The aluminum case not only refaces the 360, but also throws in extra cooling by way of three 120mm fans to help prevent the RROD. Now if I could only figure out how much it costs and how I can order one.

[Industrirepro via technabob]

Yes, you read the title correctly. Your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. Up for auction on eBay is a PS360: an Xbox 360 in a PS3 case. It only plays 360 games, not PS3 games; I’d be more impressed if it supported both. If you can read through all the spelling and grammatical errors, here are the builder’s step-by-step instructions. This guy also made a Wii64 that plays Nintendo 64 games in a Wii console. Not really necessary, but it’s a little cool.

Now that the NXE lets users install games onto the hard drive, space is premium cause these games aren’t small. Plus, the Xbox’s standard hard drive space for the majority of the past three years was a measly 20GB so you really should know how much space these games are going to take up. Full list after the jump.

- All Pro Football 2k8 (5.0 GB)
- Amped 3 (6.7 GB)
- Army of Two (5.7 GB)
- Assassin’s Creed (6.7 GB) — Jerusalem load 39.5 seconds (DVD) vs 25 seconds (HDD)
- Battlefield: Bad Company (6.5 GB)
- Battlestations: Midway (5.5 GB)
- Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts (6.6 GB) — cuts 2-6 seconds off loads
- Beautiful Katamari (3.4 GB)
- BioShock (6.1 GB) — Point Prometheus level 35 seconds (DVD) vs 24.5 seconds (HDD)
- Blazing Angels (3.4 GB)
- Blue Dragon (19.9 GB for all disks – 6.6 GB, 6.5 GB, 6.8 GB)
- Brother’s in Arms: Hell’s Highway (5.2 GB)
- Bullet Witch (5.2 GB)
- Bully: Scholarship Edition (3.4 GB)
- Burnout Revenge (4.4 GB) — load/restart of Eastern Bay (a long forward race): DVD 26 seconds HDD 11 seconds
- Burnout Paradise (3.4 GB)
- C&C: Tiberium Wars (6.6 GB)
- Call of Duty 2 (6.0 GB) — saves 2-3 seconds each loadtime
- Call of Duty 3 (5.8 GB)
- Call of Duty 4 (6.7 GB)
- Call of Duty: World at War (6.5 GB)
- Cars (5.2 GB)
- Chromehounds (4.2 GB)
- Civilization Revolution (6.3 GB)
- Clive Barker’s Jericho (5.6 GB)
- Colin McRae Dirt (6.4 GB)
- Command & Conquer 3 (3.6GB)
- Condemned (5.4 GB)
- Condemned 2: Bloodshot (6.8 GB)
- Dark Messiah: Might and Magic (6.1 GB) — “seems to fix the music cutting out issue. It loads a little faster too”
- Dark Sector (3.4 GB) — chapter 6 loaded 10-11 secs with install versus 15-16 normal
- Dead or Alive 4 (6.8GB)
- Dead Rising (6.6 GB)
- Dead Space — “shortens the initial load time and the load time when accessing save stations”
- Devil May Cry 4 (6.7 GB)
- Dynasty Warriors Gundam (5.6 GB)
- Earth Defense Force 2017 (3.4 GB)
- Eternal Sonata (6.8 GB)
- Fable 2 (6.8 GB) — the brief stutter when accessing inventory menus or expressions is gone
- Fallout 3 (5.9 GB)
- Far Cry 2 (4.5 GB)
- FIFA 09 (6.0 GB)
- Fight Night Round 3 (3.4 GB)
- Flatout Ultimate Carnage (4.9 GB)
- Forza 2 (5.3 GB)
- Full Auto (3.4 GB)
- Gears of War (6.5 GB)
- Gears of War 2 (6.7 GB) initial load 8 seconds shorter, causes stuttering at “saving game” checkpoints
- Ghost Recon: Advance Warfighter (5.2 GB)
- Ghost Recon: Advance Warfighter 2 (6.8 GB)
- Grand Theft Auto IV (6.7 GB) — decreases initial load time from 46.5 to 33 seconds
- GRID (6.6 GB)
- Guitar Hero 2 (3.4 GB)
- Guitar Hero: World Tour (6.5 GB)
- GUN (3.6 GB)
- Hitman: Blood Money (5.8 GB)
- Halo 3 (6.3 GB) — load times are apparently worse (10 seconds longer) when installed
- Idolm@ster (5.1 GB)
- Idolm@ster Live 4 U (5.9 GB)
- Infinite Undiscovery (12.5 GB for both discs, disc 1 6GB disc 2 6.5GB)
- Kameo (5.9 GB)
- King Kong (6.5 GB)
- Left 4 Dead (5.0 GB)
- Lego Star Wars The Complete Saga (5.8 GB)
- LIPS (4.7 GB)
- Lord of the Rings: Battle For Middle Earth (4.4 GB)
- Lost Planet (6.8 GB)
- Lost: Via Domus (4.2 GB)
- Lost Odyssey (23.2 GB for all discs: 5.8, 5.2, 6.3, and 6.2) — 2 times faster playing off HDD (video)
- Madden 09 (6.7 GB) — “game doesn’t hitch anymore when going in or coming out of an instant replay”
- Mass Effect (6.8 GB) — No more “Loading” pauses when moving too fast. Elevator load times are identical (hardcoded)
- Mercenaries 2 (6.7 GB)
- Midnight Club: LA (6.0 GB)
- Mirror’s Edge (5.7 GB) — eliminates (or greatly reduces) the amount of brief “Now Loading” pauses that pop up mid-level
- Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe (6.4 GB) — not much difference, load times are only 1-2 seconds shorter
- Namco Museum Virtual Arcade (3.4 GB)
- NBA 2K9 (6.7GB) — helps framerate issues and previously frequent hanging
- NBA Live 09 (?? GB) — “now we’re getting stutters inbetween baskets”
- Need for Speed Most Wanted (6.8 GB)
- NHL 09 (5.7 GB)
- Ninja Gaiden II (6.8 GB) — 125 seconds initial load on DVD, 45 seconds off HDD. No loading when selecting a weapon from quick switch menu
- Overlord (3.4 GB)
- Perfect Dark Zero (4.9 GB)
- Pure (4.4 GB)
- Pro Evolution Soccer 6 (3.4 GB)
- Project Gotham Racing 3 (6.2 GB)
- Project Gotham Racing 4 (6.0 GB) — average load is 6-10 seconds shorter, some users report occasional audio popping
- Quantum of Solace (6.8 GB)
- Raiden IV (3.4 GB)
- Raiden Fighters Aces (3.4 GB)
- Rainbow Six Vegas (6.7 GB)
- Ridge Racer 6 (6.5 GB)
- Rock Band (5.2 GB)
- Rock Band 2 (6.3GB)
- Rumble Roses XX (4.5GB) — seems like 1/3 taken off loading times
- Saints Row (6.8 GB)
- Saints Row 2 (6.8 GB)
- Scene It (6.8 GB)
- SEGA Rally (4.2 GB)
- Shadowrun (4.3 GB)
- Shikigami no Shiro 3 (3.4 GB)
- skate (6.5 GB) — “load times virtually the same, only exception: Clothes – they basically barely loaded at all before, now it’s all smooth”
- Smackdown vs RAW 2009 (?? GB) — “is INSANE from the HD, almost instant loading. Fantastic.”
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 ( GB) — “game loads about 15-20% faster”
- Soul Calibur IV (5.9 GB)
- Splinter Cell: Double Agent (6.8 GB)
- Star Trek Legacy (5.7 GB)
- Star Wars: Force Unleashed (6.6 GB)
- Stranglehold (6.7 GB)
- Stuntman Ignition (5.8 GB)
- Table Tennis (3.4 GB)
- Tales of Vesperia (5.9 GB) — “loads like it runs off of a cartridge at times”
- Tengai Makyou Ziria: Harukanaru Jipang (6.0 GB)
- The Club (5.2 GB)
- The Darkness (6.8 GB) — “loads noticeably faster. I didn’t do any comparisons but it feels a lot quicker travelling between areas.”
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (6.7 GB) — Great Forest loadtime 44.5 seconds (DVD) vs 31 seconds (HDD)
- The Orange Box (4.7 GB) — HL2 load time cut in half (44.5 vs 25.5 seconds), loading saved game ‘We don’t go there any more’ shaved off 32 seconds
- Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 (6.0 GB)
- Tomb Raider Anniversary (6.4 GB)
- Tomb Raider Legend (6.7 GB)
- Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland (5.0 GB)
- Too Human (6.2 GB)
- Two Worlds (3.4 GB)
- Unreal Tournament 3 (6.4 GB)
- Viking:Battle for Asgard (5.9 GB)
- Virtua Fighter 5 (4.7 GB)
- Virtua Tennis 3 (4.1 GB)
- Viva Piñata (5.0 GB)
- Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise (5.2 GB)
- Warriors Orochi (6.4 GB)
- Warriors Orochi 2 (6.8 GB)
- Wartech Senko no Ronde (3.4GB)
- WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2007 (6.8 GB)
- WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2008 (5.8 GB)
- WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009 (6.6 GB)
- Xbox Live Arcade Compilation Disc (5.9 GB)
- Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged Vol.1 (3.4 GB)

Sean & The Kids via Kotaku

Looks like the NXE is out for those who signed up for a preview account and Netflix has confirmed that there will be 300 HD titles in the new streaming system. Looks like Christmas came early!

Instead of adding another 10,000 people to the preview program like we did last week, we’ve decided to do something a little different: everyone who successfully applied to the preview program (and submitted a valid console ID) will be getting the New Xbox Experience sometime within the next few hours. That’s right…we’re hooking everyone else up with NXE a bit early. If you signed up and are not prompted, that means you did not enter your console ID properly and you’ll have to wait until Wednesday.

More Than 12,000 Movies and TV Episodes are Available to Watch Instantly At No Additional Cost to Current Netflix and Xbox LIVE Gold Members

LOS GATOS, Calif., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX), the world’s largest online movie rental service, today announced that Netflix members can have thousands of movies and TV episodes instantly streamed to the TV via the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system when the New Xbox Experience premieres nationwide tomorrow. Adding to a growing number of Netflix-ready devices, the Xbox 360 is the only game and entertainment console that lets users instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix to the TV. There is no additional monthly fee for Netflix members who are also Xbox LIVE Gold members.

Netflix members simply add movies and TV episodes from a growing library of more than 12,000 choices to their instant Queues at the Netflix Web site. Those choices are automatically displayed on the TV screen via the Xbox 360 and, once selected, will begin playing in as little as 30 seconds.

“This is an important and exciting moment for Netflix and Xbox,” said Netflix Chief Marketing Officer Leslie Kilgore. “We believe the New Xbox Experience — with thousands of choices available to be streamed instantly from Netflix as one of its key enhancements — offers consumers a great at-home entertainment option and provides terrific value as a holiday gift idea.”

Netflix also said it is taking the first step in instantly streaming movies and TV episodes in high definition with the introduction of approximately 300 HD choices that will play with standard definition audio via the Xbox 360. The company said it intends to increase the number of HD choices available and will eventually add multi-channel audio. Classic, adventure, musical, foreign and comedy movies now available to watch instantly in high definition include “La Vie en Rose,” “Flawless” and “Heroes.”

All Netflix members can rent from over 100,000 titles on DVD. They can instantly watch movies and TV episodes from a growing library of choices on their PCs and Intel-based Macintosh computers, as well as on their TVs via one of the Internet connected Netflix ready devices sold by Netflix partners.

About Netflix, Inc.

Netflix, Inc. is the world’s largest online movie rental service, with more than eight million subscribers. For one low monthly price, Netflix members can get DVDs delivered to their homes and can instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs, PCs and Macs, all in unlimited amounts. Members can choose from over 100,000 DVD titles and a growing library of more than 12,000 choices that can be watched instantly. There are never any due dates or late fees. DVDs are delivered free to members by first class mail, with a postage-paid return envelope, from 55 distribution centers. More than 95 percent of Netflix members live in areas that generally receive shipments in one business day. Netflix is also partnering with leading consumer electronics companies to offer a range of devices that can instantly stream movies and TV episodes to members’ TVs from Netflix. For more information, visit http://www.netflix.com/.

via AOL

However, if you have a LCD monitor or older HDTV – say, pre-2005 – your display has a DVI port that might not be HDCP compatible; some were and some were not back then. So users can either revert back to component video or utilize a VGA adapter. True, you will be losing your 100% digital signal and the switch might mess up your whole wiring scheme if the gaming system is within a home theater setup, but at least you will be able to stream HD Netflix movies.

[Thanks for the tip, Tyler!]

We have all had poorly shipped packages, but apparently Microsoft has had enough with DHL’s piss-pore shipping; specifically after a whole train derailed destroying 21,600 Xbox 360s. The suit is seeking $2 million in total damages due to the October 13, 2007 incident. It seems that we here in the States would not have noticed an inventory shortage as these units were destined for Hong Kong. Which so happens to be a struggling market for the console.

But then it will get faster say some folks at Golem. Apparently games on the hard drive suffer from a seek problem that DVD based games don’t have. While the game is loading on DVD, for example, pertinent blocks are placed closer together to speed load times – and the PS3 writes those blocks a few times on the disk to make things even faster – while the HD drive spins around madly like a dervish as it seeks and reads. There are plans to fix this, ensuring that your next game load time won’t enter the double digits.

via Giz

The gaming news keeps on rolling with word of an improved XBOX 360 controller. It seems the boys over at Microsoft have outfitted a larger rocker underneath the d-pad, thus improving control. The new controller looks the same as the current model so don’t expect anything from that department as the change is inside. Time will tell if many gamers will ditch their current controllers though and spend the coin to get this one when it launches around the same time as Pro Evolution Soccer. There isn’t a gamer out there though that wouldn’t appreciate a little better control though. But then they won’t be able to blame their death on the controller. [I pressed that button. Really I did. aaarrrrggg!!]

How often can I use the tool?
The tool can only be used once every twelve months.

Why can I use the tool only once per twelve months?
The tool is intended to allow consumers to consolidate their licenses they purchased on multiple consoles to a primary console. It is not intended to continually move content between multiple consoles.

Right. Because everybody likes artificial limitations on content they’ve paid for.

Mr. Miyamoto, tear down this wall! DS and 360 gamers may soon be united by their hatred of Viva Pinata: Trouble In Paradise, a game that simulates brain death.

The game uses the 360’s camera to track and decode trading cards. These cards can also appear on devices like Zunes, cellphones, iPods and… DSes. MTV is positing that the upcoming Viva Pinata title for the DS may include electronic cards in the game to unlock features on the 360. It’s not quite real connectivity and it’s a pretty far stretch but hey, who are we to judge gaming reporting produced by the network that brought you The Hills.

To combat the red ring of death and other problems that plagued the 360, chip evolution and improvement has been an important consideration for Microsoft. The Falcon revision, for example, has improved things slightly.

Microsoft, then, hopes with this next update, codenamed Jasper, will let them put the rash of console problems behind them. Microsoft is setting up provisions to start updating the Xbox 360 with a 65nm GPU late August. This information is backed by a report from CENS, saying they already contracted with a few company’s to build the new chips.

It is also known that the Falcon chips are depleted, so that paves the way for a quick transition to Jasper. Reports are also saying that the next update after Jasper will not happen for a year after its release.

via dailytech.com

As a result of recent decisions made by Toshiba, Hollywood studios, and retailers, Microsoft plans to withdraw from HD DVD. Xbox will no longer manufacture new HD DVD players for the Xbox 360, but we will continue to provide standard product and warranty support for all Xbox 360 HD DVD Players in the market. As we stated earlier, we do not believe this decision will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace. HD DVD is one of the several ways we offer a high definition experience to consumers and we will continue to give consumers the choice to enjoy digital distribution of high definition movies and TV shows directly to their living room, along with playback of the DVD movies they already own.

via GamerScore

We’ve heard a few rumors about Xbox 360 owners being able to get a special deal if they want to trade up to an Elite model and now some have been confirmed. Here’s the deal: If you’re going to trade in your old 360 for an Elite model, go to Gamestop. They’ll give you $50 for an Xbox (wow, not too bad at all), $200 for a Core Xbox 360, and $250 for your Premium version.

Even if you don’t plan on getting an Elite, it might be worth trading in that original Xbox. Fifty clams is a lot of cash for an old beat-up system used solely for playing Halo 2. Better hop on this deal while it lasts though. I have a feeling after the Elite has been out for a while Gamestop will lower the trade-in value.

CONFIRMED: Xbox 360 Trade-In Deal! [Xbox 360 Rally]

Apparently GameSpot posted — and yanked — a video of the 360 Dashboard updates coming May 7. Good stuff includes:

- Releases May 7th.
- Add up to 600 Windows Live Messenger contacts to your Friends List.
- Text chat with up to 6 Live Messenger contacts at once during games or movies.
- The Marketplace will be getting its own Dashboard Blade.
- The Marketplace will be skinned independently of the Dashboard, for special events.
- The Marketplace will be getting a new, easier-to-navigate remake.
- Achievement Pop-ups will now display how many points and which Achievement you have gained.
- Low-power downloading (fans off) and auto-off after finishing queued downloads.
- View partially downloaded video files.

http://news.mygamercard.net/2007/04/06/xbox-360-spring-2007-dashboard-update/ [MyGamerCard]

With the success of Guitar Hero 2, it was only a matter of time before some publishers and developers went “Hey…what if we did the same concept with a whole band?!” Rock Band is that next step, which is set to drop in November of this year. The game will include a whole band setup using unique controllers for guitar, bass, and drums, as well as microphones for belting out those vox. But with the early pricing set over at the Gamestop website, this game is probably one of the costliest games ever.

If you plan on going all out, you’ll need the drums ($80), two guitars ($120), a bass ($60), say two mics for main and backup vocal duties ($80), and of course, the damn game ($60). Add ‘em all up and you’ve spent a whopping $400 on your virtual band that will never make it out of the living room. Of course, it’s about a good $2000 cheaper than trying to form a real rock and roll band, so one could argue that somehow, you are saving here. The game will be released for both PS3 and Xbox 360, so better start saving no matter what side you’re on. And kids? Go buy a nice Strat, some drums, and a microphone and start your own band. Trust us: no matter how good you are at “The Final Countdown,” the groupies will not flock to your virtual stylings.

The $300 game? Gamestop hints at Rock Band pricing [Ars Technica]

Though Vista is great and all and quite the improvement over XP, it still has a lot of issues with certain programs and hardware. Hence why Microsoft is taking awhile to roll out its Games For Windows Live service. Luckily, the time is almost upon us. Microsoft will be releasing Games For Windows Live for Vista owners come May 8th. The service will allow gamers to easily play against each other on certain games. Plus with the ability to hook up a 360 controller to Vista, plenty of people are going to be giving it a whirl.

And that’s not all. Halo 2 comes out the same day, allowing tons of 14 year olds to call each other “Gay” and “Lame” regardless if they’re playing on an Xbox or a PC. Either way, cross-platform gaming actually looks like it has a shot for once. Kudos to you Microsoft for doing something awesome with the gaming world.

Games for Windows Live and Halo 2 hit Vista May 8th [Joystiq]

Well, here’s a bit of news you can use while you spend 70 hours trying to finish Zelda. The Wii uses considerably less electricity than the PS3 or Xbox 360 and makes the PC look as wasteful as a Hummer with a hole in its gas tank.

At its peak, the Wii sucked down 18.4 Watts during gameplay as compared to 209.7 Watts in the PC and 199.7 Watts in the PS3. The total power consumption is basically a flat line when compared to the high peaks and valleys of the 360 and PS3.

The article also discusses power usage during video playback and other tasks, but it looks like the tiny Wii sips energy like a proper lady sipping juleps at the Kentucky Derby.

Power Consumption in Today’s Consoles [HardCoreWare via Engadget]