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Rumor: New Xbox 360 Ultimate to have 1080p HDMI, IPTV, HD-DVD, cure for cancer

10:06 PM on 01.02.2008, Nick Chester 107 comments

Rumor: New Xbox 360 Ultimate to have 1080p HDMI, IPTV, HD-DVD, cure for cancer photo
     CES

Not satisfied with your Premium, Elite, Arcade, or Core Xbox 360 systems? What say you about the luxurious Xbox 360 Ultimate? Stuff.tv is reporting (as fact, as if they know something we don't) that Microsoft is set to launch a new Xbox 360 SKU come Fall 2008.

Dubbed the Xbox 360 Ultimate, the new unit will contain everything but the cure for cancer (sorry if we got your hopes up). The Web arm of the UK tech magazine is reporting that the new unit will feature 1080p HDMI output, built in Wi-Fi, hi-def audio ouput, cooler hardware, an extremely quiet fan, and a built in HD-DVD drive. You know, everything you wanted from the system when it launched two years ago. 

Right now, we're regarding this as a rumor. But with CES right around the corner, we're likely to hear more on such a beast shortly. What are you guys doing on Sunday?


Next page: More Rumors stories




Jerkbutt47's Avatar
Jerkbutt47 at 01/02/2008 22:05
god damn it...
microsoft is becoming the new nintendo with all their hardware revisions...
MrSadistic's Avatar
MrSadistic at 01/02/2008 22:05
Well I'm glad. The rash was beginning to annoy me, so maybe buying one of these babies will cure it all away.
GrayFox's Avatar
GrayFox at 01/02/2008 22:05
Kick in the pants to someone who bought an elite 6 months ago.
Aberrant Thought's Avatar
Aberrant Thought at 01/02/2008 22:07
Not to play monday morning quarterback here, but I had a feeling this was going to happen back when I heard that images of the 360 got leaked out. Microsoft was going to treat this just like everything else they make.

1. Release something only partially tested and that will become antiquated in a years time
2. Release 'fixes' (1 billion of them and counting)
3. Release service packs (Hardware upgrades in this case.)
4. just keep patching over problems until it's time to create the xbox 720

I suppose it's better than the Linux gaming console.
User: Uh hi I'd like to play FF21 now.
Linux machine: Got root?
User: What?
Joe Burling's Avatar
Joe Burling at 01/02/2008 22:17
Right before every show, some blog breaks some big news that was rumored to be happening. Then the company responds by saying they don't respond (or by threatening said blog). Then it turns out to be true.

Congrats, Destructoid. I think you were the first major gaming blog to point this out!
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 01/02/2008 22:18
I'm sorry, but as someone who recently got a 360, this is bullshit. I'm tired of consoles being outdated after not even two months. What happened to releasing a console, then maybe releasing one aesthetic redesign down the line?

@ Jerkbutt47

Nintendo doesn't add features with their revisions, though, so there's no pressing need to get a redesign. DS Lite does everything the DS does.

@ Aberrant Thought

The difference is that you're describing a software release, which is patchable, while I'd have to buy a totally new unit to get these upgrades.
Biltor's Avatar
Biltor at 01/02/2008 22:20
So there are how many choices now?

Arcade
Core
Premium
Elite
Ultimate
Phone Book
Aberrant Thought's Avatar
Aberrant Thought at 01/02/2008 22:21
@ Necros

I totally get you and I agree it's crap. Just sayin' it's how Microsoft rolls
timtheterrible's Avatar
timtheterrible at 01/02/2008 22:21
Fuck all that, I already have a PS3.
qo_op's Avatar
qo_op at 01/02/2008 22:22
so its a ps3?
the GAMEGOBLIN's Avatar
the GAMEGOBLIN at 01/02/2008 22:25
BahamutZero's Avatar
BahamutZero at 01/02/2008 22:25
considering this is probably going to cost $600, the wireless is crappy and laggy, and I don't need an hddvd drive I don't feel bad about getting a first run elite. I swear.
Cunt's Avatar
Cunt at 01/02/2008 22:26
yay more features that will overheat the 360 and warp it's motherboard.
Redzie's Avatar
Redzie at 01/02/2008 22:28
I got my 360 from winning it at my highschool after prom party raffle from playing tons of blackjack. I guess it's time for me to go back.
MaxVest's Avatar
MaxVest at 01/02/2008 22:33
This rumor does not add up. If Microsoft were unleashing a high-spec Xbox 360 in Fall 2008, as the article says, do you think they would announce it in January of 2008, giving people 9 months to snub the models on shelves in favor of a better product down the road?
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 01/02/2008 22:35
Fuckers.
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 01/02/2008 22:38
Thank you, MaxVest, for giving me a faint hope that this isn't true. I know that Apple releases its new products a few days after their announcements.
TheExit's Avatar
TheExit at 01/02/2008 22:48
Fuck, enough with the revisions. Maybe they should focus on fixing the current sku's so they stop overheating, and having drive failures, and being fucking loud as hell! Don't bring out another flawed sku, and sell the shit out of it. Fix your shit! And stop taking forever to fix 360's that get sent for repair!
AfroJoel's Avatar
AfroJoel at 01/02/2008 22:53
I think we should wait and see if it's true or not. Jumping the gun never helped anyone!

??
MaxVest's Avatar
MaxVest at 01/02/2008 22:59
@Necros: I just feel that Microsoft will only announce an Ultimate when they're close to bringing it to market, the same way both Sony and Microsoft have denied console price cuts up until retailers started leaking ads.

We haven't heard one reliable hardware manufacturer leak by HDD or HD-DVD manufacturers (and those guys always spill the beans early for advertising purposes); no IPTV leaks have sprung either, which would be amazing considering this would be the biggest IPTV development to land so far.

So the Ultimate may well be coming down the pipe, but I don't think it will be announced at CES or launch in the near future.
F Whipple's Avatar
F Whipple at 01/02/2008 22:59
But does it have cupholders???
Riser Glen's Avatar
Riser Glen at 01/02/2008 23:02
"Hey Riser! When are you getting a 360?"

"Come on, man. Get a 360 already."

"Riser, did you get a 360 yet?!"

"Can you afford a 360 yet?"

"Hurry up and get a 360, man!

I win.
vexed alex's Avatar
vexed alex at 01/02/2008 23:05
Jewish.
skullivan's Avatar
skullivan at 01/02/2008 23:07
The Fall? HD-DVD is going to be beyond saving at that point.

Why don't they just wait so they can put out a 360 with a Blu-ray drive? :p
mix's Avatar
mix at 01/02/2008 23:09
@ Riser, I'm in the same lol boat!

Crappy deal indeed this sucks BIG time for those 10 million with systems already as I'm sure tons of people will be moving over to this ultimate cash cow that M$ is releasing.

Anyone think they will once and for all fix the over heating issues and warping? I think Uber still comes after ultimate, better hold on to your monies.

With that being said, my PS3 for an expected 10yr life span doesn't sound so lame, sure it's got a few less titles but you only have to buy it once!
MaxVest's Avatar
MaxVest at 01/02/2008 23:11
One more thing (I should have written a blog...) -- to explain why I don't think MS would announce now, launch later, there are 2 options:

1. Don't announce launch specifics like price and launch window. If MS does this, people will hold off on buying 360s until they know more. They might also expect a price drop on older models, and hold off even if HD-DVD is not a priority. Not good for MS when they are a distant 3rd in Japan and may well slide to third place in Europe in 2008.

2. Do announce launch specifics. If the Ultimate is much more expensive than current models, people interested in HD-DVD will go buy a $399 40GB PS3 instead of waiting. Sony also has time to delay a price cut until it would most undermine the Ultimate launch. If the Ultimate is a comparative bargain, say goodbye to the sales of the Pro and Elite. And again, Sony will have first mover adantage on price. Any last minute price drop by MS to counter Sony will be seen as weakness.
vexed alex's Avatar
vexed alex at 01/02/2008 23:11
What if the the new Ultimate turns into the new Elite? Pricing wise. Would that be OK, because fall's a long time away.
Crunshii's Avatar
Crunshii at 01/02/2008 23:11
lol, gay.
Redzie's Avatar
Redzie at 01/02/2008 23:13
But will it float?
NightDehumidifier's Avatar
NightDehumidifier at 01/02/2008 23:33
I'm sorry, there is already an ultimate object in existance, and his name is Ultimate Warrior. Unless this 360 model can defeat Hulk Hogan, it's nothing but plastic holding inside it the parts and chipsets of failure.
greks224's Avatar
greks224 at 01/02/2008 23:39
I don't see this being announced. MAYBE IPTV though.
icarus's Avatar
icarus at 01/03/2008 00:05
I just got a premium system for Christmas, am I pissed? Not at all. Would it be nice if my system had all of those things? Sure it would, but it would have come with a bigger price tag. Most of the extra features (wifi, hd-dvd player) can be bought separately. Having them built into the console will just boost the price comparable to a PS3. I can't imagine someone being pissed at having an option to either buy the hd-dvd drive separately with a premium system or buying it built into the system.
tgammet's Avatar
tgammet at 01/03/2008 00:08
Yeah, no sale. I'm still waiting for the inevitable day my 360 dies though.
Promagnum's Avatar
Promagnum at 01/03/2008 01:10
Jump through the hoop! - whores.

ArrestedDeveloper's Avatar
ArrestedDeveloper at 01/03/2008 01:22
If this is real they should only sell it through sharper image.
Corak's Avatar
Corak at 01/03/2008 01:35
I'm gonna call bullshit on this rumor. Just because I'm laughing right now if this turns out to be true I need more laughs later when its announced. Someone said it earlier, THIS IS HOW MICROSOFT ROLLS.

1. Release a product thats full of "bugs" forcing people to upgrade for years
2. Market it to everyone so you have a big customer base.
3. Release a "new" or "updated" version of same said product maybe in a shinier wrapper or 1 added feature that people wanted when it was first released.
4. Profit

I can't remember what publication but I could have sworn that Vista was named one of the biggest blunders of 2007. And this, while a nice option for those considering a new gaming console, is really 2 years behind where it needed to be released.
kaz's Avatar
kaz at 01/03/2008 01:40
HD Audio? If i'm not mistaken the current HD DVD drives (for the xbox) don't do hd audio, so not only does this antiquate the Xbox 360 but also the stand alone HD DVD Drives? Will this be a totally new drive or is the current drive capable it just needs HDMI?
kaz's Avatar
kaz at 01/03/2008 01:41
Damnit I didn't mean stand alone drives as in stand alone, I meant the add on, you know.......damnit why can't we edit our comments?
Sharpless's Avatar
Sharpless at 01/03/2008 01:44
I'm all for this. Still, I won't buy it. I have no need for it. I just want an Elite. It sounds like a good console, though. And it's not like anyone needs to upgrade, if they have an Elite. No one's forcing you to get a new one.
brainderailment's Avatar
brainderailment at 01/03/2008 02:10
I don't think that making this type of a hardware revision would benefit them at all, sure there would be a few more features and what-not, but if it has to go up in price again, not many people will buy it. It will just cause more confusion. What's the point in putting HDDVD in it anyway?

And what ever happened to the motion control rumor?
Wedge's Avatar
Wedge at 01/03/2008 02:34
Meh? I'm still not getting a new console anytime soon =D.
method47's Avatar
method47 at 01/03/2008 02:39
If this turns out to be true, we'll have every Xbox fan who bitched about the PS3 price and "forcing" features on users going to the store and happily drop the 600$. Not only is 600$ "overpriced" for a console with so many features, this is also at least the second time you'll be buying a 360 in 2 years. Enjoy.

Me, I'll stick to my Premium. I didn't bother with the Elite and I won't bother with this. I won't go for a 360 upgrade until they actually make one that works.
Hiltz's Avatar
Hiltz at 01/03/2008 02:39
What's next, Xbox 360 Elite Ultimate ?
bottled dark's Avatar
bottled dark at 01/03/2008 02:49
im going to wait until the xbox ultimate is old, mega is old and pick myself up the xbox supreme.

it's going to kick ass compared to this shit.
narcosis219's Avatar
narcosis219 at 01/03/2008 02:52
Does it come with RROD?

You know what would be awesome? If MS patched and all the consoles would only do 2 red lights instead of 3 red lights so that warranty thing means jack.
Boolean's Avatar
Boolean at 01/03/2008 03:14
FOR FUCKS SAKE STOP RELEASING SO MANY GODDAM SKU'S!!!!!!!
Steel Squirrel's Avatar
Steel Squirrel at 01/03/2008 03:26
But will it give worms to exboyfriends?
Rainbowblack's Avatar
Rainbowblack at 01/03/2008 03:29
indeed STOP WITH THE SKU'S. this better be a rumor

I wanted to buy a Elite after the holidays. Now I can't because of this news. if indeed this is true. then fuck it. I'm buying a PS3

see what you did there MS?
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