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Xbox 360 System Configurations

The Xbox 360 is available in several different versions at retail. Prices start at 9 for the Xbox 360 Arcade, 9 for the full Xbox 360, and 9 for the Xbox 360 Elite. The full Xbox 360 and Xbox 360 Elite 2007 holiday game bundles include Lego Indiana Jones and Kung Fu Panda. The new Xbox 360 Arcade package also includes five Xbox Live Arcade games.

• Xbox 360 Arcade

  

  The Xbox 360 Arcade is the basic system package. It includes everything you need to start gaming: an Xbox 360 console, a wireless Xbox 360 gamepad, composite AV cables, and a 256MB memory unit for game saves. The system also comes with five Xbox Live Arcade games: Pac-Man Championship Edition, Uno, Luxor 2, Boom Boom Rocket, and Feeding Frenzy. However, the Arcade system doesn't include a hard disk, which is necessary to connect to Microsoft's Xbox Live online service. You'll also need to buy separate component, HDMI, or VGA cables if you want to play games at high resolution on an HDTV.

• Xbox 360

  

  Potential system owners interested in high-definition online play will want to start with the full Xbox 360, also known as the "Premium" or the "Pro." The retail package includes the Xbox 360 console with 20GB hard drive, a wireless Xbox 360 gamepad, composite AV cables, and combination composite/component HDTV cables. The built-in hard drive will let players save games, log onto the Xbox Live service, and store data such as photos, music, and downloadable content from Xbox Live Marketplace.

  The Xbox 360 Premium did not originally ship with an HDMI port, but Microsoft started shipping units upgraded with HDMI in August 2007. The system ships with a headset in the United States, but the included accessory can vary from region to region. Australians will find their systems packaged with an Xbox 360 Media Center remote instead of the headset, for example.

• Xbox 360 Elite

  

  Microsoft added the 9 Xbox 360 Elite to its system offerings in 2007. The price premium will get you a black Xbox 360 system with a 120GB hard drive and HDMI support. The HDMI connection lets the system output copy-protected video content at 1080p instead of being limited to 720p or 1080i on component cables. The Elite package includes HDMI, component, and composite AV cables as well as matching black headset and wireless gamepad accessories.

Xbox 360 System Comparison

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