Blog Archives
Microsoft Gives The Xbox One A Release Date– Coming November 22nd
We already knew the price and launch games but today Microsoft decided to announce the final missing detail about the Xbox One– it’s release date. The next Xbox will be here on November 22nd for the previously announced price of $499.99. Yes, if you ever wanted Black Friday to get any crazier then releasing a new Xbox the week before will give you your wish.
Xbox One available 11.22.13. Reserve now. http://t.co/XcgnGBxceD
— Xbox (@Xbox) September 4, 2013
Sure it’s a week later than the PS4, but it’s coming. And that’s all that really matters, right?
Here Are The Xbox One Launch Games
The PS4 isn’t the only new console making big news. While Sony was announcing the final missing details from the PS4’s launch– the November 15th release date and the launch games expected out around that time– Microsoft announced the launch games for their Xbox One.
Like the PS4, Microsoft has put together a pretty solid group of launch games of their own. As you’d expect, many of the games that will be available for the PS4 will also be available for the Xbox One at launch including:
Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, Battlefield 4, Call of Duty: Ghosts, FIFA 14, Madden NFL 25, NBA 2K14, NBA LIVE 14, Need for Speed: Rivals, Just Dance 2014, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, Skylanders: Swap Force and Watch Dogs. In addition to those games the Xbox One will also have a few exclusive games like Fighter Within, Forza Motorsport 5, Killer Instinct, Lococycle, Peggle 2, Powerstar Golf, Zoo Tycoon, Zumba Fitness: World Party, Crimson Dragon, Dead Rising 3 and Ryse: Son of Rome.
Of course, unlike the PS4 which has a price and release date, the Xbox One still only has a price– $499 when it comes out sometime this fall. Microsoft still hasn’t said when exactly this fall that will be, though the latest rumors point to a November release around the same time the PS4 will be available. Then again, with all the changes Microsoft’s been making to the Xbox One these past few weeks (like with changing their stance on what you can do with your used Xbox One games) it is very possible that an exact release date still hasn’t been fully decided upon.
All we know is that it can’t get here soon enough.
More info: Xbox
Nintendo Wants You To Try Out The Wii U Before It Goes On Sale
The Wii U and the next generation of video gaming is almost upon us. With the Wii U going on sale in just a few days, Nintendo wants to give everyone in the US a chance to experience it before the big launch day. To do this, they have launched over 5,000 kiosks all over the country in stores like Target, Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart and Toys ‘R’ Us. At these stores you’ll actually be able to learn more about the Wii U, and in some stores even play some of the launch games like Nintendo Land, New Super Mario Bros. U and SiNG PARTY, along with ZombiU and Rayman Legends.
You can check out to see where your nearest kiosk is by heading to Nintendo’s site here and entering your zip code.
For those who don’t know, the Wii U is the first of the next generation of video game consoles (with the long rumored next Xbox/Xbox 720 and PlayStation 4 said to be coming sometime next year). The Wii U, builds on the uniqueness of the original Wii with some all new ways to play games. And like the Wii, the Wii U comes with a brand new controller– this time though it’s a buttoned controller with a 6.2 inch touchscreen in the middle of it. With this new controller you can not only play games in all new ways, but you can also do things like stream games right from the TV to the controller so you can play even if the TV itself is off. There is also a camera on the controller (for games and things like video chat), and a full array of buttons on the right and left (including triggers on the back) for the full controller experience. There will also be more traditional Xbox/PS3 like controllers available, and you can also use all your old Wiimote. And of course, the Wii U also now supports full online and HD gaming, areas Nintendo has been lacking in over the years.
The Wii U will be available this Sunday, November 18th in either a $300 basic bundle or a $350 deluxe bundle. For more info on the bundles, see our earlier post here.
So, anyone try out the Wii U yet, and if so, how do you like it?
Reminder: Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Back To School Deal Ends This Saturday
Looking for a new Windows PC for school and want to take advantage of Microsoft’s buy a Windows PC and get a free Xbox 360 back to school deal? Then we recommend you hurry as the deal ends this Saturday, September 3rd.
For those who’ve never heard of this deal, it basically works like this. If you’re a student and you buy a new Windows PC at $699 or more Microsoft will throw in a free 4 GB Xbox 360 to go with it. The deal is open to both high school and college students and all you have to do to get it is show your Student ID if your buying in a store or a enter your .edu email address if you’re buying online at sites like the Microsoft Store, Dell.com or HP.com (this is the email address your college gives you once you enroll). If you’re a high school student and don’t have that .edu email address, try chatting with an online sales rep or calling the company’s sales line (their phone numbers are usually listed at the top of their sites). And remember, the deal also isn’t necessarily done by all stores (Staples and Best Buy, for example, don’t offer it), so you’re probably better off buying online or calling your preferred store before you go to make sure you get the deal.
So yeah, if you want that new PC and free Xbox you better hurry before the deal ends.
Best Buy Pulls Out Of Microsoft’s Free Xbox 360 Back To School Deal
Looking to take advantage of Microsoft’s awesome back-to-school deal of a free Xbox 360 when you buy a new PC for $699 or more? Well, if you are then we recommend not picking up that new computer from Best Buy as they have pulled out of this back-to-school deal earlier this month. And while we couldn’t find out the reason that Best Buy isn’t offering this free 360 deal anymore, they have confirmed to us that they have stopped offering the deal.
HP, Dell, Amazon and the Microsoft Store are all still offering this deal (which runs until September 3rd and works as long as you have a high school or college student ID)– so if you were looking for a new computer at $699 or more and wanted that free 360 we recommend you look at one of them.
Looking For A New PC For College? How About A Free New Xbox 360 To Go With It? (UPDATE: It Will Also Work For High School Students)
Thought Apple’s usual back to school deal of a free iPod Touch with a new Mac was a good deal if you were looking for a new computer for college? Well this year we think you’re gonna wanna hear what Microsoft’s offering first. Beginning this Sunday, May 22nd, and running through September 3rd Microsoft will be giving away free 4 GB Xbox 360s with all new PC purchases of $699 or higher. All you gotta do to get this offer is show your Student ID if your buying in a store or a enter your .edu email address if you’re buying online (this is the email address your college gives you once you enroll). What? As we all know school, particularly college, is very stressful and there are many educational benefits to video games.
Sadly this deal looks to be for college students only so anyone looking for a new PC for high school won’t be able to take advantage of this offer (unless of course you have a college bound friend or sibling with the proper ID that’s willing to help you out). We’ve reached out to Microsoft to see if there are any deals for high school students and will update if we hear anything back.
So, what’s it gonna be for your new college computer– Mac and iTouch or PC and Xbox 360?
UPDATE: As Katie pointed out in the comments, this deal will work for high school students as well. If you are buying in a store (like at a Best Buy) all you have to do show your student ID and you should be ok (though to be on the safe side give your local store a call before you go in to make sure they are doing this deal and will accept a high school ID). If you’re buying online (like at Dell.com, HP.com etc.), and you don’t have a .edu email address, you should try chatting with an online sales rep or calling the company’s sales line (the phone numbers are usually listed at the top of the sites) to get the proper account numbers and links for where to buy your new PC and get your free Xbox.
[Thanks Katie!]
Via the Windows Blog
The Teen Review: Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360
It’s been two weeks since Microsoft made their biggest video game move since the launch of the Xbox 360 5 years ago, launching the truly revolutionary Kinect add-on for the Xbox 360. For those who don’t remember, Kinect is Microsoft’s first attempt at motion gaming, using a bar with three cameras/sensors to track your movements with no need to hold anything in your hands (unlike the Nintendo Wii and PlayStation Move).
So, does Kinect live up to the hype? And more importantly, is this good enough to add to your holiday wish list? We’ve got all those answers and more in our teen review after the break.