Microsoft confirms 256MB internal storage in Xbox 360 Arcade units

by Richard Mitchell { Dec 2nd 2008 at 5:46PM }

As if all the images and videos weren't enough evidence, we've now received official confirmation from Microsoft that new Xbox 360 Arcade units do come with 256MB of internal storage. Speaking with us, a Microsoft spokesperson said quite simply, "We are constantly updating the console's more than 1700 internal components. We can confirm that we are moving to internal memory for the Xbox 360 Arcade. The physical internal memory is the same size as the previous external memory units - 256MB."

So there you have it kids, the Xbox 360 Arcade now has internal memory instead of an external Memory Unit. That means you can save games and download content right out of the box, but if you want to take it anywhere, you'll need to pick up a Memory Unit like everyone else.

Tags: arcade, console, xbox-360-arcade

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Digital Limit @ Dec 2nd 2008 5:49PM

Weird, it's like good and bad at the same time.

mattclarkie @ Dec 3rd 2008 6:20AM

In my opinion it is bad for users because of several reasons.

1. You have to buy a storage device to move you data. More money to MS.

mattclarkie @ Dec 3rd 2008 6:22AM

What is up with this site and the random posting. It should read.

In my opinion it is bad for users because of several reasons.

1. If your console dies your saves are trapped on the console, and you better hope you get yours back.

2. You have to buy a storage device to move you data. More money to MS.

ScottishPrik @ Dec 2nd 2008 5:52PM

Hhmm. I thought microsoft were done ripping people off for add-ons. Seems not.

Clark Parker @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:01PM

Maybe it's me... Maybe I'm thick... But HOW exactly is providing internal memory to the acrade units a rip-off in anyway related to add ons?

If anything, it's the exact opposite. Now, rather the buying a seperate memory cared, those who purchace the Arcade box have access to the same amount of memory that was previously only sold in those cards... You sure you read that right?

Richard Mitchell @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:16PM

The rip-off (depending on how you look at it), is that the Arcade units used to come with a Memory Unit. In other words, they came with detachable memory. Now they don't, which means you have to buy it if you want it.

chefgon_ign @ Dec 2nd 2008 8:08PM

It used to come with a 256mb memory card for free. It now comes with the exact same amount of storage, but the previously free feature of transporting your data now costs extra.

Clark Parker @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:25AM

Ahh... I see. I've only every owned a 360 with a harddrive and as such, I've never even set eyes on one of these memory cards... So I guess I don't see the appeal. I suppose you could use it to bring a save file over to a friend's house but typically I've only ever brought my whole box, for Lan partying.

I still don't see how it's a rip off though. People who buy an Arcade are either too casual to care or they know exactly what they are getting into. This strikes me as more convenient but then as I said, I've spent the last 3 years with internal memory and everyone else like me that sprung for the HD has always had to buy a seperate memory card if one was wanted. Though I still cannot imagine how useful or practical the option is.

But I guess people will continue to look at every business move MS makes and call it devilish a ripoff. Personally, I think they provide a great service. A service I want and am happy to pay for.

Brandon Paddock @ Dec 3rd 2008 3:06PM

There are advantages though...

You no longer have to use half of your memory card to store the NXE (the new Xbox OS). That is the main reason the internal memory makes a lot of sense to me. Without it or a hard drive, you basically need one memory card that you *can't* remove.

Sagar @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:12PM

I agree with chefgon. There seems to be no purpose in this except to force customers to buy a hard drive furthermore.

Cj @ Dec 2nd 2008 5:54PM

Do these also contain the Jasper CPUs?

Viridium @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:22PM

... just WOW. If you're asking whether these boxes have had the 65nm GPU shrink, then yes.

Cj @ Dec 2nd 2008 7:23PM

Dont be a dick, Its a valid question.

Dartmerc @ Dec 2nd 2008 10:44PM

I wouldn't say necessarily - isn't Jasper *very* recent? This internal memory in the Arcade unit isn't exactly new, my mate got an arcade box for his birthday (which to be honest, upset me a little - most of my friends have PS3s, but this guy is probably the most likely to have gotten into online multiplayer), that was about a month ago and it contains the 256MB internally.

Cj @ Dec 3rd 2008 6:50AM

And that is why I asked, to find out.

Aero @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:21PM

The 360 looks weird to me without a hard drive on top.

mgsrocks1 @ Dec 3rd 2008 4:51AM

That's what she said. Wait, what? That sounded better in my head.

Nathan @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:36PM

Hum... I just ordered a xbox 360 elite off dell.com for about $340. (15% off) and now i'm wondering if that's gonna have the Jasper chip in it. I've read and i don't know if the new xbox elite's have the Jasper chip. I'm still waiting on the xbox to be shipped right now.

Rob @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:53PM

Richard Mitchell you are thick. After reading your cynical comment I guess there is nothing Microsoft could possible do without @holes like you trying to turn it into a negative thing. Both the Wii and the PS3 have internal memory and do not provide external memory. Why is that OK for Sony and Nintendo but a rip-off if Microsoft does it?

Microsoft did a good thing and provided internal memory for save games and such which is what most people wanted. The extrernal Memory Unit was simply a crutch for the older 360's which lacked internal memory.

hplcman @ Dec 2nd 2008 7:05PM

I think R. Mitchell did a good job stating that the switch to internal memory is both good and bad. Sure it's nice to have it all inside and carefree, but if you want to take a gamesave with you can't. You have to buy some external memory. That's why this is sort of lame news. You need to calm down.

rick @ Dec 2nd 2008 7:07PM

well if you install the NXE there wont be 256MB of storage anymore

papertiger201 @ Dec 2nd 2008 7:32PM

Well, the difference being, Sony and Nintendo allow you to use any compatible external memory (Wii = SD Card, PS3 = Memory Stick, USB, etc.).

MS forces you to buy their over-priced proprietary Memory (either the HDD or MU).

mattclarkie @ Dec 3rd 2008 6:25AM

The PS3 doesn't have internal memory, it has the HDD easily removable and replacable with any HDD you want.

Grant @ Dec 3rd 2008 12:20PM

"Microsoft did a good thing and provided internal memory for save games and such which is what most people wanted. The extrernal Memory Unit was simply a crutch for the older 360's which lacked internal memory."

Really?
If you had the choice of having something with the same performance and did the same exact thing, would you rather have the option of having it be portable or tied down and being irreplaceable?
The portability and being replaceable would obviously be a step forwards.

It was simply a cost cutting measure that MS did, and it is less convenient to consumers. Now please remove you MS loving head from their ass.

EdwinJ @ Dec 2nd 2008 7:45PM

So, they basically just admitted they should have made the system have mandatory inbuilt memory from day one?

Yeah, an inbuilt memory unit should ALWAYS be included in any console. Well done MS. I just wish sony had done that with the PSONE or PSTWO. Sigh.

mike @ Jan 1st 2009 3:12AM

Yeah, then the Playstation could have been more like the Saturn!

I just recently purchased a Saturn, and it's not fun when the backup CR-2032 battery is dead. All your memory is wiped out!

I don't think you could fit many games saves on 256MB, anyway. I've been looking at my saves, and a lot of them are up 16MB or more! If you have multiple users or a decent number of games or game saves, that memory will be gone in no time. Why does it take 16 MB for a game like Viva Pinata (single garden, no less-- 16 MB each!), but Final Fantasy VII used only one slot? (I think that was about 8 KB.)

EdwinJ @ Jan 1st 2009 7:21PM

What about systems that saved to a cart, ala the N64? Nobody moaned then.

I think giving people a basic memory allowance which can be expanded with optional memory cards is the only fair way to handle things.

EdwinJ @ Dec 2nd 2008 7:48PM

Boot the console up when it arrives, and check the memory devices - if you have internal memory, you have a Jasper.

You used to have to check the PSU before for the Falcons, this is way easier. I just wish they would give us better quality disc drives as standard. Mine sucks.

EdwinJ @ Dec 2nd 2008 7:50PM

I blame the hackers. MS are all against general USB memory devices and with the sheer amount of pirates that until very recently were on Xbox live, you can't blame them. No wonder they want you to buy their brand versions.

Why do people expect them to open up their products when people keep stealing their games? You can't have it both ways.

Efeez1986 @ Dec 2nd 2008 9:06PM

@EdwinJ

You can't blame MS? MS is a multibillion dollar company, stop making up excuses for them. Games like Halo 3 and COD 4 sold between 7 and 10 million eaxh so I don't think software sales is a real issue for MS. They keep bringing out new 360's every few months. The next 360 is going to have built in wi fi I bet.

Mazrael @ Dec 2nd 2008 9:06PM

No HDD.. No crome tray.. ugh, looks like a mock up..
Why not throw a gig in there.. it'll still be full in no time at all, & then need to buy a HDD..

KevinM @ Dec 3rd 2008 2:07PM

people actually care about the chrome tray?

wow. call me silly, but I don't really look at the tray when I'm playing...

NukeAssault @ Dec 2nd 2008 10:33PM

My bro got me an arcade... but i haven't gotten it yet. Hope its this one. =D

Bob @ Dec 2nd 2008 11:24PM

In somewhat related news, Netflix seems to have restored the Sony movies that were missing at launch. Screw them, I'm still buying a Pioneer TV.

Shaun @ Dec 2nd 2008 11:35PM

aww crap. I just bought the arcade last friday! oh well. gettin guitar hero III for free was worth it! :P

ikszkom @ Dec 3rd 2008 1:48AM

but what if the console gets the mainboard replaced? I guess they won't do content transfer, so it's basically only good for nxe

Jay @ Dec 3rd 2008 5:53AM

Ok..Carrying your own data cost extra...Now, how often do you do carry your own data way ?

Me : Never !
But primary Microsoft Antagonists will always find a way to complain! And you know what ? For any matter, there is always such a way !

Grant @ Dec 3rd 2008 12:26PM

You might not use it, but other people may have. If people didn't buy memory cards for that reason, they still wouldn't be selling.

Now if your console RRODs you have no way of recovering your data.... lost forever. Good thing you're such an optimist, otherwise loosing all your game data would probably suck a fat cock.

Jay @ Dec 15th 2008 8:09AM

for recovering data, I agree. I did not think about that specific issue...

EdgeOne @ Dec 3rd 2008 7:01AM

None of this would matter if they just would have included a HD in every unit like the original Xbox.

I also will never understand why a company that is so involved in online movies, videos, games, etc. (all which make them money) continues to rape us on the price of their proprietary drives.

ChickenPawks @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:46AM

I don't understand why you guys are so hateful and angry about this?
rick is the only one who's gotten it right so far... They're putting it in there to accommodate the NXE (possibly installing it so no xbox live update is necessary).
Also, the changes made to the Jasper series is supposed to help alleviate RROD, E74, etc. so you're not as likely to have to send yours off.
Nintendo and Sony would do the same things if they had similar issues with their systems (which they don't/which is not the point of this post, so please keep on topic).

RadScorpion @ Dec 4th 2008 11:47AM

Damn people can bitch about anything these days.

Sure MS is raping us with overpriced hd's, but you shouldn't forget it was the first next-gen console to have a removable hd. Back then it was revolutionary.

Sure Sony did it better using a laptop hd that could easily be removed.

But do you really think Ms is gonna revamp the whole 360, and make it impossible for current users to upgrade there storage, just because the competition does things different/better?!

Making the storage space internal is a smart move, business wise and marketing wise. It's cheaper to produce and you can boast a higher storage space, without taking the choice away from the consumer.

If you want a hd, then buy a premium. If you are a causal player, then chances are you don't even know that there is a hd in there and what it's for. You just want to play games and save them without having to put in the memory card.

Don't forget MS isn't your friend and neither are Sony or Nintendo, they all just want to make money. Pick your console and enjoy it, just stop whining about how capitalism works(fucking commie bastards).

-peace

Sebastian @ Dec 12th 2008 7:51PM

the Arcade consoles that have the 256mb in the interior of the consoles are the JASPERS!!! is confirmed i order a Arcade Holiday and dosent come with the 256mb unit, it have it in the interior
,and the power bricks is 150w so the 360 consoles that have the 256mb in the interior are the Jaspers

CONFIRMED

mike @ Jan 1st 2009 3:12AM

It appears that this internal memory switch has affected whether a user can take up that refurbished hard drive offer MS has (refurb 20 GB w/ 3 mo. Live for 29.99). It's tied to a console SN and ID, and you must only be able to get it if you had the external memory unit.

I bet the real reason they switched to internal memory is because they ran out of the old units. (They switched from 128 or 256 MB to a 512 MB unit in order to allow Live users to download the newer Arcade titles when the size limit was raised.)