includes a copy of the game, second controller and branded 360
When Microsoft first announced that they were dropping the 60GB Xbox 360 Pro model and reducing the 120GB Elite model to the Pro's former price, they claimed that this had to do with simplifying the options for consumers, and making it easier for them to buy a videogame console. This was, as we all now know with the introduction of the $400 250GB 360 (which lacks it's own special title), completely untrue. Now, some might point to the fact that the console has yet to go solo and be sold without the fancy Modern Warfare bundle and design, but when you've followed gaming as long as I have, you realize that the only thing that's limited about this console is the bundle that it's currently in, and that bundle is only limited to the number that people will buy. The 250GB console will be sold in different ways after this, either with a different pack in game or on it's own, but the point is that there is, once again, three different Xbox 360s on the market, and that is two too many.
The Xbox 360 Arcade has been a joke since day one. It is the cheap model, and it allows Microsoft to say that they have the cheapest console, but it sacrifices nearly everything that modern console gaming is about in the process. A 256mb memory card would have been pretty substantial 10 years ago, but now it won't hold more than a couple of Xbox Live Arcade games along with your saves, and forget about downloading demos, videos, or any of the larger games. I applaud their decision to get rid of the wired controllers, although I think their motivation was selling the play & charge kits, but it's still the version that never should have existed. There has always been one primary Xbox 360 console; first it was the 20GB version, then it was the 60GB version, and now it's the 120GB version. The other versions are just cluttering the market.
Now, I recognize that the 250GB Xbox 360 Modern Warfare bundle actually does represent a value. A game, a second controller, and twice the hard drive space for an additional $100 is fairly cheap in today's market, but I hate incentive programs that require you to spend more up front to get more value. When the Xbox 360 Elite was $400 it also packed in games, and the more expensive PS3 did as well after the first year, and I still never considered those the versions to buy. This largely comes down to the fact that more hard drive space just isn't important after a certain point, and I'm not willing to pay more for the luxury of having empty space on my hard drive. I thought 60GB hard drives were fairly sufficient for today's games, but in the race to look better on paper Sony and Microsoft have made 120GB the standard. It goes without saying that that is enough space for just about anyone. Even if you install lots of games, download lots of demos and lots of videos and put a bunch of music on your hard drive, you'll find that 120GB fills your needs. Having a second controller is also becoming unnecessary in today's online focused gaming environment.
With the Playstation 3 down to only one version currently being produced, rumors are swirling of a second, 250GB version to fill the upper end slot. The rumors also have it including a game, usually Uncharted 2, for $400. I can imagine this happening, and usually rumors like this don't just get started for fun, but Sony denies it at the moment. Personally, I think Sony has the right idea with just one console. I remember having to explain the nuances between the 20GB and 60GB PS3s when they were first announced, over and over again, and it only became worse as feature sets changes with latter systems. Now, if someone wants a brand new PS3, they know exactly which one to buy: the only one there is, and you know what, despite my distaste for it's general aesthetics, it's a pretty good version. There's nothing to feel bad about for owning that version of the PS3. It has all the basic features that the PS3 needs, and enough storage to take advantage of it all. If Sony makes a 250GB system, then they're throwing that out the window in the hopes of making a little bit more money from the sale of a PS3.
What Sony has done that Microsoft isn't doing is saying "this is the PS3, this is what you need." Instead, Microsoft tries to hold every card and make a system for everyone, and it's just not worth it to try to please everyone. The only difference that's left is the console's body design and hard drive size, and this is because simplifying is way better than having the version that comes with a wired controller and the version that comes with the HDMI port, so now it's time for Microsoft to take a stand and say "this is the Xbox 360, this is what you need" and forget about being a jack of all trades. 120GB hard drive's fulfill people's needs, and $300 is a perfectly acceptable price for a modern gaming system. Why can't we just leave it at that?
The 250GB Xbox 360 Modern Warfare 2 bundle is set to release with the game on November 10th, 2009 for $400.
Comments
ah well im selling my elite and i am buying the new bundle, so don't be to jealous when i get my new console, sucker LOL!
Sorry, but "120GB ought to be enough for everybody" is an absurd thing to claim. My 120GB one is almost full, with just a couple of demos, XBLA games, installed games, and huge expansion packs for games such as Oblivion or GTA IV. And I don't even have videos on it. Not to mention that new uses for the drive keep appearing.
How can less options be better than more? You should look at things from a consumer perspective. Also, I think Microsoft - knowing the 360's failure rate, wants to keep the cheap barebones system on the market for those who have a big hard-drive already.
I like the Arcade console. I've bought it as a replacement, when I already had a 120gig hard drive. Plus I got a Jasper model.
I hope the arcade continues to be an option, even though I agree if you don't have a hard drive waiting then it doesn't make much sense.
So what you are saying is that you are mad that Sony and Microsoft got your money before they came out with a lower price and larger HD sizes. Get over it... we are in the day and age that a console will continue to see upgrades much like cell phones do. I still have a 20GB Pro version, I'm not complaining about the 60-Gb and now the 120GB model. It is the price you pay t5o be an early adopter.
Well, I'm still buying this Bundle just for the look of the case. I will be selling the 250gb, the game + one of the controllers online to make most of my money back. lol
This has to be the most unintelligent, uninformed article I have read this year. To contend that the consumers need LESS choice is just stupid. To contend that the Arcade does not serve a market is beyond stupid (gamers don't buy Arcade systems, but parents wanting the cheapest system for their younger kids are buying them like crazy). This almost sounds like a PS3 fanboy article. To say that PS3 has it right because they only offer one choice makes no sense whatsoever.
I've got to agree, This article is rubbish and i'm truly amazed it was even published due to it being tota! pants!
Can't say I agree with this article. I have the 120 GB hdd and I wouldn't mind having the 250 GB. Installed games load quicker, games on demand downloads are 6-7 GBs each. If I could fault MS for anything it would be for not having hdd's available cheap. They should be practically giving them away, I mean, you can't buy any of their great content if you don't have the storage capacity right?
You mentioned HDMI differences but all Xbox 360s currently sold have an HDMI port, even the $199 arcade (which I purchased because you can get a used 20gb HDD off ebay for $20). It also comes with 512MB of built-in memory (not 256MB). So for $219 I have a full featured 20gb Xbox 360 with an extra 512MB internal memory for savegames. So for the educated shopper the arcade version is much appreciated.
This is just silly, its already been anounced that the 250HDD won't be sold seperatly. This means it wont become a stand alone console and after the limited number of MW2 versions are sold taht will be that. Therefore the whole article is pretty much void, right?
The annoying part of all this is that the new 250G HDD is exactly the same size as the 120 (or the 20G for that matter). This makes me think they've had this all along, and were waiting for a good time to market it (Modern Warfare2 bundle..hmmm). And, even worse is that they say it wont be sold separately. What a crock, I understand its a marketing gimmick, and eventually it will be sold seperate, (once the modern warfare bundle saturation is peaked) but seriously, what a crock.
How can it be a " mistake " for a brand to give the consumer variety instead of just one option? If the PS3 were to present mom and pop with more than just one version don't you think it would help in making them take the bait?
Oh, and Dkeith is right. Anyone who says less choice is a good thing is not in their right mind. Keep'em coming MS!
The arcade model makes the most sense if you aren't interested in online gaming especially if you are buying the xbox for a younger child who you don't want connected. Or if you want to just play games only its the best option.
I'd rather have a console that gives me exactly what I want than have a company convince me they have what I need.
As I were, the shoe should fit my foot, rather than modifying my foot to fit the shoe.
Wow, I didn't expect this much attention, or contention, as it were. I appreciate everyone who read the article and contributed their opinion though.
You should write an article about how overpriced the PSP-Go is ($250!!), and how it doesn't legally or easily play original PSP games that you may already own. It's obvious that Sony doesn't care about the consumer at all.
I agree. Sony may have saved itself from a miserable death with the SINGLE 120 GB PS3. Having one console at one price is the most sensible thing to do. When did having more than one console turn out to be a success? The Wii never did it. The 360 and PS3 both haven't really been big sellers. From a business perspective and a psychological one(which is in itself a business one) one PS3 is the best choice. Just when I thought Sony was going to come out on top, they do this. Well it's not official yet. I want to see Sony succeed, I think their product is better than Microsoft's. It seems pretty much confirmed that there is going to be a 250 GB PS3. I wish for Sony's sake it isn't going to be released for a while, until the 120 GB's are out of production and keep it at the same price. If that isn't the case, hopefully they don't release this console in America. I don't think Sony is this stupid after coming out with a genius business strategy with the Slim, but maybe I have too much faith.
You forget that just last month MS began selling full games as Xbox Live downloads. Assassin's Creed, Bioshock, Mass Effect, etc... at the very least, MS needed to bump their hard drive capacity options to support these rather large offerings.
So where is the blue ray player on the new xbox? PS3 has the right idea, shame Microsoft are sticking with defunct technology, just HD.
If you did the research, you would see that the 250gig system is called the "Super Elite".
the 250 came out specifically as a bundle option
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