Today's Microsoft press briefing at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard included a surprise appearance by Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect, a host of new games, and a two minute trailer for Halo® 3.

The action kicked off with a Gears of War® video and a demo from Cliffy B. Peter Moore followed him onstage and hit the crowd of media attendees with some pretty astonishing numbers: Xbox 360™ is off to the fastest start in console history—by the end of June, 5 to 5.5 million Xbox 360 consoles will have been sold. That’s quicker than the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Super NES, or any other console.

Next up was a dazzling trailer for Forza Motorsports™ 2 which will feature 300 cars and the ability to race on Xbox Live with up to 11 other people. Even better, we’ll be able to play the next Forza game with a wireless force feedback steering wheel!

In addition to the wireless steering wheel, other awesome Xbox 360 accessories due out this fall are a wireless headset and the Xbox Live Vision camera. Later in the briefing, Moore announced that the HD DVD player will be available this holiday for $199.