XBOX 360 - Good idea?

[CraigSca]

Need a little help here from the experts who have already purchased one of these...

First, some background:

Recently, our PS2 died and I'm thinking of justifying a purchase of a 360 at least partly due to this. The PS2 was used solely by the kids (ages 7 and 5) to play Spyro, nothing else. Occasionally my son will still ask to play, but that only happens about once a week.

My game-playing on the PS2 was very sporadic. As outlined in the NCAA 2007 thread, I find it very difficult finding a time in the day where I can play. Between the kids and hanging out with the wife, the majority of my game-playing will probably be post-11pm. Ugh.

The games I like: sports games and first-person WW2 shooters (I do like Battlefield, however).

Games I do not like: martial arts fighting games, science fiction anything, anything anime-looking.

So, I'm pretty particular in my tastes.

The questions I have:

From what I'm hearing, few, if any, of the sports games out there have 360 versions that are not scaled-back in some way. Is this still true? Of particular interest to me for sports are college football (i know ncaa 2007 is the first), college basketball and baseball. Are the games for these sports any good (yet)?

Are there any games out there for kids - a Spyro-like game that is harmless and full of exploration - my kids seem to like games like that.

The last hurdle I'll have is hooking this up to my 56" Samsung. We have a 32" tube upstairs that my kids were using for game-playing. If I get a 360, I will certainly hook it up to the "nice" TV downstairs. I'm worried about the wear and tear not only on the TV (which in no way can I afford to replace) but the 360 itself. 5 & 7 year olds have a tendency to get rambunctious.

Thanks for the advice...

[Izulde]

One thing to keep in mind with the 360 is that future versions of the sports games will be much improved. That being said, I know for certain that Tiger Woods 360 in its first iteration is extremely stripped down, so much so that I wound up buying the XBox version as well after stupidly buying the 360 version without renting first.

Some games for the XB are 360 compatible, so there's that secondary market to take a look at.

The one difficulty would be in kids' games, as I don't think there's a real strong offering for that.

[Eaglesfan27]

Right now, there aren't any good baseball games for the 360. However, College Hoops was a very impressive first effort and didn't feel stripped down in any meaningful ways to me (I think the only difference is that some of the courts were generic.) It's a great game that I still play frequently. I think NCAA 2007 is going to be well worth playing, but I don't know that for sure yet, obviously. I still use my Xbox because College Baseball isn't backwards compatible which is annoying, since in many ways I think it is one of the best console baseball games out there.

As far as the TV. I recently hooked my 360 up to my 60" Sony TV. I'm not worried about damaging the TV at all, however, I wouldn't leave the Xbox 360 on the same screen for hours even though the TV is not supposed to be suspectible to burn-in. However, as long as you or the kids aren't going to leave it paused on the same screen for hours, I doubt you have anything to worry about. As far as the 360 itself, like the Xbox, it is a very sturdy box. I'd certainly tuck it in an entertainment center if you can, but more because I'd be worrying about it falling and hurting the kids


Edit: I guess if the Xbox 360 fell from a good height, I might be worried about it too Also, I just have to say, on a big screen HDTV, some of the games look absolutely stunning. I just played Burnout the other day for the first time, and I was blown away how good it looked

[Shkspr]

Given that Call to Duty 2 is so scrumptious on the 360 that someone who hates first person WWII shooters like me is tempted to buy it when I get my box, chalk another "pro" up towards getting one.

Look, your options for the next gen are going to be:

a) buy nothing. That's no fun.

b) Buy a 360. If you want Western-style FPSs and sports games, that's the platform which will get the best out of them.

c) Buy a PS3 this fall. You don't want anime-looking games, SF crap, or martial arts fighting games. Those will be the PS3's strengths.

d) Buy a Wii this fall. This is the correct option for the kids. They'll have fun playing with the remote-style controller; YOU'LL have fun watching them play with the remote-style controller...or playing with it yourself.

e) Buy a 360 now and get a Wii later. Teh winnar. The 360 has the games you want to play, the Wii will have the games your kids will want to play, and both systems are enough fun to watch that you'll want to play them both in the family room. Just use two different inputs if your TV supports it, or buy one of those cables that has different pigtails for different consoles, and you'll be set. Plus, it'll cost about the same to buy both of these as to buy the PS3, and your kids won't need to play with the 360 as much.

[CraigSca]

Okay then. Problem solved .

[kingnebwsu]

For the kids, Viva Pinata comes out this fall and may be a good game. Hell, it looks interesting to me

I think even if you get another PS2 it'll have plenty of life left for the kids. It won't have huge support going forward, but it won't be "dead" for several years.

The 360 is a good toy too BTW

[Joe]

buy your kids a game of scrabble or monopoly

[Kodos]

I honestly think in your case, I would just get another PS2 for $130.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Shkspr

e) Buy a 360 now and get a Wii later. Teh winnar. The 360 has the games you want to play, the Wii will have the games your kids will want to play, and both systems are enough fun to watch that you'll want to play them both in the family room. Just use two different inputs if your TV supports it, or buy one of those cables that has different pigtails for different consoles, and you'll be set. Plus, it'll cost about the same to buy both of these as to buy the PS3, and your kids won't need to play with the 360 as much.

This option.

Or, if you shell out for the 360, i might opt to get a used gamecube for the kids, since the 360 is lacking in kids titles anyways.

[WVUFAN]

Buy another PS2. There's not any decent FPS or sports games that isn't available on PC or on the PS2. The 360 just isn't worth the dough.

The wii, though, sounds like a bunch of good times.

[Grammaticus]

Originally Posted by WVUFAN

Buy another PS2. There's not any decent FPS or sports games that isn't available on PC or on the PS2. The 360 just isn't worth the dough.

The wii, though, sounds like a bunch of good times.

Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter is an absolutely awesome FPS. Probably the best yet. When Mass Effect comes out, it won't be on anything but xbox. Plus there are an array of other FPS that comes out soon too. The xbox live is probably the best part of this. Playing HtH with a vast array of opponents is addicting. Of course you may be able to get some of these games on the PC, but if you used that logic, you would never get a console at all.

Get the 360 and enjoy start enjoying it! It is more than worth it.

There is some game you can download called Geometry Wars that kids in the 5-10 year old range play like mad. Apparently it is like kiddy crack.

[CraigSca]

Too late, all. I bought a 360 today, with the fan intercooler and a spare wireless controller. Got Gotham Racing 3, College Hoops 2k6 and a couple XBOX titles for the kids. I am astonished at the graphics and CAN'T WAIT for NCAA 2007. It's an absolute riot watching my GR3 races replayed from a television broadcast point-of-view. My car's the one with the bent spoiler that constantly crashes into the assorted barriers.

This system is absolutely incredible graphics-wise. The other thing I noticed is how HOT the thing gets, even with the additional fan unit I bought for it. Man, you can fry an egg on this thing.

[Eaglesfan27]

Mine gets hot too, but I never bothered to buy the additional fan. I still haven't had any problems with it. Glad you are enjoying it. I think if it was within your budget (which it obviously was) it was well worth it given the information you mentioned in your first post. I'm looking forward to playing you in some NCAA 2007 once it comes out.

[CraigSca]

Xbox Live Gamer tag: craigsca. I shouldn't be hard to find

[Eaglesfan27]

Mine is Eaglesfan27. I'm not hard to find either

[WVUFAN]

Originally Posted by Grammaticus

Of course you may be able to get some of these games on the PC, but if you used that logic, you would never get a console at all.

No, you'd buy a console, just not a 360. For the PS2, there's plenty of games that are released in the PS2 that never hit a PC .. Final Fantasy, Xenogears, Gran Turisimo .. the list goes on and on. Granted, those are the type of games Craigsca mentioned he doesn't care for, but I digress ...

The 360 and the original XBox, on the other hand, is just a modified el cheapo PC in a console package. It's Microsoft's attempt to steal some of Sony and Nintendo's thunder, and putting it in a package that allows developers to port over superior PC games to the XBox inexpensively. This is why the big majority of games released on the XBox are FPS. It's also why a good number of them are also PC games.

Call me biased, but I have ZERO respect and interest in the XBox or the 360. The PS2 was by far a superior machine to the XBox, and the PS3 will easily be a superior machine to the 360.

I said this before, and I stand by it ... this upcoming next-gen console war is Dreamcast/PS2 all over again. The 360 has the head start (as the Dreamcast did). THe 360 is less expensive (as the Dreamcast was), but the PS3 is MUCH more advanced, the Blu-Ray will enable developers to create more more in-depth and deeper games due to the Blu-Ray's higher GB capacity, and the 360 will not compete. Just like the Dreamcast could not compete with the PS2.

Ok, rant over. Craigsca, I'm glad you enjoy your system. I understand there's a bunch of people who enjoy the 360. I'm just not one of them.

[INDalltheway]

wii would be a great Christmas present this winter... I know as a younger kid (I'm still young ) getting consoles for Christmas was what made my year.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by WVUFAN

The PS2 was by far a superior machine to the XBox

Can you spell B-I-A-S-E-D? You can claim there were better games, but the original XBox beat down the PS2 like no body's business in "under the hood" specs. Just compare Madden between the two. It's like night and day.

this upcoming next-gen console war is Dreamcast/PS2 all over again.

Probably more like PS2 v. XBox. The earlier released, less tech advanced console wins due to its head start and signing up a lot of 3rd party developers. Though in this case, MS is helped out by the collosal pricing blunder Sony has committed. Gates will conquer consoles as he has OS's.

[WVUFAN]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Can you spell B-I-A-S-E-D? You can claim there were better games, but the original XBox beat down the PS2 like no body's business in "under the hood" specs. Just compare Madden between the two. It's like night and day.

Yup, and I admit it. Funny, though, that a majority of games developed for both consoles were actually developed for the PS2, then ported to the XBox.

And, I have played Madden on both systems. I enjoyed the PS2 version better. The PS2 has the superior controller, and the gameplay was a little more seamless than the XBox.

But, you're right, I'm biased. I have two requirements for console games:

1: No FPS games. I won't play them on consoles. PERIOD. This eliminated 95% of the games for the combined XBox/360 library.

2: No games that are also available for the PC. Given a choice of playing ANY game on a console or my PC, I pick PC every time. This eliminates most of the 5% left in the XBox/360 Library.

Whatever's left(NCAA Football/Basketball) I can play on my PS2. No need to fill Bill Gates' pocket any more on an inferior machine. On the other hand, there's plenty of RPG's, some great tactical games, and some good racing games that are PS2 and nowhere else..

So, if that's bias, I am. If me seeing that the last two consoles that Sony has put out have been steller and superior to any of the competition, I have no doubt that the PS3 will exceed my expectation, and that it will, once again, dominate the market.

[Joe]

fu

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by WVUFAN

Yup, and I admit it. Funny, though, that a majority of games developed for both consoles were actually developed for the PS2, then ported to the XBox.

And, I have played Madden on both systems. I enjoyed the PS2 version better. The PS2 has the superior controller, and the gameplay was a little more seamless than the XBox.

But, you're right, I'm biased. I have two requirements for console games:

1: No FPS games. I won't play them on consoles. PERIOD. This eliminated 95% of the games for the combined XBox/360 library.

2: No games that are also available for the PC. Given a choice of playing ANY game on a console or my PC, I pick PC every time. This eliminates most of the 5% left in the XBox/360 Library.

Whatever's left(NCAA Football/Basketball) I can play on my PS2. No need to fill Bill Gates' pocket any more on an inferior machine. On the other hand, there's plenty of RPG's, some great tactical games, and some good racing games that are PS2 and nowhere else..

So, if that's bias, I am. If me seeing that the last two consoles that Sony has put out have been steller and superior to any of the competition, I have no doubt that the PS3 will exceed my expectation, and that it will, once again, dominate the market.

Yeah, this does read as biased. I like the PS2. I was a PS2 only guy for years and years before I finally bought an Xbox. Now, I like both of those consoles. However, PS3 likely shot itself in the foot with the pricing, IMHO. As far as your aforementioned bias, it's shortsighted to rule out a console just because it has mostly ports. Most people don't like playing joystick sports games on PC's and NCAA Football hasn't been on the PC in years, and clearly that is one of Craig's favored games. The Xbox 360 is worth it for the sports titles that are coming out IMHO (although I'm sure the PS3 will play them very well as well.) However, getting back to the point, Craig stated he didn't like the type of games that just happen to be the PS's historical strength. Therefore, I think he made a very good decision. Of course, all that matters is that he and his kids enjoy their console

[WVUFAN]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Yeah, this does read as biased. I like the PS2. I was a PS2 only guy for years and years before I finally bought an Xbox. Now, I like both of those consoles. However, PS3 likely shot itself in the foot with the pricing, IMHO. As far as your aforementioned bias, it's shortsighted to rule out a console just because it has mostly ports. Most people don't like playing joystick sports games on PC's and NCAA Football hasn't been on the PC in years, and clearly that is one of Craig's favored games. The Xbox 360 is worth it for the sports titles that are coming out IMHO (although I'm sure the PS3 will play them very well as well.) However, getting back to the point, Craig stated he didn't like the type of games that just happen to be the PS's historical strength. Therefore, I think he made a very good decision. Of course, all that matters is that he and his kids enjoy their console

In Craigsca's case, given his likes and dislikes, I'm glad he likes the 360. I had digressed to my personal taste. I like anime games and rpg's, and hate FPS.

To me, there isn't any possible reason to buy a 360. You can't play Fire Pro Wrestling Z on the 360, after all.

[Eaglesfan27]

Variety is a great thing

[WVUFAN]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Variety is a great thing

I agree:

Fire Pro Z
Smackdown V Raw
Final Fantasy series
Xenogears
Front Mission
Disgaea
Suikoden series
Armored Core series
Gran Turismo series
Tekken series

All PS2 Exclusives. What else does one need? Halo? Blech.

360 has ONE RPG, and it's a PC port. They have ZERO wrestling games. ZERO strategy games. Again, I'm glad Craig likes his, but there's ZERO reason for me to buy a console.

[ISiddiqui]

Final Fantasy is still a PS2 exclusive? News to well... all of us.

Originally Posted by WVUFAN

360 has ONE RPG, and it's a PC port.

What, you think this will always be the case? There are a number of RPGs coming out for the X360 before the end of the year, including the impressive looking Mass Effect and (maybe you could call it an RPG) BioShock. Will those be on the PC as well? I believe so... but, hey, won't have to buy a new graphics card for 'em . And they'll probably be made with the X360 in mind first.

And some of us don't consider the FF series to be in the "RPG" catagory in the first place.

[dawgfan]

Originally Posted by Grammaticus

There is some game you can download called Geometry Wars that kids in the 5-10 year old range play like mad. Apparently it is like kiddy crack.

Thought I'd chime in here - Xbox Live Arcade is a fantastic addition to the console. Geometry Wars is incredibly addicting, not just for the kids. But if Craig is looking for more games for his kids to play, there are a bunch he can download from Live Arcade, including retro classics like Pac-Man and Frogger. There are a bunch of puzzle-type games as well, and some others that his kids might enjoy (Marble Madness, Uno).

[Grammaticus]

I think the real point is, PS3 is not an option right now. So, you either wait and hope the hype is right, continuing to play your old gen stuff. Or, grab a 360 and get in the game baby!

[Grammaticus]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Final Fantasy is still a PS2 exclusive? News to well... all of us.




What, you think this will always be the case? There are a number of RPGs coming out for the X360 before the end of the year, including the impressive looking Mass Effect and (maybe you could call it an RPG) BioShock. Will those be on the PC as well? I believe so... but, hey, won't have to buy a new graphics card for 'em . And they'll probably be made with the X360 in mind first.

And some of us don't consider the FF series to be in the "RPG" catagory in the first place.

Uh, unfortunately I heard Mass Effect is pushed to 2007 . Good news is its Bioware and they are taking the time to make it right.

[WVUFAN]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Final Fantasy is still a PS2 exclusive? News to well... all of us.

Final Fantasy 7,8,9,10 are on XBox? Really? Because if they're not (and they're not), then they're exclusive to Playstation.

What, you think this will always be the case? There are a number of RPGs coming out for the X360 before the end of the year, including the impressive looking Mass Effect and (maybe you could call it an RPG) BioShock. Will those be on the PC as well? I believe so... but, hey, won't have to buy a new graphics card for 'em . And they'll probably be made with the X360 in mind first.

From my understanding, Mass Effect is a PC game first (although I might be wrong about that), and it's being ported to the 360. It's a PC game, so I'd rather pay 130 bucks for a new graphics card than 400 bucks for a new console.

And given past XBox history, non-PC RPG's aren't it's strong suit. I can only think of one: Jade Empire. Compared to literally dozens upon dozens for the PS2.

And some of us don't consider the FF series to be in the "RPG" catagory in the first place.

What DO you consider an RPG, then?

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by WVUFAN

Final Fantasy 7,8,9,10 are on XBox? Really? Because if they're not (and they're not), then they're exclusive to Playstation.

Past versions of a game have to be on a console or else it is 'exclusive' to one? LOL!

Man, I guess Madden was exclusive to Genesis and SNES because I can't get the first one on my XBox!

From my understanding, Mass Effect is a PC game first (although I might be wrong about that), and it's being ported to the 360. It's a PC game, so I'd rather pay 130 bucks for a new graphics card than 400 bucks for a new console.

Dragonage is the Bioware game designed first for the PC. Mass Effect is more of a designed for both at the same time, which means that the X360 design decisions will be incorporated into the PC version because, after all, the X360 one will outsell the PC one by a wide margin (like Oblivion).

And its funny that you think just a $130 graphics card will look at nice as an X360. Hell, I just spent $2000 on a new system and yet the X360 can display anti-aliasing and HDR while I can't and on an X360, I can play on my 30'' HDTV compared to my 17'' (4:3) monitor.

And given past XBox history, non-PC RPG's aren't it's strong suit. I can only think of one: Jade Empire. Compared to literally dozens upon dozens for the PS2.

Both KOTOR and its sequal were designed for the XBox (and didn't get to a PC for some months afterwards) and were absolutely excellent. And the dozens for the PS2 includes the Japanese version of the RPG, which are more like interactive movies than games.

What DO you consider an RPG, then?

Oh, I dunno, games that allow you to control the story instead of being a pawn in it? Games that allow you to make some relevant choices. The best RPGs I've played were in the days of Interplay's heyday in the mid-late 90s including Fallout, Fallout 2, Baldur's Gate, Baldur's Gate 2, Planescape: Torment, etc. The current PC stock and X360 stock is far closer to that standard than the FF games where the 'choice' is how you fight.

[INDalltheway]

Some of the things WVUFAN has stated are truely laughable.. The Final Fantasy comments put it over the edge though!

[WVUFAN]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Past versions of a game have to be on a console or else it is 'exclusive' to one? LOL!

I consider those games to be exclusive to the PS and PS2 until they're released on a different console.

Man, I guess Madden was exclusive to Genesis and SNES because I can't get the first one on my XBox!

Actually, you can get it on the PS2. The first Madden game is a extra on the anniversary edition of Madden 05 or 06. You don't have to have all games in the series be exclusive for a single game to be.

So, you're saying Final Fantasy 9 ISN'T exclusive to the PS and PS2? What other system is it out for? If you saying that if one edition of a game released on multiple consoles means the ENTIRE Final Fantasy series is no longer exclusive, than that's an incredibly wrong statement.

Final Fantasy 3 was exclusive to Nintendo until the PS got a port. Now it's not exclusive. FInal Fantasy 10 has never been released for any system other than the Playstation 2. Until it is, it's exclusive to the Playstation 2. I'm not talking about games that aren't out yet, I'm talking about the games that are.

Dragonage is the Bioware game designed first for the PC. Mass Effect is more of a designed for both at the same time, which means that the X360 design decisions will be incorporated into the PC version because, after all, the X360 one will outsell the PC one by a wide margin (like Oblivion).

I don't care what sells more. I'm not buying a 360 to play a RPG game that plays better and is available for my PC. To me, that's just common sense.

And its funny that you think just a $130 graphics card will look at nice as an X360. Hell, I just spent $2000 on a new system and yet the X360 can display anti-aliasing and HDR while I can't and on an X360, I can play on my 30'' HDTV compared to my 17'' (4:3) monitor.

And I don't have to buy a $1200 HDTV just so I can play Oblivion. My 19" monitor does me just fine, thank you, and looks just as well to me.

You're gonna counter with "I didn't buy my HDTV just to play a 360". I won't pay $140 just to play a single game. If it allows me to improve my system in numerous ways, then I'll upgrade. But just because you can play it on an HDTV doesn't make it a better game, nor worth the investment. There just isn't any games I can ONLY get on an XBox 360 that would make me make the investment on the system. There is on a PS2, and there will be on a PS3.

Again, I refuse to pay for a 360 when there's no reason for me to do so. None of the games I enjoy playing are native to that piece of garbage. All they put out if FPS and ports from other systems. Sports games? On my PS2, with more features. RPG's? Aside from the superior PC version, there's not a single solitary RPG game out for the 360. The soonest one is apparently not gonna be out until 2007.

Both KOTOR and its sequal were designed for the XBox (and didn't get to a PC for some months afterwards) and were absolutely excellent. And the dozens for the PS2 includes the Japanese version of the RPG, which are more like interactive movies than games.

Yes, they were excellent. And they're out for the PC. As for your Japanese RPG comment, we obviously have different tastes in good RPG games. In my opinion, the Japanese make the best RPG's on the market, bar none.

Oh, I dunno, games that allow you to control the story instead of being a pawn in it? Games that allow you to make some relevant choices. The best RPGs I've played were in the days of Interplay's heyday in the mid-late 90s including Fallout, Fallout 2, Baldur's Gate, Baldur's Gate 2, Planescape: Torment, etc. The current PC stock and X360 stock is far closer to that standard than the FF games where the 'choice' is how you fight.

"X360 Stock"? It's ONE SINGLE GAME. Oblivion. And again, we have different tastes in RPG's. The best RPG I've ever played is a PC game: Pools of Darkness, from 1991, but I rather enjoy games with a coherent storyline. Final Fantasy 3 had one of the better storylines of many RPG's I've played, and that includes the Baldur's Gate series. I've not played Oblivion, but since I dispised Morrowind, I doubt Oblivion is my cup of tea.

Again, my guess is that we just have differing tastes is all. My point remains is that neither the XBox nor the XBox 360 can hold a candle to Sony's systems in the role-playing game category -- they're too busy trying to suck in the 12 year olds with Halo 2.

[WVUFAN]

Originally Posted by INDalltheway

Some of the things WVUFAN has stated are truely laughable.. The Final Fantasy comments put it over the edge though!

So, what about what I said about Final Fantasy "put it over the edge"? Mind expanding on what you mean?

But from your nick, you're an Indy fan, so I shouldn't expect much from you.

[WVUFAN]

dola -- on a side note: ISiddiqui, is there anything you and I agree on?

[CraigSca]

Wow - I really didn't mean to start the verbal fisticuffs here.

Like, Eagles, I was a tried and true Sony fan from the PS1 on. I never even considered buying the XBOX, and quite frankly, never even thought about a 360 until recently. Why? I justified it by looking at the proposed price of the PS3 (yes, I know - it's a one time fee...but $400 was hard enough to justify let alone something that's almost double this price). I think the PS3 pricing will be touching the mental equivalent of "no way can I pay that much solely for the system" territory. The other thing is, it's been delayed to the point where EA is releasing their second titles for these games (Madden & NCAA). I can wait a while, but when I started seeing previews ONLY on the 360 (obviously to show off the graphics), it pretty much sealed the deal for me.

WVUFan - I'm glad you still like your PS2 - it's a great console. However, there's not a single game you listed that I'm interested in (different strokes for different folks). Give me the new sports games (heck, even the non-new sports games), some WW2 first-person shooters, the XBOX library and arcade for the kids, the great graphics and the better pricepoint and I'm a happy camper.

[WVUFAN]

Nah, you didn't start anything, at least I don't believe you did. I just think me and Isiddiqui just like to debate stuff. I think we got all the hostility out the first 6 times we disagreed on a subject.

Personally, I really enjoy arguing, especially with him. It's fun, and I don't take offense to what he says, and I hope he feels the same way. I really do think there isn't a single thing we've agreed on initially, though.

Seriously, I'm glad you like the 360, and I hope your kids enjoy it.

[stevew]

Goddamn, everything has to turn into a war it seems.

[Joe]

He's a fucking soldier

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by WVUFAN

I consider those games to be exclusive to the PS and PS2 until they're released on a different console.

Is the FF series exclusive to PS? The question comes up, who cares about older games anyway? I guarentee you that most sales are not of games that may have come out a year ago.

As the series goes forward both consoles have it. Why would you buy a console to play an older game?

And I don't have to buy a $1200 HDTV just so I can play Oblivion. My 19" monitor does me just fine, thank you, and looks just as well to me.

You're gonna counter with "I didn't buy my HDTV just to play a 360". I won't pay $140 just to play a single game. If it allows me to improve my system in numerous ways, then I'll upgrade. But just because you can play it on an HDTV doesn't make it a better game, nor worth the investment. There just isn't any games I can ONLY get on an XBox 360 that would make me make the investment on the system. There is on a PS2, and there will be on a PS3.

You buy a graphics card to play games. Whether it is a single or multiple games is irrelevant. The HDTV is bought by a vast majority of people to watch HD programming. The game support for it is a good plus. And if you think your 19'' monitor can compare to even a 30'' HDTV then you are on crack... or have never played a game on a 30''+ HDTV. It's the only possible explination. It's like night and day.

"X360 Stock"? It's ONE SINGLE GAME. Oblivion. And again, we have different tastes in RPG's. The best RPG I've ever played is a PC game: Pools of Darkness, from 1991, but I rather enjoy games with a coherent storyline. Final Fantasy 3 had one of the better storylines of many RPG's I've played, and that includes the Baldur's Gate series. I've not played Oblivion, but since I dispised Morrowind, I doubt Oblivion is my cup of tea.

I didn't just tell you about some of the games coming out for the X360 or anything? And if you want, the Bioware games are compatible.

A coherant storyline is good, but without having a choice to mold your character it's an interactive movie. Hell, Half Life 2 had a coherant story!

Again, my guess is that we just have differing tastes is all. My point remains is that neither the XBox nor the XBox 360 can hold a candle to Sony's systems in the role-playing game category -- they're too busy trying to suck in the 12 year olds with Halo 2.

I'll take KOTOR, KOTOR II, Jade Empire, and even Fable over the crap that is the Final Fantasy series.

[stevew]

So do your kids like the games Craig?

[CraigSca]

Yeah...so far they are playing the heck out of SpongBob - but that's an XBOX game. I think later we'll try out some of the downloadables on XBOX Live. At this point, however, I haven't been able to touch the system (today) due to the SpongeBob-fest.

[MizzouRah]

Tell the kids to clean their rooms or something.

[Grammaticus]

Craig, you should pick up Call of Duty 2. You should be able to pick up a used copy. It has great graphics and the texturing they do with smoke is awesome. It should satisfy your WWII shooter craving. It is also a lot of fun head to head on xbox live.

[kingnebwsu]

Threads about video games end in more name-calling and anger than most of the other threads on FOFC.

Hope you guys enjoy your new toy

[spleen1015]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

I'll take KOTOR, KOTOR II, Jade Empire, and even Fable over the crap that is the Final Fantasy series.

This is a true statement, IMO. I have been a big fan of FF since the beginning and I enjoyed all of the games. But, I enjoyed KOTOR and Fable more than FF8 and FF10.

KOTOR is right up there with FF3 in my book.

You have your Gran Turismo. XBOX has Forza. Forza was much better than any incarnation of Gran Turismo.

[sterlingice]

*sits back and watches with popcorn from Nintendo fanboy chair*

(That said, I still give a lot more love to the PS2 for game variety and quality than the Xbox. I still stand by my view that Xbox had sports, shooters, American RPGs, and that's about it.)

SI

[Sweed]

Originally Posted by CraigSca

Wow - I really didn't mean to start the verbal fisticuffs here.

Like, Eagles, I was a tried and true Sony fan from the PS1 on. I never even considered buying the XBOX, and quite frankly, never even thought about a 360 until recently. Why? I justified it by looking at the proposed price of the PS3 (yes, I know - it's a one time fee...but $400 was hard enough to justify let alone something that's almost double this price). I think the PS3 pricing will be touching the mental equivalent of "no way can I pay that much solely for the system" territory. The other thing is, it's been delayed to the point where EA is releasing their second titles for these games (Madden & NCAA). I can wait a while, but when I started seeing previews ONLY on the 360 (obviously to show off the graphics), it pretty much sealed the deal for me.

WVUFan - I'm glad you still like your PS2 - it's a great console. However, there's not a single game you listed that I'm interested in (different strokes for different folks). Give me the new sports games (heck, even the non-new sports games), some WW2 first-person shooters, the XBOX library and arcade for the kids, the great graphics and the better pricepoint and I'm a happy camper.

I agree with about everything you have said in this thread to the point I could almost have written the same posts other than my kids are older so I wouldn't have to worry about finding games for them.

Myself, I'm trying to hold off 'til fall and the hoped for $100 (?) price drop on the 360 premium. If that happens with my wife's discount I could pick it up for a cool $269. When I compare that to the $599 for ps3 it almost makes the decision for me. With that kind of saving I could by a 360 for my son also who will be finishing college in december (nice Christmas present) for less than one ps3.

Then if the ps3 ends up being the greatest thing ever I'll hold out with my 360 until it starts to drop in price and buy it then. If I get it for $300 after a year or two I'll have both for $600 or less.

Craig make sure to post you impressions when ncaa comes out. I love that game on ps2.

[Terps]

Originally Posted by WVUFAN

360 has ONE RPG, and it's a PC port. They have ZERO wrestling games. ZERO strategy games. Again, I'm glad Craig likes his, but there's ZERO reason for me to buy a console.

Smackdown vs. RAW is no longer a Sony exclusive. It will be on X360, XBOX, PS3, and PS2.

[WVUFAN]

Originally Posted by Terps

Smackdown vs. RAW is no longer a Sony exclusive. It will be on X360, XBOX, PS3, and PS2.

Excellent.

[CraigSca]

Today I witnessed why consoles are winning the game wars vs. PCs.

I purchased Oblivion for my wife this past weekend - she's a big fan of RPGs and can literally play these games for hours. To play the game, I got her a new GeForce 6800GT graphics card (she had a 5XXX series before). So, we load up the game, and she's having a great time playing in the jail. She exits the jail, enters the open world above ground and the game FREEZES, eventually core dumps and gives us the Blue Screen of Death. After working on it for 8 hours (the game was literally unplayable - after reloading the same problem occurred over and over again) I finally fixed it, though I'm not entirely sure what the solution is because of all the changes I made. Part of the solution is toning down the graphics so it looks like you're playing on the Commodore 64. In my search on the Internet to find a solution, I'm seeing hundreds of posts from people on the Elderscrolls boards (and many, many others) saying they have the exact same problem with Nvidia cards and the newer 3D games. The Morrowind folks, of course, wipe their hands as do NVidia. Microsoft even has a document (from 2002!) regarding infinite loop errors on video cards saying it's a driver or hardware problem. Of course, I'm using the drivers released 3 days ago. Odd that NVidia couldn't figure out how to fix the problem in the past 4 years.

What an absolute pain in a__ it is to get games working on the PC. I feel the game-maker's pain - how the hell can they support all these different configs? I should have just gotten Oblivion for the 360 and leave the PCs for text sims.