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<!-- To edit infobox info, go to Template:Xbox 360/infobox. Logo field is required since a copyrighted logo cannot be in a template -->
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{{Infobox CVG system
|title= Xbox 360
|logo= {{#if:[[File:Xbox 360 Logo.svg|200px|Xbox 360 logo]]|[[File:Xbox 360 Logo.svg|200px|Xbox 360 logo]]}}
|image=[[File:Xbox-360-Consoles-Infobox.png|250px|Left: Xbox 360 Elite, Right: Xbox 360 S and new-style controller]]
<!-- the caption only needs to mention the logo if it requires identification, like if there are multiple logos -->
|caption =Left: Xbox 360 Elite, Right: Xbox 360 S and new-style controller
<!-- the caption only needs to mention the logo if it requires identification, like if there are multiple logos -->
|developer=[[Microsoft]]
|manufacturer=[[Flextronics]], [[Wistron Corporation|Wistron]], [[Celestica]], [[Foxconn]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/aug2005/id20050816_595546.htm|title=Xbox 360 Manufacturers Revealed|date=2005-08-16|accessdate=2010-08-19|publisher=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]|first=David|last=Radd}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Ashcraft |first=Brian |url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/11/report-foxconn-workers-protest-over-pay-foxconn-denies-protest/#more-424340 |title=Report: Foxconn Denies Protest Over Pay &#124; Kotaku Australia |publisher=Kotaku.com.au |date=2010-11-19 |accessdate=2011-10-23}}</ref>
|family=[[Xbox]]
|type=[[Video game console]]
|generation= [[History of video game consoles (seventh generation)|Seventh generation]]
|lifespan=
{{Collapsible list
|title=Availability by region
|
|'''Original Xbox 360'''
{{Vgrelease|NA=November 16, 2005}}
{{Vgrelease|EU=December 2, 2005}}
{{Vgrelease|JP=December 10, 2005}}
{{Vgrelease|[[Colombia|CO]]{{!}}[[Mexico|MX]]|February 2, 2006}}
{{Vgrelease|[[South Korea|KR]]|February 24, 2006}}
{{Vgrelease|[[Hong Kong|HK]]{{!}}[[Singapore|SG]]{{!}}[[Taiwan|TW]]|March 16, 2006}}
{{Vgrelease|AUS=March 23, 2006}}
{{Vgrelease|[[Chile|CL]]|July 7, 2006}}
{{Vgrelease|[[India|IN]]|September 25, 2006}}
{{Vgrelease|[[South Africa|ZA]]|September 29, 2006}}
{{Vgrelease|[[Czech Republic|CZ]]{{!}}[[Poland|PL]]|November 3, 2006}}
{{Vgrelease|[[Brazil|BR]]|December 1, 2006}}
{{Vgrelease|[[Russia|RU]]|February 11, 2007}}
{{Vgrelease|[[Peru|PE]]|February 25, 2008}}
{{Vgrelease|[[United Arab Emirates|UAE]]|October 28, 2008}}
{{Vgrelease|[[Nigeria|NG]]{{!}}[[Turkey|TR]]|2009}}
{{Vgrelease|[[Seychelles|SC]]|Spring 2010}}
|'''Xbox 360 S'''<br/>
{{Vgrelease|NA=June 18, 2010}}
{{Vgrelease|[[Australia|AU]]|July 1, 2010}}
{{Vgrelease|[[New Zealand|NZ]]|July 8, 2010}}
{{Vgrelease|EU=July 16, 2010}}
}}
|CPU=3.2&nbsp;[[Hertz|GHz]] [[PowerPC]] Tri-Core [[Xenon (processor)|Xenon]]
|GPU=500&nbsp;MHz [[ATI Technologies|ATI]] [[Xenos (graphics chip)|Xenos]]
|Memory=512&nbsp;[[Megabyte|MB]] of GDDR3 RAM clocked at 700&nbsp;MHz
|media=[[DVD]], [[Compact Disc]], [[Xbox Live Arcade|Download]]<br/>
'''Add-on:''' [[HD DVD]] (''discontinued'')
|unitssold=Worldwide: 65.8 million <small>({{as of|2012|01|09|lc=on|df=US}})</small><ref name=Worldwidesales>{{cite web|url=http://www.slashgear.com/xbox-360-at-66-million-worldwide-kinect-nearly-doubling-at-18-million-09207986/|title=XBOX 360 at 28 Million Worldwide, Kinect Nearly Doubling at 18 Million|accessdate={{date|2012-01-09|mdy}}|publisher=[[SlashGear]]}}</ref><small>([[#Reception and sales|details]])</small>
|storage=
{{Collapsible list
|title=Storage mediums
|
*[[hard disk drive|Detachable Hard Drives]]<br/> <small>20&nbsp;GB, 60&nbsp;GB, 120&nbsp;GB, 250&nbsp;GB, 320&nbsp;GB</small>
*[[Memory cards in video game consoles|Memory Cards (Removable)]] <small>(Original design only)</small><br/><small>64&nbsp;MB, 256&nbsp;MB, 512&nbsp;MB</small>
*On-board storage chip
**Arcade Consoles <small>(later models)</small><br/><small>256&nbsp;MB, 512&nbsp;MB</small>
**Budget level "Xbox 360 S" consoles:<br/><small>4&nbsp;GB</small>
*USB storage device (requires system software update)<br/><small>1&nbsp;GB to 16&nbsp;GB</small>
*Cloud storage (requires Xbox LIVE Gold Membership)<br/><small>512 MB </small><ref>http://www.psu.com/forums/showthread.php/285022-Xbox-360-Cloud-Storage-Size-Revealed?p=5712128</ref>
}}
|controllers=
{{Collapsible list
|title=Controllers
|4 maximum* (any combination):
*[[Xbox 360 Controller]] (USB wired, 2.4&nbsp;GHz wireless)
*[[Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel]]
*[[Rhythm game]] controllers
*[[Big Button Pad|Big Button Pads*]]
*[[Xbox 360 accessories#Xbox 360 Arcade Sticks|Xbox 360 Arcade sticks]]
*[[Xbox 360 accessories#Xbox 360 Ace Combat 6 Flight Stick|Ace Combat 6 Flight Stick]]
*[[Kinect]]
<small>*4 Big button pads may be used in addition to other controllers.</small>}}
|connectivity=
'''Original models'''<br/>
<small>2.4&nbsp;GHz wireless, 3 × [[Universal Serial Bus|USB 2.0]], [[Infrared communication|IR]] receiver, 100&nbsp;Mbit [[Ethernet]]<br/>'''Add-on:''' Wifi [[IEEE 802.11|802.11]][[IEEE 802.11a-1999|a]]/[[IEEE 802.11b-1999|b]]/[[IEEE 802.11g-2003|g]], Wifi 802.11a/b/g/[[IEEE 802.11n-2009|n]]<ref name=wirelessn>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/microsoft-confirms-xbox-360-802-11n-adapter/|title=Microsoft confirms Xbox 360 802.11n adapter|accessdate=2009-11-23|date=2009-09-21|publisher=joystiq}}</ref></small><br/>
'''Revised "S" models'''<br/>
<small>2.4&nbsp;GHz wireless, 5 × USB 2.0, IR receiver, 100&nbsp;Mbit{{Citation needed|date=June 2010}} Ethernet, Wifi 802.11b/g/n, AUX port</small>
|display=
{{Collapsible list
|title=Video output formats
|
*[[Composite video]]<br/><small>[[480i]], [[PAL|576i]]&nbsp;(PAL)</small>
*[[S-Video]]<br/><small>480i, 576i&nbsp;(PAL)</small>
*RGB [[SCART]]<br/><small>480i, 576i&nbsp;(PAL)</small>
*[[Component video|Component]] ([[YPbPr|YP<sub>B</sub>P<sub>R</sub>]])<br/><small>480i, 576i, [[480p]], [[720p]], [[1080i]], [[1080p]]</small>
*[[D-Terminal]] (YP<sub>B</sub>P<sub>R</sub>)<br/><small>480i&nbsp;(D1), 480p&nbsp;(D2), 720p&nbsp;(D4), 1080i&nbsp;(D3), 1080p&nbsp;(D5)</small><ref name="dterminal">{{cite web|url=http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.xbox.com/JA-JP/&ei=HWaaS8aPC6X20wT1s8HdAQ&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBIQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://www.xbox.com/ja-JP/%26num%3D50%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3D9Fn%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GB:official|title=Google translation of Xbox.com/JA-JP|accessdate=2010-12-03|publisher=microsoft}}</ref>
*[[VGA connector|VGA]]<br/><small>640×480, 848×480, [[XGA|1024×768]], 1280×720&nbsp;(720p), 1280×768, [[SXGA|1280×1024]], [[Wide XGA|1360×768]], 1440×900, [[WSXGA+|1680×1050]], 1920×1080&nbsp;(1080p)</small>
*[[HDMI]] (later models)<br/><small>480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p</small>
*Note: 1080p video playback is limited to content from the Zune marketplace<ref>http://www.theverge.com/2012/1/20/2720151/xbox-360-color-space-fix</ref>
}}
|Sound=
*Analog stereo
*Stereo [[LPCM]] <small>([[TOSLINK]] and HDMI)</small>
*[[Dolby Digital]] 5.1 <small>(TOSLINK and HDMI)</small>
*Dolby Digital with WMA pro <small>(TOSLINK and HDMI)</small>
|onlineservice=[[Xbox Live]]
<!-- ALERT, DO NOT CHANGE TOPGAME WITHOUT CITATION. -->
<!-- ALSO ENSURE THAT FIGURES ARE FOR XBOX 360 SALES, NOT MULTI-PLATFORM -->
|topgame=''[[Kinect Adventures]]'' (18 million as [[pack-in game]] for [[Kinect]])<ref name="18-million">{{cite web |url=http://venturebeat.com/2012/01/09/xbox-360-surpassed-66m-sold-and-kinect-has-sold-18m-units/ |title=Xbox 360 surpasses 66M sold and Kinect passes 18M units |author=Dean Takahashi |publisher=[[venturebeat]] |date={{Date|2012-01-09|mdy}} |accessdate={{Date|2012-01-10|mdy}}}}</ref> <ref name="10-million">{{cite web |url=http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/09/microsoft-sells-10-million-kinects-10-million-kinect-games/ |title=Microsoft sells 10 million Kinects, 10 million Kinect games |author=Tim Stevens |publisher=[[Engadget]] |date={{Date|2011-03-09|mdy}} |accessdate={{Date|2011-03-10|mdy}}}}</ref>
<!-- ALERT, DO NOT CHANGE TOPGAME WITHOUT CITATION. -->
<!-- ALSO ENSURE THAT FIGURES ARE FOR XBOX 360 SALES, NOT MULTI-PLATFORM -->
|compatibility=[[List of Xbox games compatible with Xbox 360|478 original Xbox games]]<ref name="Original Xbox Games Playable on Xbox 360">{{cite web
| title = Original Xbox Games Playable on Xbox 360
| url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/backwardcompatibilitygameslist.htm
| accessdate = 17 November 2009 }}</ref> (requires [[Xbox 360 components and accessories#Storage|hard drive]] and the latest update)
|predecessor=[[Xbox]]
}}

The '''Xbox 360''' is the second [[video game console]] produced by [[Microsoft]] and the successor to the [[Xbox]]. The Xbox 360 competes with [[Sony]]'s [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Nintendo]]'s [[Wii]] as part of the [[History of video game consoles (seventh generation)|seventh generation]] of video game consoles. As of January 9, 2012, 66 million Xbox 360 consoles have been sold worldwide.<ref name=Worldwidesales/>

The Xbox 360 was officially unveiled on [[MTV]] on May 12, 2005, with detailed launch and game information divulged later that month at the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]] (E3). The console sold out completely upon [[Xbox 360 launch|release]] in all regions except in [[Japan]].<ref name="Shortages spoil Xbox 360 launch">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4462744.stm|title=Shortages spoil Xbox 360 launch | work=BBC News | date=2005-11-23 | accessdate=2009-12-31}}</ref><ref name="Xbox 360 Launch Takes Europe by Storm">{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox365.com/news.cgi?id=GGPPLLiddi12060836|title= Xbox 360 Launch Takes Europe by Storm}}</ref><ref name="Retailers Sell Out of Initial Xbox 360 Shipments">{{cite web|url= http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/21759/ |title=Retailers Sell Out of Initial Xbox 360 Shipments|accessdate= 2008–10–14}}</ref>

Several major features of the Xbox 360 are its integrated [[Xbox Live]] service that allows players to [[online game|compete online]], download arcade games, game demos, trailers, TV shows, music and movies and its [[Windows Media Center]] multimedia capabilities. The Xbox 360 also offers region specific access to third-party media streaming services such as [[Netflix]] and [[ESPN]] in the US or [[Sky Go]] in the UK.

At their E3 presentation on June 14, 2010, Microsoft announced a redesigned Xbox 360 that would ship on the same day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5563154/new-xbox-360-shipping-today-costs-299 |title=New Xbox 360 Shipping Today, Costs $299 |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=2010-06-14 |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref> The redesigned console is slimmer than the previous Xbox 360 model and features integrated [[IEEE 802.11|802.11 b/g/n]] Wi-Fi, [[TOSLINK]] [[S/PDIF]] optical audio output, 5 [[USB 2.0]] ports (compared to the 3 from older versions) and a special AUX port.<ref>Dean Takahashi, VentureBeat. "[http://venturebeat.com/2010/06/14/microsoft-to-launch-smaller-xbox-360-game-console/ Microsoft to Launch Smaller XBOX 360 Game Console]." June 14, 2010.</ref> Older models of the Xbox 360 have since been discontinued.<ref name="360 Arcade replacement" /> The first new console to be released features a 250&nbsp;GB [[Hard disk drive|hard drive]], while a later, less expensive [[Stock-keeping unit|SKU]] features 4&nbsp;GB internal storage.

With the announcement of the Xbox 360 S, Microsoft have said that they believe that the console is only mid-way through its life-cycle and will continue through 2015.<ref>{{cite web|last=Robinson |first=Martin |url=http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/991/991485p1.html |title=E3 2009: 360 to Stick Around Until 2015 - Xbox360 News at IGN |publisher=Uk.xbox360.ign.com |date=2009-06-04 |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Bunker |first=Adam |url=http://www.t3.com/news/xbox-720-set-to-launch-at-the-e3-expo-in-june-2015?=46467 |title=Xbox 720 set to launch at the E3 expo in June 2015 &#124; T3 magazine |publisher=T3.com |date=2010-06-21 |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nexus404.com/Blog/2010/06/21/new-xbox-360-xbox-360-slim-delays-xbox-720-till-2015-xbox-360-presently-mid-cycle-says-microsoft-weve-got-at-least-another-five-years-of-this-generation/ |title=New Xbox 360 (Xbox 360 'Slim') Delays Xbox 720 Till 2015 [Xbox 360 Presently 'Mid-Cycle' Says Microsoft: "We've Got at Least Another Five Years of this Generation"&#93; » TFTS&nbsp;– Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities |publisher=Nexus404.com|accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref> However, unnamed sources have claimed that Microsoft's next video game console is being slated for release as early as the 2013 holiday season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tomsguide.com/us/xbox-next-xbox-720-console-jeff-faulkner-Fable-Next,news-12958.html|title=Rumor: Next Xbox Won't Appear Until E3 2013|publisher=Tom's Hardware}}</ref> Development of the system has also been implied by updates Microsoft employees have made to their resumes, which state that they were working on the next Xbox console.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/10/next-generation-xbox-pops-up-in-microsoft-resumes/|title=Next generation Xbox pops up in Microsoft resumes|publisher=joystiq}}</ref>

==Overview==
===Development===
Known during development as '''Xbox Next''', '''Xenon''', '''Xbox 2''', '''Xbox FS''' or '''NextBox''',<ref name="Narrowing Down the Xbox Successor's Name">{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zd1up/is_200406/ai_n9520284|title= Microsoft Narrowing Down Xbox Successor's Name?|accessdate= 2008-07-26|first=David|last=Smith|year=2004|month=June|publisher=[[Ziff Davis Media]]| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070517222211/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zd1up/is_200406/ai_n9520284| archivedate= 2007-05-17}}</ref> the Xbox 360 was conceived in early 2003.<ref name="Development">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2006/04/24/the_xbox_360_un/|title=Chronology of Xbox History, 2003|accessdate=2006-11-02|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|date=2006-05-01|work=|publisher=Mercury News}}</ref> In February 2003, planning for the Xenon [[Computing platform|software platform]] began, and was headed by Microsoft's Vice President [[J Allard]].<ref name="Development" /> That month, Microsoft held an event for 400 developers in [[Bellevue, Washington]] to recruit support for the system.<ref name="Development" /> Also that month, [[Peter Moore (business)|Peter Moore]], former president of [[Sega]] of America, joined Microsoft. On August 12, 2003, ATI signed on to produce the graphic processing unit for the new console, a deal which was publicly announced two days later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-1043-5063661.html|title=ATI wins bid for next Xbox|accessdate=2008-07-26|last=Becker| first=David|date=2003-08-14|publisher=CNET}}</ref> Before the launch of the Xbox 360, several [[development stage#Alpha|Alpha]] development kits were spotted using [[Apple Inc.|Apple's]] [[Power Mac G5]] hardware. This was because the system's [[PowerPC 970]] processor running the same [[PowerPC]] architecture that the Xbox 360 would eventually run under [[IBM]]'s [[Xenon (processor)|Xenon]] processor. The cores of the Xenon [[Central processing unit|processor]] were developed using a slightly modified version of the [[PlayStation 3]]'s [[Cell (microprocessor)|Cell Processor]] PPE architecture. According to David Shippy and Mickie Phipps, the [[IBM]] employees were "hiding" their work from Sony and Toshiba.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123069467545545011.html|title=Playing the Fool|author=Jonathan V. Last|publisher=Wall Street Journal|date=December 30, 2008}}</ref> [[Jeff Minter]] created the [[music visualization]] program [[Neon (light synthesizer)|Neon]] which is included with the Xbox 360.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2005/jul/05/jeffmintervs|title=Jeff Minter vs Xbox 360: how Microsoft bought the light synth vision|publisher=The Guardian|date=July 5, 2005}}</ref>

===Launch===
{{Main|Xbox 360 launch}}
The Xbox 360 was released on November 22, 2005, in the United States and Canada; December 2, 2005, in Europe and December 10, 2005, in Japan. It was later launched in Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, and Russia. In its first year on the market, the system launched in 36 countries, more countries than any other console has launched in a single year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/739/739880p1.html |title=Microsoft Spreads 360 Love |accessdate=2006-10-18 |last=Perry |first=Douglass |date=2006-10-17 |publisher=IGN }}</ref>

==Retail configurations==
At launch, the Xbox 360 was available in two configurations: the "Xbox 360" package (unofficially known as the 20&nbsp;GB Pro or Premium), priced at [[United States dollar|US$]]399 or [[Pound sterling|GB£]]279.99, and the "Xbox 360 Core," priced at US$299 and GB£209.99. The original shipment of the Xbox 360 version included a cut-down version of the Media Remote as a promotion. The Elite package was launched later at US$479. The "Xbox 360 Core" was replaced by the "Xbox 360 Arcade" in October 2007<ref name=ArcadeConsolePR>{{cite web|url= http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2007/oct07/10-22ArcadeConsolePR.mspx|title= Microsoft Launches New Xbox 360 Console for Families|accessdate= 2008-07-26|date= 2007-10-22|publisher= Microsoft orporation}}</ref> and a 60&nbsp;GB version of the Xbox 360 Pro was released on August 1, 2008. The Pro package was discontinued and marked down to US$249 on August 28, 2009 to be sold until stock ran out, while the Elite was also marked down in price to US$299.<ref name="usatoday1">{{cite news|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2009/08/microsoft-drops-price-of-120gb-xbox-360-system-/1 |title=Microsoft drops price of 120 GB Xbox 360 system&nbsp;— Game Hunters: In search of video games and interactive awesomeness |publisher=Content.usatoday.com |date=2009-08-27 |accessdate=2009-09-10}}</ref> In June 2010, Microsoft announced a new, redesigned, model and the discontinuation of the Elite and Arcade models.<ref name="360 Arcade replacement" />

===Current models (Xbox 360 S)===
[[File:Xbox-360S-Console-Set.jpg|thumb|upright|Xbox 360 S console|alt=Xbox 360 S console]]<!--Image placed on the left to avoid stacking with the infobox on larger screens (or when fully expanded) -->
Technically designated the '''Xbox 360 S'''<ref name="TomsGuide360S">{{cite web |url=http://www.tomsguide.com/us/xbox-360-slim-s-360-s-xbox-slim,news-7133.html |title=New Xbox 360 is Actually Called the Xbox 360 'S' |work=Tom's Guide |publisher=Bestofmedia |accessdate=2010-06-22 |quote=Even though Microsoft is still calling it the same name as old, the sticker on the back shows clearly that it's the Xbox 360 '''S'''&nbsp;– perhaps taking a page out of Porsche naming conventions.}}</ref> and marketed simply as the '''Xbox 360''';<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2010/jun10/06-14E3UmbrellaPR.mspx |title=Xbox 360 Transforms the Way Everyone Has Fun |date=June 14, 2010 |publisher=Microsoft |accessdate=2010-06-16 |quote=The New Xbox 360}}</ref> current Xbox 360 consoles are based around a redesign of the Xbox 360 hardware which was officially announced on June 14, 2010 during a press briefing prior to that year's [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]].

It was speculated that a complete redesign of the Xbox 360 hardware was being produced after pictures of a possible new motherboard design surfaced on March 17, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Xbox 360 Slim in the Works?|url=http://www.industrygamers.com/news/xbox-360-slim-in-the-works/|accessdate=May 1, 2010}}</ref> Ads later surfaced on June 13, 2010 showing a slimmer Xbox 360 design, which was expected to include a 250&nbsp;GB hard drive and integrated Wi-Fi functionality.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5562412/so-whats-inside-the-new-xbox-360 |title=So What's Inside The New Xbox 360? |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=2010-06-13 |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref>

Xbox 360 S consoles feature redesigned internal architecture with the Valhalla motherboard, which allows for around 30% more space than previous motherboards,<ref name="insidenewxbox">{{cite web|url=http://www.anandtech.com/show/3774/welcome-to-valhalla-inside-the-new-250gb-xbox-360-slim|title=Inside the New Xbox 360 |author=Anand Lal Shimpi|authorlink=anandtech|date=2010-06-18|publisher=[[AnandTech]]|doi=|accessdate=2010-06-19}}</ref> and the [[XCGPU]], an integrated CPU/GPU/eDRAM chip using a 45&nbsp;nm fabrication process.<ref name="engadgetnewxbox"/> This allows them to be both smaller and quieter than the previous versions of the Xbox 360. They also feature five standard [[USB 2.0]] ports (two more than previous models) and an additional custom USB port for use with peripherals such as the [[Kinect]] sensor.<ref name="engadgetnewxbox"/> Unlike older models, 2.4&nbsp;GHz [[IEEE 802.11|802.11 b/g/n]] Wi-Fi<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/15/new-xbox-360-guide-microsofts-slim-console-explained/3|title=New Xbox 360 guide: Microsoft's slim console explained|publisher=[[Engadget]]|accessdate=2010-07-01|date=2010-06-15|quote=''Biggest news on the connectivity front is 802.11n WiFi built-in. Interestingly the system detects it as if it were connected externally, but it's right in there, meaning no dongles for you (unless if you want 5GHz 802.11n, this one is single band 2.4GHz)''}}</ref> and a [[TOSLINK]] [[S/PDIF]] optical audio connector are also built-in, allowing for digital audio and wireless networking without the need for external adapters.<ref name="engadgetnewxbox">{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/14/slim-xbox-360-gets-official-at-299-shipping-today-looks-angul/|title=New Xbox 360 looks angular and Ominous |first=Nilay|last=Patel|author=|authorlink=Engadget|date=2010-06-14|publisher=[[Engadget]]|doi=|accessdate=2010-06-14}}</ref> The [[Xbox 360 accessories#Memory units|Memory Unit]] slots found on previous consoles have been removed in favor of the USB flash drive solution added in a previous system software update (released on April 6, 2010)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xboxpotato.com/2010/03/usb-flash-drive-support-coming/|title=USB Flash Drive Memory Support Coming to the 360 on April 6th|accessdate=2010-03-26}}{{dead link|date=August 2011}}</ref> and the power and DVD drive eject 'buttons' are touch sensitive rather than the physical buttons found on previous models. The external hard disk drive connector has also been swapped for an internal bay for use with a proprietary hard drive. The hard drive bay is designed such that a specially formatted laptop hard drive may be loaded in. It has been noted that users can also open up the casing of the original model's hard drive and simply load it into the drive bay instead of purchasing a hard drive branded for use with the new model.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.chron.com/gamehacks/2010/07/picking-up-an-xbox-360-slim-read-this-first/ |title=Picking up an Xbox 360 Slim? Read this FIRST &#124; Game Hacks &#124; a Chron.com blog |publisher=Blog.chron.com |date=2010-07-22 |accessdate=2011-07-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://flicktitio.us/how-to-replace-the-hard-drive-in-an-xbox-360-slim-4gb-arcade |title=How To Replace the Hard Drive in an Xbox 360 Slim 4GB Arcade |publisher=Flicktitio.us |date=2011-07-20 |accessdate=2011-07-24}}</ref> Other notable hardware changes include the use of one larger fan compared to the previous Xbox 360 models (which used two smaller ones) and the design of the vents, which are similar to those used on the original Xbox. Unlike previous generations of the console which had names to distinguish different [[Stock-keeping unit|SKUs]], the new models are to be marketed solely by the amount of included storage,<ref name="360 Arcade replacement">{{cite web |url=http://e3.gamespot.com/story/6265465/new-200-xbox-360-planned-elite-and-arcade-getting-50-price-cut |title=New $200 Xbox 360 planned, Elite & Arcade getting $50 price cut |first=Tor |last=Thorsen |date=14 June 2010 |work=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=2010-06-17 |quote=Moore said that Microsoft is currently working on a second new Xbox 360, which will be offered at the arcade's price point of $200. He declined to say what functionalities the cheaper model would or would not have. [...] One likely scenario is the cheaper model will essentially be a slim arcade with no Wi-Fi capabilities or a hard drive. [...] Moore also said that going forward, all future models of the Xbox 360 would not have names and would only be designated by their memory capacity.}}</ref> in a similar fashion to current models of its main competitor the [[PlayStation 3]]. When the first new models began to ship, remaining stock of the Elite package dropped in price to US$249.99<ref name="360 Arcade replacement" /> or A$349<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.news.com.au/technology/microsoft-launches-kinect-and-slimmer-xbox-360/story-e6frfro0-1225879783329 | title=Microsoft reveals Kinect and slimmer Xbox 360 | first=Jennifer | last=Dudley-Nicholson | date=2010-06-15 | work=News Limited newspapers}}</ref> and the Arcade dropped to US$149.99.<ref name="360 Arcade replacement" />

====Xbox 360 250 GB====
The first Xbox 360 S [[Stock-keeping unit|SKU]] to be revealed includes a 250&nbsp;GB hard drive<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mktplassets.xbox.com/NR/exeres/3EE4C7AF-0C7A-4B0D-92DC-83961F1B4F44.htm |title=Xbox.com&nbsp;— Hardware Catalog&nbsp;— Xbox 360 250 GB Console |work=Xbox.com |publisher=Microsoft |accessdate=2010-06-16}}</ref> and its casing featured a glossy black finish. It was shipped to US retailers the same day it was announced ({{date|2010-06-14|mdy}}) and went on sale later that week. It was released in Australia on {{date|2010-07-01|mdy}},<ref name="AUNZSlimPrice">{{cite web|author=var authorId = "47061140" by Levi Buchanan |url=http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/109/1097102p1.html |title=E3 2010: Xbox 360 Slims Down Today&nbsp;— Xbox360 News at IGN |publisher=Uk.xbox360.ign.com |date=2010-06-14 |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref> in New Zealand on {{date|2010-07-08|mdy}}<ref name="AUNZSlimPrice"/> and in Europe on {{date|2010-07-16|mdy}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://twitter.com/Microsoft_Xbox/status/16170140427 |title=Twitter / Suspended |publisher=Twitter.com|accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref> It retails at [[United states dollar|US$]]299.99,<ref name="AUNZSlimPrice"/> [[Pound sterling|£]]199.99,<ref name="AUNZSlimPrice"/> [[Australian dollar|A$]]449.00,<ref name="AUNZSlimPrice"/> [[New Zealand dollar|NZ$]]499.00<ref name="AUNZSlimPrice"/> or [[Euro|€]]249.00,<ref>{{cite web|last=Beavis |first=Gareth |url=http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/consoles/microsoft-announces-new-slim-xbox-360-696530 |title=Xbox 360 Slim announced by Microsoft &#124; News &#124; TechRadar UK |publisher=Techradar.com |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref> replacing the Xbox 360 Elite at that price point.

In August 2011, Microsoft announced they will be streamlining their models by discontinuing the glossy finish and future 250&nbsp;GB consoles will use the matte finish found on 4&nbsp;GB models.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/24403/Xbox-360-S-Gets-a-Little-Less-Shiny/ |title=Xbox 360 S Gets a Little Less Shiny |publisher=TeamXbox |accessdate=2011-08-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://majornelson.com/2011/08/12/the-official-word-on-the-glossy-xbox-360/ |title=The official word on the glossy Xbox 360 |publisher=[[Larry Hryb|MajorNelson.com]] |accessdate=2011-08-15}}</ref>

====Xbox 360 4 GB====
A second SKU which includes 4&nbsp;GB of internal flash storage and has matte black casing (much like the Xbox 360 Elite)<ref name="4GB Price 2"/> was released on {{date|2010-08-03|mdy}} in the US<ref name="4GB Price 2"/> and {{date|2010-08-20|mdy}} in Europe.<ref name="Euro4GBDate">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/microsoft-confirms-kinect-price|title=Microsoft confirms Kinect price|publisher=[[Eurogamer]]|date=2010-07-20|accessdate=2010-07-21}}</ref> It replaced the Xbox 360 Arcade and is priced at [[United States dollar|US$]]199.99, [[Pound sterling|£]]149.99 or [[Euro|€]]199.99.<ref name="4GB Price 2">{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/kinect-bundled-with-slim-4gb-xbox-360-arcade-for-300-new-conso/|title=Kinect bundled with slim 4GB Xbox 360 Arcade for $300, new console for $200 in August|date=2010-07-20|accessdate=2010-07-20|publisher=Joystiq|quote=''Though there are currently no Xbox 360 hard drives on the market that support the new "slim" form factor, Greenberg told us that this 4GB unit "absolutely does have that expansion bay that we have the opportunity to use in the future."''}}</ref><ref name="Euro4GBDate" /><ref name="4GB Price 1">{{cite web|url=http://zunited.net/2010/07/microsoft-announces-kinect-bundle-and-xbox-360-4gb-console/|title=Microsoft Announces Kinect Bundle And Xbox 360 4GB Console|date=2010-07-20|accessdate=2010-07-20|publisher=[zunited.net Zunited Microsoft Community]}}</ref><ref name="4GB Price 3">{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5591653/new-xbox-360-model-hits-next-month-kinect-bundle-confirmed?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kotaku%2Ffull+%28Kotaku%29|title=New Xbox 360 Model Hits Next Month, Kinect Bundle Confirmed|date=2010-07-20|accessdate=2010-07-20|publisher=Kotaku}}</ref> Although this model has on-board storage, ''Xbox Product Director'' Aaron Greenberg confirmed that it does have a drive bay which Microsoft has "the opportunity to use in the future".<ref name="4GB Price 2"/> On {{date|2010-08-20|mdy}}, Microsoft announced a 250&nbsp;GB stand-alone hard drive for use with Xbox 360 S models priced at US$129.99.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/20/xbox-360-s-250gb-hard-drive-sneaks-into-stores-microsoft-cackle/|title=Xbox 360 S 250GB hard drive sneaks into stores, Microsoft cackles as you fall into its trap (update: official)|date=2010-08-20|accessdate=2010-08-21|publisher=Joystiq|first=Paul|last=Miller}}</ref>

====Xbox 360 320 GB limited editions====
{{see|#Xbox 360 S special editions}}
In June 2011, Microsoft announced a "Limited Collector's Edition" Xbox 360 S console to coincide with the launch of [[Gears of War 3]], which featuring custom finish,<ref name="Gears3Console"/> a 320&nbsp;GB hard drive<ref name="Gears3Console"/> and sounds from the Gears of War 3 game which are played when the console is switched on or the disc tray is opened.

Other 320&nbsp;GB Xbox 360 S limited editions soon followed. Like the 250&nbsp;GB "[[#Xbox 360 Super Elite|Super Elite]]" consoles, 320&nbsp;GB Xbox 360 S consoles are only available as part of limited/special edition console bundles ({{as of|2011|09|df=US|lc=y}}), with stand-alone 320&nbsp;GB hard drives also available for purchase.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-10-11-ms-announces-320gb-xbox-360-hard-drive|title=MS announces 320GB Xbox 360 hard-drive News&nbsp;— Xbox 360 - Page 1 {{!}} Eurogamer.net|date={{Date|2011-10-11|mdy}}|accessdate={{Date|2011-10-11|mdy}}|publisher=[[Eurogamer]]|work=eurogamer.net}}</ref>

===Discontinued models===
[[File:Xbox-360-arcade.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Xbox 360 ''Arcade'' console with white wireless controller. The Arcade is cosmetically identical to the ''Core'' model.|alt=Xbox 360 Arcade console with white wireless controller.]]

====Xbox 360 Core====
The '''Xbox 360 Core''' was an entry level Xbox 360 which was later replaced with the "Arcade". Although available at launch in other regions, it was not available in Japan until November 2, 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/07/microsoft-to-launch-xbox-360-core-in-japan/ |title=Microsoft to launch Xbox 360 Core in Japan |accessdate=2008-07-26 |last=Kietzmann |first=Ludwig |date=2006-09-07 |publisher=Weblogs, Inc.}}</ref> The ''Core'' system came bundled with [[composite video]] cables, capable of only [[Standard-definition television|SDTV]] resolutions. It was however capable of the same [[High-definition television|HDTV]] resolutions (up to [[1080i]]) as the other models when connected to a separately sold component cable. In October 2006, 1080p support was added for all models in a system update,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/community/news/systemupdate.htm|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080731071201/http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/community/news/systemupdate.htm|archivedate=2008-07-31 |title=Latest update adds 1080p native support, Live Arcade upgrades and much, much more! |accessdate=2009-10-30}}</ref> including the "Core" using either the component cable, or the new VGA cable (although 1080p via component was not widely supported by televisions). It may also utilize a separately sold Xbox 360 hard drive. Unlike all other SKUs, it shipped with a wired version of the Xbox 360 controller, instead of the wireless version found in other SKUs.

====Xbox 360 Pro / Xbox 360 Premium====
The '''Xbox 360 Pro'''<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360prosystem/default.htm|archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20080731143424/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360prosystem/default.htm|archivedate=2008-07-31|title= Xbox 360 System|accessdate= 2008-07-31|publisher= Microsoft Corporation}}</ref> (sometimes referred to as '''Premium''' and packaged as simply '''Xbox 360''' with the subheading "Go Pro") included all the features of the Xbox 360 Arcade and included a hybrid composite and [[component video|component]] cable with optional [[TOSLINK|optical out]] instead of a [[RCA connector|composite cable]]. This model also included a detachable Hard Disk Drive (initially 20 GB, while later models had 60 GB) to store downloaded content, provide compatibility with [[Xbox|original Xbox]] games, and store game data. The included hard drive came with game demos, video clips and a free Live Arcade game, ''[[Hexic]] HD''. In July 2007, this version of the Xbox 360 began appearing with the Zephyr motherboard (the motherboard used in the Elite) which features HDMI 1.2 output and an improved GPU heatsink. Although this package did include an HDMI output, it did not come with an HDMI cable.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/08/hdmi-premium-xbox-360-potentially-caught-on-film/ |title=HDMI Premium Xbox 360 caught on camera |accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/08/microsoft-officially-adds-hdmi-to-xbox-360-premium/ |title=Microsoft officially adds HDMI to Xbox 360 Premium |accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref> Starting at the end of September 2007, the newest systems were shipped with the new "Falcon" motherboard. This motherboard includes the new 65-nm CPUs, making them quieter and cooler than the older systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gear.ign.com/articles/824/824183p1.html|title=Xbox 360 Falcon Mother Board and 65-nm CPU Arrive|last=Block|first=Gerry|publisher=IGN|date=2007-10-01|accessdate=2009-07-01}}</ref> On August 1, 2008, the 20 GB version was discontinued and was replaced by a 60 GB HDD model at the same price. Holiday 2008 consoles were bundled with ''[[Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures]]'' and ''[[Kung Fu Panda (video game)|Kung Fu Panda]]''.<ref name="hol2008bundles" /> Price cuts that took effect on September 4, 2008 reduced the price from $349 to $299.<ref name="informationweek1"/> The Xbox 360 Pro, following its discontinuation, retailed for $249.99 until stocks were exhausted.

====Xbox 360 Elite====
[[File:Xbox-360-Elite-Console-Set.png|thumb|upright|Xbox 360 ''Elite'' console with black wireless controller.|alt=Xbox 360 Elite console with black wireless controller.]]
The '''Xbox 360 Elite''' included a 120 GB hard drive and a [[Gloss (material appearance)|matte]] black finish. The Elite retail package also included a controller and headset that match the system's black finish.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/xbox360elite/default.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070510235323/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/xbox360elite/default.htm |archivedate=2007-05-10 |title=Introducing Xbox 360 Elite |publisher=Microsoft Corporation|accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref> The initial release price was $479.99 USD,<ref name="Elite unveiling">{{cite web |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/0327-microsoftunveilsxbox360elite.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070405185941/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/0327-microsoftunveilsxbox360elite.htm |archivedate=2007-04-05 |title=Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite |publisher=Microsoft Corporation|accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref> [[Canadian dollar|C$]]549.99,<ref name="Elite unveiling"/> [[Pound sterling|£]]299.99, and [[Australian dollar|A$]]729.95. The Elite was released in North America on April 29, 2007,<ref>{{cite web | title = Happy Xbox 360 Elite launch day! | url = http://xbox.joystiq.com/2007/04/29/happy-xbox-360-elite-launch-day/ | accessdate=2009-11-25 | publisher = Joystiq}}</ref> Europe on August 24, 2007, and Australia on August 30, 2007. These Elites (and other Xbox 360 models using the Falcon) can be identified from earlier versions by a re-designed [[AC power plugs and sockets|power connector]] and a power supply rated to 175 W. In 2009, Elite models using the Jasper chipset became available. These can also be identified by their power supply, which is rated at 150W and has a 12.1A 12v rail. Holiday 2008 consoles were bundled with ''[[Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures]]'' and ''[[Kung Fu Panda (video game)|Kung Fu Panda]]''.<ref name="hol2008bundles" /> The Elite's price tag was cut from $449 to $399 on September 4, 2008.<ref name="usatoday1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125136429316263083.html |title=2nd UPDATE: Microsoft Cuts High-End Xbox 360 Price By $100 |publisher=Online.wsj.com |date=2009-08-27 |accessdate=2009-09-10}}</ref> With the announcement of the new Xbox 360 250 GB model, the Elite dropped in price to US$249.99 for remaining units until stocks were exhausted.<ref name="360 Arcade replacement" />

====Xbox 360 Arcade====
The '''Xbox 360 Arcade'''<ref name=arcadefindsashelf>{{cite web| url= http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/12/xbox-360-arcade-finds-a-shelf-in-the-wild/ | title= Xbox 360 Arcade finds a shelf in the wild | accessdate= 2008-07-26 | author= Paul Miller | date= 2007-10-12 | publisher= Engadget}}</ref> replaced the "Xbox 360 Core" as the entry level Xbox 360 on {{date|2007-10-23|mdy}}, while retaining the Core's price of [[United States dollar|US$]]279.99.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/49262|title= New Xbox 360 SKU Shows Up Online|accessdate= 2008-07-26|author= Carlos Bergfeld|date= 2007-10-02|publisher= Shacknews}}</ref> It was publicly revealed by Microsoft's president of Entertainment Devices division [[Robert J. Bach|Robbie Bach]] to the ''[[Financial Times]]'' on October 18, 2007,<ref name="360ArcadeAnnouncement">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6181267.html|title=$279 360 Arcade official|last=Magrino|first=Tom|publisher=Gamespot|date=2007-10-18|accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref> and officially announced on October 22, 2007,<ref name=ArcadeConsolePR /> although it was available in stores far earlier.<ref name=arcadefindsashelf /> It included a wireless controller, composite AV cable, HDMI 1.2 output, a 256&nbsp;MB memory unit and 5 Xbox Live Arcade titles:<ref>{{cite web|url= http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2007/10/first-actual-pictures-of-xbox-360-arcade-bundle-leaked-with-packing-list.ars|title=First actual pictures of Xbox 360 Arcade bundle leaked, with packing list|accessdate= 2008-07-26|author= Ben Kuchera|date= 2007-10-11|publisher= Ars Technica}}</ref> ''[[Boom Boom Rocket]]'', ''[[Feeding Frenzy (video game)|Feeding Frenzy]]'', ''[[Luxor 2]]'', ''[[Pac-Man Championship Edition]]'', and ''[[Uno (video game)|Uno]]'' on a single disk, which also included a "Welcome Video" and several game trailers/demos.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/xbox-360-arcade-unboxed/|title= Xbox 360 Arcade unboxed|accessdate= 2008-07-26|author= Conrad Quilty-Harper|date= 2007-10-14|publisher= Weblogs, Inc}}</ref> Like its predecessor the "Core", it did not include a hard disk drive, which is required for [[Xbox]] software backwards compatibility. In Autumn (Fall) 2008, with the introduction of the Jasper motherboard revision, the memory unit was removed from the package and replaced with an 256&nbsp;MB internal memory chip.<ref name="256onboard">{{cite web|url=http://xbox.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/microsoft-confirms-256mb-internal-storage-in-xbox-360-arcade-uni/|title=Microsoft confirms 256 MB internal memory| accessdate=2009-11-07| publisher = Joystiq}}</ref> This was later upgraded to a 512&nbsp;MB chip in Summer 2009.<ref name="512onboard">{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/18/confirmed-new-xbox-360-arcade-systems-have-512-mb-onboard-memor/|title=Xbox 360 Jasper units with 512mb internal memory spotted in the wild| accessdate=2009-11-07| publisher = Joystiq}}</ref> Holiday 2008 consoles were [[Pack-in game|bundled]] with ''[[Sega Superstars Tennis]]''.<ref name="hol2008bundles" /> With the price cuts on {{date|2008-09-04|mdy}}, the Arcade fell from US$279 to US$199 in the US.<ref name="informationweek1">{{cite web|last=McDougall |first=Paul |url=http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/b2c/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=210300528 |title=Xbox 360 Price Cuts Take Effect Friday |publisher=InformationWeek |date=2008-09-04 |accessdate=2009-09-10}}</ref> In the UK, with the 2009 Elite price drop and discontinuation of the "Premium" Pro [[Stock-keeping unit|SKU]], the Arcade price rose from [[Pound sterling|GB£]]129.99 to GB£159.99.<ref name="eurogamer.net">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ms-increases-arcade-360-price-in-uk |title=MS increases Arcade 360 price in the UK news |publisher=Eurogamer|accessdate=2009-11-11}}</ref> With the unveiling of the Xbox 360 S redesign, the Arcade dropped in price to US$149.99 for remaining units until stocks are exhausted. The Arcade was replaced at the US$200 price tier by the 4&nbsp;GB Xbox 360 S.

====Xbox 360 Super Elite====
The Xbox 360 Elite has also been configured with a 250&nbsp;GB hard disk drive and 2 wireless controllers on [[Xbox 360#Special editions|special limited editions]] of the console. Also referred to as the '''Xbox 360 Super Elite''',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/223527/news/ms-unveils-250gb-super-elite-360/|title=MS unveils 250GB 'Super Elite' 360|publisher=Computer and Video Games|accessdate=2011-07-18}}</ref> the console retailed at US$399.99, GB£249.99 and A$599.00<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ebgames.com.au/xbox/product.cfm?id=15737&refer=consoles |title=That page is missing! - EB Games Australia |publisher=Ebgames.com.au|accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref> as of November 10, 2009. A ''[[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2]]'' bundle included a special limited edition black console featuring Modern Warfare 2 branding. Other bundles included a standard Elite finish and either the game ''[[Forza Motorsport 3]]''<ref name="250GB"/> or both [[Halo 3]] and [[Halo 3: ODST]].<ref name="can250">{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-CA/community/news/2009/1201-xbox360elitespecial.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100109080528/http://www.xbox.com/en-CA/community/news/2009/1201-xbox360elitespecial.htm |archivedate=2010-01-09 |title=Microsoft Announces Canadian Exclusive Xbox 360 Elite Special 250 GB Edition including Halo 3 and Halo 3 ODST |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=2010-01-09 |accessdate=2011-08-24}}</ref> On March 9, 2010, alongside the release of [[Final Fantasy XIII]], Microsoft released another 250&nbsp;GB bundle with the same extras as the Modern Warfare bundle except bundled with the Final Fantasy XIII game. Unlike other Super Elites, this console and its accessories featured a the same white color scheme as "Pro" models. This bundle also included exclusive downloadable items for use with Xbox 360 avatars and a specially branded 250&nbsp;GB hard drive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Final-Fantasy-XIII-Special-Edition-Xbox-360-250GB-Bundle-Revealed-22836.html?catid=6&id=22836&tid=11743 |title=Final Fantasy XIII Special Edition Xbox 360 250GB Bundle Revealed |publisher=Cinemablend.com |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://marketplace.xbox.com/es-ES/Product/FINAL-FANTASY-XIII/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802535107e4 |title=Xbox.com&nbsp;— Final Fantasy XIII |work=Xbox.com |publisher=Microsoft |language=Spanish |accessdate=2010-06-16 |quote=¡Hazte ahora con uno de los packs exclusivos de Final Fantasy XIII para Xbox 360! [...] Comprar [...] Xbox 360 Super Elite}}</ref> In April 2010, a ''[[Splinter Cell: Conviction]]'' Super Elite bundle featuring special print on the console and the same extras as the other bundles was released along side the Splinter Cell: Conviction game.

===Comparison of features===
Information is based on current specifications for standard packages. Older or holiday packages may differ from current configurations.
{| cellpadding="10" class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|-
! style="width:5%;" |Model
! style="width:12%;" |Storage
! style="width:7%;" |HDMI
! style="width:16%;" |Appearance
! colspan="2" style="width:27%;"|Accessories/Bundled items
! style="width:16%;" |Suggested retail price
! style="width:10%;" |First available
! style="width:5%;" |In production
|-
|rowspan="5"|S<ref name="360 Arcade replacement" /><ref name="TomsGuide360S" />
|rowspan="3" style="background: #90ff90; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center;" class="table-yes"|320&nbsp;GB [[Hard disk drive|HDD]]{{Ref|Model_comparison_table_note_a|[a]}}<ref name="Gears3Console">{{cite web|url=http://gearsofwar.xbox.com/en/news/gallery/2011-06-controller-console-announce|title=Gears 3 LCE Console and Controller Announced|date={{Date|2011-06-07|mdy}}|accessdate={{Date|2011-06-20|mdy}}|publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref><ref name="StarWarsConsole"/>
|rowspan="3" style="background: #90ff90; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center;" class="table-yes"|Yes
|Metallic red with black [[Gears of War 3]] branding<ref name="Gears3Console"/>
|rowspan="3" colspan="2"|
*1 or 2 wireless [[Xbox 360 controller|controllers]] with "transforming d-pad"{{Ref|Model_comparison_table_note_i|[i]}}
*[[Xbox 360 accessories#Headsets|Wired Headset]]<ref name="Gears3Console"/>
*[[Xbox 360 accessories#AV Connectors and Cables|Composite AV Cable]]{{Ref|Model_comparison_table_note_b|[b]}}
<small>For details of bundle specifics, see [[#Xbox 360 S special editions|Xbox 360 S special editions]] below</small>
|[[United States dollar|US$]]399.99<ref name="Gears3Console"/>
|{{vgrelease|NA={{date|2011-09-20|mdy}}<ref name="Gears3Console"/>}}
|{{yes}}
|-
|Matte blue and white [[R2-D2]] artwork<ref name="StarWarsConsole"/>
|US$449.99,<ref name="StarWarsConsole"/> [[Pound sterling|GB£]]349.99<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-07-25-320gb-star-wars-xbox-360-costs-gbp350|title=320GB Star Wars Xbox 360 costs £350 News&nbsp;— Xbox 360 - Page 1 {{!}} Eurogamer.net|date={{Date|2011-07-25|mdy}}|accessdate={{Date|2011-07-25|mdy}}|publisher=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref>
|{{vgrelease|NA={{date|2012-04-03|mdy}}<ref name="StarWarsConsole"/>}}
|{{yes}}
|-
|Matte grey and dark grey with white [[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3|Modern Warfare 3]] branding<ref name="MW3-320GB"/>
|US$399<ref name="MW3-320GB"/>
|{{vgrelease|[[North America|NA]]{{!}}[[Australasia|AU]]{{!}}[[Europe|E]][[Middle East|ME]][[Africa|A]]|November 8, 2011<ref name="MW3-320GB"/>}}
|{{yes}}
|-
|{{Yes|250&nbsp;GB [[Hard disk drive|HDD]]}}
|{{yes}}
|[[gloss (material appearance)|Matte]] black (glossy black prior to August 2011)
|colspan="2"|
*Wireless controller
*Wired Headset<ref>[http://www.xbox.com/en-CA/hardware/x/xbox360250GBconsole/ ]{{dead link|date=November 2010}}</ref>
*Composite AV Cable{{Ref|Model_comparison_table_note_b|[b]}}
|US$299.99, [[Canada dollar|C$]]299.99, GB£199.99, [[Euro|€]]249.99,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/15/new-xbox-360-priced-at-249-99-in-europe/ |title=New Xbox 360 priced at €249.99 in Europe |publisher=Engadget |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref> [[Australian dollar|A$]]449.00,<ref name="AUNZSlimPrice"/> [[New Zealand dollar|NZ$]]499.00<ref name="AUNZSlimPrice"/>
|{{vgrelease|NA={{date|2010-6-18|mdy}}}}{{vgrelease|[[Australia|AU]]|{{date|2010-07-01|mdy}}<ref name="AUNZSlimPrice"/>}} {{vgrelease|[[New Zealand|NZ]]|{{date|2010-07-08|mdy}}<ref name="AUNZSlimPrice"/>}}{{vgrelease|EU={{date|2010-7-16|mdy}}<ref>{{cite web|author=Tom Bramwell |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/new-xbox-360-launching-this-week |title=New 360 in US this week, July in Europe Xbox 360 News&nbsp;— Page 1 |publisher=Eurogamer.net |date=2010-06-14 |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref>}}
|{{yes}}
|-
|{{Yes2|4&nbsp;GB onboard}}<ref name="4GB Price 2"/><ref name="4GB Price 1"/><ref name="4GB Price 3"/>
|{{yes}}
|Matte black
|colspan="2" |
*Wireless controller
*Composite AV Cable{{Ref|Model_comparison_table_note_b|[b]}}
|US$199.99,<ref name="4GB Price 3"/> GB£149.99,<ref name="4GB Price 3"/> C$199.99
|{{vgrelease|NA={{date|2010-08-03|mdy}}<ref name="4GB Price 2"/>|EU={{date|2010-08-20|mdy}}<ref name="Euro4GBDate"/>}}
|{{yes}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|Elite
|{{Yes|250&nbsp;GB [[Hard disk drive|HDD]]{{Ref|Model_comparison_table_note_a|[a]}} }}
| style="background:#90ff90; text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| Yes
|rowspan="2"|Matte black<br/>Chrome disc drive
|rowspan="2"|
*[[Ethernet]] cable
*Wired Headset
*Composite AV Cable{{Ref|Model_comparison_table_note_b|[b]}}{{Ref|Model_comparison_table_note_g|[g]}}<ref name="xbox.com Elite Composite Cable">{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/zh-SG/hardware/x/xbox360elitesystem/default.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090602022639/http://www.xbox.com/zh-SG/hardware/x/xbox360elitesystem/default.htm |archivedate=2009-06-02 |title=Xbox 360 Elite System |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=2009-06-02 |accessdate=2011-08-24}}</ref>
|
*2 wireless controllers
|US$399.99, C$399.99, GB£249.99, €329.99, A$599.00
|{{date|2009-10-23|mdy}}
|{{no}}<ref name="Olddisconinued">{{cite web|last=Nelson |first=Randy |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/14/microsoft-no-longer-making-current-360-console/ |title=Microsoft no longer making current Xbox 360 console |publisher=Joystiq |date=2010-06-14 |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref>
|-
|{{Yes|120&nbsp;GB [[Hard disk drive|HDD]]}}
|
*1 wireless controller
|US$299.99, C$299.99, GB£199.99, €299.99 [[Japanese Yen|¥]]29,800, A$549.00<ref>{{cite web | title = Microsoft cuts Japan price for Xbox | url = http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/microsoft-cuts-japan-price-for-xbox/ }}</ref><ref name="xbox.com prices">{{cite web |url = http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/hardware/compare101.htm |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20090502052920/http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/hardware/compare101.htm |archivedate = 2009-05-02 |title=Xbox elite now GB199.99}}</ref><ref name="ausnov08price">{{cite web |url = http://blogs.smh.com.au/screenplay/archives/020533.html |title = Xbox price falls again |accessdate = 2008-11-16 |author = Hill, Jason |date = 2008-11-11 |work = Screen Play |publisher = [[The Sydney Morning Herald]] }}</ref>
|{{date|2007-4-29|mdy}}
|{{no}}<ref name="360 Arcade replacement" /><ref name="Olddisconinued"/>
|-
|rowspan="3"|Arcade
| {{yes2}} 512&nbsp;MB<ref name="512onboard" /> onboard
| style="background:#90ff90; text-align:center;" rowspan="3"| Yes
|rowspan="3"|Matte white<br/>Matte white disc drive
|colspan="2" rowspan="3"|
*Wireless controller
*Composite AV Cable{{Ref|Model_comparison_table_note_b|[b]}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.xbox.com/support/en/us/xbox360/hardware/accessories/av/compositecable.aspx|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080212052249/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemsetup/xbox360/accessories/avcable.htm|archivedate=2008-02-12|title=Xbox 360 Component AV Cable|accessdate=2008-03-31}}</ref>
*Xbox Live Arcade compilation disc{{Ref|Model_comparison_table_note_e|[e]}} <small>(not included with all units)</small>
|rowspan="3"|US$199.99, C$149.99, GB£159.99, €179.99, ¥19,800, A$299.00<ref name="eurogamer.net"/><ref name="ausnov08price"/>
|June 2009
|{{no}}<ref name="360 Arcade replacement" /><ref name="Olddisconinued"/><ref name="ArcadeReplacementConfirmed">{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/19/microsoft-confirms-199-for-new-xbox-360-kinect-bundles-coming/ |title=Microsoft confirms: $199 new Xbox 360 coming soon, as well as Kinect bundles |publisher=Engadget |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref>
|-
|{{yes2}} 256&nbsp;MB<ref name="256onboard" /> onboard
|December 2008
| style="background:#ff9090; text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| No
|-
|{{yes2}} 256&nbsp;MB [[Xbox 360 accessories#Memory units|memory unit]]
|{{date|2007-10-23|mdy}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|Pro
|{{Yes|60&nbsp;GB [[Hard disk drive|HDD]]}}
|{{Yes}}
|rowspan="2"|Matte white<br/>Chrome disc drive
|colspan="2" rowspan="2"|
*Wireless controller
*Ethernet cable
*Wired Headset{{Ref|Model_comparison_table_note_f|[f]}}
*[[Xbox 360 accessories#AV Connectors and Cables|Component HD AV Cable]]{{Ref|Model_comparison_table_note_c|[c]}}{{Ref|Model_comparison_table_note_h|[h]}}
|rowspan="2"|US$249.99, C$299.99, GB£169.99, €239.99, ¥29,800, A$399.00<ref name="ausnov08price" />
|{{date|2008-9-1|mdy}}
|{{no}}
|-
|{{Yes|20&nbsp;GB [[Hard disk drive|HDD]]}}
|{{partial|After 2007}}
|{{date|2005-11-22|mdy}}
|{{no}}
|-
|Core
|{{No|None}}
|{{no}}
|Matte white<br/>Matte white disc drive
|colspan="2" |
*Wired controller
*Composite AV Cable{{Ref|Model_comparison_table_note_b|[b]}}
|US$279.99, GB£199.99, ¥27,800
|{{date|2005-11-22|mdy}}
|{{no}}
|}

<div style="border:1px solid #aaa; padding:2px; background:#f9f9f9; font-size:smaller;">
'''All Xbox 360s come with Xbox Live Free membership (Prior to October 2010, the free service was known as ''Xbox Live Silver'')<ref name="XboxLiveFree">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/31092/Microsoft_Renames_Xbox_Live_Silver_to_Xbox_Live_Free.php|title=Microsoft Renames Xbox Live Silver to 'Xbox Live Free'|author=Kyle Orland}}</ref> and a one-month trial of Xbox Live Gold membership (only new accounts are eligible).{{-}}'''
'''All Xbox 360s are backwards compatible with [[List of Xbox games compatible with Xbox 360|supported]] [[Xbox]] titles as long as they have an Xbox 360 HDD attached. This can be purchased separately for the Core/Arcade pack.{{-}}'''
'''All hard drives (included with a console or bought separately) come with the Xbox Live Arcade game [[Hexic HD]].{{-}}'''
'''Included accessories match the color scheme of the console they are bundled with.{{-}}'''
'''All European consoles also include a [[Xbox 360 accessories#Composite SCART Adapter Block|composite SCART adapter]] ([[Xbox 360 accessories#AV Connectors and Cables|''Advanced SCART AV Cable'']] sold separately).{{-}}'''

{{note|Model_comparison_table_note_a}}'''a''' 250&nbsp;GB Elite consoles and 320&nbsp;GB Xbox 360 S consoles are/were only available as part of limited/special edition bundles (see [[#Special editions|below]]).<br/>
{{note|Model_comparison_table_note_b}}'''b''' The standard ''Composite AV Cable'' features three RCA connectors, for standard left and right channel audio and composite video, which supports an SD image ([[NTSC]] on NTSC consoles, [[PAL]] and [[PAL60]] on PAL consoles). It also lacks the TOSLINK connector found on all other (pre-2010) AV cables (including the ''Component HD AV Cable'').<br/>
{{note|Model_comparison_table_note_c}}'''c''' The ''Component HD AV Cable'' features six RCA connectors, for standard left and right channel audio, composite video and HD component (YP<sub>B</sub>P<sub>R</sub>) supporting up to 1080p image.<ref name="OldComponent">{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360componenthdcable/|archiveurl=http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20090601193425/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360componenthdcable/|title=Xbox.com {{!}} Catalog&nbsp;— Xbox 360 Component HD AV Cable|archivedate={{Date|2009-06-01|mdy}}|accessdate={{Date|2011-03-16|mdy}}|publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref> It also features a [[TOSLINK]] optical audio connector, which supports either 2 channel (stereo) [[LPCM]] or [[Dolby Digital|dolby digital 5.1]].<br/>
{{note|Model_comparison_table_note_d}}'''d''' The [[Xbox 360 accessories#Audio Dongle|audio dongle]] features two RCA connectors for left and right audio and a TOSLINK optical audio connector.<br/>
{{note|Model_comparison_table_note_e}}'''e''' Compilation disk includes [[Boom Boom Rocket]], [[Feeding Frenzy (video game)|Feeding Frenzy]], [[Luxor 2]], [[Pac-Man Championship Edition]], and [[Uno (video game)|Uno]].{{-}}
{{note|Model_comparison_table_note_f}}'''f''' Excluding Mexican and older Australian and New Zealand versions, where a [[Xbox 360 accessories#Universal Media Remote|Media Remote]] is bundled instead.<br/>
{{note|Model_comparison_table_note_g}}'''g''' ''Component HD AV Cable'',{{Ref|Model_comparison_table_note_c|[c]}}{{Ref|Model_comparison_table_note_h|[h]}} [[Xbox 360 accessories#AV Connectors and Cables|HDMI cable]] and ''HDMI Audio Adapter''{{Ref|Model_comparison_table_note_d|[d]}} were included with the 120&nbsp;GB model prior to September 2009.<br/>
{{note|Model_comparison_table_note_h}}'''h''' ''Component HD AV Cable'' is replaced with a {{Nihongo|''D-Terminal HD AV Cable''|D 端子 HD AV ケーブル}} in Japan.<br/>
{{note|Model_comparison_table_note_i}}'''i''' "Transforming D-Pad" controllers feature a [[d-pad]] that can be rotated to switch between either a "plus" (4-way) or a "disk" (8-way) d-pad. These controllers also feature different concave analog stick tops than standard controllers.
</div>

===Special editions===
[[File:Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition.jpg|thumb|upright|''[[Halo 3]]'' Special Edition]]
On a few occasions, Microsoft has produced [[special edition]]s of the console, usually to coincide with the release of a major product. These special editions are typically custom-colored Xbox 360 models, and are produced in limited numbers.

* At the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] 2007 [[News conference|press conference]], Microsoft announced the ''[[Halo 3]]'' Special Edition console, released September 25, 2007. It sports a ''Halo 3'' theme on the console, a wired headset, a wireless controller, and a Play and Charge Kit. Other than the unique "Spartan green-and-gold" [[color scheme]], exclusive dashboard theme and downloads, and an HDMI port,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/events/e32007/articles/halo3console.htm|archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070713224019/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/events/e32007/articles/halo3console.htm|archivedate= 2007-07-13|title=Halo 3 Console Announced|accessdate= 2008-07-26|date= 2007-07-10|publisher=Microsoft}}</ref> its features were identical to those of the Xbox 360 system at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360halo3console/default.htm|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080725042904/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360halo3console/default.htm|archivedate=2008-07-25|title=Halo 3 Special Edition Console| publisher=Microsoft|accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref> It is priced at US$399.99 and £279.99 (the original price of the Xbox 360).<ref name="consoleprice">{{cite web |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/0806-consoleprice.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070820211136/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/0806-consoleprice.htm |archivedate=2007-08-20 |title=Microsoft Lowers Xbox 360 Price |publisher=Microsoft Corporation|accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref>

* To promote ''[[The Simpsons Movie]]'', Microsoft created a specially designed, yellow Xbox 360 console.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/events/simpsonsmovie/winxbox360.htm|archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20080619023538/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/events/simpsonsmovie/winxbox360.htm|archivedate= 2008-06-19|title=Win A Limited Edition Xbox 360|publisher=Microsoft| accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref> The configuration was based on the Xbox 360 package of the time, the only difference being the color scheme of the Xbox 360 console and wireless controller. The consoles were to be given out to winners of drawings taking place between July 18, 2007 and July 27, 2007, in which a name was randomly drawn each day in the "10 Days and 10 Chances to Win" sweepstakes.<ref name="simpsonssweepstakes">{{cite web|url= http://www.thesimpsons.com/sweepstakes/movie/index.htm|title= Limited Edition Simpsons Movie Xbox 360 Sweepstakes|accessdate= 2008-01-15|publisher=Fox Broadcasting Company}}</ref> 100 consoles were produced in total.<ref name="microsoftsimpsons360">{{cite web|url= http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-10-2007/0004585255&EDATE=|title= Xbox 360 Has Movie Fans Seeing Stars|accessdate= 2009-07-22|publisher=PR Newswire Association LLC}}</ref>

* A ''[[Resident Evil 5]]'' bundle containing a red Xbox 360 Elite console was released on March 13, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/25/major-nelson-unboxes-the-red-resident-evil-5-xbox-360-bundle?icid=sphere_blogsmith_inpage_joystiq |title=Major Nelson unboxes the red Resident Evil 5 Xbox 360 bundle [update] |publisher=Joystiq |author=Hinkle, David |accessdate=2009-02-26}}</ref> The bundle also contains a red, wireless controller and a black, wired headset.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/24/red-resident-evil-5-xbox-360-bundle-its-real/ |title=Red Resident Evil 5 Xbox 360 bundle: it's real! |publisher=Joystiq |author=Fletcher, JC |accessdate=2009-02-26}}</ref>

====Super Elite special editions====
* On September 15, 2009 Microsoft announced a special 250&nbsp;GB hard disk limited edition version of the Xbox 360 Elite for ''[[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2]]''. The unit is highlighted by special game product branding and includes two wireless controllers and a headset. This was the first Xbox 360 announced to come with a 250&nbsp;GB hard drive.<ref name=250GB>{{cite web |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/press/2009/0915-mw2.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100107131653/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/press/2009/0915-mw2.htm |archivedate=2010-01-07 |title=Limited Edition Console for ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2'' |publisher=Microsoft |date=2009-09-15 |accessdate=2009-10-01}}</ref>

* A ''[[Final Fantasy XIII]]'' 250&nbsp;GB limited edition bundle of the Xbox 360 console was announced on February 11, 2010 and was released to coincide with the release of Final Fantasy XIII (March 9, 2010). The bundle includes an imprinted white 250&nbsp;GB Xbox 360 Elite (Final Fantasy XIII imprinted where HDD size imprint goes), two wireless controllers, a copy of Final Fantasy XIII and exclusive downloadable avatar items. Other than the HDD imprint, this console is cosmetically identical to the discontinued Pro models.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/Press/archive/2010/0212-x10|title=Get Ready for the Biggest Year in Xbox 360 Gaming History|date=2010-02-11|work=|publisher=Microsoft|accessdate=2010-03-20}}</ref>

* In March 2010, Microsoft announced a special limited edition black Xbox 360 Elite console for ''[[Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction]]''. The unit includes a 250&nbsp;GB hard drive, two black wireless controllers, a black wired headset, an Ethernet cable, a standard definition Composite A/V cable, and the standard edition version of the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/press/2010/0302-sccspecialedition.htm|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100307160806/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/press/2010/0302-sccspecialedition.htm|archivedate=2010-03-07|title=Xbox 360 Splinter Cell Conviction Special Edition Announced|author=|date=2010-03-02|work=|publisher=Microsoft|accessdate=2010-03-20}}</ref>

====Xbox 360 S special editions====
=====250&nbsp;GB models=====
* A ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' special edition bundle was made available concurrently with the game on {{date|2010-9-14|mdy}}. It consists of a custom branded silver 250&nbsp;GB Xbox 360 S console, two silver and black branded controllers, a black [[Xbox 360 accessories#Headset|wired headset]], a copy of the game and a download voucher for "Limited Edition Elite" armor and an episode from the [[Halo Legends]] anime. The press release in which it was announced also revealed that it "not only captures the look and feel of the game, but also features custom sound effects from the Halo universe". The bundle retailed for US$399. The branded controllers and headset were also sold as standalone products.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/22/halo-reach-xbox-360-bundle-available-september-14-for-399/|title=Halo Reach Xbox 360 bundle available September 14 for $399|date=2010-07-22|accessdate=2010-07-23|publisher=Joystiq}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/22/new-xbox-360-250gb-limited-edition-halo-reach-bundle-revealed/|title=New Xbox 360 250GB Limited Edition Halo: Reach bundle revealed|author=Ross Miller|publisher=[[Engadget]]|date=2010-07-22|accessdate=2010-07-24}}</ref>

=====320&nbsp;GB models=====
* In June 2011, Microsoft announced a "Limited Collector's Edition" (LCE) Xbox 360 S console to coincide with the launch of [[Gears of War 3]].<ref name="Gears3Console"/> The console features a metallic red finish with black Gears of War 3 Branding.<ref name="Gears3Console"/> Unlike other Xbox 360 S consoles, the Gears of War 3 LCE features a 320&nbsp;GB hard drive.<ref name="Gears3Console"/> and sounds from the Gears of War 3 game are played when the console is switched on or the disc tray is opened.<ref>{{cite web|title=Announcing the Xbox 360 Gears of War 3 Limited Edition Console|url=http://majornelson.com/2011/06/06/announcing-the-xbox-360-gears-of-war-3-limited-edition-console/|publisher=[[Larry Hryb{{!}}Major Nelson.com]]|accessdate=25 August 2011}}</ref> It is bundled with two custom branded metallic red Gears of War 3 wireless controllers, a wired headset, a copy of the game and a download code for additional in-game content.<ref name="Gears3Console"/> It is due for release on September 20, 2011.<ref name="Gears3Console"/>

* On July 21, 2011, Microsoft announced the "Limited Edition Kinect Star Wars Bundle".<ref name="StarWarsConsole">{{cite web|url=http://majornelson.com/2011/07/21/limited-edition-star-wars-console/|title=Xbox Live&#039;s Major Nelson » Limited Edition Star Wars Console|date={{Date|2011-07-21|mdy}}|accessdate={{Date|2011-07-22|mdy}}|publisher=Microsoft}}</ref> The bundle includes a 320&nbsp;GB Xbox 360 S console, which features [[R2-D2]]-based artwork and custom R2-D2-themed power on/tray eject sounds, a white [[Kinect]] sensor, a gold and black [[C-3PO]] themed wireless controller, a copy of [[Star Wars Kinect]] and [[Kinect Adventures]], and exclusive downloadable content.<ref name="StarWarsConsole"/> It was subsequently delayed until 3 April 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Star Wars Kinect and Console Bundle Reportedly Delayed|url=http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/24562/Star-Wars-Kinect-and-Console-Bundle-Reportedly-Delayed/|publisher=Team Xbox|accessdate=25 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kinect Star Wars Bundle & Game being released April 3rd|url=http://majornelson.com/2012/02/07/kinect-star-wars-bundle-game-being-released-april-3rd/|publisher=Microsoft|accessdate=12 February 2012}}</ref>

* On September 2, 2011, Microsoft announced the "Limited Edition Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Bundle". The bundle includes a 320&nbsp;GB Xbox 360 S console, which features ''[[Modern Warfare 3]]'' based artwork and custom ''Modern Warfare 3'' themed power on/tray eject sounds, two ''Modern Warfare 3'' themed wireless controllers (with transforming d-pad), a black wired headset, and a copy of the game.<ref name="MW3-320GB">{{cite web|url=http://majornelson.com/2011/09/02/xbox-360-limited-edition-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-console-wireless-headset-with-bluetooth-and-wireless-controller/|title=Xbox Live&#039;s Major Nelson » Xbox 360 Limited Edition Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Console, Wireless Headset with Bluetooth and Wireless Controller|date={{Date|2011-09-02|mdy}}|accessdate={{Date|2011-09-03|mdy}}|publisher=Microsoft|work=majornelson.com}}</ref> The console was released on November 8, 2011 in North America, Australasia and the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region.<ref name="MW3-320GB"/>

===Xbox 360 Launch Team Edition===
{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2011}}
[[File:specialeditionlaunchteamconsolexbox360.jpg|thumb|upright|The Launch Team Console with controller]]
A white console with green accents was released in 2005 only to the Launch Team as a gift from [[Microsoft]]. The consoles came complete with a 20&nbsp;GB HDD also in green to match the top and bottom sections that are typically grey in color. The HDD plate was also personalized and engraved with the team member's [[gamertag]]. Few examples have been seen with simply the console release date November 22, 2005 engraved on the HDD plate. The consoles came with a limited issue controller to accompany the console. The difference with the controller again is the grey part on the controller is replaced with a green molded plastic, not painted contrary to popular belief, to match the console. Each console came with a plain white faceplate. However as an additional gift, each team member was given an additional packaged faceplate with one of a kind art with the caption "I Made This" on the USB door of the faceplate. Very few examples have been sold off from original team member's collection. [[Larry Hryb]], better known as "Major Nelson", is known to own one which he displays pictures of on his website having been a member of the Launch Team. The special edition Launch Team console, hard drive, controller and the special faceplate were never sold in stores or meant for the general public. It is unknown as of now how many of these very rare consoles exist today.

===Holiday bundles===
As with the original Xbox, Microsoft has continued bundling two video game titles in console retail packaging during the [[Christmas and holiday season|holiday season]]. During the holidays of 2007, the Xbox 360 Pro and Elite packages were bundled with ''[[Forza Motorsport 2]]'' and ''[[Marvel: Ultimate Alliance]]''.<ref name=holidayconsoles>{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/1008-holidayconsoles.htm|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071011012329/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/1008-holidayconsoles.htm|archivedate=2007-10-11|title=Holiday Consoles Include Two Free Games|accessdate=2008-01-22|publisher=Microsoft}}</ref> In the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands, ''Forza Motorsport 2'' was bundled with ''[[Viva Piñata]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000YIMXD0 |title=Wireless Entertainment Pack 2 for Xbox 360 (Includes Forza 2, Viva Pinata and Wireless Controller) - Xbox 360 Console Sold Separately |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |accessdate=2009-09-10}}</ref> Holiday 2008 Xbox 360 and Xbox 360 Elite packages were bundled with ''[[Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures]]'' and ''[[Kung Fu Panda (video game)|Kung Fu Panda]]'', while Arcade consoles were bundled with ''[[Sega Superstars Tennis]]''.<ref name="hol2008bundles">{{cite web |url =http://news.softpedia.com/news/Xbox-360-Bundles-LEGO-Indiana-Jones-and-Kung-Fu-Panda-95385.shtml|title=Xbox 360 Bundles LEGO Indiana Jones and Kung Fu Panda|accessdate=2008-11-16|author=Dumitrescu, Andrei|date=2008-10-10|publisher= [[Softpedia]]}}</ref> Holiday 2009 packages included an Elite console, [[LEGO Batman]] and [[Pure (video game)|Pure]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10363475-17.html|title=New Xbox 360 holiday bundle announced|first=Don|last=Reisinger|work=CNET|date=2009-09-29|accessdate=2011-09-06}}</ref> Holiday 2010 bundles included a 250&nbsp;GB Xbox 360 S console, [[Forza Motorsport 3]] and a voucher to download [[Alan Wake]] from the [[Xbox Live Marketplace]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/xbox-360-bundle-with-alan-wake-forza-3-confirmed-for-us/|title=Xbox 360 bundle with Alan Wake, Forza 3 confirmed for US|first=Richard|last=Mitchell|work=Joystiq|date=2010-11-02|accessdate=2011-09-06}}</ref>

==Hardware and accessories==
===Hardware===
{{Main|Xbox 360 hardware}}
[[File:Xbox-360-white-wireless-controller.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Xbox 360 Controller|Xbox 360 Wireless Controller]]]]
The main unit of the Xbox 360 itself has slight double concavity in matte white or black. The official color of the white model is Arctic Chill. It features a port on the top when vertical (left side when horizontal) to which a custom-housed [[hard disk drive|hard drive]] unit can be attached in sizes of either 20, 60, 120 or 250 GB. Inside, the Xbox 360 uses the triple-core [[IBM]] designed [[Xenon (processor)|Xenon]] as its CPU, with each core capable of simultaneously processing two [[thread (computer science)|threads]], and can therefore operate on up to six threads at once.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/support/xbox360/manuals/xbox360specs.htm|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080822024003/http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/support/xbox360/manuals/xbox360specs.htm|archivedate=2008-08-22 |title=Xbox 360 Technical Specifications |publisher=Xbox.com |accessdate=2009-09-10}}</ref> [[Computer graphics|Graphics processing]] is handled by the [[ATI Technologies|ATI]] [[Xenos (graphics chip)|Xenos]], which has 10 [[Megabyte|MB]] of [[eDRAM]]. Its main memory pool is 512 [[Megabyte|MB]] in size.

===Accessories===
{{Main|Xbox 360 accessories}}
Many accessories are available for the console, including both [[Xbox 360 Controller|wired and wireless controllers]], faceplates for customization, headsets for chatting, a [[Xbox Live Vision|webcam]] for video chatting, [[dance pad|dance mats]] and [[Gamercize]] for exercise, three sizes of [[Xbox 360 accessories#Memory units|memory units]] and four sizes of [[hard disk drive|hard drives]] (20 GB, 60 GB, 120 GB and 250 GB (initially Japan only,<ref name=250GB_separate>{{cite web|title=Xbox 360 Hard Drive accessory bumped to 250GB in Japan|url=http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/01/xbox-360-hard-drive-accessory-bumped-to-250gb-in-japan|accessdate=2010-02-01}}</ref> but later also available elsewhere<ref name="250GBNA">{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/23/250gb-xbox-360-hard-drive-now-available-for-129-99/|title=250GB Xbox 360 hard drive now available for $129.99|accessdate=2010-03-23|date=2010-03-23}}</ref><ref name="250GBUK">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ms-unveils-standalone-250gb-hdd|title=MS unveils standalone 250GB HDD|date=2010-03-24|accessdate=2010-03-25|publisher=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref>), among other items, all of which are styled to match the console.

===Kinect===
{{Main|Kinect}}
[[File:Xbox-360-Kinect-Standalone.png|thumb|The ''Kinect'' sensor device]]
Kinect is a "controller-free gaming and entertainment experience" for the Xbox 360. It was first announced on June 1, 2009 at the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]], under the codename, ''Project Natal''. The add-on [[peripheral]] enables users to control and interact with the Xbox 360 without a [[game controller]] by using gestures, [[speech recognition|spoken commands]] and presented objects and images. The Kinect accessory is compatible with all Xbox 360 models,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wireninja.com/xbox-360-fat-slim-comparison/ |title=Xbox 360 Fat & Slim Comparison |publisher=Wireninja.com |date=2010-06-21 |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref> connecting to new models via a custom connector, and to older ones via a USB and mains power adapter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5520812/project-natal--its-instruction-manual-in-the-wild|title=Project Natal &amp; Its Instruction Manual(!) In The Wild|publisher=Kotaku|date=2010-04-20|accessdate=2010-05-27}}</ref> During their CES 2010 keynote speech, Robbie Bach and Microsoft CEO [[Steve Ballmer]] went on to say that Kinect will be released during the holiday period (November–January) and it will work with every 360 console. Its name and release date of {{date|2010-11-04|mdy}} were officially announced on {{date|2010-06-13|mdy}}, prior to Microsoft's press conference at [[Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010|E3 2010]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2010-06-14-vidgame14_ST_N.htm | title=Microsoft Kinect gets into motion as E3 confab kicks off | first=Mike | last=Snider | date=2010-06-14 | work=USA Today}}</ref> {{-}}

==Software==
===Dashboard===
{{See also|Xbox 360 system software}}
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Achievmentsymbol.png|100px|thumb|Symbol used for notifications]] -->
The Xbox 360's original [[graphical user interface]] was the ''Xbox 360 Dashboard''; a [[Tab (GUI)|tabbed interface]] that featured five "Blades" (formerly four blades), and was designed by [[AKQA]] and [[Audiobrain]]. It could be launched automatically when the console [[booting|booted]] without a disc in it, or when the disc tray was ejected, but the user had the option to select what the console does if a game is in the tray on start up, or if inserted when already on. A simplified version of it was also accessible at any time via the Xbox Guide button on the gamepad. This simplified version showed the user's gamercard, Xbox Live messages and friends list. It also allowed for personal and music settings, in addition to voice or video chats, or returning to the Xbox Dashboard from the game.

On November 19, 2008, the Xbox 360's dashboard was changed from the "Blade" interface, to a dashboard reminiscent of that present on the Zune and Windows Media Center, known as the "New Xbox Experience" or NXE.

Since the console's release, Microsoft has released several updates for the Dashboard software. These updates have included adding new features to the console, enhancing Xbox Live functionality and multimedia playback capabilities, adding compatibility for new accessories, and fixing bugs in the software. Such updates are mandatory for users wishing to use [[Xbox Live]], as access to Xbox Live is disabled until the update is performed.

===New Xbox Experience===
{{further|[[New Xbox Experience|Xbox Live, section "New Xbox Experience"]]}}
At E3 2008, at Microsoft's Show, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg and Marc Whitten announced the new Xbox 360 interface called the "New Xbox Experience" (NXE). The update was intended to ease console menu navigation. Its GUI uses the [[Twist UI]], previously used in [[Windows Media Center]] and the [[Zune]]. Its new Xbox Guide retains all Dashboard functionality (including the Marketplace browser and disk ejection) and the original "Blade" interface.

The NXE also provides many new features. Users can now install games from disc to the hard drive to play them with reduced load time and less disc drive noise, but each game's disc must remain in the system in order to run. A new, built-in Community system allows the creation of digitized [[Avatar (Xbox 360)|Avatars]] that can be used for multiple activities, such as sharing photos or playing [[Xbox Live Arcade|Arcade]] games like ''[[1 vs 100 (Xbox 360)|1 vs. 100]]''. The update was released on November 19, 2008.<ref name=xbox2>{{cite web|url= http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/new-xbox-experience-dated|title= New Xbox Experience |date= October 9, 2008 |author=Tom Bramwell |publisher= Eurogamer|accessdate=2008-10-14}}</ref>

While previous system updates have been stored on internal memory, the NXE was the first to require a storage device—at least a 128 MB memory card or a [[hard disk drive|hard drive]].

Microsoft released a further update to the Xbox 360 Dashboard starting on December 6, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2011/dec11/12-04Xbox360TV.mspx|accessdate={{date|2011-12-06|mdy}}</ref> It included a completely new user interface which utilizes Microsoft's [[Metro (design language)|Metro design language]], and added new features such as cloud storage for game saves and profiles, live television, [[Microsoft Bing|Bing]] voice search,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/06/xbox-com-leaks-e3-secrets-early-voice-search-and-a-new-look-f/ |title=Microsoft's new Xbox 360 UI has Bing voice search across Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, and live TV -- Engadget |date={{date|2011-06-06|mdy}} |accessdate={{date|2011-10-22|mdy}} |work=[[Engadget]] |publisher=[[AOL]]}}</ref> access to [[YouTube]] videos, [[Skype]] integration, and better support for Kinect voice commands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/09/xbox-live-fall-2011-dashboard-update-preview-bing-search-voice/ |title=Xbox Live Fall 2011 Dashboard update preview: Bing search, voice control, and a Metro overhaul -- Engadget |date={{date|2011-09-09|mdy}} |accessdate={{date|2011-10-22|mdy}} |work=Engadget |publisher=AOL}}</ref>

===Multimedia===
The Xbox 360 supports videos in [[Windows Media Video]] (WMV) format (including [[High-definition television|high-definition]] and [[Microsoft PlaysForSure|PlaysForSure]] videos), as well as [[H.264/MPEG-4 AVC|H.264]] and [[MPEG-4]] media. The December 2007 dashboard update added support for the playback of [[MPEG-4 Part 2|MPEG-4 ASP]] format videos.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/personality/elle/20071130-systemupdate.htm| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071202193403/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/personality/elle/20071130-systemupdate.htm| archivedate=2007-12-02| title=Xbox 360 System Software&nbsp;— Fall Update Summary| date=2007-11-30| publisher=Microsoft| accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref> The console can also [[Avatar (computing)|display picture]]s and perform slideshows of photo collections with various transition effects, and supports audio playback, with [[Digital audio player|music player]] controls accessible through the Xbox 360 Guide button. Users may play back their own music while playing games or using the dashboard, and can play music with an interactive visual synthesizer.

Music, photos and videos can be played from standard USB [[Data storage device|mass storage devices]], Xbox 360 proprietary [[Data storage device|storage device]]s (such as memory cards or Xbox 360 hard drives), and servers or computers with [[Windows Media Center]] or [[Windows XP]] with [[Service pack|Service Pack]] 2 or higher within the local-area network in streaming mode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/pcsetup/MCEVista.htm| title=Enjoy Windows Media Center on your Xbox 360| publisher=Microsoft| accessdate=2008-01-01 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071223104154/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/pcsetup/MCEVista.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/getstarted/windowsconnectnow.mspx| title=Windows Connect Now Technology| publisher=Microsoft|date=2004-12-21| accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref> As the Xbox 360 uses a modified version of the [[Universal Plug and Play|UPnP]] AV protocol,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gxben.wordpress.com/2008/08/24/why-do-i-hate-dlna-protocol-so-much/|title=Why do I hate DLNA protocol so much ? " Ben's Lost World&nbsp;— Diary of a GeeXboX developer|accessdate=2008-11-24}}</ref> some alternative UPnP servers such as uShare (part of the [[GeeXboX]] project) and [[MythTV]] can also stream media to the Xbox 360, allowing for similar functionality from non-Windows servers.
This is possible with video files up to HD-resolution and with several [[codec]]s (MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV) and [[container format (digital)|container format]]s (WMV, MOV, TS).<ref>{{cite journal | author = Joystiq | title = HD-Streaming: Guide For Streaming HD To The Xbox360 |date=2007-07-27 | url = http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/07/how-to-transcode-and-stream-videos-on-xbox-360/ | accessdate = 2008-07-26}}</ref>

As of 27 October 2009,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/skyplayer/ |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100107182127/http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/skyplayer/ |archivedate=2010-01-07 |title=Xbox 360 Sky Player |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=2010-01-07 |accessdate=2011-08-24}}</ref> UK and Ireland users are also able to access live and on-demand streams of [[Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)|Sky television]] programming.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssTechMediaTelecomNews/idUSLS97781220090528 |title=Xbox 360 to show Sky live and on-demand programming &#124; Industries &#124; Technology, Media & Telecommunications &#124; Reuters |publisher=Reuters<! |date=2009-05-28 |accessdate=2009-09-10}}</ref>

Canadian users can access a streaming HDTV service from [[Telus]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telus.com/content/tv/optik/services-hardware/hardware.jsp|title=<nowiki>Hardware | The service &amp; hardware | Optik TV | TV | TELUS</nowiki>|accessdate={{Date|2010-09-16|mdy}}|publisher=[[Telus]]}}</ref>

At the 2007, 2008, and 2009 [[Consumer Electronics Show]]s, Microsoft had announced that [[IPTV]] services would soon be made available to use through the Xbox 360. In 2007, Microsoft chairman [[Bill Gates]] stated that IPTV on Xbox 360 was expected to be available to consumers by the holiday season, using the [[Microsoft TV IPTV Edition]] platform.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Microsoft Integrates IPTV Software Platform With Xbox 360, Creating All-in-One Digital Entertainment Device |publisher=Microsoft |date=7 January 2007 |url=http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/jan07/01-08IPTVXboxPR.mspx |accessdate=2010-01-07 |quote=IPTV on Xbox 360 is expected to be available to consumers by holiday season 2007 and will be offered by providers that are deploying TV services over broadband networks based on the IPTV Edition software platform.}}</ref> In 2008, Gates and president of Entertainment & Devices [[Robert J. Bach|Robbie Bach]] announced a partnership with [[BT Retail|BT]] in the United Kingdom, in which the [[BT Vision]] advanced TV service, using the newer [[Microsoft Mediaroom]] IPTV platform, would be accessible via Xbox 360, planned for the middle of the year.<ref>{{cite press release |title=BT and Microsoft Announce Partnership to Deliver Powerful, First-of-its-Kind Entertainment Experience to Consumers Through Xbox 360 |publisher=Microsoft |date=8 January 2008 |url=http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/jan08/01-06MSBTXboxPR.mspx |accessdate=2010-01-07 |quote=All BT broadband customers will have the unique opportunity to receive the best in high-definition gaming, television and movies through an Xbox 360 console, in a powerful, all-in-one entertainment experience. BT Vision, which is powered by the Microsoft Mediaroom Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) platform, plans to make this first-of-its-kind device and service offering available to customers in the middle of 2008.}}</ref> BT Vision's DVR-based features would not be available on Xbox 360 due to limited hard drive capacity.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7178661.stm|title= Xbox will host BT's TV service|accessdate= 2008-01-22|date= 2008-01-09|publisher= BBC News}}</ref> In 2010, while announcing version 2.0 of Microsoft Mediaroom, Microsoft CEO [[Steve Ballmer]] mentioned that AT&T's [[U-verse]] IPTV service would enable Xbox 360s to be used as set-top boxes later in the year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/steve/2010/01-06CES.mspx |title=Steve Ballmer and Robbie Bach Keynote: 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show |date=6 January 2010 |publisher=Microsoft |accessdate=2010-01-07 |quote=J.D. Power and Associates have recently rated AT&T Uverse TV the best-rated, highest-rated residential TV satisfaction in the United States Southern and Western Regions for the second year in a row. I'm happy to announce that later this year AT&T will also enable subscribers to [[U-Verse]] to enjoy that service on their Xbox 360 consoles.}}</ref> As of January 2010, IPTV on Xbox 360 has yet to be deployed beyond limited trials.

===XNA community===
{{Main|Microsoft XNA}}
XNA Community is a feature whereby Xbox 360 owners can receive community-created games, made with Microsoft XNA Game Studio, from the XNA Creators Club . The games are written, published, and distributed through a community managed portal. XNA Community provides a channel for digital videogame delivery over Xbox Live that can be free of royalties, publishers and licenses.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3545/sponsored_feature_democratizing_.php|title=XNA Community}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://creators.xna.com/|title=XNA Creators Club}}</ref> XNA game sales, however, did not meet original expectations.<ref>{{cite web|last=McElroy |first=Griffin |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/gamerbytes-study-shows-disappointing-sales-for-xna-community-gam/ |title=GamerBytes study shows disappointing sales for XNA Community Games |publisher=Joystiq.com |date=2009-03-30 |accessdate=2009-09-10}}</ref>

==Games==
{{Main|List of Xbox 360 games}}
{{See also|List of Xbox games compatible with Xbox 360|List of Xbox Originals}}

The Xbox 360 launched with 14 [[Xbox 360 launch title|games]] in North America and 13 in Europe. The console's best-selling game for 2005, ''[[Call of Duty 2]]'', sold over a million copies.<ref name="COD2sales">{{cite news |url=http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2006-07-10-world-war-II_x.htm |title=WWII shows no battle fatigue |accessdate=2008-07-26 |last=Snider |first=Mike |date=2006-07-11 |publisher=USA Today}}</ref> Five other games sold over a million copies in the console's first year on the market: ''[[Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter|Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ubisoftgroup.com/gallery_files/site/270/416/418/926.pdf |format=PDF|title=Ubisoft Entertainment Reports Revenue For Fiscal Year 2005–2006 |accessdate=2008-07-26 |date=2006-04-27 |publisher=Ubisoft}}</ref> ''[[The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion]]'',<ref>{{cite web | first=Tor |last=Thorsen |date=2006-04-10 |work=GameSpot News |publisher=GameSpot | title=Oblivion enjoying epic sales | url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6147359.html | accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref> ''[[Dead or Alive 4]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamekyo.com/news18066_dead-or-alive-4-passe-le-million.html |title=Dead or Alive 4 passe le million |accessdate=2006-11-22 |last=Calonne |first=Stéphane |date=2006-07-11 |publisher=JeuxFrance |language=French}}</ref> ''[[Saints Row (video game)|Saints Row]]'',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.next-gen.biz/news/strong-quarter-thq | title=Strong Quarter for THQ | publisher=[[Next Generation Magazine|Next-Gen.biz]] | accessdate=2008-07-26 |date=2006-11-03 | author=Kris Graft}}</ref> and ''[[Gears of War]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/12306/Gears-of-War-Hits-1-Million-Units-Sold/ |title=Gears of War Hits 1 Million Units Sold |accessdate=2008-07-26 |last=Berardini |first=César |date=2006-11-21 |publisher=TeamXbox}}</ref> ''Gears of War'' would become the best-selling game on the console with 3 million copies in 2006,<ref>{{cite web | title = Gears of War Juggernauts sells three million units| first = Microsoft Games Studio | publisher = Xbox.com | date = 2007-01-19 | accessdate = 2008-03-19 | url = http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/0119-gearsofwarjuggernautcontinues.htm | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070202034555/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/0119-gearsofwarjuggernautcontinues.htm | archivedate = 2007-02-02}}</ref> before being surpassed in 2007 by ''[[Halo 3]]'' with over 8 million copies.<ref name="17.7million360s">{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6184291.html | author=Brendan Sinclair | title=MS: 17.7 million 360s sold |date=2008-01-03 | publisher=[[GameSpot]] | accessdate=2008-01-04}}</ref>

Six games were initially available in Japan, while eagerly anticipated titles such as ''Dead or Alive 4'' and ''[[Enchanted Arms]]'' were released in the weeks following the console's launch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/deadoralive4/news.html?sid=6140447&mode=all|title=Dead or Alive 4 to miss Japanese 360 launch|publisher=GameSpot|date=2005-11-28|accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref> Games targeted specifically for the region, such as ''[[Chromehounds]]'', ''[[Ninety-Nine Nights]]'', and ''[[Phantasy Star Universe]]'', were also released in the console's first year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/715/715308p1.html|title=The Future of Japanese Gaming|publisher=IGN|date=2006-06-27|author=Douglas J. Parry|accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref> Microsoft also had the support of Japanese developer [[Mistwalker]], founded by ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' creator [[Hironobu Sakaguchi]]. Mistwalker's first game, ''[[Blue Dragon]]'', was released in 2006 and had a limited-edition bundle which sold out quickly with over 10,000 pre-orders.<ref name="Blue Dragon PreOrders">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/top/blue-dragon-pre+orders-selling-out-in-japan-no-really-208601.php |title=Blue Dragon Sells Well in Japan |accessdate=2008-07-26 |last=Ashcraft |first=Brian |date=2006-10-18 |publisher=Kotaku}}</ref> ''Blue Dragon'' is one of three Xbox 360 games to surpass 200,000 units in Japan, along with ''[[Tales of Vesperia]]'' and ''[[Star Ocean: The Last Hope]]''. Mistwalker's second game, ''[[Lost Odyssey]]'' also sold over 100,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japan-gamecharts.com/360.php|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080318173956/http://www.japan-gamecharts.com/360.php|archivedate=2008-03-18|title=Microsoft Xbox 360 Japanese Ranking |publisher=Japan Game Charts |accessdate=2008-03-19}}</ref>

The 2007 [[Game Critics Awards]] honored the Xbox 360 platform with 38 Nominations and 11 Wins.<ref name="MOSTAWARDS">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2007winners.html|title=2007 Winners
|publisher=GameCriticsAwards.com}}</ref> By March 2008, the Xbox 360 had reached a software [[attach rate]] of 7.5 games per console—a record for any console in history, in EU the rate was 7.0 while its competitors were 3.8 (PS3) and 3.5 (Wii).<ref name="ATTACH">{{cite web|url=http://www.thebitbag.com/2008/04/17/xbox-360-comes-in-2nd-for-march-sales/|title=Xbox 360 Comes In 2nd For March Sales|publisher=The Bit Bag|date=2008-04-17|accessdate=2011-01-05}}</ref>

==Xbox Live==
{{Main|Xbox Live}}
[[File:1home30rock0531.JPG|thumb|Xbox Home]]
When the Xbox 360 was released, Microsoft's online gaming service Xbox Live was shut down for 24 hours and underwent a major upgrade, adding a basic non-subscription service called Xbox Live Silver (later renamed Xbox Live Free) to its already established premium subscription-based service (which was renamed Gold). Xbox Live Free is included with all [[Stock-keeping unit|SKU]]s of the console. It allows users to create a user profile, join on [[Internet forum|message boards]], and access Microsoft's [[Xbox Live Arcade]] and Marketplace and talk to other members.<ref name="XboxLiveFree" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xbox.com/NR/exeres/F925FE0C-E310-491A-82E0-7A604A353BFB.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090204212851/http://www.xbox.com/NR/exeres/F925FE0C-E310-491A-82E0-7A604A353BFB.htm |archivedate=2009-02-04 |title=Xbox Live The Silver Age |accessdate=2006-09-30 |last=Barker |first=Ben |date=2005-09-19 |publisher=Microsoft }}</ref> A Live Free account does not generally support multiplayer gaming; however, some games that have rather limited online functions already, (such as ''[[Viva Piñata]]'') or games that feature their own subscription service (e.g. [[EA Sports]] games) can be played with a Free account. Xbox Live also supports voice and video communication, the latter a feature possible with the [[Xbox Live Vision]]; an add-on USB web camera designed specifically for the Xbox 360.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/hardware/xbox360/morethangames.htm |title=More than Games |accessdate=2006-09-30 |last=Gettys |first=Jim W. |date=2005-09-17 |publisher=Microsoft |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060908092939/http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/hardware/xbox360/morethangames.htm |archivedate = September 8, 2006 |quote= }}</ref>

Xbox Live Gold includes the same features as Free and includes integrated [[online game]] playing capabilities outside of third-party subscriptions. Microsoft has allowed previous Xbox Live subscribers to maintain their profile information, [[Contact list|friends list]], and games history when they make the transition to Xbox Live Gold. To transfer an Xbox Live account to the new system, users need to link a [[Windows Live ID]] to their gamertag on Xbox.com.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://support.xbox.com/support/en/us/xbox360/xboxlive/myaccount/managemyaccount/accountmanagement.aspx |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081024111920/http://support.xbox.com/support/en/us/xbox360/xboxlive/myaccount/managemyaccount/accountmanagement.aspx |archivedate=2008-10-24 |title=Xbox Live Account Migration to Xbox 360 |accessdate=2006-10-07 |publisher=Microsoft }}</ref> When users add an Xbox Live enabled profile to their console, they are required to provide the console with their passport account information and the last four digits of their [[Bank card number|credit card number]], which is used for verification purposes and billing. An Xbox Live Gold account has an annual cost of [[United States dollar|US$]]49.99, [[Canadian dollar|C$]]59.99, [[New Zealand dollar|NZ$]]90.00, [[Pound sterling|GB£]]39.99, or [[Euro|€]]59.99. As of January 5, 2011, Xbox Live has over 30 million subscribers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/Features/2011/jan11/01-05CESBallmer.mspx|title=2010: A Year Filled with New Experiences for Consumers|date={{Date|2011-01-05|mdy}}|accessdate={{Date|2011-01-11|mdy}}|publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref>

===Xbox Live Marketplace===
{{Main|Xbox Live Marketplace}}
[[File:Gameschannel6slots0531.JPG|thumb|Games hub.]]
The Xbox Live Marketplace is a virtual market designed for the console that allows Xbox Live users to download purchased or promotional content. The service offers movie and game trailers, [[game demo]]s, Xbox Live Arcade games, gamertag images, and Xbox 360 Dashboard themes as well as add-on game content (items, costumes, levels etc.). These features are available to both Free and Gold members on Xbox Live. A hard drive or memory unit is required to store products purchased from Xbox Live Marketplace.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360harddrive/harddriveornot.htm |title=To Hard Drive or Not? |accessdate=2006-09-30 |last=Gettys |first=Jim W. |date=2005-08-19 |publisher=Microsoft |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070427045612/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360harddrive/harddriveornot.htm |archivedate = April 27, 2007 |quote= }}</ref> In order to download priced content, users are required to purchase [[Microsoft Points]] for use as [[scrip]];<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/microsoftpoints.htm |title=Xbox 360 Get the Points |accessdate=2006-09-30 |last=Barker |first=Ben |date=2005-09-20 |publisher=Microsoft |unused_text=it is also the current sales leader of its generation }}{{dead link|date=November 2010}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> though some products (such as trailers and demos) are free to download. Microsoft Points can be obtained through prepaid cards in 1,600 and 4,000 point denominations. Microsoft Points can also be purchased through Xbox Live with a credit card in 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 point denominations. Users are able to view items available to download on the service through a PC via the [[Xbox Live Marketplace]] website.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/11982/Xbox-Live-Pipeline-Browse-Live-Marketplace-from-your-PC/ |title=Browse Live Marketplace from your PC |accessdate=2006-10-13 |last=Berardini |first=César |date=2006-10-12 |publisher=TeamXbox }}</ref> An estimated seventy percent of Xbox Live users have downloaded items from the Marketplace.<ref name="Live Stats">{{cite web |url=http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/12028/Latest-Xbox-Live-Facts-and-Stats/ |title=Latest Xbox Live Facts and Stats |accessdate=2006-10-19 |last=Berardini |first=César |date=2006-10-18 |publisher=TeamXbox }}</ref>

===Video store===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Xbox live video marketplace.jpg|thumb|Video Store]] -->
On November 6, 2006, Microsoft announced the Xbox Video Marketplace, an exclusive video store accessible through the console. Launched in the United States on November 22, 2006, the first anniversary of the Xbox 360's launch, the service allows users in the United States to download high-definition and standard-definition television shows and movies onto an Xbox 360 console for viewing. With the exception of short clips, content is not currently available for streaming, and must be downloaded. Movies are also available for rental. They expire in 14 days after download or at the end of the first 24 hours after the movie has begun playing, whichever comes first. Television episodes can be purchased to own, and are transferable to an unlimited number of consoles. Downloaded files use 5.1 [[surround sound|surround audio]] and are encoded using [[VC-1]] for video at 720p, with a [[bit rate|bitrate]] of 6.8&nbsp;Mbit/s.<ref name="Xbox 360 live video">{{cite web |url=http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/06/microsofts-xbox-live-video-hdtv-and-hd-movie-downloads-for-you/ |title=HDTV and HD movie downloads for your 360 |accessdate=2006-11-11 |last=Block |first=Ryan |date=2006-11-07 |publisher=Endaget }}</ref> Television content is offered from [[MTV]], [[VH1]], [[Comedy Central]], [[Turner Broadcasting System|Turner Broadcasting]], and [[CBS]]; and movie content is [[Warner Bros.]], [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]], and [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]], along with other publishers.<ref name="Live Video announcement">{{cite press release |title=Movies and TV on your Xbox |publisher=Microsoft |date=2006-11-06 |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2006/1106-moviestv.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20061211062527/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2006/1106-moviestv.htm |archivedate=2006-12-11 |accessdate=2008-07-26 }}</ref>

After the Spring 2007 <!-- do you mean 2008? -->update, the following [[video codec]]s are supported:

* H.264 video support: Up to 15&nbsp;Mbit/s, Baseline, Main, and High (up to level 4.1) Profiles with [[2channel|2 channel]] AAC LC and Main Profiles.
* MPEG-4 Part 2 video support: Up to 8&nbsp;Mbit/s, Simple Profile with 2 channel AAC LC and Main Profiles.

As a late addition to the December Xbox 360 update, 25 movies were added to the European Xbox 360 video market place on the December 11, 2007 and cost 250 [[Microsoft]] points for the SD version on the movie and 380 [[Microsoft]] points for the HD version of the movie.<ref name="Video Marketplace launches in Europe">{{cite press release |title=Movies and TV on your Xbox 360 in Europe|publisher=Microsoft |date=2007-07-12 |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/news-features/news/Video-Marketplace-announcement-041207.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080620173136/http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/news-features/news/Video-Marketplace-announcement-041207.htm |archivedate=2008-06-20|accessdate=2008-07-26 }}</ref> Xbox Live members in Canada featured the ability to go on the Xbox Live Marketplace as of December 10, 2007 with around 30 movies to be downloaded for the same amount of Microsoft Points.

On May 26, 2009, [[Microsoft]] announced the future release of the [[Zune HD]] (in the fall of 2009), the next addition to the [[Zune]] product range. This is of an impact on the [[Xbox Live]] Video Store as it was also announced that the Zune Video Marketplace and the Xbox Live Video Store will be merged to form the [[Zune Marketplace]], which will be arriving on Xbox Live in 7 countries initially, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Italy, Germany, Ireland and Spain.<ref name="Zune Marketplace">{{cite press release |title=Zune Marketplace|date=2009-05-27 |url=http://tech.uk.msn.com/news/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=149641612|publisher=Microsoft |accessdate=2009-05-27 }}</ref> Further details will be released at the Microsoft press conference at [[E3 2009]].

===Xbox Live Arcade===
{{Main|Xbox Live Arcade}}
Xbox Live Arcade is an online service operated by Microsoft that is used to distribute downloadable [[video game]]s to Xbox and Xbox 360 owners. In addition to classic [[arcade game]]s such as ''[[Ms. Pac-Man]]'', the service offers some new original games like ''[[Assault Heroes]]''. The Xbox Live Arcade also features games from other consoles, such as the [[PlayStation]] game ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]]'' and [[Personal computer game|PC games]] such as ''[[Zuma (computer game)|Zuma]]''. The service was first launched on November 3, 2004,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://money.cnn.com/2004/10/13/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/index.htm |title=Xbox Live Arcade to launch Nov. 3&nbsp;– Oct. 14, 2004 |accessdate=2006-09-30 |last=Morris |first=Chris|date=2004-10-14 |publisher=CNN |accessdate=2009-03-23}}</ref> using a DVD to load, and offered games for about US$5 to $15. Items are purchased using [[Microsoft Points]], a proprietary currency used to reduce [[credit card]] transaction charges. On November 22, 2005, Xbox Live Arcade was re-launched with the release of the Xbox 360, in which it was now integrated with the Xbox 360's dashboard. The games are generally aimed toward more casual gamers; examples of the more popular titles are ''[[Geometry Wars]]'', ''[[Street Fighter II|Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting]]'', and ''[[Uno (video game)|Uno]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://majornelson.com/archive/2006/12/30/2006-top-xbox-live-games.aspx |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080530191824/http://majornelson.com/archive/2006/12/30/2006-top-xbox-live-games.aspx |archivedate=2008-05-30 |title=Top Xbox Live Games of 2006 |accessdate=2008-07-26 |last=Hryb |first=Larry |date=2006-12-30 |publisher=MajorNelson }}</ref> On March 24, 2010, Microsoft introduced the [[Game Room]] to Xbox Live. Game Room is a gaming service for Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows that lets players compete in classic arcade and console games in a virtual arcade.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-20001073-56.html |title=Xbox Game Room launches, but with issues |accessdate=2010-03-25 |last=Fried |first=Ina |date=2010-03-24 |publisher=CNET}}</ref>{{-}}

==Reception and sales==<!-- This section is linked from this article's infobox -->
<!--
DO ''not'' CHANGE these numbers without a reference
VGCHARTS and NEXTGENWARS are ''not'' reliable sources
-->
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em;"
|-
! Region !! [[List of best-selling game consoles|Units sold]] !! First available
|-
| Canada
| 870,000 <small>{{as of|2008|8|1|lc=on|df=US}}</small><ref name="canadianpress">{{cite web |url=http://www.fftimes.com/node/214646 |title=Nintendo Wii surpasses mark of one million consoles sold in Canada |author=Neil Davidson |date=2008-08-26 |work=[[The Canadian Press]] |publisher=[[Yahoo!]] |accessdate=2008-09-08}}{{dead link|date=November 2010}}</ref>
| rowspan="2"|November 22, 2005
|-
| United States
| 25.4 million <small>{{as of|2011|3|31|lc=on|df=US}}</small><ref name="USEUsales">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33842/GameStop_Details_Europe_US_Installed_Base_For_Consoles.php|title=GameStop Details Europe, U.S. Installed Base For Consoles|author=Leigh Alexander|date=March 31, 2011|publisher=[[Gamasutra]]|accessdate=March 31, 2011}}</ref>
|-
| EMEA region{{-}}<small>(Europe, Middle East and Africa)</small>
| 13.7 million <small>{{as of|2011|3|31|lc=on|df=US}}</small><ref name="USEUsales"/>{{-}}<small>(Includes UK sales)</small>
| rowspan="2"| December 2, 2005
|-
| United Kingdom
| 3.9 million <small>{{as of|2009|1|13|lc=on|df=US}}</small><ref name=UKsales>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamezine.co.uk/news-story/2009/7/2/360-sells-more-than-wii-and-ds-in-uk-s-2009-u |title=360 sells more than Wii and DS in UK's 2009 |date=2009-01-13 |publisher=[[Gamezine]] |accessdate=2009-07-02}}</ref>
|-
| Japan
| 1.5 million <small>{{as of|2011|06|17|lc=on|df=US}}</small><ref name="JapanSales2011">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-06-17-xbox-360-sells-1-5-million-in-japan|title=Xbox 360 sells 1.5 million in Japan |date={{Date|2011-06-17|mdy}}|accessdate={{Date|2011-06-17|mdy}}|publisher=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref>
| December 10, 2005
|-
| Australia & New Zealand
| 1 million <small>{{as of|2010|4|19|lc=on|df=US}}</small><ref name="salesAUSNZ">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5520115/maybe-the-best-xbox-360-weve-ever-seen?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kotaku%2Ffull+%28Kotaku%29 |title=This Is A Nice, Nice Xbox 360 |publisher=Kotaku |accessdate=2010-04-19 |date=2010-04-19}}</ref>
| March 23, 2006
|-
| '''Worldwide'''
| '''65.8 million''' <small>{{As of|2012|01|19|lc=on|df=US}}</small>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/investor/EarningsAndFinancials/Earnings/SegmentResults/EntertainmentAndDevicesDivision/FY12/Q2/Kpi.aspx|title=Earnings Release FY12 Q2|accessdate={{date|2012-01-19|mdy}}|publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</small>| <small>([[Xbox 360 launch#Release dates and pricing|more...]])</small>
|}
{{See also|History of video game consoles (seventh generation)}}

The Xbox 360 began production only 69 days before launch.<ref name="bottleneck">{{cite news |url=http://money.cnn.com/2006/07/05/commentary/column_gaming/index.htm?section=money_latest |title=Nintendo's Wii may get early launch |accessdate=2006-08-30 |last=Morris |first=Chris |date=2006-07-05 |publisher=CNN Money |accessdate=2009-03-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/news/6235933.html | title = Microsoft cooking 360 figures? | date = 2007-04-16 | accessdate = 2008-07-26 | publisher = [[GameSpot]] }}</ref> As a result, [[Microsoft]] was not able to supply enough systems to meet initial consumer demand in Europe or North America<ref name="bbc-soldout">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4491804.stm |title=Xbox 360 sells out within hours |accessdate=2008-07-26 |date=2005-12-02 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> and many potential customers were unable to purchase a console at launch. Forty thousand units appeared on eBay during the initial week of release, 10% of the total supply.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/news/40000-xbox-360s-sold-ebay |title=40,000 Xbox 360s Sold on eBay |accessdate=2008-07-26 |last=Svensson |first=Christian |date=2005-12-02 |publisher=Future Network USA }}</ref> By year's end, Microsoft had shipped 1.5 million units, including 900,000 in North America, 500,000 in Europe, and 100,000 in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/msft/download/FY06/MSFTQ2_06.ppt#14 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060225181443/http://www.microsoft.com/msft/download/FY06/MSFTQ2_06.ppt#14 |archivedate=2006-02-25 |title=Microsoft FY2006 Quarter 2 report |accessdate=2008-07-26 |date=2006-01-26 |format=Powerpoint |publisher=Microsoft}}</ref>

At [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] in May 2006, [[Bill Gates]] announced that Microsoft would have a [[head start (positioning)|head start]] of 10 million units by the time Sony and Nintendo entered the market.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/may06/05-09E32006BriefingPR.mspx|title= Bill Gates Declares 10 Million-Unit Head Start for Xbox 360 and Outlines uture of Interactive Entertainment|accessdate= 2008-07-26|date= 2006-05-09|publisher= Microsoft Corporation}}</ref> Microsoft later specified that goal and estimated shipments of 10 million units by the end of 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/12113/Microsoft-Confident-to-Meet-Xbox-360-Shipping-Target/ |title=Microsoft Confident to Meet Xbox 360 Shipping Target |accessdate=2008-07-26 |last=Berardini |first=César |date=2006-10-27 |publisher=TeamXbox}}</ref>

Cumulative sales from the system's launch until June 30, 2007 were predicted to reach 12 million units, down from 13 to 15 million units estimated earlier. Being released one year ahead of its competitors, the Xbox 360 was the [[Dominance (economics)|market leader]] throughout the first half of 2007; however, on September 12, 2007, it was reported by the ''[[Financial Times]]'' that the Xbox 360 had been surpassed by the [[Wii]] in terms of worldwide home console sales.<ref name="wiileads">{{cite web |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/51df0c84-6154-11dc-bf25-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1| date=September 12, 2007|author=Mariko Sanchanta|title= Nintendo's Wii takes console lead|publisher=Financial Times|accessdate=2007-09-12}}</ref>

On October 4, 2007, after the launch of ''[[Halo 3]]'', Microsoft stated that Xbox 360 sales had more than doubled compared to the previous average.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2007/10/05/tech-microsoft-halo3-dc-idUKN0438777720071005 |accessdate=2008-10-05 |date=2007-10-04 |publisher=Reuters |title=Microsoft says "Halo" 1st-week sales were $300 mln | first=Scott | last=Hillis}}</ref> According to the [[NPD Group]], the Xbox 360 outsold the Wii for the month of September in the United States, helped in part by the spike in sales seen after the launch of ''Halo 3'', which sold 3.3 million copies in the US in a 12-day period.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/828/828504p1.html| title=Halo 3 sells over 3 million units in 12 days| publisher=IGN|date=2007-10-18| first=Ryan| last=Geddes| accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref> The Xbox had sales of 528,000 units for September, while the Wii had sales of 501,000 units.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://techland.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2007/10/19/game-on-xbox-outsells-the-wii/ |title=Bragging Rights: Microsoft's Xbox finally outsells the Wii |accessdate=2008-07-26 |last=Mattice |first=Bradley |date=2007-10-19 |publisher=Fortune Magazine}}</ref>

Despite the relatively strong sales figures, Microsoft's gaming division was losing money. Through 2005, the Xbox gaming division had lost over $4 billion,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.forbes.com/2005/09/12/microsoft-management-software_cz_vm_0913microsoft.html| title=Microsoft's Midlife Crisis| accessdate=2008-07-26|date=2005-09-13 |first=Victoria |last=Murphy |publisher=Forbes.com }}</ref> However, Microsoft expected the console to start making money in 2008.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/bach-xbox-business-profitable-next-year/70371/?biz=1| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080629192037/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/bach-xbox-business-profitable-next-year/70371/?biz=1| archivedate=2008-06-29| title=Bach: Xbox Business Profitable Next Year| accessdate=2008-07-26|date=2007-05-04| publisher=GameDaily BIZ }}</ref> due to a [[loss leader]] market strategy of selling consoles below cost in order to obtain [[market saturation]] and gain profits on software and peripherals with a much higher [[profit margin]].<ref>{{cite web
| url= http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/11/24/xbox360_component_breakdown/|title= Xbox 360 costs third more to make than it sells for|accessdate= 2008-07-26|author= Tony Smith|date= 2005-11-24|publisher= The Register}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.joystiq.com/2005/12/28/xbox-360-costs-715-to-make/|title= Xbox 360 costs $715 to make|accessdate= 2008-07-26|author= Blake Snow|date= 2005-12-28|publisher= Weblogs, Inc}}</ref> Additionally, Microsoft took a charge of $1 billion dollars on its June 2007 [[Income statement|Income Statement]] to account for the cost of replacing [[brick (electronics)|bricked]] Xbox 360s.<ref>{{cite web| first=Joshua| last=Topolsky| url=http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/05/xbox-360-warranty-extended-to-three-years| title=Xbox 360 warranty extended to three years| publisher=Engadget| date=2007-07-05| accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref>

In Europe, the Xbox 360 sold 2 million units [[2006 in video gaming#Europe|in 2006]] and 1.9 million [[2007 in video gaming#Hardware and software sales|in 2007]] according to estimates by [[Electronic Arts]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/IROL/88/88189/Q3FY08SupSeg.pdf#page=4 |title=Supplemental Segment Information |accessdate=2008-02-09 |author=[[Electronic Arts]] |date=2008-01-31 |work=[[Thomson Financial]] |page=4 |format=PDF}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17206 |title=EA Reveals European Hardware Estimates |accessdate=2008-02-09 |author=David Jenkins |date=2008-02-01 |work=[[Gamasutra]] |publisher=[[United Business Media|CMP Media]]}}</ref> In 2007, the Xbox 360 sold 4.62 million units in the US according to the NPD Group,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://kotaku.com/346301/whos-winning-the-console-war-in-the-us | title=Who's Winning The Console War In The US? | author=Michael McWhertor | publisher=Kotaku | accessdate=2008-05-24 | date=2008-01-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/npd-us-video-game-industry-totals-1794-billion-halo-3-tops-all/19119/?biz=1 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080119014303/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/npd-us-video-game-industry-totals-1794-billion-halo-3-tops-all/19119/?biz=1 |archivedate=2008-01-19 |title=NPD: U.S. Video Game Industry Totals $17.94 billion, Halo 3 Tops All |accessdate=2008-05-24 |author=James Brightman |date=2008-01-17 |publisher=GameDaily}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17006 | title=NPD: 2007 U.S. Game Industry Growth Up 43% To $17.9 billion | author=Brandon Boyer | publisher=[[Gamasutra]] | accessdate=2008-05-24 | date=2008-01-18}}</ref> and 257,841 in Japan according to [[Enterbrain]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/01/07/us-sony-nintendo-idUSTFA00293420080107?sp=true |title=Nintendo Wii outsells PS3 3-to-1 in Japan |accessdate=2008-05-25 |author=Kiyoshi Takenaka and Hugh Lawson |date=2008-01-07 |work=[[Reuters]] |publisher=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=16914 |title=Wii Sports Named Best Selling Game Of 2007 In Japan |author=David Jenkins |date=2008-01-11 |publisher=[[Gamasutra]] |accessdate=2008-05-25}}</ref><ref name=Japan2007-2008/> [[2008 in video gaming#Hardware and software sales|In 2008]], the Xbox 360 sold 317,859 units in Japan, according to Enterbrain.<ref name=Japan2007-2008>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/japanese-2008-market-report |title=Japanese 2008 Market Report |publisher=[[Market for Home Computing and Video Games]] |date=2009-01-09 |accessdate=2009-01-15}}</ref><ref name=Japan2008>{{cite web |url=http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1221045_1124.html |title=2008年国内ゲーム市場規模は約5826億1000万円(エンターブレイン調べ) |work=[[Famitsū|Famitsu]] |publisher=[[Enterbrain]] |language=Japanese |date=2009-01-05 |accessdate=2009-01-15}}</ref>

On February 13, 2008, Microsoft announced that the Xbox 360 suffered shortages in the US in January 2008, possibly continued into February.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/02/13/us-microsoft-xbox-idUSN1337448620080213 |title=Microsoft seeing Xbox shortages in U.S. |accessdate=2008-02-15 |author=Scott Hillis, Andre Grenon |date=2008-02-13 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref name="seattlepi">{{cite web |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/Supply-shortages-hurt-Xbox-sales-last-month-1264396.php |title=Supply shortages hurt Xbox sales last month |accessdate=2008-02-15 |author=P-I STAFF |date=2008-02-14 |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |publisher=[[Hearst Corporation]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17381 |title=Stock Low For Xbox 360 Hardware As NPD Approaches |accessdate=2008-02-15 |author=David Jenkins, Staff |date=2008-02-14 |work=[[Gamasutra]] |publisher=[[United Business Media|CMP Media]]}}</ref> Prior to the release of the NPD Group's video game statistics for January 2008, the Xbox 360 was in second place behind the Wii in US sales for most months since the Wii and PS3's release.<ref name="seattlepi"/> On May 14, 2008, Microsoft announced that 10 million Xbox 360s had been sold and that it was the "first current generation gaming console" to surpass the 10 million figure in the US.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2008/0514-10million.htm | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080517113549/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2008/0514-10million.htm | archivedate=2008-05-17 | title= Xbox 360 First to Reach Ten Million Console Sales in U.S.|publisher=Microsoft |date=2008-05-14 |accessdate=2008-05-14}}</ref> In the US, the Xbox 360 was the leader in current-generation home console sales until June 2008, when it was surpassed by the Wii.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6194691.html |title=NPD: PS3 sales spike on MGS4 |author=Tom Magrino |date=2008-07-17 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=2008-11-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/news/npd-wii-overtakes-360-us |title=NPD: Wii Overtakes 360 in US |author=Joe Keiser |publisher=''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' |date=2008-07-17 |accessdate=2008-11-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/techchron/detail?entry_id=28286 |title=E3: Nintendo Wii pulls ahead of Xbox 360 in console sales |author=Ryan Kim |publisher=San Francisco Chronicle |date=2008-07-17 |accessdate=2008-11-22}}</ref>

In the first seven months of 2008, the Xbox 360 has sold 154,000 units in Canada, being outsold by the PlayStation 3 and Wii;<ref name="canadianpress"/> the Xbox 360 has sold a total of 870,000 units in Canada as of August 1, 2008.<ref name="canadianpress"/> In Europe, the Xbox 360 has sold seven million units as of November 20, 2008, according to Microsoft.<ref name="Europesales">{{cite web |url=http://www.nowgamer.com/news/914963/xbox_360_european_sales_top_10m.html|title=Xbox 360 European Sales Top 10m |author=Dan Howdle |date=2009-11-13 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |accessdate=2010-03-02}}</ref> In Japan, the Xbox 360 has sold 866,167 units as of December 28, 2008, according to Enterbrain.<ref name=Japan2008/><ref name=Japansales>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5123288/last-year-japanese-game-market-experienced-shrinkage |title=Last Year, Japanese Game Market Experienced Shrinkage |author=Brian Ashcraft |publisher=Kotaku |date=2009-01-05 |accessdate=2009-01-15}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, the Xbox 360 has sold 3.9 million units as of June 27, 2009, according to [[GfK]] [[Chart-Track]].<ref name="UKsales"/>

On May 13, 2008, Microsoft stated that there will not be a release of a newer version of the Xbox 360 in 2009. Microsoft representative says, "While we [Microsoft] don't normally comment on rumors like this [release of newer and smaller Xbox 360], we can tell you that we have no plans to release a new console in 2009".<ref>[http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/13/microsoft-says-no-new-xbox-360s-in-2009/ Microsoft says no new Xbox 360s in 2009], retrieved on 2009-10-08</ref>

On May 28, 2009, Microsoft announced that sales have surpassed the 30-million unit-mark, stating that 2008 was Microsoft's "biggest year in history" also due to the increase of [[Xbox Live]] users.<ref>[http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23796 Xbox 360 Reaches 30 Million Units Globally, 20 Million Active XBL Users] - gamasutra.com 05-29-2009</ref>

On January 6, 2011, Microsoft stated that the Xbox 360 sold over 50 million units worldwide during their CES 2011 conference. In addition, they stated that the Kinect sold about 8 million units, 3 million more than initially predicted, during the product's first 60 days on the market. It was also announced that Xbox live had more than 30 million users, making 2010 the best year to date for the online service.<ref name=Worldwidesales/>

''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' magazine reported in August 2011 that initially lacklustre and subsequently falling sales in Japan, where Microsoft had been unable to make serious inroads into the dominance of domestic rivals Sony and Nintendo, had led to retailers scaling back and in some cases discontinuing sales of the Xbox 360 completely.<ref>{{cite web|author=Nathan Brown |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/news/xbox-360-dead-japan |title=Xbox 360: dead in Japan? - Edge Magazine |publisher=Next-gen.biz |date= |accessdate=2011-08-24}}</ref>

In 2009, [[IGN]] named the Xbox 360 the sixth greatest video game console of all time, out of a field of 25.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/top-25-consoles/6.html |title=Xbox 360 is number 6 |publisher=IGN |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref>

==Timeline of hardware models==
<timeline>
DateFormat=mm/dd/yyyy
Define $now = 02/24/2012
Period = from:01/01/2005 till:01/01/2015
Define $skip = at:end # Force a blank line
Define $dayunknown = 15 # what day to use if it's actually not known
ImageSize= width:800 height:auto barincrement:20
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal
PlotArea = right:1 left:1 bottom:130 top:1
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4

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id:lightline value:rgb(0.9,0.9,0.9)
id:lighttext value:rgb(0.5,0.5,0.5)
id:Premium_(20_GB) value:rgb(1,0.7,0.7) Legend:XBOX_360_(20_GB)_Premium_Edition
id:Premium_(60_GB) value:rgb(1,0.9,0.7) Legend:XBOX_360_(60_GB)_Premium_Edition
id:Core value:rgb(0.7,0.7,1) Legend:XBOX_360_Core_Edition
id:Arcade value:rgb(0.7,0.85,1) Legend:XBOX_360_Arcade_Edition
id:Elite value:rgb(0.6,0.6,0.6) Legend:XBOX_360_Elite_Edition
id:S_(250_GB) value:rgb(0.45,0.45,0.45) Legend:XBOX_360_250_GB_Edition
id:S_(4_GB) value:rgb(0.45,0.45,0.9) Legend:XBOX_360_4_GB_Edition

id:Premium_(20_GB)2 value:rgb(1,0.8,0.8)
id:Premium_(60_GB)2 value:rgb(1,0.8,0.6)
id:Core2 value:rgb(0.6,0.6,1)
id:Arcade2 value:rgb(0.6,0.75,1)
id:Elite2 value:rgb(0.5,0.5,0.5)
id:S_(250_GB)2 value:rgb(0.35,0.35,0.35)
id:S_(4_GB)2 value:rgb(0.35,0.35,0.8)

BackgroundColors = canvas:bg
ScaleMajor = gridcolor:lighttext unit:year increment:1 start:01/01/2005
ScaleMinor = gridcolor:lightline unit:month increment:1 start:01/01/2005

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barset:S_(250_GB)

PlotData=
width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s

barset:Premium_(20_GB)
color:Premium_(20_GB) from:10/22/2005 till:08/06/2007 text:"$_399.99"
barset:break
color:Premium_(20_GB)2 from:08/06/2007 till:07/13/2008 text:"$_349.99"
barset:break
color:Premium_(20_GB) from:07/13/2008 till:08/01/2008 text:"$_299.99"

barset:Premium_(60_GB)
color:Premium_(60_GB) from:08/01/2008 till:09/05/2008
barset:break
color:Premium_(60_GB)2 from:09/05/2008 till:08/27/2009 text:"$_299.99"

barset:Core
color:Core from:10/22/2005 till:08/06/2007 text:"$_299.99"
barset:break
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barset:Arcade
color:Arcade from:10/27/2007 till:09/05/2008 text:"$_279.99"
barset:break
color:Arcade2 from:09/05/2008 till:06/14/2010 text:"$_199.99"
barset:break
color:Arcade from:06/14/2010 till:07/01/2010 text:"$_149.99"

barset:S_(4_GB)
color:S_(4_GB) from:08/03/2010 till:$now text:"$_199.99"

barset:Elite
color:Elite from:04/29/2007 till:08/06/2007
barset:break
color:Elite2 from:08/06/2007 till:09/05/2008 text:"_$_449.99"
barset:break
color:Elite from:09/05/2008 till:08/27/2009 text:"$_399.99"
barset:break
color:Elite2 from:08/28/2009 till:06/14/2010 text:"$_299.99"
barset:break
color:Elite from:06/14/2010 till:07/01/2010 text:"$_249.99"

barset:S_(250_GB)
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pos:(610,166) text:"4_GB"
pos:(225,150) text:"Elite"
pos:(580,132) text:"250_GB"

pos:(253,150) text:"$_479.99"
pos:(412,212) text:"↑"
pos:(395,203) text:"$_349.99"

</timeline>

===United States===

'''November 22, 2005'''

{{Multicol}}
* Launch of Xbox 360 Premium (20&nbsp;GB)&nbsp;– $399.99
* Launch of Xbox 360 Core&nbsp;– $199

'''April 29, 2007'''

* Launch Xbox 360 Elite (120&nbsp;GB)&nbsp;– $479.99<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/0327-microsoftunveilsxbox360elite.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070405185941/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/0327-microsoftunveilsxbox360elite.htm |archivedate=2007-04-05 |title=Xbox.com &#124; Xbox News&nbsp;— Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite |publisher=Web.archive.org |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref>

'''August 6, 2007'''<ref name="consoleprice"/>

* Price Cut on Xbox 360 Premium (20&nbsp;GB)&nbsp;– $349.99
* Price Cut on Xbox 360 Core&nbsp;– $279.99
* Price Cut on Xbox 360 Elite&nbsp;– $449.99

'''October 27, 2007'''

* Launch of Xbox 360 Arcade&nbsp;– $279.99<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/1022-familyconsole.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071025003931/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/1022-familyconsole.htm |archivedate=2007-10-25 |title=Xbox.com &#124; Xbox News&nbsp;— New Xbox 360 Family Console Released |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=2007-10-25 |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref>
* Discontinuation of Xbox 360 Core
{{Multicol-break}}

'''July 13, 2008'''

* Discontinuation of Xbox 360 (20&nbsp;GB) (Price cut to $299.99 for remaining stock)<ref name="20GB_discontinued">{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6193719.html|title=E3 2008: 60GB Xbox 360 official, 20GB discounted and discontinued}}</ref>

'''August 1, 2008'''<ref name="20GB_discontinued"/>

* Launch of Xbox 360 Premium (60&nbsp;GB)&nbsp;– $349.99

'''September 5, 2008'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2008/xbox360pricedrop.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080905184538/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2008/xbox360pricedrop.htm |archivedate=2008-09-05 |title=Xbox News&nbsp;— Xbox 360 Invites Everyone to Play |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=2008-09-05 |accessdate=2011-08-24}}</ref>

* Price Cut on Xbox 360 Elite&nbsp;– $399.99
* Price Cut on Xbox 360 (60&nbsp;GB)&nbsp;– $299.99
* Price Cut on Xbox 360 Arcade&nbsp;– $199.99
{{Multicol-break}}

'''August 28, 2009'''

* Discontinuation of Xbox 360 (60&nbsp;GB) (Price cut to $249.99 for remaining stock)
* Price Cut on Xbox 360 Elite&nbsp;– $299.99

'''June 19, 2010'''<ref name="360 Arcade replacement" />

* Launch of Xbox 360 S 250&nbsp;GB&nbsp;– $299.99
* Discontinuation of Xbox 360 Elite (Price Cut to $249.99 for remaining stock)
* Discontinuation of Xbox 360 Arcade (Price Cut to $149.99 for remaining stock)

'''August 3, 2010'''

*Launch of Xbox 360 S 4&nbsp;GB&nbsp;– $199.99
{{Multicol-end}}

==Technical problems==
{{Main|Xbox 360 technical problems}}
[[File:Xbox360-ringofdeath.jpg|thumb|Three red lights on the Xbox 360's ring indicator representing a "General Error" requiring service of the Console or Power Adapter, nicknamed the "Red Ring of Death", "Red Ring of Fire" or "Red Lights of Death."]]

The Xbox 360 has been subject to a number of technical problems. Since the console's release in 2005, users have reported concerns over its reliability and [[failure rate]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_6270000/newsid_6277700/6277716.stm|title=Microsoft admit Xbox problems|publisher=BBC|accessdate=2009-02-13 | date=2007-07-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/rings-of-red|title=Rings of Red|publisher=GamesIndustry.biz|accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.1up.com/news/tale-11-broken-360s|title= A Tale of 11 Broken Xbox 360s|accessdate= 2008-07-26|author= Philip Kollar|date= 2007-06-26|publisher= Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc}}</ref>

To aid customers with defective consoles, Microsoft extended the Xbox 360's manufacturer's warranty to three years for hardware failure problems that generate a "General Hardware Failure" error report. A "General Hardware Failure" is recognized on all models released before the Xbox 360 S by three quadrants of the ring around the power button flashing red. This error is often known as the "[[Red Ring of Death]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.xbox.com/support/en/us/xbox360/hardware/warranty/warrantyupdate/WarrantyUpdate.aspx|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070605083902/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemuse/xbox360/resources/warrantyupdate.htm|archivedate=2007-06-05|title=Xbox 360 Warranty Coverage Expanded|accessdate= 2008-07-26|author=Microsoft|date= 2007-06-05}}</ref> In April 2009 the warranty was extended to also cover failures related to the E74 [[error code]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://majornelson.com/2009/04/14/xbox-360-warranty-extended-for-e74/|title=Xbox 360 Warranty extended for E74|publisher=majornelson.com|accessdate=2009-04-17}}</ref> The warranty extension is not granted for any other types of failures that do not generate these specific error codes.

Since these problems surfaced, Microsoft has attempted to modify the console to improve its reliability. Modifications include a reduction in the number, size, and placement of components, the addition of dabs of epoxy on the corners and edges of the CPU and GPU as glue to prevent movement relative to the board during heat expansion,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.llamma.com/xbox360/news/inside_the_xbox_360_elite.htm|title=Inside the Xbox 360 Elite|publisher=The Llamma's Adventures|date=2007-04-19|accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref> and a second GPU heatsink to dissipate more heat.<ref name="repaired_hardware">{{cite web|url= http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep/EElEZukFEleqkRrcnN.php|title= New Pictures of 2nd GPU HeatSink on Xbox 360|accessdate= 2008-07-26|author= XanTium |date= 2007-06-13|publisher= Xbox-Scene}}</ref> With the release of the redesigned Xbox 360 S, the warranty for the newer models do not include the three-year extended coverage for "General Hardware Failures".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://support.xbox.com/en-us/pages/xbox-360/troubleshoot/warranty/xbox-360-new-warranty.aspx |title=Product Warranty and Software License: New Xbox 360 Console |publisher=Microsoft |accessdate=2011-01-10 |quote="Warranty Period" for Xbox 360 S, means 1 year from the date You purchased the Xbox 360 S from an authorized retailer}}</ref> The newer Xbox 360 S model indicates system overheating when the console's power button begins to flash red, unlike previous models where the first and third quadrant of the ring would light up red around the power button if overheating occurred. The system will then warn the user of imminent system shutdown until the system has cooled,<ref>{{cite web |title=Flashing red light on the Xbox 360 S console power button|url=http://support.xbox.com/en-us/Pages/xbox-360/troubleshoot/kb/flashing-red-light-on-the-xbox-360-s-console-power-button.aspx?kbid=2122791|accessdate=2011-09-02|author= Microsoft |date= 2010-07-23 |publisher=Microsoft}}</ref> whereas a flashing power button that alternates between green and red is an indication of a "General Hardware Failure" unlike older models where three of the quadrants would light up red.<ref>{{cite web|last=Plunkett|first=Luke|title=The New Xbox 360 Won't "Red Ring"|url=http://kotaku.com/5566600/the-new-xbox-360-wont-red-ring|publisher=Kotaku|accessdate=1 November 2010}}</ref>{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Microsoft|Xbox|Video games}}
{{wikibooks|Xbox 360}}
{{Commons category-inline}}
* [http://www.xbox.com/ Official Xbox 360 website]
* [http://support.xbox.com/en-us/pages/xbox-360/troubleshoot/default.aspx Microsoft Support for Xbox 360]
*[http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam/default.aspx Xbox development team blog] <!-- the non-archived version seems to work, here is the archived version: archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080213124920/http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam/default.aspx |archivedate=2008-02-13}} -->
* {{dmoz|Games/Video_Games/Console_Platforms/Microsoft/Xbox_360}}

{{Microsoft video gaming}}
{{Microsoft}}
{{Seventh generation game consoles}}

[[Category:Xbox 360]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 2005]]
[[Category:Backward compatible video game consoles]]
[[Category:Microsoft gaming consoles]]
[[Category:Power Architecture]]
[[Category:Seventh-generation video game consoles]]
[[Category:Toys of the 2000s]]
[[Category:Toys of the 2010s]]
[[Category:Xbox emulators]]

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Revision as of 19:03, 25 February 2012

Xbox 360
Xbox 360 logo
Left: Xbox 360 Elite, Right: Xbox 360 S and new-style controller
Left: Xbox 360 Elite, Right: Xbox 360 S and new-style controller
DeveloperMicrosoft
ManufacturerFlextronics, Wistron, Celestica, Foxconn[1][2]
Product familyXbox
TypeVideo game console
GenerationSeventh generation
Lifespan
Availability by region
  • Original Xbox 360
    • CO|MX: February 2, 2006
    • KR: February 24, 2006
    • CL: July 7, 2006
    • IN: September 25, 2006
    • ZA: September 29, 2006
    • CZ|PL: November 3, 2006
    • BR: December 1, 2006
    • RU: February 11, 2007
    • PE: February 25, 2008
    • UAE: October 28, 2008
    • SC: Spring 2010
  • Xbox 360 S
    • AU: July 1, 2010
    • NZ: July 8, 2010
Units soldWorldwide: 65.8 million (as of January 9, 2012)[3](details)
MediaDVD, Compact Disc, Download
Add-on: HD DVD (discontinued)
CPU3.2 GHz PowerPC Tri-Core Xenon
Memory512 MB of GDDR3 RAM clocked at 700 MHz
Storage
Storage mediums
    • Detachable Hard Drives
      20 GB, 60 GB, 120 GB, 250 GB, 320 GB
    • Memory Cards (Removable) (Original design only)
      64 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB
    • On-board storage chip
      • Arcade Consoles (later models)
        256 MB, 512 MB
      • Budget level "Xbox 360 S" consoles:
        4 GB
    • USB storage device (requires system software update)
      1 GB to 16 GB
    • Cloud storage (requires Xbox LIVE Gold Membership)
      512 MB [4]
Display
Video output formats
Graphics500 MHz ATI Xenos
Sound
  • Analog stereo
  • Stereo LPCM (TOSLINK and HDMI)
  • Dolby Digital 5.1 (TOSLINK and HDMI)
  • Dolby Digital with WMA pro (TOSLINK and HDMI)
Controller input
Controllers
ConnectivityOriginal models

2.4 GHz wireless, 3 × USB 2.0, IR receiver, 100 Mbit Ethernet
Add-on: Wifi 802.11a/b/g, Wifi 802.11a/b/g/n[7]

Revised "S" models

2.4 GHz wireless, 5 × USB 2.0, IR receiver, 100 Mbit[citation needed] Ethernet, Wifi 802.11b/g/n, AUX port
Online servicesXbox Live
Best-selling gameKinect Adventures (18 million as pack-in game for Kinect)[8] [9]
Backward
compatibility
478 original Xbox games[10] (requires hard drive and the latest update)
PredecessorXbox

The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles. As of January 9, 2012, 66 million Xbox 360 consoles have been sold worldwide.[3]

The Xbox 360 was officially unveiled on MTV on May 12, 2005, with detailed launch and game information divulged later that month at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). The console sold out completely upon release in all regions except in Japan.[11][12][13]

Several major features of the Xbox 360 are its integrated Xbox Live service that allows players to compete online, download arcade games, game demos, trailers, TV shows, music and movies and its Windows Media Center multimedia capabilities. The Xbox 360 also offers region specific access to third-party media streaming services such as Netflix and ESPN in the US or Sky Go in the UK.

At their E3 presentation on June 14, 2010, Microsoft announced a redesigned Xbox 360 that would ship on the same day.[14] The redesigned console is slimmer than the previous Xbox 360 model and features integrated 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, TOSLINK S/PDIF optical audio output, 5 USB 2.0 ports (compared to the 3 from older versions) and a special AUX port.[15] Older models of the Xbox 360 have since been discontinued.[16] The first new console to be released features a 250 GB hard drive, while a later, less expensive SKU features 4 GB internal storage.

With the announcement of the Xbox 360 S, Microsoft have said that they believe that the console is only mid-way through its life-cycle and will continue through 2015.[17][18][19] However, unnamed sources have claimed that Microsoft's next video game console is being slated for release as early as the 2013 holiday season.[20] Development of the system has also been implied by updates Microsoft employees have made to their resumes, which state that they were working on the next Xbox console.[21]

Overview

Development

Known during development as Xbox Next, Xenon, Xbox 2, Xbox FS or NextBox,[22] the Xbox 360 was conceived in early 2003.[23] In February 2003, planning for the Xenon software platform began, and was headed by Microsoft's Vice President J Allard.[23] That month, Microsoft held an event for 400 developers in Bellevue, Washington to recruit support for the system.[23] Also that month, Peter Moore, former president of Sega of America, joined Microsoft. On August 12, 2003, ATI signed on to produce the graphic processing unit for the new console, a deal which was publicly announced two days later.[24] Before the launch of the Xbox 360, several Alpha development kits were spotted using Apple's Power Mac G5 hardware. This was because the system's PowerPC 970 processor running the same PowerPC architecture that the Xbox 360 would eventually run under IBM's Xenon processor. The cores of the Xenon processor were developed using a slightly modified version of the PlayStation 3's Cell Processor PPE architecture. According to David Shippy and Mickie Phipps, the IBM employees were "hiding" their work from Sony and Toshiba.[25] Jeff Minter created the music visualization program Neon which is included with the Xbox 360.[26]

Launch

The Xbox 360 was released on November 22, 2005, in the United States and Canada; December 2, 2005, in Europe and December 10, 2005, in Japan. It was later launched in Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, and Russia. In its first year on the market, the system launched in 36 countries, more countries than any other console has launched in a single year.[27]

Retail configurations

At launch, the Xbox 360 was available in two configurations: the "Xbox 360" package (unofficially known as the 20 GB Pro or Premium), priced at US$399 or GB£279.99, and the "Xbox 360 Core," priced at US$299 and GB£209.99. The original shipment of the Xbox 360 version included a cut-down version of the Media Remote as a promotion. The Elite package was launched later at US$479. The "Xbox 360 Core" was replaced by the "Xbox 360 Arcade" in October 2007[28] and a 60 GB version of the Xbox 360 Pro was released on August 1, 2008. The Pro package was discontinued and marked down to US$249 on August 28, 2009 to be sold until stock ran out, while the Elite was also marked down in price to US$299.[29] In June 2010, Microsoft announced a new, redesigned, model and the discontinuation of the Elite and Arcade models.[16]

Current models (Xbox 360 S)

Xbox 360 S console
Xbox 360 S console

Technically designated the Xbox 360 S[30] and marketed simply as the Xbox 360;[31] current Xbox 360 consoles are based around a redesign of the Xbox 360 hardware which was officially announced on June 14, 2010 during a press briefing prior to that year's E3.

It was speculated that a complete redesign of the Xbox 360 hardware was being produced after pictures of a possible new motherboard design surfaced on March 17, 2010.[32] Ads later surfaced on June 13, 2010 showing a slimmer Xbox 360 design, which was expected to include a 250 GB hard drive and integrated Wi-Fi functionality.[33]

Xbox 360 S consoles feature redesigned internal architecture with the Valhalla motherboard, which allows for around 30% more space than previous motherboards,[34] and the XCGPU, an integrated CPU/GPU/eDRAM chip using a 45 nm fabrication process.[35] This allows them to be both smaller and quieter than the previous versions of the Xbox 360. They also feature five standard USB 2.0 ports (two more than previous models) and an additional custom USB port for use with peripherals such as the Kinect sensor.[35] Unlike older models, 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi[36] and a TOSLINK S/PDIF optical audio connector are also built-in, allowing for digital audio and wireless networking without the need for external adapters.[35] The Memory Unit slots found on previous consoles have been removed in favor of the USB flash drive solution added in a previous system software update (released on April 6, 2010)[37] and the power and DVD drive eject 'buttons' are touch sensitive rather than the physical buttons found on previous models. The external hard disk drive connector has also been swapped for an internal bay for use with a proprietary hard drive. The hard drive bay is designed such that a specially formatted laptop hard drive may be loaded in. It has been noted that users can also open up the casing of the original model's hard drive and simply load it into the drive bay instead of purchasing a hard drive branded for use with the new model.[38][39] Other notable hardware changes include the use of one larger fan compared to the previous Xbox 360 models (which used two smaller ones) and the design of the vents, which are similar to those used on the original Xbox. Unlike previous generations of the console which had names to distinguish different SKUs, the new models are to be marketed solely by the amount of included storage,[16] in a similar fashion to current models of its main competitor the PlayStation 3. When the first new models began to ship, remaining stock of the Elite package dropped in price to US$249.99[16] or A$349[40] and the Arcade dropped to US$149.99.[16]

Xbox 360 250 GB

The first Xbox 360 S SKU to be revealed includes a 250 GB hard drive[41] and its casing featured a glossy black finish. It was shipped to US retailers the same day it was announced (June 14, 2010) and went on sale later that week. It was released in Australia on July 1, 2010,[42] in New Zealand on July 8, 2010[42] and in Europe on July 16, 2010.[43] It retails at US$299.99,[42] £199.99,[42] A$449.00,[42] NZ$499.00[42] or 249.00,[44] replacing the Xbox 360 Elite at that price point.

In August 2011, Microsoft announced they will be streamlining their models by discontinuing the glossy finish and future 250 GB consoles will use the matte finish found on 4 GB models.[45][46]

Xbox 360 4 GB

A second SKU which includes 4 GB of internal flash storage and has matte black casing (much like the Xbox 360 Elite)[47] was released on August 3, 2010 in the US[47] and August 20, 2010 in Europe.[48] It replaced the Xbox 360 Arcade and is priced at US$199.99, £149.99 or 199.99.[47][48][49][50] Although this model has on-board storage, Xbox Product Director Aaron Greenberg confirmed that it does have a drive bay which Microsoft has "the opportunity to use in the future".[47] On August 20, 2010, Microsoft announced a 250 GB stand-alone hard drive for use with Xbox 360 S models priced at US$129.99.[51]

Xbox 360 320 GB limited editions

In June 2011, Microsoft announced a "Limited Collector's Edition" Xbox 360 S console to coincide with the launch of Gears of War 3, which featuring custom finish,[52] a 320 GB hard drive[52] and sounds from the Gears of War 3 game which are played when the console is switched on or the disc tray is opened.

Other 320 GB Xbox 360 S limited editions soon followed. Like the 250 GB "Super Elite" consoles, 320 GB Xbox 360 S consoles are only available as part of limited/special edition console bundles (as of September 2011), with stand-alone 320 GB hard drives also available for purchase.[53]

Discontinued models

Xbox 360 Arcade console with white wireless controller.
Xbox 360 Arcade console with white wireless controller. The Arcade is cosmetically identical to the Core model.

Xbox 360 Core

The Xbox 360 Core was an entry level Xbox 360 which was later replaced with the "Arcade". Although available at launch in other regions, it was not available in Japan until November 2, 2006.[54] The Core system came bundled with composite video cables, capable of only SDTV resolutions. It was however capable of the same HDTV resolutions (up to 1080i) as the other models when connected to a separately sold component cable. In October 2006, 1080p support was added for all models in a system update,[55] including the "Core" using either the component cable, or the new VGA cable (although 1080p via component was not widely supported by televisions). It may also utilize a separately sold Xbox 360 hard drive. Unlike all other SKUs, it shipped with a wired version of the Xbox 360 controller, instead of the wireless version found in other SKUs.

Xbox 360 Pro / Xbox 360 Premium

The Xbox 360 Pro[56] (sometimes referred to as Premium and packaged as simply Xbox 360 with the subheading "Go Pro") included all the features of the Xbox 360 Arcade and included a hybrid composite and component cable with optional optical out instead of a composite cable. This model also included a detachable Hard Disk Drive (initially 20 GB, while later models had 60 GB) to store downloaded content, provide compatibility with original Xbox games, and store game data. The included hard drive came with game demos, video clips and a free Live Arcade game, Hexic HD. In July 2007, this version of the Xbox 360 began appearing with the Zephyr motherboard (the motherboard used in the Elite) which features HDMI 1.2 output and an improved GPU heatsink. Although this package did include an HDMI output, it did not come with an HDMI cable.[57][58] Starting at the end of September 2007, the newest systems were shipped with the new "Falcon" motherboard. This motherboard includes the new 65-nm CPUs, making them quieter and cooler than the older systems.[59] On August 1, 2008, the 20 GB version was discontinued and was replaced by a 60 GB HDD model at the same price. Holiday 2008 consoles were bundled with Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures and Kung Fu Panda.[60] Price cuts that took effect on September 4, 2008 reduced the price from $349 to $299.[61] The Xbox 360 Pro, following its discontinuation, retailed for $249.99 until stocks were exhausted.

Xbox 360 Elite

Xbox 360 Elite console with black wireless controller.
Xbox 360 Elite console with black wireless controller.

The Xbox 360 Elite included a 120 GB hard drive and a matte black finish. The Elite retail package also included a controller and headset that match the system's black finish.[62] The initial release price was $479.99 USD,[63] C$549.99,[63] £299.99, and A$729.95. The Elite was released in North America on April 29, 2007,[64] Europe on August 24, 2007, and Australia on August 30, 2007. These Elites (and other Xbox 360 models using the Falcon) can be identified from earlier versions by a re-designed power connector and a power supply rated to 175 W. In 2009, Elite models using the Jasper chipset became available. These can also be identified by their power supply, which is rated at 150W and has a 12.1A 12v rail. Holiday 2008 consoles were bundled with Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures and Kung Fu Panda.[60] The Elite's price tag was cut from $449 to $399 on September 4, 2008.[29][65] With the announcement of the new Xbox 360 250 GB model, the Elite dropped in price to US$249.99 for remaining units until stocks were exhausted.[16]

Xbox 360 Arcade

The Xbox 360 Arcade[66] replaced the "Xbox 360 Core" as the entry level Xbox 360 on October 23, 2007, while retaining the Core's price of US$279.99.[67] It was publicly revealed by Microsoft's president of Entertainment Devices division Robbie Bach to the Financial Times on October 18, 2007,[68] and officially announced on October 22, 2007,[28] although it was available in stores far earlier.[66] It included a wireless controller, composite AV cable, HDMI 1.2 output, a 256 MB memory unit and 5 Xbox Live Arcade titles:[69] Boom Boom Rocket, Feeding Frenzy, Luxor 2, Pac-Man Championship Edition, and Uno on a single disk, which also included a "Welcome Video" and several game trailers/demos.[70] Like its predecessor the "Core", it did not include a hard disk drive, which is required for Xbox software backwards compatibility. In Autumn (Fall) 2008, with the introduction of the Jasper motherboard revision, the memory unit was removed from the package and replaced with an 256 MB internal memory chip.[71] This was later upgraded to a 512 MB chip in Summer 2009.[72] Holiday 2008 consoles were bundled with Sega Superstars Tennis.[60] With the price cuts on September 4, 2008, the Arcade fell from US$279 to US$199 in the US.[61] In the UK, with the 2009 Elite price drop and discontinuation of the "Premium" Pro SKU, the Arcade price rose from GB£129.99 to GB£159.99.[73] With the unveiling of the Xbox 360 S redesign, the Arcade dropped in price to US$149.99 for remaining units until stocks are exhausted. The Arcade was replaced at the US$200 price tier by the 4 GB Xbox 360 S.

Xbox 360 Super Elite

The Xbox 360 Elite has also been configured with a 250 GB hard disk drive and 2 wireless controllers on special limited editions of the console. Also referred to as the Xbox 360 Super Elite,[74] the console retailed at US$399.99, GB£249.99 and A$599.00[75] as of November 10, 2009. A Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 bundle included a special limited edition black console featuring Modern Warfare 2 branding. Other bundles included a standard Elite finish and either the game Forza Motorsport 3[76] or both Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST.[77] On March 9, 2010, alongside the release of Final Fantasy XIII, Microsoft released another 250 GB bundle with the same extras as the Modern Warfare bundle except bundled with the Final Fantasy XIII game. Unlike other Super Elites, this console and its accessories featured a the same white color scheme as "Pro" models. This bundle also included exclusive downloadable items for use with Xbox 360 avatars and a specially branded 250 GB hard drive.[78][79] In April 2010, a Splinter Cell: Conviction Super Elite bundle featuring special print on the console and the same extras as the other bundles was released along side the Splinter Cell: Conviction game.

Comparison of features

Information is based on current specifications for standard packages. Older or holiday packages may differ from current configurations.

Model Storage HDMI Appearance Accessories/Bundled items Suggested retail price First available In production
S[16][30] 320 GB HDD[a][52][80] Yes Metallic red with black Gears of War 3 branding[52]

For details of bundle specifics, see Xbox 360 S special editions below

US$399.99[52] Yes
Matte blue and white R2-D2 artwork[80] US$449.99,[80] GB£349.99[81] Yes
Matte grey and dark grey with white Modern Warfare 3 branding[82] US$399[82]
Yes
250 GB HDD Yes Matte black (glossy black prior to August 2011)
  • Wireless controller
  • Wired Headset[83]
  • Composite AV Cable[b]
US$299.99, C$299.99, GB£199.99, 249.99,[84] A$449.00,[42] NZ$499.00[42]
Yes
4 GB onboard[47][49][50] Yes Matte black
  • Wireless controller
  • Composite AV Cable[b]
US$199.99,[50] GB£149.99,[50] C$199.99 Yes
Elite 250 GB HDD[a] Yes Matte black
Chrome disc drive
  • 2 wireless controllers
US$399.99, C$399.99, GB£249.99, €329.99, A$599.00 October 23, 2009 No[87]
120 GB HDD
  • 1 wireless controller
US$299.99, C$299.99, GB£199.99, €299.99 ¥29,800, A$549.00[88][89][90] April 29, 2007 No[16][87]
Arcade 512 MB[72] onboard Yes Matte white
Matte white disc drive
  • Wireless controller
  • Composite AV Cable[b][91]
  • Xbox Live Arcade compilation disc[e] (not included with all units)
US$199.99, C$149.99, GB£159.99, €179.99, ¥19,800, A$299.00[73][90] June 2009 No[16][87][92]
256 MB[71] onboard December 2008 No
256 MB memory unit October 23, 2007
Pro 60 GB HDD Yes Matte white
Chrome disc drive
US$249.99, C$299.99, GB£169.99, €239.99, ¥29,800, A$399.00[90] September 1, 2008 No
20 GB HDD After 2007 November 22, 2005 No
Core None No Matte white
Matte white disc drive
  • Wired controller
  • Composite AV Cable[b]
US$279.99, GB£199.99, ¥27,800 November 22, 2005 No
All Xbox 360s come with Xbox Live Free membership (Prior to October 2010, the free service was known as Xbox Live Silver)[93] and a one-month trial of Xbox Live Gold membership (only new accounts are eligible).
All Xbox 360s are backwards compatible with supported Xbox titles as long as they have an Xbox 360 HDD attached. This can be purchased separately for the Core/Arcade pack.
All hard drives (included with a console or bought separately) come with the Xbox Live Arcade game Hexic HD.
Included accessories match the color scheme of the console they are bundled with.
All European consoles also include a composite SCART adapter (Advanced SCART AV Cable sold separately).

^ a 250 GB Elite consoles and 320 GB Xbox 360 S consoles are/were only available as part of limited/special edition bundles (see below).
^ b The standard Composite AV Cable features three RCA connectors, for standard left and right channel audio and composite video, which supports an SD image (NTSC on NTSC consoles, PAL and PAL60 on PAL consoles). It also lacks the TOSLINK connector found on all other (pre-2010) AV cables (including the Component HD AV Cable).
^ c The Component HD AV Cable features six RCA connectors, for standard left and right channel audio, composite video and HD component (YPBPR) supporting up to 1080p image.[94] It also features a TOSLINK optical audio connector, which supports either 2 channel (stereo) LPCM or dolby digital 5.1.
^ d The audio dongle features two RCA connectors for left and right audio and a TOSLINK optical audio connector.

^ e Compilation disk includes Boom Boom Rocket, Feeding Frenzy, Luxor 2, Pac-Man Championship Edition, and Uno.

^ f Excluding Mexican and older Australian and New Zealand versions, where a Media Remote is bundled instead.
^ g Component HD AV Cable,[c][h] HDMI cable and HDMI Audio Adapter[d] were included with the 120 GB model prior to September 2009.
^ h Component HD AV Cable is replaced with a D-Terminal HD AV Cable (D 端子 HD AV ケーブル) in Japan.
^ i "Transforming D-Pad" controllers feature a d-pad that can be rotated to switch between either a "plus" (4-way) or a "disk" (8-way) d-pad. These controllers also feature different concave analog stick tops than standard controllers.

Special editions

Halo 3 Special Edition

On a few occasions, Microsoft has produced special editions of the console, usually to coincide with the release of a major product. These special editions are typically custom-colored Xbox 360 models, and are produced in limited numbers.

  • At the E3 2007 press conference, Microsoft announced the Halo 3 Special Edition console, released September 25, 2007. It sports a Halo 3 theme on the console, a wired headset, a wireless controller, and a Play and Charge Kit. Other than the unique "Spartan green-and-gold" color scheme, exclusive dashboard theme and downloads, and an HDMI port,[95] its features were identical to those of the Xbox 360 system at the time.[96] It is priced at US$399.99 and £279.99 (the original price of the Xbox 360).[97]
  • To promote The Simpsons Movie, Microsoft created a specially designed, yellow Xbox 360 console.[98] The configuration was based on the Xbox 360 package of the time, the only difference being the color scheme of the Xbox 360 console and wireless controller. The consoles were to be given out to winners of drawings taking place between July 18, 2007 and July 27, 2007, in which a name was randomly drawn each day in the "10 Days and 10 Chances to Win" sweepstakes.[99] 100 consoles were produced in total.[100]
  • A Resident Evil 5 bundle containing a red Xbox 360 Elite console was released on March 13, 2009.[101] The bundle also contains a red, wireless controller and a black, wired headset.[102]

Super Elite special editions

  • On September 15, 2009 Microsoft announced a special 250 GB hard disk limited edition version of the Xbox 360 Elite for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. The unit is highlighted by special game product branding and includes two wireless controllers and a headset. This was the first Xbox 360 announced to come with a 250 GB hard drive.[76]
  • A Final Fantasy XIII 250 GB limited edition bundle of the Xbox 360 console was announced on February 11, 2010 and was released to coincide with the release of Final Fantasy XIII (March 9, 2010). The bundle includes an imprinted white 250 GB Xbox 360 Elite (Final Fantasy XIII imprinted where HDD size imprint goes), two wireless controllers, a copy of Final Fantasy XIII and exclusive downloadable avatar items. Other than the HDD imprint, this console is cosmetically identical to the discontinued Pro models.[103]
  • In March 2010, Microsoft announced a special limited edition black Xbox 360 Elite console for Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction. The unit includes a 250 GB hard drive, two black wireless controllers, a black wired headset, an Ethernet cable, a standard definition Composite A/V cable, and the standard edition version of the game.[104]

Xbox 360 S special editions

250 GB models
  • A Halo: Reach special edition bundle was made available concurrently with the game on September 14, 2010. It consists of a custom branded silver 250 GB Xbox 360 S console, two silver and black branded controllers, a black wired headset, a copy of the game and a download voucher for "Limited Edition Elite" armor and an episode from the Halo Legends anime. The press release in which it was announced also revealed that it "not only captures the look and feel of the game, but also features custom sound effects from the Halo universe". The bundle retailed for US$399. The branded controllers and headset were also sold as standalone products.[105][106]
320 GB models
  • In June 2011, Microsoft announced a "Limited Collector's Edition" (LCE) Xbox 360 S console to coincide with the launch of Gears of War 3.[52] The console features a metallic red finish with black Gears of War 3 Branding.[52] Unlike other Xbox 360 S consoles, the Gears of War 3 LCE features a 320 GB hard drive.[52] and sounds from the Gears of War 3 game are played when the console is switched on or the disc tray is opened.[107] It is bundled with two custom branded metallic red Gears of War 3 wireless controllers, a wired headset, a copy of the game and a download code for additional in-game content.[52] It is due for release on September 20, 2011.[52]
  • On July 21, 2011, Microsoft announced the "Limited Edition Kinect Star Wars Bundle".[80] The bundle includes a 320 GB Xbox 360 S console, which features R2-D2-based artwork and custom R2-D2-themed power on/tray eject sounds, a white Kinect sensor, a gold and black C-3PO themed wireless controller, a copy of Star Wars Kinect and Kinect Adventures, and exclusive downloadable content.[80] It was subsequently delayed until 3 April 2012.[108][109]
  • On September 2, 2011, Microsoft announced the "Limited Edition Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Bundle". The bundle includes a 320 GB Xbox 360 S console, which features Modern Warfare 3 based artwork and custom Modern Warfare 3 themed power on/tray eject sounds, two Modern Warfare 3 themed wireless controllers (with transforming d-pad), a black wired headset, and a copy of the game.[82] The console was released on November 8, 2011 in North America, Australasia and the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region.[82]

Xbox 360 Launch Team Edition

The Launch Team Console with controller

A white console with green accents was released in 2005 only to the Launch Team as a gift from Microsoft. The consoles came complete with a 20 GB HDD also in green to match the top and bottom sections that are typically grey in color. The HDD plate was also personalized and engraved with the team member's gamertag. Few examples have been seen with simply the console release date November 22, 2005 engraved on the HDD plate. The consoles came with a limited issue controller to accompany the console. The difference with the controller again is the grey part on the controller is replaced with a green molded plastic, not painted contrary to popular belief, to match the console. Each console came with a plain white faceplate. However as an additional gift, each team member was given an additional packaged faceplate with one of a kind art with the caption "I Made This" on the USB door of the faceplate. Very few examples have been sold off from original team member's collection. Larry Hryb, better known as "Major Nelson", is known to own one which he displays pictures of on his website having been a member of the Launch Team. The special edition Launch Team console, hard drive, controller and the special faceplate were never sold in stores or meant for the general public. It is unknown as of now how many of these very rare consoles exist today.

Holiday bundles

As with the original Xbox, Microsoft has continued bundling two video game titles in console retail packaging during the holiday season. During the holidays of 2007, the Xbox 360 Pro and Elite packages were bundled with Forza Motorsport 2 and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.[110] In the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands, Forza Motorsport 2 was bundled with Viva Piñata.[111] Holiday 2008 Xbox 360 and Xbox 360 Elite packages were bundled with Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures and Kung Fu Panda, while Arcade consoles were bundled with Sega Superstars Tennis.[60] Holiday 2009 packages included an Elite console, LEGO Batman and Pure.[112] Holiday 2010 bundles included a 250 GB Xbox 360 S console, Forza Motorsport 3 and a voucher to download Alan Wake from the Xbox Live Marketplace.[113]

Hardware and accessories

Hardware

Xbox 360 Wireless Controller

The main unit of the Xbox 360 itself has slight double concavity in matte white or black. The official color of the white model is Arctic Chill. It features a port on the top when vertical (left side when horizontal) to which a custom-housed hard drive unit can be attached in sizes of either 20, 60, 120 or 250 GB. Inside, the Xbox 360 uses the triple-core IBM designed Xenon as its CPU, with each core capable of simultaneously processing two threads, and can therefore operate on up to six threads at once.[114] Graphics processing is handled by the ATI Xenos, which has 10 MB of eDRAM. Its main memory pool is 512 MB in size.

Accessories

Many accessories are available for the console, including both wired and wireless controllers, faceplates for customization, headsets for chatting, a webcam for video chatting, dance mats and Gamercize for exercise, three sizes of memory units and four sizes of hard drives (20 GB, 60 GB, 120 GB and 250 GB (initially Japan only,[115] but later also available elsewhere[116][117]), among other items, all of which are styled to match the console.

Kinect

The Kinect sensor device

Kinect is a "controller-free gaming and entertainment experience" for the Xbox 360. It was first announced on June 1, 2009 at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, under the codename, Project Natal. The add-on peripheral enables users to control and interact with the Xbox 360 without a game controller by using gestures, spoken commands and presented objects and images. The Kinect accessory is compatible with all Xbox 360 models,[118] connecting to new models via a custom connector, and to older ones via a USB and mains power adapter.[119] During their CES 2010 keynote speech, Robbie Bach and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer went on to say that Kinect will be released during the holiday period (November–January) and it will work with every 360 console. Its name and release date of November 4, 2010 were officially announced on June 13, 2010, prior to Microsoft's press conference at E3 2010.[120]

Software

Dashboard

The Xbox 360's original graphical user interface was the Xbox 360 Dashboard; a tabbed interface that featured five "Blades" (formerly four blades), and was designed by AKQA and Audiobrain. It could be launched automatically when the console booted without a disc in it, or when the disc tray was ejected, but the user had the option to select what the console does if a game is in the tray on start up, or if inserted when already on. A simplified version of it was also accessible at any time via the Xbox Guide button on the gamepad. This simplified version showed the user's gamercard, Xbox Live messages and friends list. It also allowed for personal and music settings, in addition to voice or video chats, or returning to the Xbox Dashboard from the game.

On November 19, 2008, the Xbox 360's dashboard was changed from the "Blade" interface, to a dashboard reminiscent of that present on the Zune and Windows Media Center, known as the "New Xbox Experience" or NXE.

Since the console's release, Microsoft has released several updates for the Dashboard software. These updates have included adding new features to the console, enhancing Xbox Live functionality and multimedia playback capabilities, adding compatibility for new accessories, and fixing bugs in the software. Such updates are mandatory for users wishing to use Xbox Live, as access to Xbox Live is disabled until the update is performed.

New Xbox Experience

At E3 2008, at Microsoft's Show, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg and Marc Whitten announced the new Xbox 360 interface called the "New Xbox Experience" (NXE). The update was intended to ease console menu navigation. Its GUI uses the Twist UI, previously used in Windows Media Center and the Zune. Its new Xbox Guide retains all Dashboard functionality (including the Marketplace browser and disk ejection) and the original "Blade" interface.

The NXE also provides many new features. Users can now install games from disc to the hard drive to play them with reduced load time and less disc drive noise, but each game's disc must remain in the system in order to run. A new, built-in Community system allows the creation of digitized Avatars that can be used for multiple activities, such as sharing photos or playing Arcade games like 1 vs. 100. The update was released on November 19, 2008.[121]

While previous system updates have been stored on internal memory, the NXE was the first to require a storage device—at least a 128 MB memory card or a hard drive.

Microsoft released a further update to the Xbox 360 Dashboard starting on December 6, 2011.[122] It included a completely new user interface which utilizes Microsoft's Metro design language, and added new features such as cloud storage for game saves and profiles, live television, Bing voice search,[123] access to YouTube videos, Skype integration, and better support for Kinect voice commands.[124]

Multimedia

The Xbox 360 supports videos in Windows Media Video (WMV) format (including high-definition and PlaysForSure videos), as well as H.264 and MPEG-4 media. The December 2007 dashboard update added support for the playback of MPEG-4 ASP format videos.[125] The console can also display pictures and perform slideshows of photo collections with various transition effects, and supports audio playback, with music player controls accessible through the Xbox 360 Guide button. Users may play back their own music while playing games or using the dashboard, and can play music with an interactive visual synthesizer.

Music, photos and videos can be played from standard USB mass storage devices, Xbox 360 proprietary storage devices (such as memory cards or Xbox 360 hard drives), and servers or computers with Windows Media Center or Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or higher within the local-area network in streaming mode.[126][127] As the Xbox 360 uses a modified version of the UPnP AV protocol,[128] some alternative UPnP servers such as uShare (part of the GeeXboX project) and MythTV can also stream media to the Xbox 360, allowing for similar functionality from non-Windows servers. This is possible with video files up to HD-resolution and with several codecs (MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV) and container formats (WMV, MOV, TS).[129]

As of 27 October 2009,[130] UK and Ireland users are also able to access live and on-demand streams of Sky television programming.[131]

Canadian users can access a streaming HDTV service from Telus.[132]

At the 2007, 2008, and 2009 Consumer Electronics Shows, Microsoft had announced that IPTV services would soon be made available to use through the Xbox 360. In 2007, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates stated that IPTV on Xbox 360 was expected to be available to consumers by the holiday season, using the Microsoft TV IPTV Edition platform.[133] In 2008, Gates and president of Entertainment & Devices Robbie Bach announced a partnership with BT in the United Kingdom, in which the BT Vision advanced TV service, using the newer Microsoft Mediaroom IPTV platform, would be accessible via Xbox 360, planned for the middle of the year.[134] BT Vision's DVR-based features would not be available on Xbox 360 due to limited hard drive capacity.[135] In 2010, while announcing version 2.0 of Microsoft Mediaroom, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer mentioned that AT&T's U-verse IPTV service would enable Xbox 360s to be used as set-top boxes later in the year.[136] As of January 2010, IPTV on Xbox 360 has yet to be deployed beyond limited trials.

XNA community

XNA Community is a feature whereby Xbox 360 owners can receive community-created games, made with Microsoft XNA Game Studio, from the XNA Creators Club . The games are written, published, and distributed through a community managed portal. XNA Community provides a channel for digital videogame delivery over Xbox Live that can be free of royalties, publishers and licenses.[137][138] XNA game sales, however, did not meet original expectations.[139]

Games

The Xbox 360 launched with 14 games in North America and 13 in Europe. The console's best-selling game for 2005, Call of Duty 2, sold over a million copies.[140] Five other games sold over a million copies in the console's first year on the market: Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter,[141] The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion,[142] Dead or Alive 4,[143] Saints Row,[144] and Gears of War.[145] Gears of War would become the best-selling game on the console with 3 million copies in 2006,[146] before being surpassed in 2007 by Halo 3 with over 8 million copies.[147]

Six games were initially available in Japan, while eagerly anticipated titles such as Dead or Alive 4 and Enchanted Arms were released in the weeks following the console's launch.[148] Games targeted specifically for the region, such as Chromehounds, Ninety-Nine Nights, and Phantasy Star Universe, were also released in the console's first year.[149] Microsoft also had the support of Japanese developer Mistwalker, founded by Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi. Mistwalker's first game, Blue Dragon, was released in 2006 and had a limited-edition bundle which sold out quickly with over 10,000 pre-orders.[150] Blue Dragon is one of three Xbox 360 games to surpass 200,000 units in Japan, along with Tales of Vesperia and Star Ocean: The Last Hope. Mistwalker's second game, Lost Odyssey also sold over 100,000 copies.[151]

The 2007 Game Critics Awards honored the Xbox 360 platform with 38 Nominations and 11 Wins.[152] By March 2008, the Xbox 360 had reached a software attach rate of 7.5 games per console—a record for any console in history, in EU the rate was 7.0 while its competitors were 3.8 (PS3) and 3.5 (Wii).[153]

Xbox Live

File:1home30rock0531.JPG
Xbox Home

When the Xbox 360 was released, Microsoft's online gaming service Xbox Live was shut down for 24 hours and underwent a major upgrade, adding a basic non-subscription service called Xbox Live Silver (later renamed Xbox Live Free) to its already established premium subscription-based service (which was renamed Gold). Xbox Live Free is included with all SKUs of the console. It allows users to create a user profile, join on message boards, and access Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade and Marketplace and talk to other members.[93][154] A Live Free account does not generally support multiplayer gaming; however, some games that have rather limited online functions already, (such as Viva Piñata) or games that feature their own subscription service (e.g. EA Sports games) can be played with a Free account. Xbox Live also supports voice and video communication, the latter a feature possible with the Xbox Live Vision; an add-on USB web camera designed specifically for the Xbox 360.[155]

Xbox Live Gold includes the same features as Free and includes integrated online game playing capabilities outside of third-party subscriptions. Microsoft has allowed previous Xbox Live subscribers to maintain their profile information, friends list, and games history when they make the transition to Xbox Live Gold. To transfer an Xbox Live account to the new system, users need to link a Windows Live ID to their gamertag on Xbox.com.[156] When users add an Xbox Live enabled profile to their console, they are required to provide the console with their passport account information and the last four digits of their credit card number, which is used for verification purposes and billing. An Xbox Live Gold account has an annual cost of US$49.99, C$59.99, NZ$90.00, GB£39.99, or 59.99. As of January 5, 2011, Xbox Live has over 30 million subscribers.[157]

Xbox Live Marketplace

File:Gameschannel6slots0531.JPG
Games hub.

The Xbox Live Marketplace is a virtual market designed for the console that allows Xbox Live users to download purchased or promotional content. The service offers movie and game trailers, game demos, Xbox Live Arcade games, gamertag images, and Xbox 360 Dashboard themes as well as add-on game content (items, costumes, levels etc.). These features are available to both Free and Gold members on Xbox Live. A hard drive or memory unit is required to store products purchased from Xbox Live Marketplace.[158] In order to download priced content, users are required to purchase Microsoft Points for use as scrip;[159] though some products (such as trailers and demos) are free to download. Microsoft Points can be obtained through prepaid cards in 1,600 and 4,000 point denominations. Microsoft Points can also be purchased through Xbox Live with a credit card in 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 point denominations. Users are able to view items available to download on the service through a PC via the Xbox Live Marketplace website.[160] An estimated seventy percent of Xbox Live users have downloaded items from the Marketplace.[161]

Video store

On November 6, 2006, Microsoft announced the Xbox Video Marketplace, an exclusive video store accessible through the console. Launched in the United States on November 22, 2006, the first anniversary of the Xbox 360's launch, the service allows users in the United States to download high-definition and standard-definition television shows and movies onto an Xbox 360 console for viewing. With the exception of short clips, content is not currently available for streaming, and must be downloaded. Movies are also available for rental. They expire in 14 days after download or at the end of the first 24 hours after the movie has begun playing, whichever comes first. Television episodes can be purchased to own, and are transferable to an unlimited number of consoles. Downloaded files use 5.1 surround audio and are encoded using VC-1 for video at 720p, with a bitrate of 6.8 Mbit/s.[162] Television content is offered from MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, Turner Broadcasting, and CBS; and movie content is Warner Bros., Paramount, and Disney, along with other publishers.[163]

After the Spring 2007 update, the following video codecs are supported:

  • H.264 video support: Up to 15 Mbit/s, Baseline, Main, and High (up to level 4.1) Profiles with 2 channel AAC LC and Main Profiles.
  • MPEG-4 Part 2 video support: Up to 8 Mbit/s, Simple Profile with 2 channel AAC LC and Main Profiles.

As a late addition to the December Xbox 360 update, 25 movies were added to the European Xbox 360 video market place on the December 11, 2007 and cost 250 Microsoft points for the SD version on the movie and 380 Microsoft points for the HD version of the movie.[164] Xbox Live members in Canada featured the ability to go on the Xbox Live Marketplace as of December 10, 2007 with around 30 movies to be downloaded for the same amount of Microsoft Points.

On May 26, 2009, Microsoft announced the future release of the Zune HD (in the fall of 2009), the next addition to the Zune product range. This is of an impact on the Xbox Live Video Store as it was also announced that the Zune Video Marketplace and the Xbox Live Video Store will be merged to form the Zune Marketplace, which will be arriving on Xbox Live in 7 countries initially, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Italy, Germany, Ireland and Spain.[165] Further details will be released at the Microsoft press conference at E3 2009.

Xbox Live Arcade

Xbox Live Arcade is an online service operated by Microsoft that is used to distribute downloadable video games to Xbox and Xbox 360 owners. In addition to classic arcade games such as Ms. Pac-Man, the service offers some new original games like Assault Heroes. The Xbox Live Arcade also features games from other consoles, such as the PlayStation game Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and PC games such as Zuma. The service was first launched on November 3, 2004,[166] using a DVD to load, and offered games for about US$5 to $15. Items are purchased using Microsoft Points, a proprietary currency used to reduce credit card transaction charges. On November 22, 2005, Xbox Live Arcade was re-launched with the release of the Xbox 360, in which it was now integrated with the Xbox 360's dashboard. The games are generally aimed toward more casual gamers; examples of the more popular titles are Geometry Wars, Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting, and Uno.[167] On March 24, 2010, Microsoft introduced the Game Room to Xbox Live. Game Room is a gaming service for Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows that lets players compete in classic arcade and console games in a virtual arcade.[168]

Reception and sales

Region Units sold First available
Canada 870,000 as of August 1, 2008[169] November 22, 2005
United States 25.4 million as of March 31, 2011[170]
EMEA region
(Europe, Middle East and Africa)
13.7 million as of March 31, 2011[170]
(Includes UK sales)
December 2, 2005
United Kingdom 3.9 million as of January 13, 2009[171]
Japan 1.5 million as of June 17, 2011[172] December 10, 2005
Australia & New Zealand 1 million as of April 19, 2010[173] March 23, 2006
Worldwide 65.8 million as of January 19, 2012"Earnings Release FY12 Q2". Microsoft. Retrieved January 19, 2012.| (more...)

The Xbox 360 began production only 69 days before launch.[174][175] As a result, Microsoft was not able to supply enough systems to meet initial consumer demand in Europe or North America[176] and many potential customers were unable to purchase a console at launch. Forty thousand units appeared on eBay during the initial week of release, 10% of the total supply.[177] By year's end, Microsoft had shipped 1.5 million units, including 900,000 in North America, 500,000 in Europe, and 100,000 in Japan.[178]

At E3 in May 2006, Bill Gates announced that Microsoft would have a head start of 10 million units by the time Sony and Nintendo entered the market.[179] Microsoft later specified that goal and estimated shipments of 10 million units by the end of 2006.[180]

Cumulative sales from the system's launch until June 30, 2007 were predicted to reach 12 million units, down from 13 to 15 million units estimated earlier. Being released one year ahead of its competitors, the Xbox 360 was the market leader throughout the first half of 2007; however, on September 12, 2007, it was reported by the Financial Times that the Xbox 360 had been surpassed by the Wii in terms of worldwide home console sales.[181]

On October 4, 2007, after the launch of Halo 3, Microsoft stated that Xbox 360 sales had more than doubled compared to the previous average.[182] According to the NPD Group, the Xbox 360 outsold the Wii for the month of September in the United States, helped in part by the spike in sales seen after the launch of Halo 3, which sold 3.3 million copies in the US in a 12-day period.[183] The Xbox had sales of 528,000 units for September, while the Wii had sales of 501,000 units.[184]

Despite the relatively strong sales figures, Microsoft's gaming division was losing money. Through 2005, the Xbox gaming division had lost over $4 billion,[185] However, Microsoft expected the console to start making money in 2008.[186] due to a loss leader market strategy of selling consoles below cost in order to obtain market saturation and gain profits on software and peripherals with a much higher profit margin.[187][188] Additionally, Microsoft took a charge of $1 billion dollars on its June 2007 Income Statement to account for the cost of replacing bricked Xbox 360s.[189]

In Europe, the Xbox 360 sold 2 million units in 2006 and 1.9 million in 2007 according to estimates by Electronic Arts.[190][191] In 2007, the Xbox 360 sold 4.62 million units in the US according to the NPD Group,[192][193][194] and 257,841 in Japan according to Enterbrain.[195][196][197] In 2008, the Xbox 360 sold 317,859 units in Japan, according to Enterbrain.[197][198]

On February 13, 2008, Microsoft announced that the Xbox 360 suffered shortages in the US in January 2008, possibly continued into February.[199][200][201] Prior to the release of the NPD Group's video game statistics for January 2008, the Xbox 360 was in second place behind the Wii in US sales for most months since the Wii and PS3's release.[200] On May 14, 2008, Microsoft announced that 10 million Xbox 360s had been sold and that it was the "first current generation gaming console" to surpass the 10 million figure in the US.[202] In the US, the Xbox 360 was the leader in current-generation home console sales until June 2008, when it was surpassed by the Wii.[203][204][205]

In the first seven months of 2008, the Xbox 360 has sold 154,000 units in Canada, being outsold by the PlayStation 3 and Wii;[169] the Xbox 360 has sold a total of 870,000 units in Canada as of August 1, 2008.[169] In Europe, the Xbox 360 has sold seven million units as of November 20, 2008, according to Microsoft.[206] In Japan, the Xbox 360 has sold 866,167 units as of December 28, 2008, according to Enterbrain.[198][207] In the United Kingdom, the Xbox 360 has sold 3.9 million units as of June 27, 2009, according to GfK Chart-Track.[171]

On May 13, 2008, Microsoft stated that there will not be a release of a newer version of the Xbox 360 in 2009. Microsoft representative says, "While we [Microsoft] don't normally comment on rumors like this [release of newer and smaller Xbox 360], we can tell you that we have no plans to release a new console in 2009".[208]

On May 28, 2009, Microsoft announced that sales have surpassed the 30-million unit-mark, stating that 2008 was Microsoft's "biggest year in history" also due to the increase of Xbox Live users.[209]

On January 6, 2011, Microsoft stated that the Xbox 360 sold over 50 million units worldwide during their CES 2011 conference. In addition, they stated that the Kinect sold about 8 million units, 3 million more than initially predicted, during the product's first 60 days on the market. It was also announced that Xbox live had more than 30 million users, making 2010 the best year to date for the online service.[3]

Edge magazine reported in August 2011 that initially lacklustre and subsequently falling sales in Japan, where Microsoft had been unable to make serious inroads into the dominance of domestic rivals Sony and Nintendo, had led to retailers scaling back and in some cases discontinuing sales of the Xbox 360 completely.[210]

In 2009, IGN named the Xbox 360 the sixth greatest video game console of all time, out of a field of 25.[211]

Timeline of hardware models

United States

November 22, 2005

Template:Multicol

  • Launch of Xbox 360 Premium (20 GB) – $399.99
  • Launch of Xbox 360 Core – $199

April 29, 2007

  • Launch Xbox 360 Elite (120 GB) – $479.99[212]

August 6, 2007[97]

  • Price Cut on Xbox 360 Premium (20 GB) – $349.99
  • Price Cut on Xbox 360 Core – $279.99
  • Price Cut on Xbox 360 Elite – $449.99

October 27, 2007

  • Launch of Xbox 360 Arcade – $279.99[213]
  • Discontinuation of Xbox 360 Core

Template:Multicol-break

July 13, 2008

  • Discontinuation of Xbox 360 (20 GB) (Price cut to $299.99 for remaining stock)[214]

August 1, 2008[214]

  • Launch of Xbox 360 Premium (60 GB) – $349.99

September 5, 2008[215]

  • Price Cut on Xbox 360 Elite – $399.99
  • Price Cut on Xbox 360 (60 GB) – $299.99
  • Price Cut on Xbox 360 Arcade – $199.99

Template:Multicol-break

August 28, 2009

  • Discontinuation of Xbox 360 (60 GB) (Price cut to $249.99 for remaining stock)
  • Price Cut on Xbox 360 Elite – $299.99

June 19, 2010[16]

  • Launch of Xbox 360 S 250 GB – $299.99
  • Discontinuation of Xbox 360 Elite (Price Cut to $249.99 for remaining stock)
  • Discontinuation of Xbox 360 Arcade (Price Cut to $149.99 for remaining stock)

August 3, 2010

  • Launch of Xbox 360 S 4 GB – $199.99

Template:Multicol-end

Technical problems

Three red lights on the Xbox 360's ring indicator representing a "General Error" requiring service of the Console or Power Adapter, nicknamed the "Red Ring of Death", "Red Ring of Fire" or "Red Lights of Death."

The Xbox 360 has been subject to a number of technical problems. Since the console's release in 2005, users have reported concerns over its reliability and failure rate.[216][217][218]

To aid customers with defective consoles, Microsoft extended the Xbox 360's manufacturer's warranty to three years for hardware failure problems that generate a "General Hardware Failure" error report. A "General Hardware Failure" is recognized on all models released before the Xbox 360 S by three quadrants of the ring around the power button flashing red. This error is often known as the "Red Ring of Death".[219] In April 2009 the warranty was extended to also cover failures related to the E74 error code.[220] The warranty extension is not granted for any other types of failures that do not generate these specific error codes.

Since these problems surfaced, Microsoft has attempted to modify the console to improve its reliability. Modifications include a reduction in the number, size, and placement of components, the addition of dabs of epoxy on the corners and edges of the CPU and GPU as glue to prevent movement relative to the board during heat expansion,[221] and a second GPU heatsink to dissipate more heat.[222] With the release of the redesigned Xbox 360 S, the warranty for the newer models do not include the three-year extended coverage for "General Hardware Failures".[223] The newer Xbox 360 S model indicates system overheating when the console's power button begins to flash red, unlike previous models where the first and third quadrant of the ring would light up red around the power button if overheating occurred. The system will then warn the user of imminent system shutdown until the system has cooled,[224] whereas a flashing power button that alternates between green and red is an indication of a "General Hardware Failure" unlike older models where three of the quadrants would light up red.[225]

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