Something went wrong. Try again later

Giant Bomb News

310 Comments

Leaked Ads Show Xbox 360 Revision, New Natal Name

They were right about one thing.

In just a few hours Microsoft will be putting on a show that will serve as the official Project Natal reveal event for the masses. It's expected, at some point between the clown car and tight-rope acts, that the hardware manufacturer will bust out the official name of the motion-control device (see update) and announce the slimmer, sexier Xbox 360 we've been hearing about for a bit. But it looks like we won't have to wait, as a few ads on a website may have just spoiled the surprise.  
 

No Caption Provided
The fine folks over at the NeoGAF (via Game Informer) recently spotted a flash ad, as well as a banner, for a supposedly smaller Xbox 360. The flash ad in particular is the more important, as it details what this new-Alienware-tower-looking piece of hardware has in its techno-tummy: a 250 GB HDD, integrated Wi-Fi functionality, and compatibility with Kinect--the new name for Project Natal, as we discovered tonight.

== TEASER == Here's a YouTube video of the flash ad: 
  
  
If I may get real for a moment: there's no way to confirm if that the Xbox 360 "slim" leak is fact or fiction at the moment. Microsoft, understandably, doesn't comment on rumor or speculation. But if this event is legit, we'll know soon enough.
 
UPDATE:
Microsoft has formally announced Project Natal's new name: Kinect. Read about it here
UPDATE 2: User Berkie is sharing this cool set of high-resolution images from the ad.

310 Comments

Avatar image for berkie
Berkie

141

Forum Posts

16

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 4

Edited By Berkie
@pwn4g3IEE7:  Dood...I hope you're kidding, they meant the audience physically at the show, not the viewing audience....they want us current users to buy a new one, which I will once my three-times-repaired console dies on its annual RROD anniversary in July...
Avatar image for neverwhere
Neverwhere

15

Forum Posts

1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 4

Edited By Neverwhere

It may look ugly.... but it doesn't really look slimmer..

Avatar image for berkie
Berkie

141

Forum Posts

16

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 4

Edited By Berkie
@Neverwhere:  It fits inside the existing model, so theoretically it is smaller...
Avatar image for impossibilium
Impossibilium

680

Forum Posts

108

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Impossibilium

Official FAQ:

Is there any performance difference at all between the new Xbox 360 and the original Xbox 360?

No game performance differences.  It plays the same games and acts the same way as any Xbox 360.
 

How about backwards compatibility with all my Xbox 360 games and Original Xbox games?

No changes at all!  All your current Xbox 360 and Orginal Xbox games (on the backwards compatibility list) will still work as they do today.  Remember though, you need a hard disk to play Original Xbox games.

Is the fan quiet?

Yes, in fact the entire console is whisper quiet.
 
The photos show fan slots on the right side of the console.  Does it vent to the back still, or the side?

The side (or top of you have it resting horizontally)


What ports have changed?

Removed: The front Memory Unit slots were removed, but the front 2 USB slots are still there for controllers, USB storage, music game hubs, etc..  (Remember, since the 2010 Spring dashboard update, you can use any USB port on the console with a USB thumb drive as an Xbox 360 storage device)

Removed: The small cutout that the external wireless adapters connect to on the back of the console.  Since the console now has internal wireless N connectivity, you may not want to use the external wireless adapter.  If you find that the external adapter works best for you, that device has feet that swing out to allow it to sit on top of the console.

 

Added: An optical audio out (a.k.a. TOSlink, S/PDIF). It’s on the back of the 360 S now instead of on the AV cables.

 

Added: A port for the Kinect sensor that is a hybrid data and power port.  Kinect works with all Xbox 360 consoles, but on the new Xbox 360, you don’t need a separate power adapter for the Kinect sensor because this port will provide the power.

Added:  2 more USB ports on the back, bringing the total to three on the rear of the console in addition to the 2 on the front of the new Xbox360.  

 

 

Does the new Xbox 360 use removable faceplates?

The new Xbox 360 does not have removable faceplates.

 

Where is the wireless controller bind button, I don’t see it in any of the pictures?

It’s in the front.  It was combined with the IR receiver on the front, so that’s why you don’t notice it!

 

Does it stand vertically and horizontal and do I need an adapter or a stand?

The Xbox 360 console is designed to stand vertically or horizontally. Unlike other consoles, it does not require a stand to sit upright and with the new sleek design it looks and fits great in your living room entertainment center. However, no matter how you position the console, you should not move the console during game or media play, or at any other time when the disc is spinning.

 

What band does the internal wireless N use?

It’s 2.4GHz.

 

Do the external wireless adapters work with new Xbox 360 ?

Yes.  And if you connect one to the new Xbox 360  will sense this and disable the internal wireless.

Is the power supply the same?

No.  It’s a bit smaller and it’s now 135 watt.  The connecter type is different too because it’s not meant for use in original Xbox  360 consoles.

Is the hard drive removable?

Yes, just like on the original 360 console, the hard drive is removable.

How can I move data from my current Xbox 360 to the new Xbox 360?

Its super easy—check out Xbox.com/transfer for more details.  One important note is that your current Xbox 360 hard drive will not attach to the new Xbox 360.  You will need to use either a transfer cable or USB memory to transfer your content.
Avatar image for xyzygy
xyzygy

10595

Forum Posts

5

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By xyzygy

I will definintely be getting myself one of these new consoles. It looks sooooo nice. It kind of reminds me of the PS3 fat, a design which I liked more than the PS3 Slim. They are both similar in their almost alien-like designs.

Avatar image for delver
Delver

24

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Delver

This looks like it won't go with anything in my media centre, which really annoys me. Its just too 'alienware', and not enough 'lian li'...

Avatar image for rasgueado
Rasgueado

838

Forum Posts

2324

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 6

Edited By Rasgueado

Now... the hard drive is something I could use.

Avatar image for kindasarcastic
KindaSarcastic

32

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 4

Edited By KindaSarcastic

I want one. :)

Avatar image for branthog
Branthog

5777

Forum Posts

1014

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

Edited By Branthog

How about a discount for a version without Natal or Wifi? I have zero interest in using my xbox over fucking wifi. That's ridiculous. And I'd rather be that frog in that monkey-rapes-frog video than waste my time on Natal.

Avatar image for branthog
Branthog

5777

Forum Posts

1014

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

Edited By Branthog

A 250gb hard drive? Are you fucking kidding me? Two of my three current 360s have 250gb drives and that barely holds shit. It's almost 2011 -- why are we treating 250gb like it's  ton of storage? At least expand your user/usage base by making it simple to pop in and out standard 2.5" drives so I can spend the whopping $100 to buy a 1tb - 1.5tb drive on my own, instead of dealing with your shitty limitations. C'mon. Also, it looks like a fucking flying-V guitar from 1984. What was wrong with the old style?