Review: Xbox 360 Arcade a good deal for $199

[Darkfalz]

http://dev.gamepro.com/article/featu...6864/funtitle/

http://cdn1.gamepro.com/article_img/...7BB56FBD403588

Free demos, movie rentals, and downloadable content are nice to have on a console. But if you're looking to play high-definition video games on the cheap, Xbox 360 Arcade is an excellent option, thanks to its newly reduced price.

Ever since launch, the Xbox 360 core model without hard drive has largely been written off by gamers -- and rightfully so. It lacks many of the attractive advantages of its older brothers, not to mention value for what's included in the box. (Most core models can't even save games without separate purchase!)

But all that's about to change with the upcoming $80 price cut of the latest Arcade bundle (September 7, according to retailers), which includes a matte white system, wireless controller, and a 256 MB memory card for saving games and playing online.

Time can heal almost anything

The first thing we noticed when revisiting our review of the Xbox 360 Arcade this month was that the system runs much quieter than original Xbox 360 Pro and Elite models, even when reading game discs. This is a superb improvement, as your speakers will no longer need to compete with the likes of a small lawn mower.

But that's hardly the biggest selling point -- the real appeal of the Xbox 360 Arcade is that it grants players the same level of access to Xbox 360 games as either Pro or Elite models. Despite what you may have read on the internet, the Xbox 360 Arcade plays all Xbox 360 games with the same level of performance as other models with hard drives, even when playing others over Xbox Live. So when a game disc is running, it's exactly the same experience.

Wireless controller and 256 MB memory card

While the bundled 256 MB memory card won't allow players to store music, videos, and download high-profile game demos, the card does its job in saving about as many games as one would want. It also lets players compete online (with a paid Xbox Live subscription, of course), and even lets you trial download and store a handful of purchased Xbox Live Arcade games.

Unlike the original Xbox 360 Core model, the Xbox 360 Arcade now ships with a wireless controller, as it should (no tangled wires here). And the Arcade bundle also includes five Xbox Live Arcade games pressed to a single disc, the best of which is Pac-Man Championship Edition.

Regrettably, the Arcade ships with composite audio and video cables, which won't allow for high-definition output. But spending an additional $6-8 bucks for a separate HDMI cable (yes, Arcade models include an HDMI port) is all its takes to upgrade to HD, provided you have an HD-ready set. In any case, Xbox 360 games still look great on standard definition sets.

It's all about the games

Halo 3 plays just as nice on Xbox 360 Arcade as its pricier superiors
First launched in October 2007, the Xbox 360 Arcade was somewhat of a suspect purchase for $279. But with its attractive and mainstream-friendly price of $199 now, it's an easy buy for those who care more about the games than secondary amenities.

If you require top-of-the line technology and can't live without downloadable demos, the Xbox 360 Arcade isn't for you. But if you've been covetous of the platform's impressive library of exclusive games, not to mention the most thriving online multiplayer community, the Xbox 360 Arcade is hard to beat when it comes to playing games first and foremost.

PROS: Great game library, attractive price, wireless controller, included memory card
CONS: Lack of amenities like downloadable content and demos, no HD cables or headset, lack of hard drive a minor concern

[WallyWest]

I know I'll be buying one, which will mark the first time in my life I'll have bought 2 of the same console.

[Darkfalz]

Originally Posted by WallyWest

I know I'll be buying one, which will mark the first time in my life I'll have bought 2 of the same console.

Yep.

I'll be getting my third, once it hits $199.

It's just so convenient to have a media center extender in my major rooms with a TV... not to mention the ability to easily and quickly snap off the hard drive, and play in any of the rooms I've got with an HDTV.

Really cool/convenient.

[balpho]

I'm debating getting a 2nd arcade unit and just swap out my 120gb HDD as needed. Be nice 2 hav one for the bedroom.

[crazzeto]

Well I'll say the Arcade is getting to be priced about right.... But I still feel like the HDDless model should have been axed and the 20GB pro should have been demoted to Arcade...

[XodusTrance]

Well, I dont like the fact it doesnt have an HD. Not at all.

But for 199$ ill bite - is the price effective or are we waiting?

[Darkfalz]

Originally Posted by balpho

I'm debating getting a 2nd arcade unit and just swap out my 120gb HDD as needed. Be nice 2 hav one for the bedroom.

Indeed.

It's ultra convenient... and if the wife wants to use one of them to stream movies, TV shows, or watch a DVD etc - I can just use the one in the bedroom, or vice versa.

It's great.

More importantly, though, it's finaly at a price that's affordable to the rest of my friends and fam who have held off before now... they're stoked at this price, and they don't need or want a hard drive/highdef cables to enjoy it.

[WallyWest]

Originally Posted by XodusTrance

Well, I dont like the fact it doesnt have an HD. Not at all.

But for 199$ ill bite - is the price effective or are we waiting?

I think the price drop is set for Sept 7th

[XodusTrance]

Originally Posted by Darkfalz

Indeed.

It's ultra convenient... and if the wife wants to use one of them to stream movies, TV shows, or watch a DVD etc - I can just use the one in the bedroom, or vice versa.

It's great.

More importantly, though, it's finaly at a price that's affordable to the rest of my friends and fam who have held off before now... they're stoked at this price, and they don't need or want a hard drive/highdef cables to enjoy it.

Ohh wait a minute - no HD cables? What else is missing? Are the controllers wired? Will my xbl id allow me to re-download all the games I purchased before? (it is still active).

[WallyWest]

Originally Posted by crazzeto

Well I'll say the Arcade is getting to be priced about right.... But I still feel like the HDDless model should have been axed and the 20GB pro should have been demoted to Arcade...

Can't say I disagree with that idea. A 360 with a 20GB HDD for $199 would be a great deal

[WallyWest]

Originally Posted by XodusTrance

Ohh wait a minute - no HD cables? What else is missing? Are the controllers wired? Will my xbl id allow me to re-download all the games I purchased before? (it is still active).

Controller is wireless. Did you read the article?

[crazzeto]

Originally Posted by WallyWest

Can't say I disagree with that idea. A 360 with a 20GB HDD for $199 would be a great deal

Frankly it'd be quite appropriate.. 20GB is just enough to give you the conviniance of having a HDD there for game storage and to dabble a bit with downloads, but still small enough to make the 60 and 120GB models quite desirable by contrast.

[crazzeto]

Originally Posted by XodusTrance

Ohh wait a minute - no HD cables? What else is missing? Are the controllers wired? Will my xbl id allow me to re-download all the games I purchased before? (it is still active).

I haven't tried this with games, but I haven't had any trouble redownloading movies tied to my account on my x-box...

[XodusTrance]

Originally Posted by crazzeto

I haven't tried this with games, but I haven't had any trouble redownloading movies tied to my account on my x-box...

Wireless controllers, got the HDMI cable, I forgot they had a port now.

The only deal breaker for me is if I cant re-download the games tied to my XBL id.

Ill go dig around at the MS site, if anyone knows for sure, please post back.

[WallyWest]

Originally Posted by XodusTrance

Wireless controllers, got the HDMI cable, I forgot they had a port now.

The only deal breaker for me is if I cant re-download the games tied to my XBL id.

Ill go dig around at the MS site, if anyone knows for sure, please post back.

You can

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/fi...now-available/

Now instead of jumping through a series of customer-service related hoops, this new tool – available immediately at Xbox.com – will allow you to quickly manage that content.