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| Q: What's this I hear about a $299 Xbox 360 and a $399 Xbox 360? |
| A: In an effort to reach out to customers hesitant to fork over $399 of their hard earned money, Microsoft is offering a stripped down version of the 360 (called the core system) for only $299. The $299 360 is the most basic version of the console available and lacks some of the overall features offered by the $399 version. The $299 core system offers only a standard, wired controller while the $399 version comes with a wireless controller. Also, the $299 core system has a standard composite A/V cable (the red, white, and yellow ones) while the $399 bundle comes with a HDTV ready component video cable (which still allows play on regular, non-HD televisions). In addition to lacking the bundled headset and multimedia remote control (which allows gamers who have Windows XP or Media Center installed on their PC to move data like MP3's and digital images wirelessly between their PC and 360), the $299 core system does not come with a hard drive or any other means of storing data. |
| Q: Yeah, but do I really need to spend the extra $100 for the hard drive? |
| A: If you plan on playing original Xbox games on your 360 you do. Since the Xbox 360 has a different graphics processor in it than the original Xbox, the 360 needs to simulate certain drivers using space on the hard drive. Be warned though, Microsoft speculates that only about 80% of original Xbox games will be fully compatible, but rest assured, you'll be able to play Halo and all your favorites just fine as long as you have the hard drive. Plus, if you want to play certain games online (like the forthcoming Final Fantasy XI) you will need the hard drive as well. The biggest advantage to the hard drive is in value. Gamers who choose the $299 core system will still need to shell out another $39.99 for a 64 MB memory card. A gamer would have to buy 3200 (yes, thirty two hundred!) of those 64 MB memory cards at a total of $127,968 to equal the memory space on the 20 GB hard drive, which comes standard with the $399 system or on its own for $99.99. |
| Q: Ok, now I'm ready to buy the Xbox 360. What do I need to make it work on my TV? |
| A: The $299 core system comes with a set of composite A/V cables (the red, white, and yellow cables), just like the ones which came with the original Xbox. The $399 system comes with component HDTV ready A/V cables. For those gamers requiring S-Video cables, those will be available for purchase at a price of $29.99. |
| Q: Can I use my old Xbox Live account on my Xbox 360? |
| A: Absolutely! Every Xbox 360 comes with Xbox Live Silver free (provided the user has high speed internet access) which allows the user to create a profile (or register their old gamertag), message and voice chat with their friends and download demos of games. Once again, using Xbox Live requires some sort of memory unit, so customers will need to be aware of that. Also, to play multiplayer Xbox Live games, gamers will need to upgrade to "Gold" service which will be an additional $50 per year. Luckily, every Xbox 360 comes with a 30 day trial of the "Gold" service so the user can check it out and gauge level of interest in upgrading. |
| Q: Are there any other advantages for purchasing the $399 system over the $299 system? |
| A: The $399 system also includes the Multimedia remote control (a $30 value) which allows the user to navigate DVD, music and Xbox Live without using the regular controller; a wireless controller (separately $50) instead of the standard wired controller; a headset for Xbox Live voice communication ($20 on its own). When you add these to the cost of the 20GB hard drive and component HD cables, the customer gets an additional $240 in accessories for only $100 more. |
| Q: How much will other accessories cost? |
| A: A standard wired controller like the one that comes with the core system will be and additional $39.99. Wireless controllers like the ones which come with the $399 system will be $49.99. The Play and Charge Kit, which will allow the gamer to charge the battery for the wireless controller while the gamer plays, will retail for $19.99 and an extra battery for the wireless controller will be $11.99. |
| Q: How many games will actually be available for the Xbox 360 when it comes out? |
| A: Approximately 20 games will release during the Xbox 360's launch window (between November 22nd and January 1st) making it the biggest system launch ever. |
