All of the latest models of the Xbox 360 now sport an HDMI output, which may have left some Xbox 360 owners wishing they waited a bit longer before they bought the console. Time to stop moping about it: Mad Catz has released a new HDMI Conversion Kit that allows Xbox 360 consoles to connect directly to any standard HDMI input on their TV sets. More details and a picture of the converter in the full article.

Japan's certainly getting a lot of love from Microsoft today. Microsoft Japan just announced that they'll be taking the Xbox 360 Arcade SKU to Japanese gamers everywhere. More on this development after the jump!

Heard about the Xbox 360 Ultimate and its neat accoutrements? While it's too bad that it's still just an unconfirmed rumor, it seems that we won't have to wait long before Microsoft gets official word out, as Bill Gate himself could be the one to do the job come the opening of 2008 Consumer Consumer Electronics Show this January 7.

Check out all the details in the full article.

The folks at Xbox.com are noting that the games they've set up for their Xbox Originals line, featuring downloadable versions of some great Xbox games, have some issues that they want you to know about. In addition to some basic issues that are bound to pop up for every game, some specific Xbox Originals titles also have their own problems.

Find out which games have issues after the jump!

To win, you must play. Sounds like a simple thing, right? Well, Microsoft recently announced the details of their 72-hour play and win sweepstakes for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, and it seems all you have to do to win is just that: play your heart out online when the game gets released.

According to the Official Xbox Website, all you really have to have is a Xbox Live gamertag, and all you need to do to win is to play. As they explain, "Just register your gamertag and play Guitar Hero III online between 12:01 a.m. EDT on Friday, November 2 and 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 4 for a chance to win."

Apparently, each hour you play online nets you one entry into the contest, so if you want to max out your chances of winning, it seems you've got to play for 72 hours straight, if you can, that is.

They've got some great prizes in store for the winners, but we're sure that you're interested in the Grand Prize. Here it is:

• Xbox 360 Elite system (includes black Xbox 360 Elite console, Xbox 360 Black wireless controller, Xbox 360 Black headset, 120GB hard drive & HDMI cable)
• An Xbox 360 VIP Accessories Kit (Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit, Xbox LIVE Vision Camera, Xbox 360 Quick Charge Kit, Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote, Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter, Xbox 360 Wireless Headset, Xbox 360 Memory Unit (64MB), Limited-edition Xbox 360 Aluminum Carrying Case, Xbox 360 Colored Wireless Controller Pack)

That's a lot of free swag. Feel free to check out the linked page for more details, as well as a link to the registration page so you can join in the sweepstakes. RedOctane and Neversoft's Guitar Hero III will be coming out on October 28, so get ready! Good luck!

With the official confirmation of the Xbox 360 Arcade's release in the US already announced, gamers from other regions are most probably interested in knowing when they would be able to nab the new entry-level SKU for the Microsoft Xbox 360. Well, there's good news for UK gamers: the Xbox 360 Arcade is now confirmed in the UK region.

The Xbox 360 Arcade SKU will hit UK shelves on October 26 and will carry a price tag of GBP 199.99 (about US$ 410). Just like the U.S. Xbox 360 arcade package, the box will include a wireless controller, a 256MB memory card, and an HDMI- enabled Xbox 360 console. Five arcade games will be also thrown in to ensure a pick-up-and-play experience mostly targeted towards families and casual gamers.

After announcing a price cut for the Xbox 360 package in Japan, Microsoft has now finally issued an official statement regarding the long-rumored Xbox 360 Arcade package, recently confirmed by Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division Head Robbie Bach.

The Xbox 360 Arcade Pack becomes available today in retail stores for US$ 279.99. And just like what earlier reports claimed, the new package comes with five casual video game title demos namely Pac-Man Championship Edition, Uno, Luxor 2, Boom Boom Rocket, and Feeding Frenzy.

Aside from the Xbox 360 video games, the Xbox 360 Arcade package also comes with one wireless controller, HDMI connection output, and 256 MB of memory. Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business Corporate VP for Global Marketing Jeff Bell had this to say:

As families gather together this holiday, it's the perfect time to launch a new low-priced, high-value Xbox 360 that plays games, TV shows and music for everyone to enjoy in addition to offering an incredible all-in-one package for families to get right into the fun.

The Xbox 360 Arcade system features the industry-leading Family Settings, which allow parents to control what their kids are watching and playing and we know how important that control is to families around the world.

In addition to this, Microsoft has also announced that it just expanded its catalog of downloadable TV shows over at Xbox Live Marketplace with the inclusion of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck from Warner Bros. as well as Blue's Clues, The Backyardigans,  and iCarly from Nickelodeons.

More naughty kids around the Internet have been claiming they unwrapped the gift Microsoft has been hiding, now with pictures of what's inside the Xbox 360 Arcade box. Various sources report sightings of the rumored bundle on retail shelves, while some have taken shots of the mystery SKU's contents.

Someone sent Engadget images of what's supposed to be the Xbox 360 Arcade bundle. Like what rumors say, the console is packed together with the Xbox Live compilation disc (loaded with Boom Boom Rocket, UNO, Feeding Frenzy, Luxor 2, and Pac-Man Championship Edition), a 256MB Memory Card, and a wireless controller. There's also a port for HDMI but the cable will have to be bought separately.

Xbox 360 Arcade is expected to to be released with a US$ 279 price tag. Microsoft is still mum on the matter, but all signs lead us believe an official announcement is coming soon. People from different places have come up with pictures of Arcade on shelves, making it harder to dismiss anything as rumor. (Images courtesy of Engadget's Emanuel.)

  

With the current Halo 3 frenzy, this news tidbit does make sense: the Xbox 360 Halo 3 bundle does exists in Europe, and judging by the several translations of "Limited Edition" printed on the box it looks like its not limited to one European region only.

The contents of this box include a 20GB Xbox with HDMI, a Play and Charge kit, wireless controller, and of course, a copy of Halo 3 to finish the fight along with Master Chief. No, this bundle will not include the nifty Halo 3-themed Xbox 360 SKU, unfortunately.

The pricetag for this Limited Edition bundle, at least in the above picture, is 387.95 Euros (or US$ 546). But pricing may vary, as in the case of some online retail websites, like 409.96 Euros (US$ 578) in GAME website.

We've just gotten a report claiming that Microsoft is gearing up to announce three new Xbox 360 bundles in response to the PlayStation 3 price drop in Europe. No official statement confirming or denying these new sets has been released yet, so you might want to wait for that before you get excited.

After looking at the alleged contents of each pack, it seems that each one focuses on a different consumer group - from hard core FPS fans to casual gamers. The most expensive of the three is the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare bundle. It is said to be an Xbox 360 Premium with an HDMI port packaged with a single gamepad, and a copy of CoD4. According to the rumor, this will be released early November for around €385 (est. US$ 543).

The second bundle, called the Xbox 360 Premium Value pack, is supposedly going to be released on November 3. It will include an Xbox 360 Premium console with an HDMI port, one wireless controller, Forza Motorsport 2, and Viva Pinata. If it comes out, the estimated price would be at about €349 or US$ 492.

The last of the rumored bundles,  the Xbox 360 Arcade Pack, appears to be targeting casual gamers . It reportedly includes a core system with an HDMI port, one wireless controller, a 256 MB memory card, five Xbox Live arcade games, a CD of demos, a one year subscription to Xbox live, and other various goodies. Like the previous pack, it was speculated that this will be out by November 3 for €279 (est. US$ 394).

If these bundles do make it to the market, we can expect that there will be more than a few happy gamers this holiday season. Hopefully Microsoft decides to "spread the love" by announcing a North American release as well.