Microsoft Announces Xbox 360 Day One Launch Lineup — Strongest Launch in the History of Video Game Consoles

Author: Microsoft

REDMOND, Wash. - Nov. 14, 2005 - Microsoft Corp. today announced that 18 Xbox 360^TM games, spanning all the popular genres, and 13 Xbox 360 accessories will be available when the video game and entertainment system launches in North America on Nov. 22. Exclusive, thrilling racing games such as "Project Gotham Racing 3," sports games that hit hard with high-definition graphics and sound such as "Madden NFL 06" and "NBA 2K6," action-adventure games such as "KameoTM: Elements of PowerTM," innovative titles with multiplayer co-op gameplay like "Perfect Dark ZeroTM," and intense action exclusives such as "Call of Duty 2" contribute to the broadest and deepest retail launch lineup in console history.

The following Xbox 360 games will be available in North America retail locations on or before the console is launched Nov. 22:

Xbox 360 launch titles from Microsoft Game Studios will be competitively priced, with standard editions of "Kameo: Elements of Power," "Project Gotham Racing 3" and "Perfect Dark Zero" all retailing for $49.99 (U.S. ERP). A two-disc "Perfect Dark Zero" Limited Collector's Edition will also be available this holiday season for an ERP of $59.99. Xbox 360 accessories will range in price from $11.99 to $99.99. More information on all these products can be found at http://www.xbox.com.

"There has never been a more exciting time to be a gamer," said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of Worldwide Marketing and Publishing for the Home and Entertainment Division of Microsoft. "Xbox 360 will deliver mind-blowing experiences across multiple genres, no matter what your personal gaming preferences are. On Nov. 22, the next generation of gaming begins. From there, gamers will be overwhelmed with the pipeline of amazing Xbox 360 games yet to come."

Xbox Live Arcade Launch Lineup

Adding to the already tremendous lineup of launch-day titles, Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360 plans to offer between 12 and 15 bite-sized game titles on launch day one. With Xbox Live Arcade, casual and hard-core gamers alike will find a wide variety of game genres for download spanning action arcade titles such as "Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved" and "Mutant Storm Reloaded," coin-op and retro classics such as Xbox Live multiplayer-enabled "Joust" and "Gauntlet," puzzle games such as "Hexic HD" and "Bejeweled 2," casual sports games such as "Bankshot Billiards 2," light strategy titles such as "Outpost Kaloki," and card and board games such as "Hardwood Backgammon" and "Hardwood Hearts." Each Xbox Live Arcade game includes a free downloadable trial version so game players can try before they buy.

Xbox Live Retail Offerings

Also available on Nov. 22 are two Xbox Live retail offerings for gamers who want to up the ante on their online gameplay experience from the free Silver level of service to Gold membership. The 12-month Premium Starter Pack has an ERP of $69.99 and contains a 12-month subscription to Xbox Live, an Xbox 360 headset, a full version of the Xbox Live Arcade game "Bankshot Billiards 2," a $20 (U.S.) game rebate coupon good for any Xbox 360 game title* and 200 points for use on Xbox Live Marketplace. The three-month Premium Starter Pack has an ERP of $39.99 and contains a three-month subscription to Xbox Live, an Xbox 360 headset, a full version of the Xbox Live Arcade game "Joust," a $10 (U.S.) game rebate coupon good for any Xbox 360 game title* and 100 points for use on Xbox Live Marketplace. With nearly three-quarters of all launch games on Xbox 360 Xbox Live multiplayer-enabled, there's never been a better time to get connected to Xbox Live.

In addition, to allow gamers to customize and enhance the Xbox 360 experience, 13 Xbox 360 accessories will be available by launch day:

About Xbox and Xbox 360

Microsoft revolutionized the gaming industry with the November 2001 launch of Xbox (http://www.xbox.com), its first-generation video games and entertainment system, now sold in 26 countries around the world. This holiday season Microsoft debuts its next-generation system, Xbox 360, in Europe, Japan and North America, to be followed by availability in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan in 2006. Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox Live online gaming service and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around you.

About Xbox Live

Xbox Live continues to transform and unite Xbox communities worldwide, with a presence in 24 countries, and a global community of more than 2 million members. As the first and only global, unified online console games service, Xbox Live offers world-class games, intelligent matchmaking, tournaments, unique programming and integration with Xbox.com. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/live.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

*Certain rebate offer terms apply. See product packages for offer details.

All prices mentioned herein are estimated retail prices. Actual retail prices may vary.

Microsoft, Xbox 360, Project Gotham Racing, Kameo, Elements of Power, Rare, Perfect Dark Zero, Xbox Live, Hexic, Bankshot Billiards and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. or Rare Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries.

Rare Ltd. is a subsidiary of Microsoft Corp.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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