Microsoft is releasing a reworked low-end Xbox360 to try to appeal to a broader audience that has flocked to its rival, Nintendo Wii.

The new Xbox 360 Arcade costs US$280 and comes with five games previously available only for download over the Xbox Live online service. The console lacks a hard drive but will have a memory card for saving progress in games.

Going on sale today, the Arcade will replace the Core model, which carried the same price but didn't include any games or memory storage.

More here.