Gizmo Cafe Blog

Black Microsoft Xbox 360 Hitting Best Buy in May

Back in the fall, a few gamer-friendly tech websites lit up with speculative pictures of a black Microsoft Xbox 360.  Despite the vast appeal of the sleek, snowy exterior on the standard 360, a plethora of Microsoft gamers couldn’t help but get excited about a return to the original Xbox’s dark shell.  Call it some sort of Johnny Cash syndrome or whatever you like, but it appears that about six months after the first rumors, there’s confirmation that the black Xbox 360 is being released this May.

Both Gamespot and Gizmodo were all over the black Xbox 360 in September of ’06.  However, the report we’re getting on the confirmed shipping of the new 360 to retailers is straight from within a Canadian Best Buy.  The excited source told us that they’d be receiving the shady rendition in about four months’ time.

Why May?  Well, other than the holiday season, when kids are bored to tears listening to Grandpa drone on about the war, summer is the next most desperate gaming period.  It also precedes a considerably strong month for Microsoft’s primary competition, Nintendo, which will be releasing Wii versions of Metroid Prime 3, Paper Mario, and Super Smash Bros. in June.

It’s not expected that the black Xbox 360 will be Zephyr, the rumored version 2 packing both 120 GB hard drive and HDMI port.

Shop Now for Xbox 360
Published Tuesday, February 20, 2007 10:21 AM by Brando
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Barry O Halloran said:

Super Paper Mario's coming out on the 9th of April, and Metroid Prime 3 and Super Smash Bros have yet to receive release dates.
February 20, 2007 11:28 AM
 

troy said:

It seems like you should check about those Nintendo games in June. Super Paper Mario - April 9th. The others you mention? Release date unannounced. So I'd like to know how YOU know what you know. Vendor release dates? A published journalist should know better than to trust that. Oh well.
February 20, 2007 11:42 AM
 

Dooger said:

I'd buy an XBox, but I'm afraid of losing it in the dark of the night. This sure won't help with that problem.

But seriously, this seems fairly lame. I am sure a million and one fanboys will buy a second console because of this, but they are morons. Making something black is just a lame way to give it faux-street cred. See: Every sports team's 3rd jerseys.
February 20, 2007 11:46 AM
 

Brando said:

Currently, EBGames.com lists Mario Party 8, Super Smash Bros., and Metroid Prime 3 for a June 1st, 2007 release.  
February 20, 2007 11:50 AM
 

Wayde said:

Now Xbox360 can properly compete with PS3 if they have the same color

any word on it being a gloss or flat black? True PS3 glossy black would give it a technical edge over PS3
February 20, 2007 11:59 AM
 

Brando said:

It's now becoming clear via Best Buy and other sources that the black Xbox 360 arriving in May might indeed be Zephyr, the bulked up version 2.  For more on Zephyr, check out our link in the story above.
February 20, 2007 1:06 PM
 

troy said:

So you don't even care that those vendor dates are wrong? Just because it is sourced on one site? I am sure that ebgames lists those as then, but they are merely filler dates. It's a hard April 9th NA for Super Paper Mario. Jeez. Enjoy your undeserved paycheck, 'Brando.' Add "Doesn't care about facts" to your 'about Brando' section.
February 20, 2007 2:36 PM
 

xntrk said:

Troy. Post facts?  Where's your's?!  I can understand the dilema with release dates and such but c'mon. EB Games is a renowned source for gamers all over North America. Just because a manufacturer states a launch date doesn't mean it's true. Of all people, gamers should know this. And why are you harping on Paper Friken Mario. Post something productive to the story.
February 21, 2007 10:53 AM
 

Xbox 360 News - Greatwood Park said:

February 21, 2007 10:59 AM
 

Gizmo Cafe Blog said:

Although Best Buy tried it in about four of its stores last year, Circuit City may be willing to take pre-owned merchandise one step further.
February 23, 2007 9:18 AM
 

Bogus said:

I think its another bogus report, if the source was correct then he would also know the specs and the price both were not published. If microsoft is making a revised model with a black housing to look good in the entertainment center in the bedroom or living room then they are wasting there time and money, the new specs need to be true if the xbox wishes to survive the console war!!!!!!!!!
March 1, 2007 5:38 PM
 

Black 360 rumour resurfaces - The Last Sanctuary said:

March 2, 2007 11:05 AM
 

Bill said:

I am absolutely certain this is the new version X-Box. I belong to a survey group that was doing research for the packaging of the new version, or Versions - As it were. They are packaging them with new style controllers and yes, HDMI standard, and the two versions of the box were a 120gig HD, and another with an 80gig.
The concern of the survey was price of the system packages, The new X Box looks to rival the PS3 in that area. It did however show the core package, with the new larger storage card even less than it is now. I don't know what combo and price they will settle for, but the version II is definitely real, and coming soon.
Remember where you heard it....
March 8, 2007 2:27 PM
 

kruku said:

Rival the PS3 in terms of price?????!!!!??? *** you Bill dont tell me that ! Just kidding mate but seriously it better have an HD DVD player standard then, although i wont hold my breath on that.
March 15, 2007 1:48 AM
 

Gizmo Cafe Blog said:

According to the source, the new unit is indeed on its way, boasting a 120GB hard drive, HDMI port, and even HDMI cable.  
March 20, 2007 1:13 PM
 

Lou said:

I already have my 360 since the launch party, I'm not going out of my way (which isn't far since I work @ futureshop aka owned by bestbuy corp.) to go buy the "elite" zypher version. its' only an HDMI cable good for sending both Audio & Video in digital, and who knows who will win the Hi-Def DVD battle. The only real thing it's good for is making the connections simpler and the DRM for the HiDef movies. I'll stick w/ my original 360 (that works fine since launch) and just get the VGA adapter & the 120 GB HDD when it's out. (I'm thinking of picking up the Samsung LCD 206BW or 226BW to match my Logitech Z-10 Speakers (which will also be hooked up to my mac)
March 25, 2007 10:59 AM
 

Gizmo Cafe Blog said:

You want the features?  Here’s what you get with an “Elite” Xbox 360.
March 26, 2007 9:15 AM
 

Guest said:

$475 for new "Elite" Xbox 360.  And yet, it is only add things that PS3 already have without the bluRay or HD-DVD.  Let see if I add in HD-DVD, it comes to $675.  Most of the people might say that well it doesn't matter because MS allows me to upgrade if I wanted to.  Very interesting!  Anyone for class economic 101.  

March 27, 2007 7:30 PM
 

Gizmo Cafe Blog said:

Some of the anticipation may subside now that the Redmond-based company is admitting the new system isn’t quite as “Elite” as first thought.

April 2, 2007 8:50 AM
 

Guest Again said:

Lets see, a gaming console that is upgradeable (XB360) or a console (PS3) that forces features on the buyer.  Hmm, and when buyers don't buy into the PS3 BS features, Fony removes them (emotion chip, core model, etc.)without changing the price.

HD-DVD or Bluray?  Who cares, unless your primary use of the gaming console is a Movie Player.

April 19, 2007 12:10 PM
 

tesha said:

i need to tell you this letter on your email and this will tell you this  please let me play the sims

if you dont let me me play this game

May 4, 2007 1:15 PM
 

fatima idris said:

im really impressed about this game thats why i really want to play.

August 26, 2007 11:46 AM
 

http://www.gizmocafe.com/blogs/gizmo_cafe_blog/archive/2007/02/20/107863.aspx said:

March 26, 2008 4:55 AM
 

Gizmo Cafe Blog : Black Microsoft Xbox 360 Hitting Best Buy in May said:

June 21, 2009 2:38 AM

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About Brando

Brando's been gaming a long time. From Atari to NES to Genesis to, sigh, Game Gear, to PC to N64 to PS1 to Xbox to PS2 to Xbox 360, he's wasted a lot of time. But, isn't that the meaning of life?