• The Xbox 360 Elite is the fourth and most expensive variation of the console. It is priced at US$449.99 and includes a 120GB hard drive and a matte black finish. The Elite retail package also includes an HDMI 1.2 cable and a controller and headset that match the system's black finish.[26] The initial release price was US$479.99,[27] C$549.99,[27] £299.99, and AU$729.95. The Elite was released in Europe on August 24, 2007, and Australia on August 30, 2007. Holiday 2007 consoles, with packaging labeled "Go Big", are bundled with Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and Forza Motorsport 2.[28]

Special editions

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 of the console, released September 16, 2007. It sports a Halo 3 theme on the console, wired headset, and wireless controller. Other than the unique "Spartan green and gold"[29] color scheme and exclusive dashboard theme and downloads, its features are identical to that of the Premium system.[30] It is priced at US$399.99 and £279.99 (the original price of the Xbox 360 Premium).[31]

• To promote The Simpsons Movie, Microsoft created a specially-designed, yellow Xbox 360 console.[32] This configuration is based on the Xbox 360 Premium package, with 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.[33] This edition is limited, as 10 consoles were produced. [34]

Comparison of features

Information in the table below is based on the latest specifications. Older packaging may not include all items listed.

Features Elite Premium Arcade Core Price US$449.99, GB£299.99 US$349.99, GB£249.99 US$279.99, GB£199.99 US$279.99, GB£199.99 Appearance Matte black, chrome trim Matte white, chrome trim Matte white Matte white Controller Type Wireless, Matte black Wireless Wireless Wired
3m breakaway cord Included storage 120 GB HDD 20 GB HDD 256 MB Memory Unit 64 MB Memory Unit Ethernet / System Link cable Yes Yes No No Xbox 360 Headset Yes, Matte black Yes
(excluding Oceania and Mexico
where a Media Remote is bundled instead) No No HDMI 1.2 equipped Yes Yes
after August 2007[35] Yes Yes
after August 2007 Included video cables[1] HDMI 1.2 (HD)
Component/Composite (HD/SD) Component/Composite (HD/SD) Composite (SD) Composite (SD) Xbox LIVE 1 Month Gold trial, Silver 1 Month Gold trial, Silver 1 Month Gold trial, Silver Silver Bundled games "Go Big" package:
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance,
Forza Motorsport 2,
Hexic HD "Go Pro" package:
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance,
Forza Motorsport 2,
Hexic HD
Mexican "Premium" package:
Perfect Dark Zero,
Project Gotham Racing 3,
Hexic HD
Oceania "Pro" package:
Forza Motorsport 2,
Viva Pinata
"Go Play" package:
Boom Boom Rocket,
Feeding Frenzy,
Luxor 2,
Pac-Man Championship Edition,
UNO None

Xbox LIVE Main article: Xbox Live

On the day of the Xbox 360's release, Microsoft's online gaming service Xbox LIVE was shut down for 24 hours and went through a major upgrade, adding a basic non-subscription service, Silver, to its already established premium subscription-based service (which was renamed Gold). Xbox LIVE Silver is free of charge and 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.[36] An Xbox LIVE Silver account does not generally support multiplayer gaming; however, some games that have rather limited online functions already, (such as Viva Pinata) or games that feature their own subscription service (eg. EA Sports games) can be played with a Silver 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.[37] The Gamertag of a player with a Silver account has a silver trim, rather than gold.

Xbox LIVE Gold has the same features as Silver 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.[38] 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, GB£39.99, or €59.99. As of July 11, 2007, Xbox LIVE has over 7 million subscribers.[39]