SINGAPORE April 29, 2008 - Microsoft today announced it is lowering the estimated retail price (ERP) for its Xbox 360 consoles in Singapore. At the new ERP of SGD$499 for the Pro version with 20GB hard drive (previously priced at SGD$620), the Xbox 360 will give consumers more accessibility and opportunity to join the high octane world of interactive digital entertainment from Microsoft.

The prices of the Xbox 360 Arcade and Xbox 360 Elite will be lowered too. The Xbox 360 Arcade is now SGD$399 (previously SGD$459) and the Xbox 360 Elite with 120 GB hard drive is now SGD$699 (previously SGD$799).

This price drop is part of Microsoft’s ongoing strategy to bring high-definition gaming and entertainment to an even wider audience, with great experiences for everyone.

With over 270 high definition games now available in Singapore, consumers will be able to enjoy the vast array of games that satisfy the most avid and casual enthusiast. These include access to over 40 exclusive blockbuster titles such as “Halo 3″(MGS), “Lost Odyssey” (MGS), “Ninja Gaiden 2″ (Tecmo), “Frontlines: Fuel of War” (THQ), “Naruto: Rise of a Ninja” (Ubisoft), “Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation” (Namco Bandai), and many more.

Consumers will also be able to take their gaming and entertainment experience to a whole new level by connecting to Xbox LIVE, the world’s leading console online gaming platform with over 10 million members. With the ability to play with other gamers, download new game content, preview and demo upcoming games, play over 100 Xbox LIVE Arcade games, display your gaming prowess and so much more, Xbox LIVE brings a new level of interactivity never seen before in console gaming.

Xbox 360 also offers the most choice in gaming and entertainment experiences with a carefully selected range of high quality accessories. Distract your friends as you sneak by them in-game with the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset; race with virtuosity with the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel, and get online without wires with the Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adaptor.

For more information about upcoming Xbox 360 news and events in Singapore, please visit your local website at www.xbox.com.sg

Source: This press release was emailed to me by Ian.

Got the Xbox 360 Pro Console at a special price of SGD$450 at Funan’s Challenger, the usual price is SGD$669 Thanks so much for Ian for the help he given in this. I think a couple of us who went to the Xbox 360 2nd Anniversary Private Party held early this month also bought it at that price. I think I am the first one to collect it though.

You can check out the different Xbox 360 Consoles here.

Xbox 360 Pro Console (Halo 3 Edition)

Inside The Box, There Is Another Box, Wireless Controller And Halo 3

Inside “The Another Box”

Contents Included In Xbox 360 Pro Console

The Console Itself

When Placed In My Room With My 32″ Television

Yesterday, 3rd April 2008, I was invited by Ian Tan from Microsoft to a private Xbox 360 Anniversary Party at The Screening Room (Theatre). That was my 2nd time I have been to The Screening Room.

Publishers such as EA, Atari, LucasArts, THQ, Namco Bandai, Rockstar, and Team Ninja were there to give us a sneak peak of their upcoming games. What we see are mostly confidential and hence no photos or videos can be taken.

The following games were presented to us in either actual in-game demo or trailers:

1. Ninja Gaiden II by Team Ninja (Official) (Gamespot)
2. Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit by Namco Bandai (Official) (Gamespot)
3. Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon by THQ (Official) (Gamespot)
4. Alone In The Dark by Atari (Official) (Gamespot)
5. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed by LucasArts (Official) (Gamespot)
6. Facebreaker by EA (Official) (Gamespot)
7. UEFA Euro 2008 by EA (Official) (Gamespot)
8. Dead Space by EA (Official) (Gamespot)
9. Mirrors Edge by EA (Official) (Gamespot)
10. Grand Theft Auto IV by Rockstar (Official) (Gamespot)

Release Dates

• Most of the games mentioned above are going to be released between late May 2008 and June 2008.
• According to the LucasArts spokesperson, he said that this is the first time they announced the released date of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, and here they are:
  • 16th September 2008 in the United States.
  • 17th September 2008 in Asia Pacific
  • 19th September 2008 in Europe.
• GTA IV will be released on the 29th April 2008 and it will come to Singapore this time as MDA has a new rating system for games soon.

As this is a private party, they split us into 4 groups (Rockstar, Covenant, Ninja and Ghost) for us to compete in 3 games (Bomberman, Guitar Hero III and Project Gotham Racing 4). Sabrina, Eunice (did not really get her name), Nicholas/Aaron and I are in Rockstar.We came in first only in Bomberman but loses out in Guitar Hero III and Project Gotham Racing 4. But nevertheless, it was fun and stressful at the same time. TeamNinja won. I also saw U-Zyn there.

The lucky number 12 belongs to Farinelli was called for the lucky draw and he won an Xbox 360 (Halo 3 Special Edition). But my number was 3, sigh.

The goodies bag was good, 2 t-shirts, and 1 black wireless Xbox 360 controller.

Now I got both the controller and the Xbox 360 game which I won from a lucky draw during Premix 2007. What I lack now is an Xbox 360. Hopefully I can get a discounted version straight from Microsoft, keeping my fingers cross.

I enjoyed myself at the party even though I got a Maths test today! The food is good too. I just love the mini burger (it is really small) which cost like $12 for 2 if you order it from the alacarte. I ate at least 10 yesterday.

Can’t wait for the 3rd anniversary or the next event. I hope they will have something like this also but for PC games.

Kudos to the Xbox 360 team and event organiser for a successful event and thanks to Ian for the invite. Looking forward to the next one. =D

Here are some pictures from the event official photographer:

Nice Sofa Where We Played PGR4 And Bomberman

Food! The Mini Burger Rocks

Me And Another Guy (Didn’t Catch His Name) Chatting With Oli Pettigrew (Host) On The Right

Individual Birthday Cakes

Our Group Photo

I have uploaded all the photos that are released to us to Facebook Photo Album.