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Arcade 360 displays popping up at retail

Photos surface of standees promoting long-rumored replacement for entry-level Microsoft console equipped with wireless controller and 256MB card.

The 360 Arcade standee in the wild.

The 360 Arcade standee in the wild.

On Monday, Microsoft officially announced that it was bundling the two higher-end models of the Xbox 360, the $349 Pro and $449 Elite, with two free games--Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and Forza Motorsport 2. However, the company made no mention of the lowest-end model of the $279 Core Xbox 360, which has been dogged by discontinuation rumors for weeks.

Now comes further evidence that the Core's days are indeed numbered. Photos obtained by GameSpot show that retailers are already erecting displays touting the Core's long-rumored replacement, the Xbox 360 Arcade SKU. As previously speculated, the display shows the console will come bundled with a wireless controller, a 256MB memory card, and five arcade games. Microsoft declined to offer comment on the photo of the console.

Two items of information are not revealed by the standee. First is the system's price, which is purported to be the same $279 cost as the Core. Also missing is the list of the arcade games bundled with the system, presumably included to counter the best-selling $249 Wii console/Wii Sports combo. Though various configurations have been discussed, the most commonly mentioned lineup is Boom-Boom Rocket, Uno, Feeding Frenzy, Luxor 2, and Pac-Man.

78 Comments

  • someguyintexas

    Posted Oct 22, 2007 10:23 pm GMT

    "Just fix your product and the all to popular RROD that is where you are loosing gamers. Here we go I had 360 for 8 months broke 2 times no system for close to 2 months. I was not given anything for my lose of the system, they give 2 months of live that was the time you kept my 360. Enough already fix it right if it is broke then you ship out a brand new updated and enhanced XBOX. Elite , Core, Pro bull it is a gimick fix it MICROSOFT '' --- bigpimppapa

    is it just me or does this person need less 360 and more reading time....i can barely read and comprehend this comment. i think a retarded meerkat wrote it. microsoft did u a favor buddy....

  • Augm3ntal

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 10:40 am GMT

    parents wont get confused theyll just buy the cheaper one

  • Warlock89

    Posted Oct 20, 2007 10:21 am GMT

    I have a 360 that broke. And I don't have a warrenty. So I am going to pick this 360 up, get 5 free xbox live arcade games. Get a wireless controller. A 256MB memory card. And then just plug in my Harddrive from my old 360 onto it, all for $270. Awesome deal.

  • xmg0

    Posted Oct 20, 2007 7:46 am GMT

    so this replaces the core?
    not bad

  • Death_Masta187

    Posted Oct 18, 2007 6:10 pm GMT

    dslite887

    this is a core system, so there is no hdmi port right?
    ---------------------------------------
    lol this isnt the ps3

  • dslite887

    Posted Oct 18, 2007 4:38 pm GMT

    this is a core system, so there is no hdmi port right?

  • darkride66

    Posted Oct 18, 2007 2:18 pm GMT

    Oh! Now I can download and play game demo's! Oh, wait, not enough room. But I can play Oblivion Expansion packs! Oh, nope. Can't do that either. But, surely I can at least add my old Halo 2 map packs. Nope! But can I play Pacman? Alllll RIGHT!
    Seriously, in the long run I can't see why you'd do this. I can only see it if you were short on cash and could add the harddrive later.

  • Slayer420

    Posted Oct 18, 2007 1:03 pm GMT

    "vr2L_grafx

    If your looking for a good deal without losing some options Its all about the shopping! I bought the core at its 299 price. I used a circuit city giftcard I had for $50. Circuit city was also offering a free MS wireless controller with any xbox 360 purchase. I bought a hard drive off of ebay for $20!!! Non MS branded component cables for $15 at the local gamestop and the headset that came with the $50 gold subscription package. I know there isn't HDMI but that doesn't concern me (with component on my phillips LCD it looks awesome). It still came out cheaper than the other systems without xbox live and a second controller. I'm pretty much just saying that if people want to save money it takes a little work but its well worth it to have different options. Some people just want it all-in-one and don't mind paying the higher price for it. "

    I got my 360 Pro at MicroCenter last year during the Thanksgiving weekend rush for $299 after a $100 rebate. While I am annoyed to see quality freebies added that I can't take advantage of.. I got my pro for the price of the core and really can't complain.

  • TranClan

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 7:14 pm GMT

    @ JohnnyNeat Microsoft said that they are never going to put in HD-DVD play back because it would raise the prices if it was integrated and whats the point of one if you aren't going to use HD movies

  • Onenottoforget

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 11:56 am GMT

    I still think that adding on more and more SKU's is just going to confuse first time buyers espically for the parents that are buying one for their children.

  • mrkame16

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 10:22 am GMT

    DigitalBullets :
    "Heh, And I bought an elite 2 weeks ago to replace my pro. What luck..."
    Me too, had i known, i would have waited and got 2 free games...

  • Jimbo9981

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 10:09 am GMT

    JohnnyNeat, where did you hear about a "360 Ultimate"?

  • Cobalt_Strike

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 9:44 am GMT

    So there just renaming the Core package by adding the memory card and a wireless controller? Not bad, even if they keep it at the going rate, your still getting more. Although I would have left in the wired controller, its an added plus that you can use it on pc's as well.

    Aside from maybe an occasional cosmetic SE like the halo one, MS is smart by leaving it at three. And as long as they aren't making any changes to the physical hardware between packages, they have a decent gameplan going.

  • vr2L_grafx

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 9:41 am GMT

    If your looking for a good deal without losing some options Its all about the shopping! I bought the core at its 299 price. I used a circuit city giftcard I had for $50. Circuit city was also offering a free MS wireless controller with any xbox 360 purchase. I bought a hard drive off of ebay for $20!!! Non MS branded component cables for $15 at the local gamestop and the headset that came with the $50 gold subscription package. I know there isn't HDMI but that doesn't concern me (with component on my phillips LCD it looks awesome). It still came out cheaper than the other systems without xbox live and a second controller. I'm pretty much just saying that if people want to save money it takes a little work but its well worth it to have different options. Some people just want it all-in-one and don't mind paying the higher price for it.

  • JohnnyNeat

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 8:35 am GMT

    The real question should be when are they (Microsoft) going to finally be rid of these older rehashed systems before they finally mention and announce a drop date for the rumored and long in the works, "360 Ultimate" which is expected to have a HD-DVD play back built in, HDMI (up to 1080p) and a cooler running system overall?

  • ebookerd1

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 7:00 am GMT

    c_smithii and MrSickVisionz, there is a big problem with you idea, they barely make no money off the systems. The reason the Wii is so cheap is because it has 5 year old technolgy in it. It is really the same hardware as the Xbox / PS2 with Wireless remotes. Too many price cuts hurts revenue. This is still a business. if it cost them $100 after purchase to move a system. it is take 3-4 games to make up the revenu. It is not cost effective. Even though I am probably talking to someone that could careless if a company is in business as long as they get what they want (no Offense, I just have to call it how everyone sees it). It just has to be economic from a business stand point. I know Devil Advocate, But i work in the bussiness world, let alone the software world and I have to be realistic. (Damn me!!!!!!.... Damn me TO HELLLLL!!!!!!! being realistic on a game Board)

  • Yuck_Too

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 6:47 am GMT

    --SoupNatsi --
    "They need to just drop this bull@#$%, even with a memory card only a fool would by this thing thanks to how expensive the HD cables are, I hope retailers refuse to stock it."
    ~~~~~~~~
    I own two 360's and the 2nd is a Core system I got for the cottage.

    And that is the perfect system for it. I don't have highspeed internet, nor do I have a HDTV much less do I need wi/fi there.

    So why in the world should I pay $100's more for stuff I do not need and will not use?

    That is exactly why people have bought that "foolish core system".

  • MrSickVisionz

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 5:32 am GMT

    "Its still a scam, but not so much as before. Giving people the ability to save games is nice but people still have to buy a $40 component cable to play on an HDTV"

    Good deal. Most of the world (including the US) has no HDTVs and those with them all know that they do accept VGA and analog inputs. Don't let these fools convince you that 1080p/i over analog/vga looks like 320i compared to the same signal sent over HDMI.

    Before, $279 bought you a system that could play games, but not save them, pretty much forcing everyone to go buy a memory $40 memory card which makes the "real" price $319. Now for $279 you can actually get a system that gives you total gaming. Not bad.

    $249 would be a perfect price though. HDD and 2 games (Forza is the only one I want though) for $100 more makes it an easy decision to make based on what you're looking for. All that for only $60 makes you hesitate. Basically for the price of one game you can get 2 games and a 20gb hard drive. But then again, if you just want to play games and you don't like those 2 games, I suppose the Core is still what you'd go with.

  • c_smithii

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 5:14 am GMT

    osxgp, they should only drop the Core/Arcade to $199, if and only if Nintendo prices their Wii system at $199. Otherwise the price would be too low and Microsoft would be selling themselves short.

  • ftjx

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 1:44 am GMT

    an hdmi cable short of perfect

  • Thigeic

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 12:26 am GMT

    Stores here says they are getting the arcade system on shelves the 16th. In norway that is, It says 50 are comfirmed for that date. For a smaller price then the Nintendo Wii. By 4NOK(Currency here) Thats almost $20. The price here should be $409. The Wii go's for $428

  • osxgp

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 11:44 pm GMT

    I think if this is true, that Microsoft should lower the price AGAIN if the want to compete with the Wii in terms of sales. $199.00 sounds like a solid number to go with. Besides, it's not like Microsoft would be hurting at that price point. If only I was in charge. Yeah I know, keep dreaming.

  • SoupNatsi

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 11:23 pm GMT

    Its still a scam, but not so much as before. Giving people the ability to save games is nice but people still have to buy a $40 component cable to play on an HDTV. That severely reduces the appeal of the "bargain." Atleast you are paying slightly less than a premium this time, instead of paying the same and getting much less just to play a damn game.

    They need to just drop this bull@#$%, even with a memory card only a fool would by this thing thanks to how expensive the HD cables are, I hope retailers refuse to stock it.

  • Chaz02787

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 10:47 pm GMT

    The reason M$ wouldn't include such great Arcade games with their Arcade edition is that they can easily get consumers to PAY for those titles. There isn't a single person out there who buys XBLA games that DOESN'T have Geometry Wars, and the other titles mentioned are probably up on the list of best sellers for M$ too. Basically what M$ is doing is giving you 5 games to make it sound like a good deal, and unlike the last sale the games included are at least DECENT lol

  • darthfrag

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 10:04 pm GMT

    Yeah, that's what we need... More SKUs to confuse uninformed consumers. I saw a grandmother at Best Buy this afternoon trying to decide if she should buy the Core, Pro, Elite, or Halo edition of the 360 and I thought her head was about to explode... I grabbed my 360 copy of Orange Box and ran for it... Seriously, it's getting a little ridiculous now.

  • xcollector

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 9:30 pm GMT

    "i wish m$ would allow hard-drive usage by games, to make people think twice before buying a memory card instead of a harddrive." (darkscorcher)

    Halo 3 uses a hard drive. It even says on the back of the box "optimized for hard drives". Of course it also has to be backwards compatible with those system that don't have hard drives.

    The biggest addition to the core is the memory card. Now it is actually worth something unlike before when you had to buy a memory card or a hard drive and then realize you should have bought the premium system with the hard drive instead, to save money.

  • Honchy

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 8:31 pm GMT

    yeah kakarote22's right, those arcades kick ass

  • carljohnson3456

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 8:22 pm GMT

    This is a good deal, as long as it stays at 279. Heck, even if it went up to 300 it's still a good deal. I remember when I first got my core 360, I bought a freaking 40 dollar 64 MB memory card (stupid, stupid, stupid) to use until I bought a hard drive (stupid, stupid, stupid). I would have loved this package when I first got my 360.

  • kakarote22

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 7:34 pm GMT

    If they want to exemplify the Arcade, put some good ones on there. Geometery wars, Doom, Puzzle Fighter 2, Prince of persia, Catan, Etc, Etc

  • darkscorcher

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 7:30 pm GMT

    i wish m$ would allow hard-drive usage by games, to make people think twice before buying a memory card instead of a harddrive.

  • thekey

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 7:17 pm GMT

    jimjam146 "I am still waiting for Gamespot's review of the Orange Box. Everyone else already reviewed it."

    The funny about that is orange box is out for the 360 and the PS3 version isn't coming out till Dec 11. LOL!!! I'm getting my orange box tomorrow! The waitstation 3 has done it again! LOL!!!!

  • thekey

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 7:14 pm GMT

    JBBJR Here come the fan boys shooting off thier mouths about how the 360 breaks and Microsoft doesnt care.....blah blah blah. I have all three systems and had issues with the PS3 and the 360. Microsoft fixed my system and had it back to me in less than a week.....and gave me a free game to boot. PS3 was down and out for 2 weeks....but I am not being a baby over it like you fanboys. All systems have good and bad points. XBOX live is so good, I dont mind the issue I had with my 360. I would give up my PS3 for 3 months if I could play online with my PS3 like I do wiuth my 360. The Wii is the only console that hasnt given me any issues....so i guess I should become a Nintendo fan boy and bad mouth Sony and Microsoft all day long!"

    same here I have a PS3 and a 360 and I'm on my 2nd PS3 and my 2nd 360 will be back shortly.

  • Tranceplant

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 6:50 pm GMT

    I think that is better than nothing.

  • Flat_Line_____

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 5:43 pm GMT

    muffinduck01 for the hard core people (like me) who havent gotenn a 360 yet and want a good deal the pro looks to be the best both the games it bundled with are $60 so 350-120=$220 les then the $280 of the core so really people buy a pro ============================================
    If you havent gotten a 360 by now i dunno if I would be calling myself a "hardcore" gamer. I mean is playing last gen systems and games hardcore? ;P

    EDIT: I just checked his profile an d he has a Wii. Srry I was wrong.....Or Was I? lol Some people don't consider the Wii next-gen either so....

  • eayoshi

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 5:41 pm GMT

    Good news. As soon as the sku for the 65nm chips come out, MS can have my cash.

  • JSharpe_187

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 5:20 pm GMT

    This is a good idea on Microsoft's part

  • muffinduck01

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 4:48 pm GMT

    for the hard core people (like me) who havent gotenn a 360 yet and want a good deal the pro looks to be the best both the games it bundled with are $60 so 350-120=$220 les then the $280 of the core so really people buy a pro

  • playa42018

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 4:32 pm GMT

    I think this is suppose to appeal to parents looking for a holiday gift. And when those parents see a familiar face in Pac-Man and Uno, they might be more inclined to buy the X360 Arcade.

  • darthzew

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 4:32 pm GMT

    That's a good deal. Finally, the issue of not having to buy a memory unit with your Core 360 is fixed AND you get some free games to go with it. It's a great starter.

  • RoyTheViking posted Oct 10, 2007 4:29 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    RoyTheViking

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 4:29 pm GMT (hide)

    So pretty much all they did was put a wireless controller, crappy memory card, and some XBLA games in a Core box? Whoooo, big deal.

  • JustWiicredible

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 4:17 pm GMT

    Just how many Xbox 360s and Ps3s are there going to be. This gens consoles are getting seroiusly messed up.

  • jimjam146

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 4:16 pm GMT

    I am still waiting for Gamespot's review of the Orange Box. Everyone else already reviewed it.

  • bigpimppapa

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 4:13 pm GMT

    Just fix your product and the all to popular RROD that is where you are loosing gamers. Here we go I had 360 for 8 months broke 2 times no system for close to 2 months. I was not given anything for my lose of the system, they give 2 months of live that was the time you kept my 360. Enough already fix it right if it is broke then you ship out a brand new updated and enhanced XBOX. Elite , Core, Pro bull it is a gimick fix it MICROSOFT

  • jimjam146

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 4:11 pm GMT

    You mean you guys haven't already bought a 360? What the #!*@ are you waiting for? Just by the freakin thing already!

  • felshs

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 4:04 pm GMT

    did they improve the quality???

  • rctyke

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 4:03 pm GMT

    It's would be a good Idea if they keep the bare bones core system and charge it $250-$230, which can be easier to compete with nintendo.

  • GrimBee

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 3:54 pm GMT

    This now gives consumers some clear choices when buying a games console.

    Now Microsoft have the 360 to cater for gamers with regular tv sets (but also may get a hdtv in the future (the core uses component aswell you know). And gamers who just want to play some games from time to time. And a lower entry price too.

    The regular 360 (premium) comes with 2 free games, a 20gb hard-drive to store downloads and things for the games that need it (more serious gamers would need the 20gb).
    And a trial for xbox live, headset and things to get you started.

    The elite is for the gamer that also uses a console like a media-centre.

    Three quite clear choices. When a gamer wants to play next-gen games like halo 3, but only has the budget for the wii - then the core system is for them.
    This will do very well over christmas.

    This is a much better way to market a console than to simply keep everything looking the same, phase out the consoles out now - without people knowing - and then remove the backwards compatability to cut costs...

    I mean... who does that?!

  • Bgrngod

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 3:42 pm GMT

    I don't understand why everyone keeps saying The Core is going away.

    This basically IS a Core system (no HD being the key characteristic here) but with a few slight changes.

    "Core 2.0"
    "The Core that Should Have Been"
    "Core+"
    "Hyper Core"
    "Super Core"
    "Core Turbo"
    "Core Arcade"

    Whatever you wanna freakin call it, it still has no HD. Which means its a Core System. Nice that it finally occured to MS that they should include a memory card.

    A playable, out of the box, no extra purchases 360 for $279? Yeah, that's definitely a good thing. Should have been the intent from Day 1.

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