Adam Creighton, Computer and Video Gaming: "Xbox 360 Elite" SKU confirmed!

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Adam Creighton, Computer and Video Gaming (Subscribe)

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

"Xbox 360 Elite" SKU confirmed!

Microsoft confirmed the existence of the "Xbox 360 Elite" tonight -- the new (black) SKU for the Xbox 360 console.

This is a new ongoing SKU (not a limited edition), and has HDMI output, a 120GB drive, and a black headset. It also comes with an HDMI cable (unlike the Sony PS3) and the component / composite cable that comes with the current Xbox 360 Premium (or "Pro") SKU. There's also an audio adapter / cable for those folks that have HDMI for their home video set up, but not for their audio (and it looks wicked slick).

The Elite will MSP for $479.99 -- $130 less than the high-end PS3, with twice the storage, and a pack-in HDMI cable ($60 extra with the PS3). However, the PS3 does come with built-in Blu-ray and Wi-Fi, and you need to purchase those items separately for the 360 (HD DVD in that case) separately, for $200 and $100, respectively.

The new SKU will be in stores in the US and Canada on April 29, and elsewhere worldwide this summer.

The new 120GB hard drive will also be available separately at an MSP at $179.95, and comes with a transfer cable and software to move data off of the old 20GB hard drive easily. If you buy the hard drive alone, it'll be in the gray scheme matching the existing consoles (the 120GB drive that ships with the Elite, however, will be black).

Other accessories that will be shipping in a black versions are the wireless controller and battery packs. Other accessories won't roll out in black (at least initially).

There are going to be existing Xbox 360 owners that are going to gripe about this new SKU. As for me, I've had my 360 for a year and a half and got to enjoy it -- I'm not planning to bitch and moan about the new SKU. Covet, maybe.

UPDATED: You can catch a video reveal over at Channel 10, and pictures from Major Nelson over at Flickr.

Below are links to Podcasts from MajorNelson.com explaining the thought process and marketing around the creation of the Elite edition:

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SOURCES: Gamespot.com, joystiq.com, kotaku.com, Xbox.com, IGN, GameInformer, Official XBox Magazine, CNN, gamesindustry.biz, and others.

Adam Creighton, Computer and Video Gaming (Subscribe)

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

"Xbox 360 Elite" SKU confirmed!

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