So Microsoft have announced a new X-Box 360 and also finally given a release date of “Project Natal” renamed Kinect at E3 2010.  Before we go in to too much information the release date is what you are probably interested in first:

New X-Box 360 release date – 16th July 2010
Project Natal now called Kinect release date – November 2010

You can pre-order now from Game << click here to pre order now >>

New X-Box 360

What is new with this xbox then?
What’s in the Box?
Xbox 360 S Console (Gloss Black)
Xbox 360 S 250GB Removable Hard Drive
Xbox 360 Black Wireless Controller
Xbox 360 Black Headset
Xbox 360 Composite A/V cable (Standard Definition)
One Month Xbox LIVE Gold Membership
1 Year Limited Express Warranty

Design and Ports

First thing you will notice is the new sleek looking design of the actual box.  It’s not black and shiny.  With it’s new look we think it certainly looks impressive. It still has all the normal connections in the hidden front panel and the usual usb, HDMI and optical ports on the back.

The new design is also a lot quieter (according to reports we have read).

Storage

There is now a 250gb Hard Drive as standard, so you can store more movies, games and music on your HDD ready for play back.

Connectivity

The console comes with the normal wireless controller connectivity and you can still use your old wireless controllers that you have.

Now though the new xbox 360 has built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi meaning that streaming your music and movies will be much quicker.

Kinect ready

The new 360 has a dedicated and specialised port ready for you to plug in your Kinect controller, where you are the controller. This will require you to buy the sensor and also have 175mb worth of free memory.

Kinect

Microsoft originally showed off a version of Kinect back at E3 2009, so it has been a long time coming.  Working on feedback and accuracy they are now ready to release this out to the public.  The release date is scheduled to be November 2010.

Here is the promo video from xbox

In our opinion, if this works as well as all the promotional videos it could see the end of the Nintendo Wii. With plenty of options for games developers to bring out the usual Dance games, Fitness games, driving games and also fighting games, We think that Kinect could be a big hit for Christmas 2010. It will certainly be on my shopping list and to fund our purchase we will be selling our Nintendo Wii ASAP.

Useful Links
Pre order and Buy from
Game.co.uk
or
Play.com

Sell your items on:
E-Bay

Last year I went to Play.com Live and saw and had a go on Rock Band.  I loved the idea of the drums and guitar.  The singing I wasn’t too keen on, but my partner loves singing and thought it would be a cool idea to get her involved in playing on the Xbox 360and having a bit of a laugh.

While I was waiting for Rock Band to come out I was introduced to Guitar Hero 2. It allowed me to jam along to the guitar and feel like a real rock god. I decided to dismiss Rock Band and purchase Guitar Hero III. I love this game and almost worn out my guitar from playing it so much.

Before long Rock Band seemed to release an update (well Rock Band 2) and the temptation was there again to get the drums, but at the time I had other things that I had to pay for and waited again. In November 2008 Guitar Hero World Tour was release and the drums looked much better than the ones that you got in Rock Band. I waited and waited and took the plunge and purchased GH World Tour. The reason for this was I had friends that were also going down the Guitar Hero route and with the possibility to play online as a group or against each other was also my main reason for choosing this.

Since buying Guitar Hero World Tour I have also bought Rock Band 2 (Souls). This is just the game disc only, but you can use the Guitar Hero instruments to work your way through the game, so in effect you are getting 2 lots of songs and only having to buy 1 set of instruments. Even better if you choose to rent the Rock Band 1 game disc from any online rental company such as Love Film or Tesco rental.

With the game 1 disc and for 400 Microsoft points (about £3.40) you can import all the rock band 1 songs and play them through rock band 2 disc.   Also through the online xbox 360 shop you can buy and download up to nearly 400 extra songs and song packs, with many more being released every week.
So which should you buy.. ?

My choice (which I think is the best option) is to:
Buy Guitar Hero world Tour – band bundle
Rent Rock Band (Souls) and import the songs
Buy Rock Band 2 (Souls)

The result is 100’s of songs to play guitar, drum, bass or sing along to. What are you waiting for Rent the game now or buy the game from Tesco.