|
|
|
IGN.com |
GameSpy |
Comrade |
Arena |
FilePlanet |
ModCenter |
GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | 3D Gamers AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | GamerMetrics | Direct2Drive |
RSS Feeds
|
|
|
|
IGN.com |
GameSpy |
Comrade |
Arena |
FilePlanet |
ModCenter |
GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | 3D Gamers AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | GamerMetrics | Direct2Drive |
RSS Feeds
One of the best console launches and suprisingly...
Strengths: Great graphics processing power, Live intergration with downloadable content/marketplace/online play, Great media center functions, Progressing Backwards Compatability List, Solid Launch Lineup
Weakness: Fans will be a bit louder than other consoles, Expensive ($100 than other console launches), Faceplates hard to get off, Will only load 100 songs list for MP3 Players, Video Streaming requires MCE.
Let me start off by saying I don't believe anyone should get the core system. The core system was introduced in order to funnel off some heat for the $100 price increase for the console in the current generation. By releasing the core system users who bought the real system could feel a sense of value and feel the console's price point was really $299. While I think this tactic is far less shady than the bundling of useless accessories with the PSP, it is nevertheless obviously the real Xbox 360. All the accessories that come with the regular version just spell out next gen (Wireless controllers and HDTV Component Cables). When you hear them talk about the core accommodating to "niche users" they must be talking about people who like to get ripped off or people who couldn't get a regular system at launch and are desperate for a 360.
On first receiving the system you will notice it is quite heavy for the size. For the graphical quality the console has potential for, it's not suprise that the components would be heavy. For the first time in 3D gaming this console has produced some graphics that are on Par with current Gen PC Gaming. I find this to be quite impressive for $400 which is quite a comparable price. And with many popular PC titles being ported on the 360 (Call of Duty 2 and Oblivion for example), it's not a bad alternative for people sick of upgrading their PCs every year, though personally I would not give up my Keyboard and mouse for FPS' like Quake 4. The console runs relatively hot so the fans are quite loud for a console according to many people. I personally have it running in the same room as my PC so my PC's fans are definitely louder and drown out any of the sound. One of the major feats with this console is that all the games will support 720p. For any HDTV owners this is a godsend. In the previous generation there were only a handful of titles that ever got the 720p treatment. Personally having a 1080p HDTV, this made me quite disappointed. But with the 360 I no longer have to worry about that. I think going with 720p was a good move since 1080p sets are rare. The visual quality jump from 480p to 720p is amazing.
The main thing that struck me instantly while using this console initially is that they really designed this console for useability and Xbox Live. The intergration of every game into xbox live is quite interesting. Sometimes while waiting for a game to start in the multiplayer lobby I'll check out people's games list and achievements (which the console automatically tracks if you're online). Also I can pull up the dash blade any time I want. This allows for me to insert my own personal soundtrack whenever I want to any game. For example in PGR3 I can just plug in my Ipod and load up my songs and race with my own playlist from my Ipod. Also an alternative is connecting the 360 to your home network and loading up the songs for a shared folder on your PC. Either way it all works flawlessly except for the fact that they left out any sort of alphabetical sorting tabs. Therefore browsing through a long list of playlists/albums/artists can be quite annoying. Also you can stream pictures off your computer for instant access for photo viewing on your home TV from your computer. The console delivers on all the promises of being an entertainment hub for your home network. Unfortunately for me this aspect is not as important since my PC and my 360 are connected to the same HDTV LCD Monitor. However for people with their PC in the computer room and the HDTV in the living room, it provides a very affordable alternative to having another HTPC in the living room. With MCE you can stream HDTV Video directly off your PC to the living room which is very convenient.
As for the launch lineup, I have found it to be one of the most solid in history. So far I own 3 games (Kameo, Project Gotham 3, and Perfect Dark Zero) and all are superb. I could go into detail about each of them but needless to say they all look fantastic and deserve well above a 8.5 Score out of 10. Also with NBA 2K5 sports fans have a game that looks fantastic. some of the visuals in that game will blow you away.
The current estimate is that Microsoft is losing more than $100 off each console sold, and all the features and graphical capabilities you receive from the console is a clear indication of why. There have been some complaints about defective units, but that is not all uncommon with launches. In fact mine has been running quite well with no real crashes, though I have encountered one bug in PGR3. I know it is a popular trend to go against Microsoft, but it's very hard to deny that they have created a well thought out console sooner than anyone could have anticipated. With a good lead of at least 6 months before the other next-gen consoles there is no reason not to be somewhat impressed with the 360. I would strongly recommend this product to open minded gamers, especially if they have an HDTV.
88% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful?
Jan 24, 2006
Have you had any problems with heating?
Jan 24, 2006
Of course it has problems w/ heating...ITS TOO HOT TO HANDLE...
Feb 10, 2006
sort of a colloquial review - you could be more concise. I think most people agree the core system is a rip off. I think for the most part you're wrong about the weight - it comes from the drives and the coolers, not the chips. You make a point of $400 being impressive, but most people have to get theirs through ebay now for around $600 to $900, and then you pay for xbox live and expensive games (Microsoft takes a $10 royalty on each). If you own a computer, why are you amazed by 1280x720? I understand it's a lot better than 480 though. Media sharing just doesn't impress me from a technology standpoint, but I suppose it is a good point. However saying that it will be an "entertainment hub" is wrong. Microsoft didn't want to kill MCE, so they didn't even include WMVHD playback on the xbox, which was a big mistake. I certainly wouldn't call the lineup the most solid in history - if I had one, until Oblivion came out, I'd probably be playing only Call of Duty and Halo 2. I have heard similar loss figures but that they will definitely make it up with all of the money you spend on xbox live. personally I don't think going with microsoft constitutes being "open minded". Most people use Microsoft products whether they like it or not.
Feb 10, 2006
you're entitled to your opinion, this is coming from my personal experiences. As for a media hub you try to claim it as some sort of gimped system which is not true. The 360 basically acts as a media extender. And with certain plugins you can use it as a web browser as well. The 360 is a supplement to the Media Center PC and was never meant to be a replacement. As for the games, i'm still having a blast with the inherently flawed Perfect Dark Zero. As a matter in fact I have not even had enough time to finish through all the launch titles i've purchased and come March (GRAW, Oblivion) when more games come out, I still probably won't be done. As for Call of Duty 2, I don't have that game since I passed it on the PC already. However it runs much more smoothly at 1280x720 than my decent PC does. The most rediculous argument you make is on the scarcity of the 360. If people are gullible enough to pay over MSRP for the console that is thier own fault. I personally had no problem obtaining a 360 and at $400 you could not build a PC that can provide an equivalent gaming experience in terms of graphics power. You seem to be in a very PC centric mindset but as far as i'm concerned my PC and 360 both compliment each other. I'll play my Quake 4 and other competitive FPS on the PC. However for games like 99 nights, DOA4, etc those are games made for console and just wouldn't work on the PC. Anyone who is open minded would find it hard to find the 360 as a total failure. From your tone it's obvious you have an intense anti-microsoft mentality. As far as I'm concerned companies exist solely to make money and fanboy gamers are the ones who try to change everything into villans and heroes. MS has put out a quality product with the 360 and i'm not going to say it sucks just because MS makes it. Hence open minded thinking =p
Feb 16, 2006
gatoatigrado: The xbox 360 is a pretty good deal for the price considering you would have to invest a lot more to get the same power with a PC. Video cards aren't cheap.
Feb 22, 2006
like im gonna read all that lol but i read the first part and i agree that of you buy the core system then your gettin ripped off because it doesnt include a hard drive or whatever it is and you have to go out and buy it and then it costs more than just buying the $399 ones..thats marketing for ya
Mar 1, 2006
I don't completely agree with it being a total ripoff to buy the core system. I did the math a while ago (don't feel like doing it again) and you basically save $100 buying the decked-out system instead of the core system and then everything else seperately.
Besides, I'm annoyed that people are so willing to accept such a huge base price increase! I expect consoles to cost $200 brand new, maybe $250. This $300 crap for the "gimped" version pisses me off!
Mar 1, 2006
I think saving $100 extra is a good deal. Just a memory card on the core system costs $39.99 already! And who wants to play with a wired controller these days? We are talking about Next Gen here! That means high def and other features. The prices are pretty expensive, but if you can't afford it, you can probably wait til Nintendo Revolution and PS3 come out. Microsoft will probably drop the prices at that time to compete.
Mar 25, 2006
is it worth buying overall like the game an the price?
Apr 11, 2006
thanks for replying. i don't think that my review was anti-microsoft, i think it was realistic. i got an xbox 360 and i do really enjoy ghost recon and oblivion. "The 360 basically acts as a media extender". That's what i was saying - it will not play wmvhd (at least with drm or any sort of decent controls such as rewind or fast forward). it's not going to be any competition if Sony's blue ray is close to what is promised. i would appreciate you showing me the browser plugins - i am guessing it's not quite firefox or ie7 and without a keyboard it might be hard, but i still like to see tricks people have been able to do. if you have a plugin for a keyboard and mouse i would really like it. i purchased the console for $400 from best buy in 15 seconds, and the deal actually lasted a few hours. otherwise, i think i made a good point, but there will be more in stock. i think i covered the graphics pretty completely in my review. it is not posted yet, perhaps they have to look at it before they will allow it to be posted.
the xbox 360 is more of a manufacturing and value advantage than anything that is revolutionary or intreuging. microsoft has put together a system that has a nice interface and some new features, but it seems to me like a needed graphics update from the first xbox. i suppose i don't see why you are calling yourself "open minded" for not discrediting a good product. i think people dislike Microsoft because it is closed source and as with all companies pursuing profits. is it close minded to not purchase a product because you don't like the policies of the corporation? i agree there is a lot of "xbox stinks" and "playstation 3 stinks" and all that other social trash but that's just the effect of stupidity, not that one person is open minded because they have chosen to take the xbox side. open minded to me is people who will try new things, perhaps similar to linux on the playstation 3, but it just seems awkward with "gamers" or entertainment, as these things usually uphold american stereotypes and culture.
Apr 11, 2006
it is unrelated, but how are the line breaks done? I tried html and just adding a lot of enters and neither worked.
Apr 11, 2006
forgot to add something - i got my xbox in late march and the power supply was completely fine.
Aug 22, 2006
I think there is no formating for the replies, only the original post.
Apr 13, 2007
Ok, I thought I should update my review with some issues on the system.
My console first broke down last year around the same time. I got a replacement from Microsoft (after learning just about every launch 360 is defective). However today Console #2 (the replacement one) just broken down. So now I'm going to have to ship it back and get another replacement. This will be Xbox 360 #3. This is pretty bad reliability for a console (probably one of the worst). I recommend strongly that if you have a 360 that you consider getting an extended warranty since microsoft makes you pay $140 if it's out of warranty and extended warranty is only $30 I believe. And yes my console has always been kept in a well ventilated area. It's a real pity that such a good console is suffering from so many hardware failures. If your 360 is starting to crash that is a good sign that the 3 red lights are coming soon.