Microsoft announced last night that a new console, dubbed the Xbox 360 Arcade, will be hitting retailers today. The console is geared toward families, and comes with HDMI, 256 MB memory module and five games (PAC-MAN Championship Edition, UNO, Luxor 2, Boom Boom Rocket and Feeding Frenzy. Check out the release below for full details:



Microsoft Launches New Xbox 360 Console for Families
New console includes five games, wireless controller and storage to save games all for the incredible value of $279.99

REDMOND, Wash. Oct. 22, 2007 Just in time for holiday, Microsoft Corp. today released a new Xbox 360 console that delivers games and content to everyone in the family for an incredible value of $279.99 (U.S. estimated retail price)*. Available in stores beginning today, Xbox 360 Arcade console is the first Xbox 360 console to include five family-friendly games, a wireless controller, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connection to enable high-definition output if desired and 256 MB of memory useful for storing games and entertainment content. At $279.99, the Xbox 360 Arcade console will include five best-selling games: PAC-MAN Championship Edition (NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.), Uno (Carbonated Games), Luxor 2 (MumboJumbo), Boom Boom Rocket (Electronic Arts Inc.) and Feeding Frenzy (Sprout Games).

As families gather together this holiday, its the perfect time to launch a new low-priced, high-value Xbox 360 that plays games, TV shows and music for everyone to enjoy, said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of global marketing, Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. In addition to offering an incredible all-in-one package for families to get right into the fun, the Xbox 360 Arcade system features the industry-leading Family Settings, which allow parents to control what their kids are watching and playing and we know how important that control is to families around the world.

Karen Dodge, senior vice president and chief merchandising officer at Toys R Us, added, We are excited to offer this new gaming experience to our customers children and families who can now enjoy the fun of Xbox 360 together. Many of this holiday seasons hottest items provide Internet connectivity, and with the online entertainment options available through Xbox LIVE, Xbox 360 Arcade offers families a great mix of online content and traditional gaming in one console.

The news of Xbox 360 Arcade comes as part of a broader initiative by Microsoft to bring the Xbox 360 experience to families everywhere. Microsoft also announced today that it is significantly expanding its catalog of high and standard-definition family fun content that is available on demand direct to the consumers living room. This includes the addition of everyones favorite characters such as Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck from Warner Bros., which will be delivering the first ever Looney Tunes cartoons for download on Xbox 360, starting today. In addition, Nickelodeon is adding three new shows to its already large library of more than 300 episodes of TV shows on Xbox LIVE, Microsofts premier online gaming and entertainment service, with the inclusion of Blues Clues, The Backyardigans and iCarly. SpongeBob SquarePants Underpants Slam (THQ Inc.) and SHREK-N-ROLL (Activision) games will also be available exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade, the place to download games for Xbox 360 over Xbox LIVE, adding more fun for everyone in the family.

Microsofts commitment to family entertainment is complemented by the largest next-generation library of E- and T-rated games, more than 200 in all, available at retailers nationwide this holiday, including BEE MOVIE GAME (Activision), Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (Activision), Naruto: Rise of a Ninja (UbiSoft Entertainment), Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action and Viva Piata: Party Animals.