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. :D

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

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

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]

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]

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


:confused:

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:eek: . Good news is its Bioware and they are taking the time to make it right.

[WVUFAN]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

:rolleyes: 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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[ISiddiqui]

And that's it in a nutshell. People don't want to deal with the pain of PC gaming. In every forum dedicated to a mass market game that I've seen, there have been tons of folks who simply cannot get the game to run. Oblivion is really bad because it requires a lot of horsepower to run well (it does good on my GeForce 7800, but just barely [20-30 fps]). I've also seen this with CivIV.

Which such problems, AND developers who have to deal with such complaints and people threatening to go to the Better Business Bureau (as someone did about CivIV), I can totally understand why consoles are winning and why developers are focusing on consoles.

[Kodos]

Hmmm. Earlier this week, my 1 year old son was pulling my PS2 out of the TV stand repeatedly. It was only like a one inch drop to the rug, so I figured no biggie and stopped him. Last night, it was making a lot of clicking noises when I put a game in. I was able to play one game of Madden, but after the game, it started clicking really badly. I don't really want to pay $130 if the thing completely breaks...

My fault because the kid usually ignores the console. Should've had it behind glass...

Anyhow, this draws me a bit closer to getting a 360.

[MizzouRah]

Played a friends 360 the other day when he brought it into work. Damn him!!

The controller is really nice and comfortable and the unit really seems solid.

My new plan (if NCAA is really THAT good) is to get an HDTV and 360 for under $1000. That would definitly erase my hopes of the Sony 50" SXRD, but I think the only way I'll get one of those is to sell my motorcycle.. which I can't see doing right now.

I've found the match..... but my wife shouted a "NO" awhile ago. She's a...a... meanie!!

[ISiddiqui]

I'm leaning towards a X360 soon as well. I got a 10% off coupon from Circuit City that expires on 7/14 (which is like 4 days before NCAA 07 comes out... bastards!). I have a couple of weeks to decide... but all the games I'm REALLY looking forward too are coming out in the fall. Wonder if I should just wait a few more months.

[Grammaticus]

One way to look at it is, the 360 will cost the same in a couple of months, so if you get it now it starts pleasing you earlier, hence more value!

[MizzouRah]

One way to look at it is, the 360 will cost the same in a couple of months, so if you get it now it starts pleasing you earlier, hence more value!

My wife needs to read this. :)

[SackAttack]

I'm leaning towards a X360 soon as well. I got a 10% off coupon from Circuit City that expires on 7/14 (which is like 4 days before NCAA 07 comes out... bastards!). I have a couple of weeks to decide... but all the games I'm REALLY looking forward too are coming out in the fall. Wonder if I should just wait a few more months.

If NCAA 07 is causing you problems, Best Buy has this thing going on where if you preorder NCAA, you get an instant $10 off any game $29.99 or up.

You could buy a 360 and get $10 off any game right now while waiting for NCAA. You save more than that 10% coupon would save you.

[CraigSca]

FWIW, my kids have been playing the thing constantly.

I personally just finished up the first qualifying group for the World Cup and I got the US to limp into the next phase. Good Lord, we were manhandled by Trinidad Tobago.

It's weird seeing a better picture on a video game system than the majority of TV shows I watch.

[ISiddiqui]

If NCAA 07 is causing you problems, Best Buy has this thing going on where if you preorder NCAA, you get an instant $10 off any game $29.99 or up.

You could buy a 360 and get $10 off any game right now while waiting for NCAA. You save more than that 10% coupon would save you.

Oooh.. and you misunderstood about the 10%. That's 10% on the CONSOLE. My thing is getting the console without any games for like a week... I know myself, I couldn't control it, I'd end up getting a game the next day or something... then knowing I shouldn't get another game, NCAA 07 would have to wait a few months.

[SackAttack]

Oooh.. and you misunderstood about the 10%. That's 10% on the CONSOLE. My thing is getting the console without any games for like a week... I know myself, I couldn't control it, I'd end up getting a game the next day or something... then knowing I shouldn't get another game, NCAA 07 would have to wait a few months.

Whaaaaaaat...no f'in way, man.

Best Buy does those 10% off/12% off things all the time, and they ALWAYS exclude video game hardware. Read the fine print on that coupon because I'd be shocked if CC was going to give you 10% off on a system they sell for cost.

[ISiddiqui]

Whaaaaaaat...no f'in way, man.

Best Buy does those 10% off/12% off things all the time, and they ALWAYS exclude video game hardware. Read the fine print on that coupon because I'd be shocked if CC was going to give you 10% off on a system they sell for cost.

Read the coupon. NO video game hardware exclusions.

[SackAttack]

Wow. Way unusual, but good for you.

[ISiddiqui]

It's because Circuit City aren't a bunch of asshats like Best Buy ;).

But I'll ask to make sure... it says nothing about video games in the restrictions, and I don't think they fit in the desktop computer restriction. And the X360 is well over the $199 price minimum they have for the coupon... so I'm sure many have used it on the console :D. That's almost the price of a game when all is said and done.

[SackAttack]

It's because Circuit City aren't a bunch of asshats like Best Buy ;).

But I'll ask to make sure... it says nothing about video games in the restrictions, and I don't think they fit in the desktop computer restriction. And the X360 is well over the $199 price minimum they have for the coupon... so I'm sure many have used it on the console :D. That's almost the price of a game when all is said and done.

Which is why it's good for you.

But yeah, retailers make about $1 margin on video game hardware, which is why a 10% off coupon being usable on that is so ridiculously rare. It's not that Best Buy are asshats about coupons, it's that they typically don't allow coupons to be used on items with no margin. If you sell 1,000 widgets at $40 below cost, you're losing $40,000. You'd have to sell, like, 4,000 wireless controllers just to break even on 1,000 Xbox 360's sold at 10% below cost.

[ISiddiqui]

Hmmm.. just went on CC's website and tried to put the coupon code in and it said there weren't any valid items that the coupon could be applied to (I had an XBox 360 in there). I wonder if I go to the store and raise a ruckus that the coupon says nothing about video game hardware if I'd get the amount off.

Now I think they won't give it to me, even though nothing on the coupon says it is restricted :(.

[SackAttack]

Hmmm.. just went on CC's website and tried to put the coupon code in and it said there weren't any valid items that the coupon could be applied to (I had an XBox 360 in there). I wonder if I go to the store and raise a ruckus that the coupon says nothing about video game hardware if I'd get the amount off.

Now I think they won't give it to me, even though nothing on the coupon says it is restricted :(.

I don't know. Give it a shot, and hopefully you'll get lucky.

I'm not holding my breath because, like I say, stuff like that in my experience never qualifies.

But I hope you get lucky here.

[Shkspr]

If you sell 1,000 widgets at $40 below cost, you're losing $40,000. You'd have to sell, like, 4,000 wireless controllers just to break even on 1,000 Xbox 360's sold at 10% below cost.

Or you'd have to sell 150 big screen HDTV sets. And what good's a 360 if you don't have a big screen HD set to play it on? :)

[SackAttack]

Or you'd have to sell 150 big screen HDTV sets. And what good's a 360 if you don't have a big screen HD set to play it on? :)

Something tells me the kind of person who's going to clip coupons to save 40 bucks on a game console isn't the kind of person who's also walking in there looking to buy an expensive TV set. And if they are, they're more likely to attempt to use the coupon on the TV set than on the game console.

I do like the bundle Best Buy put together a couple weeks ago. Basically, if you bought the Samsung HDTV, the Xbox 360, a couple games, and a couple extra accessories, you got a $400 discount on the package - which coincidentally happened to be the cost of the Xbox 360...and I'm pretty sure that it was a vendor-sponsored package, meaning that Best Buy probably lost hardly anything on the sale, even with the $400 discount.

Again, though, even with the $400 discount, it was a package out of the price range of virtually every customer to whom I sold an Xbox 360 that weekend. I think I had one person go for it, and the rest were like, "Fuck it, it's for my kid, and if he's not happy with an Xbox 360 on the TV he's got, he can go..."

Well, I'll let your imagination fill in the blanks on that.

But yeah, I can see somebody shopping for a TV wanting a shiny new toy to hook up to it, but expecting 15% of coupon users to say, "Hey, let's get that HDTV while we're here" just seems high to me. I don't know, maybe there's a lot of impressionable people out there easily swayed by sales pitches, but I just feel like an HDTV just isn't an impulse buy for most new console owners.

[MizzouRah]

Something tells me the kind of person who's going to clip coupons to save 40 bucks on a game console isn't the kind of person who's also walking in there looking to buy an expensive TV set. And if they are, they're more likely to attempt to use the coupon on the TV set than on the game console.

I do like the bundle Best Buy put together a couple weeks ago. Basically, if you bought the Samsung HDTV, the Xbox 360, a couple games, and a couple extra accessories, you got a $400 discount on the package - which coincidentally happened to be the cost of the Xbox 360...and I'm pretty sure that it was a vendor-sponsored package, meaning that Best Buy probably lost hardly anything on the sale, even with the $400 discount.

Again, though, even with the $400 discount, it was a package out of the price range of virtually every customer to whom I sold an Xbox 360 that weekend. I think I had one person go for it, and the rest were like, "Fuck it, it's for my kid, and if he's not happy with an Xbox 360 on the TV he's got, he can go..."

Well, I'll let your imagination fill in the blanks on that.

But yeah, I can see somebody shopping for a TV wanting a shiny new toy to hook up to it, but expecting 15% of coupon users to say, "Hey, let's get that HDTV while we're here" just seems high to me. I don't know, maybe there's a lot of impressionable people out there easily swayed by sales pitches, but I just feel like an HDTV just isn't an impulse buy for most new console owners.

What was that deal?

I've been looking at a Samsung 27" WS HDTV just for the Xbox 360.

[ISiddiqui]

Something tells me the kind of person who's going to clip coupons to save 40 bucks on a game console isn't the kind of person who's also walking in there looking to buy an expensive TV set. And if they are, they're more likely to attempt to use the coupon on the TV set than on the game console.

I already have an HDTV (30''), FWIW. From Best Buy, IIRC... so the bastards owe me! ;)

[Shkspr]

Nothing that says here that the 150 TVs they add-on sell have to be to the 1000 people who pick up XBoxes with the coupon. They could be to 150 other people who buy XBoxes during that week. Hell, they could be to 150 people who come in six months from now because they've been playing the 360 on a smaller set and are ready to upgrade then.

If my margin is healthy, I can sometimes throw a sale out there that totally sticks it to me in the shorts. (I've got a huge one going on right now, as a matter of fact, and I'm making 20% more margin dollars this week over my average take even after you factor in the losses from my sale). The benefits come from more excitement among the community and more people thinking of me as someone who knows how to treat a customer.

1000 people with 360s in hand months earlier than they would have otherwise chosen to buy them, and a positive opinion of CC when it comes time to check out the new games for said 360? That might be worth a $40,000 advertising campaign right there. That's probably a JiMG question, though.

[SackAttack]

What was that deal?

I've been looking at a Samsung 27" WS HDTV just for the Xbox 360.

You got the Samsung TV model they use on the Xbox 360 display, the premium Xbox 360, an extra wireless controller, two or three of the Microsoft first-party games, and, I believe, a play-and-charge kit for $999.

I'm fuzzy on the specifics, only that it was system, TV, games, and a couple extra accessories for that price, and when I added everything up separately, it would've been $1399.

[MizzouRah]

You got the Samsung TV model they use on the Xbox 360 display, the premium Xbox 360, an extra wireless controller, two or three of the Microsoft first-party games, and, I believe, a play-and-charge kit for $999.

I'm fuzzy on the specifics, only that it was system, TV, games, and a couple extra accessories for that price, and when I added everything up separately, it would've been $1399.

I'm right there with what I'm looking at. Wish it was still going.

[Kodos]

My will broke today. Sony can thank their brilliant pricing strategy. I got the premium version, CoD2, and College Hoops. Was pretty impressed with my bried runs this afternoon. Now back for more action. :)

[SackAttack]

My will broke today. Sony can thank their brilliant pricing strategy. I got the premium version, CoD2, and College Hoops. Was pretty impressed with my bried runs this afternoon. Now back for more action. :)

I don't think Sony realizes what a clusterfuck the pricing is going to be in the short term. Neither next-gen DVD standard really has enough traction in the marketplace for "cheap Blu-ray player" to be a winning strategy beyond the early adopters.

[dawgfan]

My will broke today. Sony can thank their brilliant pricing strategy. I got the premium version, CoD2, and College Hoops. Was pretty impressed with my bried runs this afternoon. Now back for more action. :)
My will is steadily weakening. Pretty much the only thing holding me back right now is the fact that I'd be drooling to get an HDTV if I got a 360, and I haven't quite decided which TV I'd get. Probably in the next couple of months I'll wrap up my research on HDTV's and buy both on the same weekend.

I've also heard that Rockstar's Ping-Pong game is outstanding, so that's another title to consider.

[ISiddiqui]

I don't think Sony realizes what a clusterfuck the pricing is going to be in the short term. Neither next-gen DVD standard really has enough traction in the marketplace for "cheap Blu-ray player" to be a winning strategy beyond the early adopters.

You think its bad now, wait until the holiday season... Sony is going to wonder what the Hell happened as people snap up XBox 360s which will be at least $200 cheaper than the 'real' PS3, if not more!

[SackAttack]

You think its bad now, wait until the holiday season... Sony is going to wonder what the Hell happened as people snap up XBox 360s which will be at least $200 cheaper than the 'real' PS3, if not more!

That's the thing. The PS3 price announcement, if Sony's serious about that and doesn't have a lower "fooled you!" price waiting in the wings for launch....that price announcement WAS the Xbox 360 price cut. Microsoft has got no incentive to go lower when their packages are already $200 lower than their PS3 counterparts.

[ISiddiqui]

I don't know. Give it a shot, and hopefully you'll get lucky.

I'm not holding my breath because, like I say, stuff like that in my experience never qualifies.

But I hope you get lucky here.

WOOT! I got the 10% off! And not just on the XBox 360, but on the intercooler, charge pack and game (FIFA World Cup 2006) as well :D. I love Circuit City!

[Eaglesfan27]

WOOT! I got the 10% off! And not just on the XBox 360, but on the intercooler, charge pack and game (FIFA World Cup 2006) as well :D. I love Circuit City!


Awesome. Congrats :)


Edited to add: They gave me a very good deal when I bought my TV there as well, so I've become more of a fan.

[SackAttack]

WOOT! I got the 10% off! And not just on the XBox 360, but on the intercooler, charge pack and game (FIFA World Cup 2006) as well :D. I love Circuit City!

Awesome! I'm glad they took care of you on that.

I'm going to be disappointed in you, though, if you tell me you bought the charge-n-play instead of the quick charge. ;)

[ISiddiqui]

I got the quick charge :D

[SackAttack]

I got the quick charge :D

Good man.

[ISiddiqui]

Now to connect to my cable modem and perhaps DL some demos ;). Though I should get a router soon...

And NCAA 2007 is out shortly (18th, IIRC) :D.

[CraigSca]

Ok, my batteries died on my controller. Time for a quick charger....right? :D

[SackAttack]

Ok, my batteries died on my controller. Time for a quick charger....right? :D

Yes sir. I've actually got an extra charge-'n-play I've never even opened because I bought the quick charge, hehe.

But I keep one battery in the quick charger at all times, to swap with my controller battery once it dies.

[ISiddiqui]

Will keeping a battery in the quick charger drain it (like I've been told that constantly charging your cell phone will drain its battery)?

[SackAttack]

Will keeping a battery in the quick charger drain it (like I've been told that constantly charging your cell phone will drain its battery)?

I don't know, but I do know that if I leave my controller sitting with the battery in it for two or three days without playing, it drains that way, too, and needs to be recharged, so for my money it's six of one, half-dozen of another.

[illinifan999]

so who wants to buy me an xbox 360? ;)

must. find. money. ncaa. looking. hot.

[spleen1015]

I don't know, but I do know that if I leave my controller sitting with the battery in it for two or three days without playing, it drains that way, too, and needs to be recharged, so for my money it's six of one, half-dozen of another.

If you look at your controller closely in the dark when it is turned off, you will see that the power button is dimly lit. So, the controller is always on. I wonder if this is to prevent the batteries from 'learning' a half charge.

[MizzouRah]

Now THIS game could get my credit card out for an Xbox 360 as I've read it's going to be more of a sim this time.. it's EA so we'll see.

http://sports.ign.com/articles/716/716529p1.html

http://sportsmedia.ign.com/sports/image/article/716/716529/nhl-07-20060705032013292-000.jpg

http://sportsmedia.ign.com/sports/image/article/716/716529/nhl-07-20060705032008026-000.jpg


Damn.. this game looks unreal. Now the only question is... how will it play??

[CraigSca]

/agree, Todd. I have this on my list of must-haves for the fall.

Bought the transfer kit and the quick charger yesterday. I'm all set for NCAA now :)

[ISiddiqui]

Yeah, I'm going to need that transfer kit when I get NCAA...

First I need my router to come to me, so I can download some demos from XBox Live :D.

[SackAttack]

If you look at your controller closely in the dark when it is turned off, you will see that the power button is dimly lit. So, the controller is always on. I wonder if this is to prevent the batteries from 'learning' a half charge.

Hmm. That could be.

[ISiddiqui]

Btw... I'm deciding on whether to get the warranty extension. Usually I'd say no way, but this is a fairly new system and people have had problems. Anyone have any advice on that?

[SackAttack]

Btw... I'm deciding on whether to get the warranty extension. Usually I'd say no way, but this is a fairly new system and people have had problems. Anyone have any advice on that?

In general, reinvesting what you saved into the extended warranty might not be a bad idea. I don't know if Circuit City has the price protection aspect that Best Buy does (if the system fails for a covered reason, you get back what you paid + sales tax in the form of a gift card), which is nice. Some places will just outright replace the system, but even that beats spending another couple hundred bucks if it craps out in a year or so.

My personal rule of thumb is 'yeah' on items like game consoles, which are going to see heavy use from me, and 'no' on virtually everything else.

Maybe that'll change once I need to start buying major appliances and the like, I dunno.

[CraigSca]

I declined. The cost of the 360 was just too much to buy that as well. So far we've had absolutely no problems (knock on wood), but I did spend a few bucks on the fan. I know extended warranties in general are a sucker bet, but as far as the 360 is concerned...it's 50-50. I chose not to, but I may get burned on it.

[SackAttack]

I declined. The cost of the 360 was just too much to buy that as well. So far we've had absolutely no problems (knock on wood), but I did spend a few bucks on the fan. I know extended warranties in general are a sucker bet, but as far as the 360 is concerned...it's 50-50. I chose not to, but I may get burned on it.

Well, like I said, for me it sort of depends on how the warranty works. I like that with Best Buy's you get the original value back, so if there's a price drop, you maybe wind up with a free game + new warranty for the same as you originally paid.

If it's just replacement...it becomes a crapshoot, IMO. I got one on my GameCube that was straight replacement and never needed to use it.

[spleen1015]

I bought the 1 year warranty from EB when I got my 360 and I was glad I did. I bought it again with my second one.

[sportsfan13]

My sister is getting married in September and guess what I bought her and her lucky husband to be? That's right.....an XBox. They both have wanted one for a long time, but with the cost of the wedding, they've had to hold off until later. They were going to buy one for Xmas, but little do they know they're getting one in a month! Lucky ducks...

[John Galt]

So, my significant other bought me a gift yesterday: an XBox360. It was completely unexpected because I hadn't really thought about getting one. She felt I was too stressed lately and needed something to unwind. So, that was nice.

She bought me Oblivion as a game to play. It really isn't my normal cup of tea, but I'm giving it a try.

Since I haven't followed any of the XBox360 threads up to this point, can someone give me a quick rundown of the best games and accessories to have. Also, any other tips would be appreciated.

[Mustang]

Since I haven't followed any of the XBox360 threads up to this point, can someone give me a quick rundown of the best games and accessories to have. Also, any other tips would be appreciated.

One of the best games is Oblivion but, since that isn't your thing, not sure what you normally like. If you like FPSs, I'd go with Call of Duty 2, Ghost Recon or Hitman although, in a few days Prey comes out and I tried the demo last night and really liked it. For sports, NCAA F-ball 2007 is out in a few weeks too. I didn't really like Gun or Dead or Alive 4 but, I'm not that much into fight games so...

As for accessories, I suggest the wireless controller, recharge kit and I would assume you bought the 360 w/hard drive otherwise, I'd add HD to the list. If you have a wireless router, I'd also recommend the wireless hookup for the 360 too...

[CraigSca]

Get the QUICK recharge kit - not the recharge while you play one. Oh, and as others have said - buy the intercooler for it, otherwise you may have heat issues.

[John Galt]

Thanks. What exactly are the "heat issues?" That seems so strange to me (especially given the mammoth size of the power supply with the 360). Do the heat issues even come into play if you play in smaller spurts (never more than 2 or 3 hours at a time)? I already have a HDD and a wireless controller (she bought the premium edition), so those are taken care of. I'll definitely look at getting the quick recharge kit.

In terms of games, I generally like sports games. But the biggest thing is that I'm an old fart so I'm not very good at button-mashing or inclined to steep learning curves in terms of being better at button-mashing. Ideally, I'd like games that are fun, but don't require too much dexterity. If I can play with my significant other, that would be a bonus as well. Also, since I'm just starting Oblivion, are there certain races or classes that would better suit someone who is not a joystick jockey (I was having trouble in just the beginning of the game in terms of hacking and hitting goblins and rats)?

In terms of a wireless router, is there a lot of value to having a continuous hookup if you aren't playing multiplayer online?

[ISiddiqui]

The earlier versions had huge problems with the console overheating. As long as it was in a well ventilated area it was fine. Though I bought the Intercooler just in case.

As for a router (I'll be connecting with a wired router), XBox Live Silver Membership (which everyone can get for free) allows you to download demos and updates for games. XBox Live Gold Membership is the one that allows you to play multiplayer (unless you are playing an MMO, in which case you don't need Gold to do so) for a fee.

[ISiddiqui]

Almost forgort... for Silver or Gold members you can buy XBox Live Arcade Games. These are like $5 each for classic arcade games (Pac Man, Frogger) or new arcade style games which are saved to the hard drive. They also come with a free demo to try 'em out.

[Mustang]

In terms of a wireless router, is there a lot of value to having a continuous hookup if you aren't playing multiplayer online?


Not really. No sense having online if you aren't going to play online. I play online from time to time and I just like being wireless.. :)

[dawgfan]

I've heard very good things about Rockstar's new Ping Pong game - may be worth checking out.

I would wholeheartedly second the suggestion to check out the inventory of games available for download through XboxLive Arcade. Do yourself a favor and get Geometry Wars ASAP. If you like fun little strategy games, Outpost Kaloki might be of interest. Also a ton of puzzle-type/pattern arrangement games like Jewel Quest, Zuma and Astro Pop.

[ISiddiqui]

Oh, and there is also a preloaded puzzle game (Hexic or something like that). It's listed already under XBox Live Arcade. It is actually pretty fun.