Daytime debut for UK Xbox 360 Elite?
No midnight misadventure for this console launch
With the UK launch of Microsoft's Xbox 360 Elite (previously codenamed "Zephyr") only days away now, the general mood in most of the high street stores seems to be one of...somewhat reserved excitement.
Granted this isn’t the launch of a brand new games platform as such the PS3 – the Elite is in essence only adding a 120GB hard drive, an HDMI port and a new matte black finish to the existing Xbox 360.
Both Game and HMV are taking pre-orders, with a deposit of £50 and £30 respectively. It is still unconfirmed however, if there will be a midnight launch on Thursday evening or whether punters will have to wait until normal opening hours on Friday morning to pick up their new games console.
Staff at Game’s flagship store on Oxford Street told Register Hardware that with plenty of places left on pre-order lists, it was unlikely the UK public would see an Elite before breakfast on Friday 24 August. In addition, the Metropolitan Police said that they had not spoken to any high street retailers regarding advice for this product launch – unlike the Sony PlayStation 3 launch back in March.
One gaming fanatic at HMV’s flagship store commented that despite not being radically different from the existing 360, it should still do well. “The Elite is the console Microsoft really should’ve launched in the first place,” we were told. “Obviously I hope it’s successful, but I honestly don’t know how popular it actually will be.”
The Xbox 360 Elite package, priced £329.99 includes the Xbox 360 console with charcoal black and chrome finish, 120GB removable hard drive, black wireless controller, black wired Xbox 360 headset, component/composite multi AV cable, HDMI Cable, optical and component audio dongle and Ethernet cable.
Upon visiting the Oxford Street Virgin Megastore – the official launch store for the PS3 back in March – Register Hardware learned that they were simply adopting a first come, first serve basis on Friday morning and not even taking deposits for pre-orders.
With the eagerly anticipated Halo 3 soon to hit the streets along with the likes of Call of Duty 4 and Stranglehold, plus the already-enormous and ever-growing online Xbox community, the Elite still represents an attractive prospect to those who have yet to enter the Xbox 360 gaming arena and haven’t been tempted by the gentle drip-feed of ho-hum games for the PS3.
COMMENTS
missed opportunity
One wonders what drove the decisions around the elite spec. HDMI was needed for marketing reasons, if not technical ones.. The extra storage is nice, but hardly essential.
But why oh why couldnt they address the three biggest problems, namely the roaring fans, revving dvd drive and that gargantuan, primitve powerbrick. If MS had sorted these, I'd be in the queue. Stuff the HDMI.
missing the point
>@stu no hdmi = no hdcp very simple
My xbox 360 is in the cupboard in a box which is black does that qualify it as eltie? seirously though no digital out, no wifi ,no hd dvd dirve still and noiser according to reports...not even tempted I will stick to my wii much more fun
OMG! It's BLACK!
What? Is this a girlfriend/boyfriend free zone?
Hope you people all enjoy your black consoles, especially those of you who bought PS3s as well, just to play a lousy range of DooRay movies. Heh, pity the losers who bought a Wii, you'll be waiting AGES for Nintendo to release the black version of that one.
Jesus H. Christ, the stupids have finally precipitated Teh End Of The World. (Has anybody read Cloud Atlas? Um, No..?)
Sorry about the childish comment, but I really do despair sometimes.
Complementry Colours
I'm sure that black colour will perfectly complement the Red Ring of Death!
Doesnt elite mean something like best of the best? So wheres WIFI and the HD Drive?
I currently have the origial 360 bought as the core so later had to pay £65 for the 20 Gig Hard drive, which is nonsense, but heh thats M$ for you
Yes it has the HDMI port and a bigger Hard disk but where is built in WIFI, dam you M$, How bloody hard is it to sort implement a wifi chip into the board, maybe you should go ask Sony or better still Nintendo as the Wii is a little cracker.
And if its the elite wheres the HD drive?? Ok maybe they mean elite as in Games console and yes it would hike the price up but wouldnt you want the all singing and dancing version after it is "elite"
I cant wait for the next dashboard update either, wonder how many "elite" systems will be bricked.
Well its comforting knowing that the xbox is made at a a lose.
