Games & Gear : Xbox 360

The Xbox 360 is by far the greatest game console to come to this planet, but did they price it too high? Yes you do get a hard drive and wireless controller, but are people going to want to get it if the price is that high? Not many people are going to want to get the cheaper version because of what it lacks. Though it may be pricy it is probably worth the money. Every aspect about it is flawless and if you want to get a new system get the Xbox 360 Hide Full Review

For those who haven't gotten to sit down with an Xbox 360 for more than a few minutes in passing at a store, this system is just a new system. But for those who have had the pleasure of getting some quality time in with this system know just how amazing it is.

To begin with, the Xbox 360 by Microsoft has technology that is at least 2 generations beyond what is currently avalible in the PC market, meaning it will be a powerful system for years to come, without Gaming PC's being able to pass it up. Then you have what Microsoft has learned about live, and heard from its users. This time live is automatically integrated into everything, and even without a subscription to Xbox Live Gold, it still delivers amazing online aspects from Voice Chat, a Friends List, Game Invite System, and much much. Then you add in the massive amount of Major Developing house support the 360 is getting, and you have the makings of the next console king.

Even without a large number of games out for the system, it makes up for it in its Xbox Live Arcade, which is packed full of games for download which can keep you busy for longer than some of the $60 games.

But there still is the fact that the launch line-up had only 3-4 stand out titles, with most of the 360's major titles being pushed back to mid '06. But the horizons are bringing games that are said to rival Halo and what Halo did for the first Xbox. From Gears of War, one of the most amazing looking First Person Shooters since Halo, and Elder Scrolls IV: Morrowind, an amazing free roam game with stunning graphics, and the most AI in any game ever, the Xbox 360's '06 lineup has gamers drooling.

But thats not to say the current games are all bad. Microsoft did have some break out hits with its launch, which were down played because of the larger amount of medicore games. Activision and Infinity Wards Call Of Duty 2 is said to be the best launch game for the Xbox 360 with its stunning visuals, amazing controls, excellent challenge for both new and pro players, and an amazing enemy AI, its turning out to be the game to get for the 360 launch. As for you sports fan, both Need For Speed:Most Wanted and Project Gotham Racing: 3 are amazing games. For the fans of the Underground series, Most Wanted just adds to the fun that Underground made, by adding Police Chases in between, and even during races to amp up the fun. And for the Racing Sim. lovers theres PGR3 which builds on what the series made popular, and fixes alot of the problems. With the new in car view, and the breath taking graphics, and the largest and most diverse and complex live system so far, it is an online players dream.

With all of that, add in an acheivments system, being able to show off your gamer card on websites you frequent, and all the small details including all games HD ready, digital sound, being able to connect to Windows computers, and Media Connect to Windows Media Center Computers, wireless controllers, and of course the ability to change your 360's look with faceplates, the Xbox 360's feature list is to gigantic to go over in one small review.

As for the hardcore gamers out there with the money to spend, this is a definete buy, if you can find one that is. The Xbox 360 is poised to take Sony's Playstation series on as the King Of The Consoles. Hide Full Review

The Xbox 360 features a sleek, clever design and pairs it with an easy-to-use, yet high-tech, interface. It is an amazing piece of hardware - even though Sony's PlayStation 3 will be releasing at the end of 2006, a year later, the PlayStation 3 is said to be only slightly more powerful in terms of graphical and gameplay capability. When playing games that take advantage of the system, it is obvious that the Xbox 360 ushers the industry into the "next generation."

Currently, the console is available in two different preset packages: the "Full System" (or "Premium System") and the "Core System." There is a marked variation between the two. The Full System is commonly found for the price of $399, and the Core System's cost is reduced to $299.

With reduced cost, however, comes drastically reduced features.

The Full System includes the Xbox 360 console, a single wireless controller, HD-AV cables, an AC adapter, an Xbox 360 Live headset with microphone, and most importantly a twenty-gigabyte hard drive.

The Core System, on the other hand, only includes the Xbox 360 console, a single wired controller, standard A/V cables and an AC adapter.

But do you really need the headset, HD cables, and hard drive? In short: YES. In order to communicate with Xbox Live users (in multiplayer online games), you will require the headset; if you wish to truly see the power of the Xbox 360's graphics, then you will prefer to have a high-definition cable (and a high-definition TV, of course); and if you ever want to save your game files, or anything else, then you will need to have a hard drive.

You can purchase all of the above separately, but it actually comes out far cheaper to just go ahead and buy the Full System.


Overall, I would definitely suggest the purchase of an Xbox 360 to any gamer out there. It's a powerful system with cutting edge technology, great control, and a quickly expanding library of excellent games. When compared to its main competitor, the PlayStation 3, which is planned to release at the price of $599, the cost of a 360 seems very fair and affordable. Keep in mind that the 360 is rumoured to have a price drop when the PS3 releases, however.

The Sony PlayStation 3 and the Nintendo Wii both look like they will be amazing consoles also, and though it is unclear how the Xbox 360 will fare against them, right now the future looks rather bright for the Microsoft console. It offers many features and enhanced online connectivity that neither of the other two systems will likely offer (at least not as well).

If the Xbox 360's library continues to improve, as it appears ready to do this 2006 holiday season, then I would consider it a very solid purchase for any gamer. Hide Full Review

Sure it was pricey. Sure I had to wait in line for 15 hours at a Best Buy in the Ghetto in the freezing cold. IT WAS WORTH IT!! I have played the piss out of it and have experienced ZERO problems. I have it sittin atop my TV and it has never locked up or experience any other problems the media had announced. The graphics are phenominal. The sound is unbelieveable. It will be very hard for Sony and its Blue Ray technology to even come close. My only beefs with the 360 are the lack of Games, the inability for you to RIP MP3's to the Hard drive and the most important BEEF of all....The inability to play ALL of the original XBOX games. I really hope Microsoft creates emulators for all the original games and not just ones they think are the popular games. I need MORTAL KOMBAT DECEPTION!! So quit whinning about the price, because it's worth it. Go and get a second job and work a couple of weeks until you get the ducketts to buy the 360 then quit the job. You'll need the extra time to play it. XBOX LIVE also ROCKS! Hide Full Review