Yeaah Boy!!

With massive competition taking huge chunks of market space from their once-solo console, Microsoft is looking to reverse the recent developments in the fight to not just stay relevant in the turbulent world of console gaming, but literally change the game.  With reports coming in that recent price cuts have sent the console surging, a surprise showing of interest in Japan, and an entirely new Xbox Experience hitting November 19th the company behind Windows isn't sitting on their fannies hoping that fans will stand by idly.  Massive changes are in the works, tons of original content is on the way, and this all bodes well for happy Xbox 360 fans this Fall.

Following Sony's lead the company is set to release a new suite of software-bundled Xbox 360 sets, and thankfully none will mean an increase in the price (full details below).  Even bigger has been the implementation of Avatars and other networked features with the release of the all-new Xbox Experience replacing the Blade System on November 19th, which isn't sure to please everyone but could be necessary to break the console out of its 'hardcore' mindset.  Let's not forget the flood of games like Gears of War 2, Banjo & Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, new Grand Theft Auto 4 DLC, and so much more.

Honestly, this is shaping up to be one of - if not THE - best holiday seasons for Microsoft and their often-maligned console.  Despite some pretty stiff competition from a surging Nintendo and renewed interest in the PlayStation brand, the company looks to be making the right decisions on pricing and availability of their nearly 3-year old machine.  There was never this level of excitement or interest for the original Xbox, which if you'll remember was prematurely killed off in its fourth year to make room for the next-generation machine.  So such signs of premature euthanasia this time around, which can only mean great things for the hordes of Xbox fans around the world - myself included!

For those unfamiliar with the all-new Xbox Experience (including new Avatar creation), check out the official site right HERE..  It's coming November 19th!

Get ready—the evolution is coming. Microsoft today announced at the Tokyo Game Show that the New Xbox Experience, a transformation in home entertainment, will launch on Wednesday, November 19. On that day, more than 20 million Xbox 360® owners worldwide will experience a completely new Xbox 360 that's fun, social and simple to use—and puts more entertainment at their finger tips than any other device connected to the TV.

Not one of the millions who already have Xbox 360 at the heart of your family room? No problem. Microsoft also announced that beginning this month, buy any Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, and games are included free.

Holiday Bundles
It's now easier than ever to get the most affordable next-generation console and some of the season's best and broadest games. For an estimated retail price of $199, the Xbox 360 Arcade Holiday Bundle comes with six free games, including SEGA Superstars Tennis™ and five Xbox LIVE® Arcade games. Additionally, the Xbox 360 console ($299 ERP) and Xbox 360 Elite ($399 ERP) Holiday Bundles pair the consoles and the promise of the New Xbox Experience with two amazing games: LEGO® Indiana Jones™: The Original Adventures and Kung Fu Panda™ at no added cost.


New Xbox Experience
Xbox 360 invites you into a limitless world where the best games, movies and TV shows live side by side with your personal pictures and music library, ready to share anytime with friends across the globe through Xbox LIVE. The launch of the New Xbox Experience on November 19 will feature:

*  LIVE Parties: Xbox 360 is the only device that allows you to create a virtual party on your TV with up to seven friends. With LIVE Party, voice chat while you play games, share photos real-time, and entertain friends all over the world.

*  Personality plus: Create a customized, animated Avatar and literally jump into the world of Xbox LIVE. Your Avatar is your game-face throughout the New Xbox Experience and represents your personality—whether you're a LIVE Party host or chatting with a friend. With custom Avatars created by the more than 14 million members worldwide, Xbox LIVE will have as many Avatars as Tokyo has residents.

*  On-demand entertainment: Xbox 360 is home to the best TV and movie entertainment, including more than 12,000 exclusive films and TV episodes from Netflix, and the world's largest online library of on-demand high-definition TV shows, plus hit movies from partners like Warner Bros., Starz, NBC, CBS, Constantin, MGM, and Disney.

*  Games for the community, by the community: For the first time in the history of console gaming, thousands of games developed by the creative community will be available to the public. The Community Games channel on Xbox LIVE will include games made by students, hobbyists, and average Joes all around the world and will be exclusive to Xbox LIVE.


Games Lineup
In addition to the entertainment without limits that comes courtesy of the New Xbox Experience, Xbox 360 also has the best and broadest Xbox 360 entertainment lineup of games ever. Whatever your passion, Xbox 360 has games for you.

Only on Xbox 360 can you unleash your inner diva with Lips, live your favorite movie moments with You're in the Movies, play fun trivia games like Scene It? Box Office Smash, and find Xbox LIVE Arcade favorites like Castle Crashers® alongside indie favorites like the smash hit Braid.

*  Music: Xbox 360 is the preferred stage for all the best music games, including Lips, Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero® World Tour and DanceDanceRevolution® UNIVERSE3.

*  Family: Xbox 360 gets the whole family playing with titles such as Banjo Kazooie® Nuts & Bolts, Dig Dug Stylish Edition, Pacland, and Viva Piñata™: Trouble in Paradise.

*  Sports: Xbox 360 remains the best place to play sports titles, including leading franchises like Madden NFL, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR, NBA Live, NHL 2K, and more.

*  Blockbusters: Final Fantasy™ XIII will be available on Xbox 360 at launch in North America and Europe. Xbox 360 is the only place to play the year's biggest games, such as Gears of War® 2, Fable® II, and exclusive Grand Theft Auto IV episodes.