Xbox 360 promoted to Elite

A new $479 black, HDMI-enabled, 120GB version of Microsoft's latest console will arrive on April 29; $179 120GB HDD add-on to be sold separately; Sony unimpressed.

More Images (15) »

Following months of speculation, Microsoft has officially unveiled a new version of the Xbox 360. Called the Xbox 360 Elite (pictured), the console will go on sale in North America April 29, with European and Japanese launches later in the year. In the US, the console will retail for $479.

As previously hinted at on many forums and blogs, the new console will have a variety of bells and whistles different from the traditional Xbox 360. It will indeed feature a 120GB hard drive to better accommodate game downloads from Xbox Live Arcade and video content from Xbox Live Marketplace. The news coincides with the announcement of a new batch of television and movie partners who will offer content on the service.

The Xbox 360 Elite has a "premium black finish" that matches the wireless controller it comes with. (Controllers and rechargeable battery kits with the same hue will be sold separately.) The console will also sport a matching black wired headset and, as widely rumored, an HDMI output port. The console will come bundled with an HDMI cable as well as a component video cable.

One thing the console will not come with is a data transfer cable, as had been rumored. However, a stand-alone, $179 120GB drive for the console will be released alongside the Xbox 360 Elite bundled with a data transfer cable. The cable will allow for the transfer of all Marketplace downloads and game saves from an existing 360 hard drive to the new hard drive.

According to Albert Penello, Microsoft's director of global platform marketing, the old hard drive will be blanked following the data transfer and can then be attached to any other 360. "The stand-alone drive is the main option we're suggesting to existing Xbox 360 owners," he told GameSpot.

So what about HDMI-craving HDTV owners who want to get an Xbox 360 Elite and transfer their current XBLM content to it? In one word: Wait. Penello said that Microsoft is "working on a solution" for transferring data from current 360s to Elites, but he would not elaborate.

Hardware-wise, Penello said the Xbox 360 Elite has the same disc drive and processors as "current models." He also confirmed it would not have an internal HD-DVD drive, as some had suspected. "We don't want to segment the user base," he told GameSpot. He also confirmed that the external Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive would not be available in the Elite's black finish for the foreseeable future.

Another thing the new console won't have is Internet Protocol TV functionality, which Microsoft announced it was bringing to the 360 platform at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. "[IPTV] trials will start this summer," said Penello, who didn't have a start date for the service.

As for the fate of the current hard-drive-less $299 Core Xbox 360 and 360-equipped Pro Xbox 360 models, Penello said they would continue to be offered. He also confirmed that the new model would be a permanent addition to the 360 product line and not a limited edition.

The fact that the Elite is only $20 less than the 20GB PlayStation 3 and does not have next-generation video format playback did not go unnoticed by Sony. “We think every PlayStation 3 owner should have an 'elite' experience, which is why we include an internal hard drive and HDMI output in every PS3 we sell, along with the 50GB of storage capacity on a high-definition Blu-ray disc," said Peter Dille, Sony Computer Entertainment's senior vice president of marketing. Sony also issued a series of talking points asserting that the release of the 360 Elite "further validates the PS3 business model, which [Microsoft] criticized at launch."

For more details on the Xbox 360 Elite, check out GameSpot Hardware's complete examination of the console.

2038 Comments

  • Toomsuba2

    Posted Nov 19, 2008 1:14 pm PT

    This is stupid. I own an XBOX 360 Elite, and I love it. I don't have an HDTV, (im getting one) but I like the Elite because of the color and hard-drive, and because when I do get my HDTV, I will use the cable. Now, I can respect the PS3s amazing technology, but forcing bluray was the most stupid, fu*ked up, most ass-licking thing they ever did fu*kin do. I can get a HD DVD for my 360 for a lot less than buying the fu*ked up PS3, and sony's games suck my little hair fu*king balls, bcuz all the good ones are on or coming to the 360. PS will not last next gen....bcuz next gen, everything except Wii will be photorealistic, and MS will have better games bcuz they did this gen. So stop ranting about your fu*king retarded PS3, you know it sucks. You just want others to buy it bcuz you made a bad purchase and you want to justify it. Sony sucks and are money whore-Nazis, and no one can say different, so shut the fuk up about your fu*king fu*ktarted PS3, ya dumbfu*ks! 360 for the win! P.S. I am not a fanboy, I hate MS personally bcuz of windows and loved the PS2 and XBOX, but PS3 sucks.

  • Anti-Nerd_Gamer

    Posted Feb 19, 2008 9:44 pm PT

    360 does have better games out rit now, but if the PS3 and 360 had the same quantity and quality the PS3 would be a little bit better. THink of it this way... PS3 comes with everything u would ever want... with the 360... if u want the same components u have 2 fork out sum more dough... so with that rumor of PS3 costing more... umm... with the same things the PS3 is actually around 150 less xpensive... HOLD ON... IM NOT A PS3 fanboy... I HAVE BOTH SYSTEMS... and trust me... the PS3 has cost me waaaay less... and please dont report me 4 abuse... thats just freakin annoying.

  • NOFXBOY7789

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 6:05 pm PT

    cdecrosta funny you should mention needing a new system, isn't this the 4th or 5th time they have released a different ps3 or am i just talking out me bum

  • Tigerman950

    Posted Jul 4, 2007 11:46 am PT

    I think I'll just get a Pro system.

  • grey79

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 7:41 pm PT

    OatmealKing: Ignorant. 360 does 1080p too ;P

  • OatmealKing

    Posted Jun 16, 2007 6:37 pm PT

    Wow another xbox 360 comes out....hurray...i think im gonna pass on this one b/c i already bought the core system...it broke...then i bought the premium....it broke.....(so did a wirless controller)...ya i think im gonna pass....i did happen to pick up the 60gb Ps3..wow...still running strong...also i would like to say...the ps3 is DEADLY quiet...i thought they put a tank engine in my 360....all sony needs to do is focus on making all there games in 1080p plz.....dont let the people with the big 1080p tvs down...i want all my games in 1080p...motorstorm would be 2x as nice looking if it were 1080p instead of 720p.....o ya...360 fans hows that 1080i pic lookin..?? o ya they made a new xbox system and still didnt include an hd dvd player inside...wow...keep feedin bill gates that money xbox fans....i play Blue Ray w/o any attachments ty Sony luv ya!!

  • PopSuperFly

    Posted Apr 29, 2007 11:45 am PT

    cant wait for my elite to finally be here, so i can be a very proud owner of one

  • madglee

    Posted Apr 28, 2007 9:28 am PT

    I have a 360 pro - bought one maybe three months ago. What irritates me is that microsoft bring out another, better one - what sort of marketing strategy is that? It alienates MS customers who buy a system only to have it surpassed within a year. The nice thing about the PS2 is that they had a good machine, then just concentrated on making games. I should have learned my lesson when I bought an Xbox instead of a PS2 and was disappointed. This time around I was planning to get the PS3 but it basically looked like crap. Still, I seriously should have just waited and bought the PS3.

  • Nitrogenix

    Posted Apr 26, 2007 12:22 pm PT

    Giggle giggle, cry cry.
    So many comments to laugh at here.
    Heres the big scheme - It's a cool neet-o little black XBox 360 new councle. Obviously thats clear as day, but as some of you don't get, XBox has stated they do not want to sell current Premium XBox owners to the new elite xbox.
    Whom does this console concern?
    Xbox 360 Fans who like to download demos, buy from the market (Movies, T.V. Series, ect). I mean people who like to do it ALOT. Also for those people with the 1080p TV's
    So if you don't like the Xbox 360, alot of us would appreicate it will you continue to bash it We always like a good giggle!

  • wlcm2atl

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 9:00 pm PT

    Shigroth:
    So I thought PS3 was supposed to be the overpriced one? Now you have a 360 that does have twice the amount of storage but will cost $700 after tax AND still lacks hardware that comes with the PS3? Im completly speechless here. ****************
    im gunna give you the benifite of the doubt and assume your from canada cuz the new 360 will cost about $500 with tax NOT $700 and actualy the new 360 will have 6 times the storage space NOT twice and really the only thing that the 360 doesnt have that the ps3 does is a "next gen" video format... well how to put this... im a gamer hence i buy a console to play games... i like good games hence i buy the 360... i like XBL and downloadable content hence i buy the new elite

  • phoenixrebirth

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 7:56 pm PT

    Umm to answer a question a comment posted about what can the 360 do that the ps3 cant...here u go:

    * You can replace a games original soundtrack with yur own music via mp3 connected to the 360 via usb, from yur computer via media center, or music saved on yur hdd. Play a game with yur own music, and u can change the music on the fly while in game
    * Via media center, view pictures, and video u have on yur pc through yur 360. Coming up:
    * IPTV Capability
    * Live Anywhere- i can send an im from my phone, pda, or pc to a 360 while that person is playing a movie, or a game
    *Cross Platform Capability-U will be able to play w/ or against someone who is on a pc while u are on he 360. By da way pc gamers are really itching for this feature to kick console gamers azzes

    There are other features but i dont really feel like listing them. I still am getting a ps3 but come on. Dont underestimate the benefits of a 360.

  • phoenixrebirth

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 7:39 pm PT

    well u gotta remember people have been wanting a black xbox 360 for a while now. I am kinda upset it wont come with the iptv feature and the new 65mm processor but hey. Probably by the end of the year they will come out with a xbox 360 supreme or something. U dont have to buy the elite. They have the hdd seperate with all the accessories. Its a choice. Buy or not buy. Simple. PS3 is still a console im going to get but they really slipped with their games and come on now. Like someone else mentioned..sony has a history of bringing out flop formats...umd. for one. We'll see wat happens.

  • Shigroth

    Posted Apr 17, 2007 11:35 pm PT

    So I thought PS3 was supposed to be the overpriced one? Now you have a 360 that does have twice the amount of storage but will cost $700 after tax AND still lacks hardware that comes with the PS3? Im completly speechless here.

  • LuminosityBlaze

    Posted Apr 16, 2007 8:53 pm PT

    Lame... 360 Elite does not = PS3. Windows Vista does not = Mac OS X. Copycats. Cannot compute...

  • cat29f

    Posted Apr 16, 2007 8:43 pm PT

    All of the PS3 launch problems can be attributed to its lack of distinguishing games. Once the PS3 and the 360 have an equal amount of awesome games, then it will simply come down to who wants to buy the Honda and who wants to buy the Rolls Royce. M$ knows that and is trying to upgrade their honda to compete.

  • SgtScorpion

    Posted Apr 15, 2007 7:53 pm PT

    but idk if i didnt understand them at what they said but what will the hdmi thing do for the xbox? make the graphics like a ps3 or there just saying its hdmi so it sounds better then useing a xbox 360 prem on a regular tv?

  • efoxneo

    Posted Apr 15, 2007 7:34 am PT

    Well I would still go with a 360 over the PS3 because of the games. I own a 360, and will not be upgrading to the Elite for the added features. Until it is an actual better system with true HD capabilities (that includes the HD DVD player) it isn't worth it, and who cares about the 120 gb Hard drive? the pro 20 gb is enough for me.

  • Elkoman

    Posted Apr 15, 2007 4:33 am PT

    so can u transfer ur current data to a 120gb drive and then hook that up to the elite console?

  • l30n91

    Posted Apr 13, 2007 3:25 am PT

    does it still sound like a tractor

  • Deagler_

    Posted Apr 12, 2007 12:21 pm PT

    HAVE A DRINK ON ME!!!

  • airwalk_102

    Posted Apr 11, 2007 2:15 pm PT

    the new cores that dont overheat where talked about but i think they arent putting them in and as for the noise well your guess is as good as mine but comparing that bit to the ps3 jus angers me

  • smoothn00dle

    Posted Apr 11, 2007 11:24 am PT

    does elite version fix the noise and overheat problem? Be agony to turn Xbox360 off every six hours.

  • airwalk_102

    Posted Apr 11, 2007 10:32 am PT

    wow i hope it is the same as $475 in uk, i paid bout ÂŁ320 ($640) for mine with 2 games

  • Morehouse007

    Posted Apr 11, 2007 9:37 am PT

    GOODNESS!! ALL IDIOTS PAY ATTENTION!!

    Microsoft made it clear that including HDMI with the initial release of the 360 would have been too expensive. At that point HDMI wasn't the "proven" next-gen audio/video format that it is now (and when PS3 was released) Now that HDMI is out of the dark and into peoples homes, it's a much more viable option for them. Luckily my pro 360 is conking out on me, now I'll just use my best buy replacement voucher and just pay an $80 difference and that SWEET SWEET black console will be mine.....ALL MINE MUHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!

    oh yeah, I gotta leave sumthin for you sony fanboys:

    http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3158649

    sum of above story: Sony are $$$ whores like everyone else in the world.

  • JJ_Shredder

    Posted Apr 11, 2007 8:01 am PT

    Sadly I coulda seen this news fire up a console battle from the moon but I will admit feeling a little butt-hurt by microsoft for releasing a new version of what I thought was the "premium" system. But when i think about it its not really a big deal, i mean how hard is it to slap a skin on your 360 or a faceplate?. I have a HDTV and 720p still looks damn good on my 30 inch Dell (1080p only makes a big difference on much larger sets) and 20GB of storage has lasted a long time for me and im sure also for the vast majority of 360 owners. In the end it comes down to the games anyways and 360 has them, sony is losing them (Ace Combat, DMC, maybe metal gear???) but hell if it was possible I would still buy a PS3 for a new Champions of Norrath game (if it stayed exclusive) haha.

  • smoothn00dle

    Posted Apr 10, 2007 8:25 pm PT

    @snipe 2004

    "You make like those movies you mentioned will win the format war hahah pathetic"

    Not just movies, game also. You give Xboxfanboy a list of PS3 exclusive - Liar, Heaven Sword, MGS4, FFXIII 2 games. They said that WEAK.

  • snipe2004

    Posted Apr 10, 2007 6:19 pm PT

    scruffybawls I will enjoy my ps3. hope you enjoy the red ring of death overheating problems and freezes. tell me why after a year they make a marginally better one? why not bring it out in the first place? you make like those movies you mentioned will win the format war hahah pathetic

  • ogretroll123

    Posted Apr 10, 2007 2:16 pm PT

    I'll just stick with a Premium. Don't really need the HDMI, or the 120 GB. But the black looks nice though.

  • MChief8

    Posted Apr 10, 2007 11:52 am PT

    this has some spiffy stuff but im not so sure im going to get one, number 1 its almost 500 dollers, number 2 i got the 400 premium 360 last augest and neve regreted getting it, i love it. the controller and the finish are beautifull but i think that this should have been an option from the start, offering optional colors is somthing that nintendo has done for years and gives the feel of custimization. a 120gb HD is nice but being 14 i really cant afford this now, maybe next year or for christmas i'll get a 120gb but its pretty definate that i wont be upgrading to ELITE (even though i wish i could )

  • edmakel

    Posted Apr 10, 2007 11:41 am PT

    Games!!!! Games!!!! Jezzz......!!!! All this talk about big azz hard drives!!! Blu-ray..HD-DVD...christ please stop!!!!! it doesn't have a frackin thing to do with games get you hyped to play!!! Hard drive..hmph...Blu-Ray....hmph....a true Jedi..ahh.....Gamer craves not these things. Only when your're at peace..... and the flow of a chainsaw through any enemy fills you...only then will you know the true nature of the force......gameplay!....period!

  • MChief8

    Posted Apr 10, 2007 11:38 am PT

    this looks awsome but, im sorry for 500 bucks my 300 360 is fine, i can deal with a color difference for now

  • gugi_nayar

    Posted Apr 10, 2007 2:43 am PT

    hasn't released where i live

  • smoothn00dle

    Posted Apr 10, 2007 2:16 am PT

    Because of M$'s short sighted strategy, now Xbox360 have to catch up with AppleTv and Sony PS3. The lowest version of Xbox360 didn't come with a Hard disc. This mean every developer have to develop their applications run on main memory till the day Xbox360 expired. Xbox360 could go PC's way. Different games for different version of Xbox360 is not going to work. M$ has 49 billion cash reserve. The first Xbox360 came with No hd and No HD driver. Do they have a cash flow problem?

  • bhatiaa2

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 8:25 pm PT

    its funny that so many people criticize sony for making us purchase pre-loaded stuff (60 gig or 20 gig harddrive)...doesn't anyone realize that Microsoft is doing the same thing?--you can only buy a 20 gig or a 120 gig hard drive... WOW! doesn't anyone realize that the price difference is better for Sony? oh, and sony also lets you customize (you can buy a regularly priced harddrive and just slide it in...not buy an overpriced 120 gig which seems pretty unnecessary) whatev...I hate it when people b**ch about which console will win

    Micr

  • thor107

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 7:15 pm PT

    Long live the the Sony BetaMax....errr I mean Minidisk....errr....I mean Umd...Errr no that's not it I mean Blu-Ray!??

  • raichudl

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 5:46 pm PT

    number 2000. seems alot of people care.

  • Twinturbo120

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 4:55 pm PT

    snipe2004 all the way....we'll show these 360 fanboys....just wait n see ALL fanboys will be surprised....

  • dareheaven

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 4:27 pm PT

    okay heres wat i have to say.......i brought the ps3 at midnite at launch date here in uk................i was perfectly happy with it playing everysingle thing with it until the compability...i relised i new a ps2 for my ps2 games coz the compability is crap....next is dat i found out the free hdtvs dat people got who waited at midnite in london central....i waited at midnite in woolwich and believe it or not....i was the first in line......wat did i get?
    just a fere fuc*in blu ray film.............i mean with the give aways they shouldve have something like dat for free for everyone everywhere if you lined up at midnite at launch date............another thing..........i have a CTR screen (basically the big chunky and fat tellys) and the games movies and stuff dat run on full resolution (1080) runs black and white on mine.........dat freakin pissed me of as hell, now those few bad points aside (which will soon be fine since im gettin a ps2 and a new hdtv) everythin aabout the ps3 is fantastic............its very enjoyable (which is all i need on video consoles), amazing graphics (which aint reallly important to me) neat online service (dont care wat u say coz i no its gd), and ummmmmmmmmmm, its just enjoyable which is all i need

  • beatlesguru

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 3:53 pm PT

    As much as I like my Xbox that last paragraph from Sony does have a point -_-'... I haven't really disagreed that much with anything Microsoft has done up until this.. Don't get me wrong tho. I love my Xbox.. I just wish I didnt have to pay so much for a new hard drive, and when I get an HD I won't be able to utilize the HDMI.. That and the new one is black lol! It may seem childish but the black one looks cooler XD!

  • scruffybawls

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 3:40 pm PT

    the elite model is an option. enjoy your nazi system snipe2004. also enjoy the PS3s gimpy online gaming, chuggy framerates, rumble-less controller. why is a revision after a year weak? is a revision after 10 years better? your entire paragraph is just you trying to fight back the nagging doubts you have with your system. enjoy your betamax player, that was worth the purchase right? did you hold on to your mini disk collection, pioneered by sony? i hear those are making a comeback. Plus the 300, children of men, Gladiator, The big lebowski, mission impossible, and the matrix trilogy are all on hd-dvd. but i suppose your right, i mean, thats why ps3s are so hard to get, right?

  • snipe2004

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 3:07 pm PT

    It just goes to show the ps3 is far better and that the 360 was rushed. A revision after only a year with only a bigger HDD and an hdmi..thats weak. for 360 fanboys who thinks blu-ray isnt worth it then what will you do when blu-ray wins the format war and you all eventually purchase an hdtv? plus PS3 USES BLU-RAY FOR GAMES ALSO WHICH WILL HOLD MORE CONTENT. Thank god i got a ps3

  • snipe2004

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 3:04 pm PT

    It just goes to show the ps3 is far better and that the 360 was rushed. A revision after only a year with only a bigger HDD and an hdmi..thats weak. for 360 fanboys who thinks blu-ray isnt worth it then what will you do when blu-ray wins the format war and you all eventually purchase an hdtv? plus PS3 USES BLU-RAY FOR GAMES ALSO WHICH WILL HOLD MY CONTENT. Thank god i got a ps3

  • limitt45

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 2:16 pm PT

    Stop whyning Snake0457. who cares if you dint like the ps3. its not our falt u cant aford it or an hdtv .so give it a rest already

  • Snake0457

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 1:08 pm PT

    It's about choice people, since Sony insists on shoving HDMI down our throats, 360 didn't have much of a choice. I'm not paying extra for HDMI, which is why I don't have that overpriced paperweight you call PS3. I'm sick of Sony forcing their stupid tech upon consumers with no alternative, its always overpriced and never worth it. Some of us dont need 1080p ultra resolution gfx to enjoy the game, most don't even have a TV to support it. Does anyone even understand how expensive HDMI is? For a few extra lines of resolution, you'll pay 100 bucks more. At least 360 gives you some realistic options when buying a console.

  • toddlehmann

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 12:41 pm PT

    I contacted Microsoft about transfering the data from the xbox 360 to the new ELITE unit.
    They told me that they didn't expect many customers will do this ,but If I was going to they would send me A migration cable for FREE!

  • limitt45

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 12:40 pm PT

    LOL PREACH ON!!!

advertisement

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!