When I go into a brick and mortar store to buy an XBOX 360, how can I make sure the manufacture date is recent before I plop down the cash? The last thing I want it one that was manufactured a year ago! Is it written somewhere on the box?

I am looking to buy a core system. Thanks.

It's on the back of the console. You might be able to see if if you lift the serial number flap.

That said, buy the Premium system.

It's on the back of the console. You might be able to see if if you lift the serial number flap.

That said, buy the Premium system.

I agree. Much better value for the extra $100, especially if you want to play online.

It's on the back of the console. You might be able to see if if you lift the serial number flap.

That said, buy the Premium system.

So it is not anywhere on the box?

Actually I have a launch premium which is giving me the red ring of death and I am well out of warranty and don't want to deal with MS in sending/receiving refurbs, so I am just buying a core and putting my 360 HDD on it (and getting rid of the wired controller for which I have no use), and essentially my new core will be a premium. :D

P.S. A related question to this is if I cannot tell on the box when it was manufactured, which brick and mortar stores provide me the best opportunity (generally speaking) to get an XBOX 360 core with a recent manufacturing date? Thanks!

I would guess that Core systems could sit on shelves for months--most get the premium for good reason.

So it is not anywhere on the box?

Actually I have a launch premium which is giving me the red ring of death and I am well out of warranty and don't want to deal with MS in sending/receiving refurbs, so I am just buying a core and putting my 360 HDD on it (and getting rid of the wired controller for which I have no use), and essentially my new core will be a premium. :D

P.S. A related question to this is if I cannot tell on the box when it was manufactured, which brick and mortar stores provide me the best opportunity (generally speaking) to get an XBOX 360 core with a recent manufacturing date? Thanks!

Ah, fair enough. I wish they wouldn't give you a wired controller (this gen should be 100% wireless) with the core.


As the above poster said, most people buy the premium as there is little reason to go core. You could talk to people to see when their last shipment came in, but it's probably luck.

I'd just order from the cheapest place you can find.

There is a little flap on the box where thet cashier scans a barcode when you buy it. Lift that flap and ta-da!