The new Xbox 360 controller which has an improved D-pad and better analog sticks — a newer and better controller all around — is in freaky awesome metallic silver and such, and makes all new owners of the Xbox 360 (sometimes called the Stealthbox) a little sad.
After speaking to one of Microsoft’s Xbox agents, I can directly say that Microsoft hasn’t outed the availability of the controller in Xbox retail units, as the new controller is only coming in a Play and Charge kit for $64.99 when it launches on November 9 in the States. Interestingly, I did learn that the older controller will still be sold, and then other than that, Microsoft doesn’t have any plans for displaying the controller in public (i.e a press event), for now.
That’s that folks. Shiny press images below.
Xbox 360 with nicer D-pad press pics
So Microsoft jacked up the XBOX LIVE subscriptions costs you say? Well, yes. On November 1st in the US, Canada, and Mexico, the 1-month charge is increasing to $9.99 from $7.99, three months will cost $24.99 from $19.99 while the yearly plan is increasing to $59.99 from $49.99. Yes, it sucks, and it nags me because I was going to buy an Xbox 360 S (I still am, btw).
Know what’s better than a shiny new matte silver Xbox 360 Slim with two wireless controllers, special Halo sounds, and a copy of Halo: Reach with a price tag of $400 on September 15th? Exactly what I just said, dudes. The “limited edition” is $100 mure than the plain-old-same-old black, glossy 360 Slim, and $200 over the upcoming Arcade model.
The Xbox 360 Slim 4GB is going to be the new Arcade replacement, in this case priced at $199 for 4GB of internal flash memory, built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi, a matte finish instead of the usual glossy seen on the 250GB $299.99 model, and a shipping date of August 3rd. The holiday bundle will include the same 360 hardware, but with Kinect, and the bundled game Kinect Adventures, for $299 total, sans tax. Interesting for the budget-minded, eh? Gallery of pretty computer-generated photos for your pleasure below.
Want a Microsoft motion-sensing, video playing Natal? Yes? Well remember that it’s no longer called the Natal, but the Kinect. Starting at $149 for pre-order on Microsoft’s own Xbox store, don’t be surprised if there’s a price drop or anything else tasty as launch date nears. Also, if you have that old Xbox 360 Fat, you’ll need to plugin the AC adapter that comes with it. Have a 
