Xbox 360 Elite dated

Microsoft has confirmed that the next generation of the Xbox 360 console, the Elite, will arrive in the UK on 24 August.

The new console will be the first to arrive in black, with wireless black controllers, a massive 120GB hard disk drive and a HDMI port for outputting full high definition video to HDTVs.

The new Elite will help bridge the performance gap opened by the PS3, but consumers will still need to invest in the £150 add-on HD DVD drive for the Xbox to enjoy high-definition movies.

“We're launching in UK and Ireland, France and Germany first and then rolling out to other countries as soon as we can,” said Shane Kim, VP at Microsoft Game Studios, at the E3 2007 games show.

There is no news yet on price but since Play.com recently slashed prices on the Xbox 360 Premium from £280 to £230, it is has cleared the way for the Elite to be priced at just under £300.

In addition to the new console, Microsoft has also confirmed that it will expand its video download service, Xbox Live Video Marketplace, to Europe later this year.