We'll admit it, we had an idea Microsoft's just-announced Xbox 360 Arcade was coming. What we didn't expect was that it would be accompanied by a flood of family-friendly content headed to the Xbox Live Video Marketplace. Along with standard-def content from Nickelodeon, Warner Bros. will make 50 high definition episodes of Looney Tunes available for download. Of course, owners of the new Arcade unit won't be able to download the shows without a HDD, but why sweat the details (like pricing, which wasn't mentioned)? The new content hits "starting today", but doesn't appear to be up just yet, so keep an eye out for Acme-brand items landing on your HDTV.

Sure, there's a number of technologically advanced arcade games out there, but it's hard to top a few rounds of good ole fashioned pinball. Revamping the retro-styled machine is Global VR, who replaces the traditional bumpers, flashers, and ramps with a 32-inch 16:9 plasma HDTV (pic after the break). In a presumed attempt to alleviate that all-too-common problem of balls getting stuck and bumpers losing their punch, there's no internal moving parts to worry over, but it still features the "force feedback and digital sound reproduction" that makes racking up those high scores so immensely thrilling. The inclusion of a display allows for multiple themes to be used, and the $6,000 purchase price gets you Attack From Mars, Medieval Madness, F-14 Tomcat, Strikes and Spares, Sorcerer, and Xenon. While we doubt the built-in monitor can double as your secondary gaming display, it's sure to be the centerpiece of any throwback arcade (or living) room.

[Via Tech Digest]

There is such a love affair with arcade machines. It doesn't matter that you are sending your chiropractor's kids to college; they have a cult following behind of them. Quasimoto has a solution to bring high-def into the classic machines though. For a mere $3,199 a die-hard enthusiast, or spoiled-rich kid, can pick up the Quasicade PRO that has a 27-inch HDTV built-in. The unit is compatible with the PS2, XBox, GameCube, and USB 1.1 controllers, so all a person needs to do is plug in the system to the control box and TV and off you go. Now, the Pro unit looks like an arcade machine and we understand if you want to mask your nerdium a bit, so you might want to step up to the Quasicade FX ($3,999) or FX2 ($4,499) for a better looking cabinet. The FX has a jet-black bezel that is sure to look good in your living room but the FX2's wood grain (pictured) would just blend into your crib's parlor, that is if you have a parlor, and if not we are sure that your wife/girlfriend won't mind putting this in your bedroom.