard a little while back that the pro SKU would be dropped, but it's stupid to do so I think. The market is set with the current 360 bundles and removing one is going to confuse people.

Not to mention not shipping with HDMI cables is stupid. Microsoft were building back their respectability after the RROD fiasco but this is a step backwards.

Also, I much prefer the white console over the black one. Every other console I've owned has been black, I like the white colour this time around.

[Stevorooni]

I heard that it won't have a power supply, you'll just get a couple of rocks and some sticks and will have to make fire to somehow power the system

[dimorphic]

I heard that it won't have a power supply, you'll just get a couple of rocks and some sticks and will have to make fire to somehow power the system

Well I expected this. It's effective cost-cutting and it rivals the Wii's interactivity all in one.

[Stevorooni]

Plus they have an excuse for RRoD that puts it all back on the customer

"Well you must have made too much fire"

[aubergine]

Elites are just refurbished Pros that were blackened by fire-power.

If they drop the Pro/Elite distinction, and have one 120g set with basic cables and drop the price of that set (to say $400 with the Arcade at $300) making the cables an add-on expense "for those who want them" - given that many people want a bigger hard drive but don't necessarily have a use for the HDMI cables, it makes more business sense to save the money on each unit and make greater profit on cables sold separately.

However, if dropping the features comes without a price cut - so essentially making it a sneaky price rise, that would not be cool at all...

[JC Henderson]

I may as well ask this question here. Any EB workers that see this what kind of trade in can I get on a 360 where I want to keep the hard drive so essentially an arcade model. I ask as mine is on the fritz but does not want to red ring. It is out of warranty so I would like to palm it off to EB and upgrade to Pro or Elite and then transfer which in itself looks like a lot of fun sending away fro the cables and stuff.

[aubergine]

What's the manufacture date on the back of the unit JC? EB will pay less for a box made before a certain date - eg if it's made in 2006 you might get $10 for it or something. I'm not exaggerating about the $10 btw. with a controller I think you might get $40. With the HD you might get $60-$70.

I asked a while back you see. I wound up selling that one to Cashies the other day for $110, though other Cash Coveters might offer less.

[JC Henderson]

Crap just checked and its 2006. Christ at that price I would rather keep it and get the joy of smashing the crap out it.

Online it says I'm out of warranty but it red ringed less than a year ago and was fixed. I should enquire if that is still under warranty but I am not hopeful.

[Thraxas]

I think they extend your full warranty for 3 months after they send it back for repair.

[Xanafalgue]

Compared to the competition, the Arcade is still the best value on the market.

[dimorphic]

Compared to the competition, the Arcade is still the best value on the market.

Yeah, but without a HDD I would think to most 'gamers' the SKU is essentially useless.

[JC Henderson]

Arcade version is the way I'm leading for replacement I need. Just going to use the hard drive and component cables from the old version. WIll the hard drive plug and play in a new box or is there license transfer issues and crap.

[Melas]

I see JB hifi have the halo xbox pro for $419 and Harvey norman have it for $399 o.O
so temptedto go grab one, and just use halo as trade ins.

[JC Henderson]

Yeah that sounds like what I will do. Now to find my closest Harvey Norman

[aubergine]

Arcade version is the way I'm leading for replacement I need. Just going to use the hard drive and component cables from the old version. WIll the hard drive plug and play in a new box or is there license transfer issues and crap.

When you plug the hard drive into a new box you'll need to download/"migrate" your username which, for reasons unknown, takes ****ing ages whenever I do it.

Also, for dlc and arcade games you'll need to do the license transfer or you'll have to be signed in to live all the time to use them. Won't matter to all people of course but if your internet goes off for some reason it can break your xbox for games with dlc!

You can only do the license transfer easily once per year, so maybe wait briefly after getting the new xbox and use it a bit so you don't tie your stuff to a dud. I've no doubt you can transfer it again but you'd have to call them up and plead your case etc.

[StorminNorman]

Arcade version is the way I'm leading for replacement I need. Just going to use the hard drive and component cables from the old version. WIll the hard drive plug and play in a new box or is there license transfer issues and crap.

I'm convinced that this is the only reason that the arcade exists at all. No one who plays video games would buy one unless they already had all the other bits.

Also, I'm disappointed to see that none of these rumours seem to mention the possibility of user-upgradeable HDDs for the 360. Seriously Microsoft, it's 2009. Even 120GB is ridiculously small now.

[aubergine]

For the purposes of Game On Demand and Netflix it is, but don't forget how slow Nintendo were to act on their far more ****-witted sd-card memory issues. They took three years to act on it!

For a majority of users, the 120g drive is only just about to become problematic.

Perhaps an upgrade to bigger drives will shortly follow the dumping of the Pro.

I think they should dump the pro AND elite and just have one drived SKU in multiple colours with say a 250g drive, with the drive available separately as well.

The arcade, as people keep mentioning, finally has a legitimate retail use as a replacement box for people who already have hard drives. Only now with three-year warranties expiring once-and-for-all is there a proper and rational need for the arcade! Hooray!

[Clockw0rk]

Except the Arcade is white and my Elite is black :(
the Arcade also has the ugly white DVD drawer instead of a chrome one.

[JC Henderson]

Thanks for the advice Aubergine. I am always on live so not to worried about the licence transfers. I will probably get the Halo Pro pack and eventually get around to transfering my saves across but it can wait.

[Melas]

hrmm I might have to grab a pro pack too.

although the Red Elite does look tempting, i don't actually mind the actual colour of it, its s subdued red rather than "my eyes they burn!" red.

just wonderwhether its worth the extra $140 for the increase in HD size...

[aubergine]

You also get the (for now at least) HDMI cable + Sound adaptor which is $60 to buy seperately, this is an important distinction. I bought an $18 HDMI-DVI adaptor at Dick Smith to run my elite 360 off a computer monitor (although I later bought another hdmi-to-dvi cable because peculiar to my monitor the cable + adaptor did not fit well, other monitors should not have this problem hopefully.)

[Fenrir]

As has been mentioned, dropping the HDMI cable probably isn't devoid of consumer-based rationale. The only people with HDMI inputs in the household tend to be well-off households who have forked out for home theatre gear, and the hardcore gamer demographic who have medium-sized LCD screens in their bedrooms. The rest of the consumer-base is less predictable, a lot of them wouldn't even have component inputs.
Obviously there better be a decent price drop to go with, though.

Anyway, I still haven't picked up an X360 yet. The $64,000 question, however, is, should I wait and see how these SKU changes pan out before even considering buying?

Actually, right now I'm thinking I've gone so long without serious gaming expenditure, that I should just blow the first $1k I get, **** deal-hunting.

[JC Henderson]

Yeah non compatible HDMI tv saw my purchase of the Pro Halo pack. 60 gig will be enough till the 360 craps itself again.

[FrozenSoul80]

As has been mentioned, dropping the HDMI cable probably isn't devoid of consumer-based rationale. The only people with HDMI inputs in the household tend to be well-off households who have forked out for home theatre gear, and the hardcore gamer demographic who have medium-sized LCD screens in their bedrooms. The rest of the consumer-base is less predictable, a lot of them wouldn't even have component inputs.
Obviously there better be a decent price drop to go with, though.

Anyway, I still haven't picked up an X360 yet. The $64,000 question, however, is, should I wait and see how these SKU changes pan out before even considering buying?

Actually, right now I'm thinking I've gone so long without serious gaming expenditure, that I should just blow the first $1k I get, **** deal-hunting.

Aren't they releasing those new, upgraded 360s next year? Wait for those, you've waited this long.

[Fenrir]

Come to think of it, Natal is sure to be worth the wait...

[Saxby]

Will a HDMI cable have much of an effect on my 32 inch samsung LCD?

[FrozenSoul80]

Come to think of it, Natal is sure to be worth the wait...

Not sure if this is sarcasm or not, but the new 360s will also have improved hardware meaning newer games will look and run better on newer models. Similar to what the N64s Expansion Pack did. There really isn't much point in you spending ~$400 just to have a console that will be obsolete in 12 months.

Will a HDMI cable have much of an effect on my 32 inch samsung LCD?

Yes, particularly to the dashboard.

[Fenrir]

Not sure if this is sarcasm or not, but the new 360s will also have improved hardware meaning newer games will look and run better on newer models. Similar to what the N64s Expansion Pack did. There really isn't much point in you spending ~$400 just to have a console that will be obsolete in 12 months.
I thought you were being sarcastic. Any links to further info on this?

[FrozenSoul80]

I thought you were being sarcastic. Any links to further info on this?

I'll try, but it might take a while. I don't remember where I read it :/

Unless I dreamt the entire thing >_>

[AranchineD]

No, I remember hearing something like that too, but I can't remember if it was just speculation and rumours or something official was actually said regarding that...

[aubergine]

I think you'd be mad, or angry later, to buy a 360 right this minute, as there's bound to be some stock-runout-bargains on the very near horizon. (http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/08/heres-how-consoles-should-be-priced-for-the-holidays/)

The PS3 is $500 now, cheaper than the Elite. Microsoft have to respond to this, and with the SlimS3 out in a fortnight (also at $500) I'd expect Elites to be $400 and Pros to be thrown into bins before you know it. Just wait a bit longer.

[Xanafalgue]

I think you'd be mad, or angry later, to buy a 360 right this minute, as there's bound to be some stock-runout-bargains on the very near horizon. (http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/08/heres-how-consoles-should-be-priced-for-the-holidays/)

The PS3 is $500 now, cheaper than the Elite. Microsoft have to respond to this, and with the SlimS3 out in a fortnight (also at $500) I'd expect Elites to be $400 and Pros to be thrown into bins before you know it. Just wait a bit longer.

If the pro's are Jasper I will bite again and give my 360 to a friend so I can actually play games with somebody I know!!! I gave my previous 360 to a friend who just uses it as a dust-catcher :mad:

[aubergine]

The red Elite which came out for RE 5 were the first Jaspers, so whether they've moved enough Pros since then for them to be Jaspers now is hard to say. Any Elite should be a Jasper by now, although I'd buy it from a shop which moved a lot of hardware (not, say, one of those Harvey Norman type places in an industrial/out of the way area whose stock is years old.)

[Munky]

I'm hoping ofr a 1TB hard drive

Hopefully for less than $200

[fearofthesky]

I'm hoping ofr a 1TB hard drive

Hopefully for less than $200

By the time you use all of that we'll be up to the Xbox 1080!

Even with installs!

[Dr Skinnybones]

Has it been made clear that MS are dropping the XBox 360 and keeping the Elite in name?
To me it would've made more sense to increase the Xbox 360's HDD to 120gb, phase out the Elite (as they are going to take out the HDMI cable anyway) to avoid market confusion.

It's probably better to have only 2 SKUs but the scaled back Elite package may cause some resentment with consumers who had grown to understand that the Elite was the one with "all the extras". For the mass market, isn't it simpler to have the main SKU simply the Xbox 360, I thought that was the rationale in changing the name from the 360 Pro and now they've made that transition they are dropping it. Confuzzling.

[AranchineD]

The PS3 is $500 now, cheaper than the Elite. Microsoft have to respond to this, and with the SlimS3 out in a fortnight (also at $500) I'd expect Elites to be $400 and Pros to be thrown into bins before you know it. Just wait a bit longer.

Well you were pretty much right. Elite price cut to $299 over in the US. (http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/08/yup-360-elite-goes-299-on-august-30/#more-351925)


I guess we can make this all official then.

[Stevorooni]

They should ditch the arcade and make the pro the new cheapie model. Then if they had to get rid of Arcades cheaply it might be worth picking one up just to have a spare console lying around for when it happens again to your main console.

[aubergine]

They won't do it. The reason why is that the arcade is only just about to come into it's own. They would be better off though making the arcade less Bogan Barn by not punishing people who buy it with a cheaper-looking console. But if you had to replace your out-of-warranty elite or pro, wouldn't you rather just buy an arcade and move the hard drive across?

Moore, when he was still with them, said in interview (pretty sure it was him) that a big part of the thinking with the Arcade stemmed from the major failing of the original xbox - "the hard drive was killing us". The xbox never became profitable and the reason Microsoft don't mind talking about is that the hard drive was so expensive to manufacture.

That concern may be redundant these days but it still is what (I would think) resulted in their otherwise bizarre arcade/Pro split.

If you'd looked at both Sony and M$ at the moment, it seems they are removing bundled components to allieviate the hit from price drops - eg I read the Slim PS3 will only come with composite cables! the same thing was said about the Elite as well - making the HDMI and Component cables add-on purchases.

They are right in thinking not everyone will use them (at least, with the HDMI, I think leaving out the component/composite cable is a mistake) and so are better off dropping the price of the box to compensate leaving out some of the extras.

[Dr Skinnybones]

They are right in thinking not everyone will use them (at least, with the HDMI, I think leaving out the component/composite cable is a mistake) and so are better off dropping the price of the box to compensate leaving out some of the extras.
I think that MS are responding to their wider consumer. Epic's Mark Rein was quoted on Eurogamer that less than half of their gamers are using HDTVs.
of the systems that are out there now, the majority of them aren't plugged into HDTVs. So there's no way we're ready for the PlayStation 4 or the Xbox Whatever
Why not alleviate the cost for a feature that isn't being utilised?

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/epics-mark-rein-interview?page=3

[AranchineD]

I wish the developers who made games that have unreadable text on SDTVs "BECUZ EVERY1 HAS HDTVS ALREADY" read that article.

[aubergine]

I think that MS are responding to their wider consumer. Epic's Mark Rein was quoted on Eurogamer that less than half of their gamers are using HDTVs.

Why not alleviate the cost for a feature that isn't being utilised?

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/epics-mark-rein-interview?page=3

This is exactly right, it's why I agree they should lower the price and take out the HDMI cables if the Elite is to become standard.

I'm only playing in HD now because after years, literally years of watching HDTVs one day it was revealed to me that the true path was to just buy a widescreen monitor for $2000 less than the TV I wanted. I since upgraded and now have 23" of 1080P goodness on my desk which cost $300.

I think the initial notion was that 360/PS3 would drive the sales of HDTVs, and they certainly have, but they are only just now starting to move from a high-end luxury item into the realm of the ordinary consumer, and given that a CRT can last multiple decades with undetectable loss in performance convincing people to spend $1-$2k they don't have to spend is a hard task.

Microsoft would be better off putting out an HDMI-to-DVI + sound adaptor kit for folk like me. I think if they made more people aware that they can have a HD set up for less than the cost of Guitar Hero 4 then the mass-market HD era would really begin.

[Melas]

So when's this price drop likely to hit us ?

and are the Black Elites the Jasper cores now ?

[aubergine]

I keep checking PalGN and KotakuAU hoping to see that news but nothing on a price drop for us yet. I think it will happen start of September for the Slim launch.

Even though the PS3 is $500 now in AU most retailers I've seen haven't put new prices up, still have $699-ish on them.

[freeradical]

Even though the PS3 is $500 now in AU most retailers I've seen haven't put new prices up, still have $699-ish on them.
Yep! Milk the ignorant and uninformed while they can.

[Xanafalgue]

Yep! Milk the ignorant and uninformed while they can.

Shouldn't be too hard, I was asked by a 40-ish year old woman recently if I had ever played a "Woo" and how much they cost.

[dimorphic]

Yep! Milk the ignorant and uninformed while they can.

Well as soon as the PS3 was announced EB put up massive banners all over their stores with the new price point and dropped the price on the remaining 80GB consoles to $499.

[aubergine]

JB also had a banner up for the Slim with the price on the same day the news was widely released.

However, EB still had $699-ish on the PS3 boxes instore as do the department stores I looked at, didn't check at JB.

Shouldn't be too hard, I was asked by a 40-ish year old woman recently if I had ever played a "Woo" and how much they cost.

Should have told her you were waiting for the HD sequel, the "Woo Hoo."

UK has their price-cut news now (Pro gone, Elite to 199 pound). Still waiting for ours to drop.

[AranchineD]

Yes. Yes, our Elite prices will be dropping too (http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/08/xbox-360-price-cut-for-australia-on-sept-22)

[HiredMan]

For those too lazy to rtfa:

Timed to coincide with the Halo 3: ODST launch day, from September 22 the Xbox 360 Elite will drop $100 to $449. And if you buy an Elite up until October 20, you will also get a free copy of Halo 3: ODST, effectively pricing the console a further $100 lower.

Good deal.

And:

The Pro console will remain at $399 “while supplies last”. The Arcade, too, will remain at its current price point of $299.

EDIT: And....

Rumour - Elite bundle with 250gb HDD, 2 wireless controllers and Forza 3 coming. (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/amazon-germany-lists-xbox-360-with-250gb-hdd-forza-3-two-wirel/)

This bundle has been advertised on Amazon Germany for 280 Euro (PS3 Slim is 299 Euro RRP for comparison).

That is a tasty bundle (for me anyway :)). Might grab it if the console has a funky new color or some such.....

[Melas]

i need a towel stat. they really need to relase that SKU here, and now, for cheap! >_>

[HiredMan]

Yeah it's tasty, good chance it will lob here at a good price I reckon. If you use scaled pricing based on the Euro prices I mentioned above it would probably cost aroud $470 yeah?

[Saxby]

Anyone know a good place to check current xbox prices? I'm thinking about upgrading to a jasper or at least getting a bigger HDD...

Edit - That Halo Elite deal sounds pretty good - 449 and Halo ODST? But then again, the $299 price drop means that elites will be around $350 anyway right? And I'll probably end up getting Halo ODST cheaper anyway... Ugh, decisions decisions...

[HiredMan]

Read my last post goddamnit!

*rage*
EDIT: and nah, $449 is the new price. Will stay at that for a little while at least

[Saxby]

OMFG my xbox just red ringa ding dinged.

Looks like I'm going to have to wait til Sept. 20th and upgrade to an Elite...

I've heard about a few dodgy hard drive problems. Any other things I need to be wary of?

It might be under warranty, so I guess I could get it fixed and give it to my brother...

[Natrak]

How long have you owned it? RRoD is covered by warranty for 3 years, if it's under warranty you might as well get it fixed.

[Starscream]

If it's in warranty, have it fixed.

By the time it breaks down again out of warranty, a more reliable model should be on the shelf.

[Saxby]

Hmm... ok. I was thinking about getting it fixed, picking up an elite and giving my old but fixed one to a mate for his b'day.

But that probably sounds like a good idea. Hang on for a bit longer until it really dies and get something more reliable to have for life...

Edit: It's under warranty thanks goodness. Sending it off tomorrow. I haven't played it in two weeks and am having withdrawals...

[Pai Mel]

Hey I haven't read the whole thread but I wanna ask a couple of questions about these new Elites:

1. Would the hardware be locked to specific hard drive models again? No upgrading to 1TB 2.5" Western Digital hard drives which should be out next year?

2. Are M$ still scamming you to get their special $80 HDMI cable that has the toslink breakout box or will there be a dedicated toslink/rca digital audio port now? I ended up getting a third-party one on ebay for $15.99.

Imo, the Elites are not really a bargain. Unofficial 120GB hard drives are only $80 these days. Their only selling point is the black colour. The $499 PS3 bundle with Batman Arkham Asylum and Blu-Ray drive seems a much better deal, which I would jump at if it weren't for the lack of [good] anti-aliasing on PS3 games. I always hear complaints of how PS3 games look more jagged compared to 360 versions.

[Lazlow]

wtf are you on about? The PS3 has anti-aliasing.

The 360 GPU can handle a higher sample rate with greater ease than the PS3, but the PS3 GPU is certainly capable of AA

Graphics: The XBOX 360 is a clear winner. The GPU is more powerful. It has more powerful fillrate, and far more pixel and vertex processing horsepower. Part of the reason is their choice of memory, and architecture of pixel and vertex procesing. I can't get into details but the same vertex shader will run much slower on the PS3 than the XBOX 360. The 360 also has a clever new way rendering high definition anti aliased back buffers. To accomplish the same effect on PS3 is prohibitively expensive. For this reason I think many games will have no choice but to run in non-HD resolutions on the PS3 version, use a lower quality anti aliasing technique, or do back buffer upscaling. The end result in all cases is going to be noticeably worse image quality.

Pixel Fill Rate with 4x Multisampled Anti-Aliasing
Xbox 360 - 4.0 Billion Pixels/sec (8 ROPS x 4 Samples x 500MHz / 4)
PS3 - 2.0 Billion Pixels/sec (8 ROPS x 2 Samples x 500MHz / 4)

Pixel Fill Rate without Anti-Aliasing
Xbox 360 - 4.0 Billion Pixels/sec (8 ROPS x 500MHz)
PS3 - 4.0 Billion Pixels/sec (8 ROPS x 500MHz)

This is why in the intial run of multi-platform games, there were slight weaknesses in the PS3's performance with developers either unwilling or short on time to explore effcient ways of achieving the same results with the PS3 hardware. PS3 exclusives shouldn't have any issues, and by now enough shortcuts should have been found for developers to achieve similar results on both systems.

[aubergine]

More rumours! This time for PS3 but seems like a cert and Microsoft will have to have some kind of response, hopefully free live and $10 wifi adaptors for all!

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ps3-250gb-bundles-priced-detailed

[sausage]

What the hell does ODST mean re: Halo? cbf googling

[AranchineD]

Orbital Drop Shock Trooper

The fact I know that off the top of my head brings me great shame.

[sausage]

Kinda contrived don't you think? Halo Shock would have sufficed surely what the hell is going on this would never have happened in my day that is for sure my goodness me what is the world coming to it is a disgrace what young people get up to nowadays they would have tasted their father's belt today if it weren't for the lesbians mark my words.

[AranchineD]

Still, you asked what ODST is.

Many people who see the game will ask what ODST means.

This will raise interest and curiosity in the game.

[sausage]

You cleverly used my own argument against my albeit insane ramblings. Your logic wins damn you to hell.

[AranchineD]

I am a 10th Kyū in the art of Forum Kune Do.

You best do well to avert my wrath. I am well aware that is the worst rank one can have, that is the joke

[Xanafalgue]

Ooooh, I saw Sonic & Knuckles on XBLA earlier today... I have about 4 copies of the game already but I might get it for the Achievements.

[Pai Mel]

Only 400 M$ for S&K.

[Xanafalgue]

Ya and I totally posted this in the wrong thread.

[Saxby]

Sooooo... I thought I'd let you guys know that I heard from a reliable source on the grapevine that one of the elite bundles at a leading retailer will be Elite Console + ODST + UFC for $449.

Not bad?

[Starscream]

Sooooo... I thought I'd let you guys know that I heard from a reliable source on the grapevine that one of the elite bundles at a leading retailer will be Elite Console + ODST + UFC for $449.

Not bad?

UFC is bad.

Harvey Norman are doing the same priced bundle but with Halo 3 & Halo 3 ODST.

[AranchineD]

Eh, UFC one is better. >_>

Might look into it actually, although I would like to trade in my current console except for the fact it would be a hell of a hassle to somehow do that but be able to transfer all my data over to it in the process.

[Saxby]

I traded in Halo wars:Collector edition for $44 today when I bought it for $50. I was cheering.

[Melas]

Harvey Norman are doing a Black Elite, with HDMI cable, Halo 3 and ODST for $429

http://www.harveynorman.com.au/products/index.php/computers/gaming-consoles/xbox-360-pro-bundle-new-3.html

SOLD!!! I'ma get me one and trade thsoe games in on Forza3 >_>

[Xanafalgue]

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/videogames/detail-page/B002I0HDLE.01.lg.jpg

Cheapest looking console ever? 250GB's at least.

[FrozenSoul80]

That printing on it looks atrocious, but I'd really like that bigger HDD. I just wish Microsoft did what Sony did and allowed us to upgrade the HDD ourselves.

[Cerebral]

Everytime I see 'high speed, low drag' I think of the IFVs from RA2.

[Lazlow]

UFC is bad.

lol gtfo. Sure its not the most complete MMA game, but its far from bad.

[Starscream]

It's bad if you're not into wrestling games. >_>

[Lazlow]

Its not a wrestling game <_<

[TrinityJayOne]

Everytime I see 'high speed, low drag' I think of the IFVs from RA2.
"I don't give a wooden nickle about your legacy!!"

[Saxby]

Harvey Norman are doing a Black Elite, with HDMI cable, Halo 3 and ODST for $429

http://www.harveynorman.com.au/products/index.php/computers/gaming-consoles/xbox-360-pro-bundle-new-3.html

SOLD!!! I'ma get me one and trade thsoe games in on Forza3 >_>


Niiiice, might look into this one myself...

[Munky]

Is that MW2 console for real?

I really want to upgrade my 20gb hard drive but will be pissed if a bigger one is released a month after buying a 120gb.

Any news on if the 250gb will be available stand alone for retail sale?

[Melas]

Is that MW2 console for real?

I really want to upgrade my 20gb hard drive but will be pissed if a bigger one is released a month after buying a 120gb.

Any news on if the 250gb will be available stand alone for retail sale?

I'm wonder how much more a 250gb HD would jack the price up, as it is $450 was my upper limit, so I could stretch it a bit further but I don't really want to pay another $100 on top of that. for something that probably only costs another $15 to manufacture/retail purchase.

[Hyperblau]

http://ebgames.com.au/xbox/product.cfm?id=15737&refer=consoles

Only $599 :(

[Melas]

$600 for a 250gb and the game? god dammit.

PS: look at my gamer bar below, it looks like 47 is wearing a white beanie >_>

[sausage]

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/videogames/detail-page/B002I0HDLE.01.lg.jpg

Cheapest looking console ever? 250GB's at least.



That's just terrible.

[AranchineD]

Any news on if the 250gb will be available stand alone for retail sale?

I don't think so, I think it's only with this bundle (or at least I remember reading that was the case somewhere)

[FrozenSoul80]

I don't think so, I think it's only with this bundle (or at least I remember reading that was the case somewhere)

http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/09/360-250gb-hdd-wont-be-sold-separately/

[AranchineD]

Yeah, I just read Shorty's post in the Official 360 thread. >_>

[FrozenSoul80]

I should probably put it in the thread title, I can see more people asking about it.

EDIT: And what do you know, it won't fit in the ****ing title.

[freeradical]

That's just terrible.

Really?! i think it's kinda Ok. I'm pleased that they got rid of the chrome dvd tray. That has always looked out of place on the elites, and the pro's for that matter.

[FrozenSoul80]

Really?! i thinks it's kinda Ok. I pleased that they got rid of the chrome dvd tray. That has always looked out of place on the elites, and the pro's for that matter.

But look at the disgusting pattern! It would have been better if it was just a face-plate that you could remove if you didn't want it.

I also don't think the chrome looks that bad on the elites.

[HiredMan]

I should probably put it in the thread title, I can see more people asking about it.

EDIT: And what do you know, it won't fit in the ****ing title.

You didn't get creative enough!

[Saxby]

Depending on the trade in values of Halo 3 and UFC, I'll probably be going with the UFC bundle...

[freeradical]

I also don't think the chrome looks that bad on the elites.
Yeah, personal preference i guess.

[Saxby]

After much research, I have come to the conclusion that after ODST has been released on the 22nd of September, it is likely that better Elite deals will be offered.

I've heard rumours of JB price matching Harvey Norman and then taking $10 of the price to $419 so if all else fails, I'll go be leaning towards that...

[AranchineD]

There's a second 250GB Elite deal going on in Europe...console + Forza 3 (http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/09/another-250gb-360-bundle-this-time-for-forza-3/#more-357394)

[FrozenSoul80]

Well it's nice to know that Xbox won't look like it was scribbled on by a four-year-old.

[enrique]

There's a second 250GB Elite deal going on in Europe...console + Forza 3 (http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/09/another-250gb-360-bundle-this-time-for-forza-3/#more-357394)

Now thats one bundle I'd go for, if it was sold in Australia haha.

[freeradical]

Now thats one bundle I'd go for, if it was sold in Australia haha.

But aren't we part of the 'europe' market?

[Saxby]

Anyone else seen this?

http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/productimages/MEDIUM/FAA-00073%28XELITEAUG%29.jpg

$439

http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/game/consoles/xbox-360-console-elite-black/280972

[freeradical]

Here is another deal, BigW. On sale sept 24th

http://upload.ozbargain.com/2009/09/16/2492_photo2.jpg

http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/16818

[Pai Mel]

Anyone else seen this?

http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/productimages/MEDIUM/FAA-00073%28XELITEAUG%29.jpg

$439

http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/game/consoles/xbox-360-console-elite-black/280972

Not available for purchase.

[Starscream]

Here is another deal, BigW. On sale sept 24th

http://upload.ozbargain.com/2009/09/16/2492_photo2.jpg

That is a much better bundle than the Harvey Norman Elite package with Halo 3 & Halo 3: ODST.

[TrinityJayOne]

Imo boxing day is going to go off again. That's when I got mine! :D

[Melas]

Imo boxing day is going to go off again. That's when I got mine! :D

I wish I coudl wait that long, its been too long now :( i miss my xbawx

[enrique]

Here is another deal, BigW. On sale sept 24th

http://upload.ozbargain.com/2009/09/16/2492_photo2.jpg

http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/16818

That is a pretty good deal, I'm tempted, mighty tempted! What are the chances of those elites being Jaspers though?

[Melas]

That is a pretty good deal, I'm tempted, mighty tempted! What are the chances of those elites being Jaspers though?

Demand to have a console made in 08/09? :P

also $398 is good, very good, might have to find a Big Dubs nearby.

god dammit the nearest Dubs is an hour away :( (Tea tree plaza)

[Pai Mel]

Guys, wait for the Elite with the 250GB hard drive. 120GB simply is not large enough. I even have 2 x 120GB.

[Lazlow]

I get by fine with 120GB. Its not enough you are just shit at file management. I got down to 16GB recently, but opened up a shit tonne of space deleting installations for games I haven't touched in months, and demos for games I've bought.

[adam_91vn]

I still have a 20 and 9 is still free :o

[Melas]

Guys, wait for the Elite with the 250GB hard drive. 120GB simply is not large enough. I even have 2 x 120GB.

because we can all afford $600 for another xbox :P

Essentially I'd be paying another $200 for an extra ~130gb of space.

[AranchineD]

I still have a 20 and 9 is still free :o

Same, perhaps it's just because having a smaller drive means you have to manage space better, but I have no need for a larger drive at the moment.

[Watchers]

Perhaps you just don't install every ****ing game you play and never delete them.

[Pai Mel]

Lost Odyssey alone takes up 23GB and I just got Tales of Vesperia, plus Star Ocean is on the horizon.

[Saxby]

Ok Hyper dudes, I just put a Layby on the Big W Elite console with ODST and COD - WAW (for trade in after a play through...).

The sneaky microsoft boxing department have covered the damn voltage section near the bar-code but the Big W guy ASSURED me that they were brand new as they've only just started stocking them from the distributors.

I'll let you know if I end up getting at least a Jasper/Falcon. Currently praying for a Jasper...

Edit: Picking it up tomorrow when I get paid!

[Xanafalgue]

I thought all new Elite's have Jasper... ?

[Melas]

I grabbed my new xbox just then its in a new (white) box and has no hdmi cable.

[Saxby]

I thought all new Elite's have Jasper... ?

I hope so! I'm also not going to get my hopes up by trusting the big W guy, just in case.

[Starscream]

The newly manufactured Elites should be Jaspers.

Unless you get repackaged new stock. i.e. a Falcon.

[Melas]

Does anyone have an xbox hd transfer cable they're willing to lend me ?

[Xanafalgue]

I was under the impression they came with one? :/

[freeradical]

Nah, ring MS and they send you one for nix. Just need to provide serial no's of old and new console, i believe.

[Saxby]

Ok, so I got my new XBOX but am totally F****** boned.

It's a jasper and is all nice. Still quite loud though.

I have FORGOTTEN my windows live ID because of the stupid processes they put me through. I ended up creating 3 - 4 of them 2 years ago until they finally linked with my LIVE gamertag. Unfortunately, the last one was an act of desperation, much like my gamertag and I now have no clue what it is.

Windows live can't help me recover it and XBOX live has no access to it. WTF do I do? I have hundreds of dollars worth of games on my TAG. I hate windows live so F***(*(* much. UUUGH

Also - XBOX tech support is down...

[Starscream]

Ouch.

I don't think tech support will help though. Privacy laws, etc.

EDIT: You're sure you've got a Jasper?

[Saxby]

Definitely.

It's 12.1v and the power plug has two seperate bars at the top, not one.

[Starscream]

Cool.

You can't go back to your old console and check your gamertag to see what Windows ID it's attached to?

[Saxby]

Is it listed on my old XBOX? If it is, I can probably stop being so pissed off as there might be a way out of this mess...

It's 4 hours away and I won't be going back til next week.

Even trying to go through the live ID process again, it doesn't make any sense whatsoever. No wonder I got the whole thing mixed up.

[aubergine]

When I buy M$ points or enter a code for them an email gets sent to my account confirming the purchase.

[Saxby]

Oh my F****** god Aub, you just saved my life. I found it in my gmail account but it was for my university email which I haven't used in years. I love you so much, hold me.

[aubergine]

(fades away, like a ghost, smiling, as Saxby rushes towards him in slow motion. A melancholy yet beautiful end.)

[Saxby]

*Tear*

[Chilli]

Game have the 250G Modern Warfare 360 @ $ 574 online only price.

I got two, plus a copy of Fallout 3 GOTY $74

http://www.game.com.au/showtitle?code=52V-00263


I've always transferred my games saves via a 512 memory card, but I might call and get the transfer cable this time
primarily because Dead or Alive 4 would never allow me to move it.

Has any-one used the transfer cable to successfully move Dead or Alive 4 game saves?

[Saxby]

Does the 250G xbox have a new SKU or is it just a Jasper?

PS - I'm hoping I can use a 64 MB memory card to transfer my Mass Effect and Fallout 3 saves!

[HiredMan]

Does the 250G xbox have a new SKU or is it just a Jasper?

PS - I'm hoping I can use a 64 MB memory card to transfer my Mass Effect and Fallout 3 saves!

It's a Jasper AFAIK.

[Chilli]

I'm not sure, I assume it is a jasper, but I'm really only after the 250G hard-drive.

[Saxby]

Bought a HDMI audio + video cable from Harvey Norman today for fifty bucks. Works a charm, very happy with the results.