Xbox 360 Elite up close

360 Feature | We see it in the flesh.

The Xbox 360 Elite has been rumoured for a while, but we knew something was up when Microsoft invited us to a "celebration of the 1st birthday of the Xbox 360 in Australia", with the email stating, "The game is about to change". The celebration took place just hours after Microsoft officially confirmed the Xbox 360 Elite was the real deal, so we were hoping to see the console in the flesh.

As we rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest names in the Australian industry, Microsoft reconfirmed the announcement from earlier today, and provided us with the latest Xbox 360 sales figures. Of course, we weren't going to be left without something to talk about, as we witnessed the first Xbox 360 Elite in Australia.

The console itself has a black matt finish. Microsoft also confirmed that the controllers will now come with rechargable batteries, which should be quite handy. Unfortunately, local pricing information on the console hasn't been revealed just yet, but we'll keep on their back until they fold, or send men with white suits after us.

Ta-dah!

To add to the Xbox 360 Elite unveiling, Microsoft also had four machines on display that were specially designed with images of four Australian celebrities. These were Russell Crowe, Russell Ingall, Jennifer Hawkins and Megan Gale. All four consoles were personally signed and will later be put up for auction, with the proceeds going towards children's charities. Just in case you're wondering, they didn't appear to be the Elite versions.

If only we'd brought the glass-cutter.

More images of the Elite (including controller and HDMI port) can be found in our Media Panel. We'd like to wish the Xbox 360 a belated "Happy Birthday".

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25 Comments

Qbert

2 years ago

Personally, I much prefer the look of the standard white versions. And why didn't they put that parts of Jenifer Hawkins on the 360 that people want to see

B3NBO

2 years ago

Man it looks fugly in black. Much rather the white which you can customise if you felt compelled to do so.

DancesInUnderwear

2 years ago

I want to see it in the flesh by I think the black should look a lot more sexy than the white.

admeister

2 years ago

Jeremy wrote

"the game is about to change".

Meaning: Die Sony die!

Cool stuff anyway, I like those "personalised" X360s.

I don't think black is the 360's colour though..

Karai Pantsu

2 years ago

<Bandwagon>

I have to say, black is not flattering on the 360 - the white really looks much better. I usually hate the 'white electronics fad' too, so there you go.

</Bandwagon>

I'd like to see it in the flesh though, the finish on it will be what makes it for me and it's pretty hard to get a good feel for it from the photos. If it's any good I might pick up a black controller and palm off one of my white ones to a mate.

Andrew Cathie

2 years ago

The black doesn't seem too bad and when looking at how grainy the pictures are it should definitely look better in the flesh.

Passa

2 years ago

Whats with the grainy photos? Anyway, the news of rechargeable controllers sounds cool, surprising they didn't mention this information in the press release..

thebigm

2 years ago

Well, I made up my mind about waiting for this a while back, and I'm glad I did now, now to just wait for the 65nm revisions.

Jim Dash

2 years ago

But when is the 65nm revision coming? I've said my opinions on black many times before - fugly. Japan doesn't get the Elite either.

Timmaaah

2 years ago

i dont' think that the black one looks too bad, but i would rather the jennifer hawkins one though!!!

NismoR34

2 years ago

This is a typical male comment but goddamn! I'd kill to have that Jennifer Hawkins 360...

realitybites

2 years ago

I quite like the flat black finish.

Horses for courses I suppose at least people have a choice in colors.

Customised nature of the 360 is a good idea.

BovineDeath

2 years ago

I'm going to be living in 2 different places for work soon, so I might get the Elite for my house, and take the old whitey with me. Not for the colour (even though my wife prefers the less-obtrusive black), but for the HDMI and the 120GB HDD.

Infested Jibbs

2 years ago

Pfft i want Jennifer Hawkins on(in?) my bed, not on my 360.All that hair blocking up the vents, tsk.

DancesInUnderwear

2 years ago

Passa wrote

Whats with the grainy photos? Anyway, the news of rechargeable controllers sounds cool, surprising they didn't mention this information in the press release..

Hold on... what? Its got rechargable controllers? Thats a f***ing awesome feature and strips at least $100 off the price right there (assuming you would buy 4 controllers and 4 plug and charge kits - I would most likely buy 4 controllers and at least 2 of those chargers).

And that Jennifer Hawkins 360 is ugly. I'll happily take the real Jen, though.

Infested Jibbs

2 years ago

^i think you'll find the replacement/aadditional black 360 controllers(with the included rechargeability feature) will most likely be sold at a higher price point then the standard white wireless controllers.

DancesInUnderwear

2 years ago

Ah yeah. Stupid.

Built in rechargeable batteries is such a simple idea - why did only Sony do it from the start?

Jim Dash

2 years ago

You're probably right, Jibbro. I just don't like where Microsoft have gone with this. Their price point was their strength. The black just does not suit the concave shape and look of the console. They didn't include the rumoured 65nm CPU. When bought seperately, the HDD is bloody expensive.

So what are the real differences here?

-The ability to run your 360 in 1080p via HDMI
-Rechargable controllers
-Black console/controller/headset
-Bigger HDD

And then:

-It is not limited edition, as rumoured
-We do not get the cooler, more efficient CPU
-They introduce a third, more expensive SKU

Does that really justify the larger price tag? A plug 'n play charge kit is what, like $30 - $40. The HDD is bloody expensive, when sold seperately. You're basically paying for the bigger HDD, and a black console set.

I am extremely disappointed in the direction Microsoft have gone with this. Not combatting the 360's biggest fault is just beyond a joke.

And DIU - either because Sony watched and learnt from the 360 or for once they did something right.

Infested Jibbs

2 years ago

Maybe fixes have been made to the console on the sly.This and that changed here and there that will improve the reliability of the system without compromising anything else.

I see it this way-if ms were to announced an upgrade (such as the 65nm process chips) it'a basically admitting the white 360's have been running too hot and that they are badly designed.Not a good PR move to admit you have released an inherently faulty console.While i'm not saying the 65nm chnage has been made and not announced, maybe the drives and memeory and fans etc have been revised.

jecht_raiden

2 years ago

Australian celebrities including Russell Crowe, aye? Well he is a celebrity in Australia, i guess...

as for the 360, strange that being familiar with seeing a black Xbox the white 360 looks better. I do like my Ceramic White PSP more than the black, and the Satin Silver more than the Charcoal Black PlayStation 2. My favourite colour may be black but white's closing in. As for the PS3, that looks real good as is. (but then a black Wii wouldn't be as good also)..... grrr, ambivalence!

Zarnoss

2 years ago

Black is sooo 2005.

Whatever happened to hypercolour paint?
Man that'd be awesome seeing that big huge blue spot surrounding the flourescent green colour near the vent where it is about to catch fire.

WilliamsF1

2 years ago

Jim Dash wrote

They didn't include the rumoured 65nm CPU.

What's the 65nm CPU? Faster perhaps?

Also, another question. Can this console play pirated games? One reason I continue to play my Gamecube, & buy second hand games, is the fact that it's highly unlikely I'll buy a pirated game, due to the size to the disc. If the Xbox360 can, then the %chance of me purchasing one is higher, meaning I'll just buy new games when they're lower in price.

Zarnoss

2 years ago

WilliamsF1 wrote

Can this console play pirated games?

I'm afraid Sid meiers pirates doesn't seem to be coming out on the 360.

So i guess not.
No monkey island also on the foreseeable future.

Surely that is the question your asking because anything other than that would be sheer stupidity to even bother asking a question "can that black 360 play illegally pirated games?"

DancesInUnderwear

2 years ago

Actually I think he's saying the ability to play pirated games is bad because he runs the risk of getting a pirated copy if he buys second hand.

..I think.

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