Despite the fact that the HD-DVD external drive is a fundamental part of Microsoft's aimed at disrupting the PS3's launch this festive season, news of its release was actually one of the duller announcements at X06, such were the scale of other revelations. That's why this is news is a few hours late... ahem.

So, the HD-DVD add-on, out in mid-November in the and Europe, and set to cost 199.99 USD, 199.99 Euro, or 129.99 GBP. We also learnt today that the drive will come bundled with a high-definition version of Peter Jackson's King Kong - in part celebrating the new relationship struck-up with the director from today.

Previously we've learnt that the HD-DVD drive will be out on November 17th in Japan, costing 19,800 Yen, which is somewhat cheaper than the European pricing in particular. The drive will not be used for games, tell us, but that hasn't stopped every member of the gaming press speculating about it. Repeatedly. Us included.

By Luke Guttridge