Xbox 360 Arcade console announced

Microsoft has officially announced another of their worst kept secrets - the Xbox 360 Arcade unit - some time after the units first appeared in stores across North America. The new entry-level bundle will replace the aging Xbox 360 Core bundle, and while it remains hard drive-less, it includes a much smaller Memory Unit - which isn't big enough for downloading high-definition TV episodes from the Xbox Live Video Marketplace, but will suffice to save your progress in games, and download new titles from the Xbox Live Arcade.

The console comes equipped with a wireless controller, five Xbox Live Arcade games, and an HDMI port, allowing the highest quality connection available to an HDTV - although you'll have to supply your own HDMI cable. The Xbox Live Arcade games are Uno, Luxor, Boom Boom Rocket, Feeding Frenzy, and the particularly addictive high-definition remake of Pac-Man, dubbed Pac-Man Championship Edition.

The Xbox 360 Arcade console is currently available in stores across North America for US$279, is due to arrive in the United Kingdom on October 26 for £199, and finally reaches Australia on November 15 for AU$400.

via The Gamer Gene