Microsoft's new Xbox 360 Arcade console is most likely an answer to Sony's 40GB PS3, but the new Xbox 360 model is surely going to do a lot better than Sony's last addition in the line of PS3 SKUs, as the latter lacks quite few of the originally implemented features. More than that, Chart-Track reveals that it's not doing very well in the UK and so Microsoft's way has been cleared for success with the much more affordable £199.99 Xbox 360 Arcade.

Just in time for the festive season,

Microsoft today released a new Xbox 360 console that delivers games and content to everyone in the family for an estimated retail price of £199.99. Available in stores in the United Kingdom from Friday 26th October 2007, Xbox 360 'Arcade' is the first Xbox 360 console to include five family-friendly games, says the official report.

Here's breaking it down for you and if you know your hardware specs and the names of a few small but popular titles, you'll notice that they're not lying about the "family-friendly" thing. Take a look at what the Xbox 360 Arcade pack includes:

- wireless controller
- HDMI connection (to enable high-definition output if desired)
- 256MB of internal memory
- a green disc full of Xbox LIVE Arcade games including PAC-MAN Championship Edition, Uno, Luxor 2, Boom Boom Rocket and Feeding Frenzy.

The report says that the 256 MB of available memory is "useful for storing games and other entertainment content," but that's only if games referred to are the likes of Solitaire (which isn't even available for the system by the way) and only if you consider gamerpics as entertainment content. So basically, if you decide to turn hardcore in the meanwhile, get a hard drive for it!

"As European families gather together this Chrisas, it's the perfect time to launch a family orientated Xbox 360 package that plays games, video and music for everyone to enjoy," said Stephen McGill, Head of Gaming and Entertainment for Microsoft UK. "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 that allow parents to control what their kids are watching and playing, and we know how important that control is to families around the world."

The estimated retail price, as mentioned above, is of just £199.99. Microsoft claims that the Xbox 360 Arcade comes as part of a broader initiative by the electronics giant to bring the Xbox 360 experience to families everywhere. And of course to make money of the whole deal, but they forgot to mention that. That's OK though, 'cause they're definitely offering much more than Sony is for the time being.