360 Owners - Advice needed

[Crapshoot]

Thanks to a birthday and a very generous family, I'm now the proud owner of a new 360. :D :D :D

As of right now, I have the console, the one controller, and 3 games - Halo 3, as well as the Forza / Marvel Alliance game that came included.

Here's my question - what are the things I absolutely need? Keep in mind the following things - I absolutely hate shooters (they bore the hell out of me) - Halo 3 was a gift, and I'm wondering if its worth it to trade it in (still in seal) for something I'm more likely to enjoy. On the other hand, killing stuff is fun, and its something to do via Xbox Live. This is the same reason I intend to avoid BioShock.

- Mass Effect will be pre-order in the next couple of days; I think I have some Gamestop credit.

- Any other games? I owned Madden and NCAA the last time around (original XBOX) and didn't really play it - I did play Winning Eleven, but I hate FIFA (gameplay on Winning Eleven was always light years better). I did kinda enjoy COD 2 even though it was a shooter. I've heard great things about Lego Star Wars II and Oblivion

- backward compatability - I still own Pirates!, KOTOR, and KOTOR 2 (discovered it when I moved) - is the 360 going to allow me to play these games?

- I've been told I need an intercooler and/or a wireless rechargable pack. Is this important? What's the general battery life of a control?

- I've got no interest in setting up a wireless connection; there's shouldn't be any problems connecting the 360 to the router directly, correct?

Also, is there any particular issue with having the console horizontal as opposed to vertical?

Thanks a lot for any help. I'm already psyched for Mass effect. :D

[CraigSca]

No problems with setting up with a router directly.

I have two wireless controllers and I bought an extra battery and the battery charger that plugs into the wall. Frankly, the batteries last forever, but I like to rotate them when I "feel" they're getting low.

I tried the Intercooler, but I've found it to suck. I took a small fan from around the house and just put the fan in front of the 360 - haven't had any heat problems. My 360 is in a very small compartment of my entertainment center, so I felt it necessary to put a fan on it.

You can get a list of the backward compatible games off the 360 website. Admittedly, sometimes it's hard to find (otherwise I'd direct linky) but it's up there.

I have my console horizontal - don't know if there are any real problems having it vertical.

[MizzouRah]

I keep mine horizontal as well.

The charge kit is a MUST, imo. I have the cable plugged into my pc, so when I'm not playing, I can charge it.

COD 4 is coming out soon, a definite purchase for me.
NHL 08
Oblivion - great game you can probably get cheap
Madden 08 - if there is indeed a patch
Bioshock
Assassins Creed due out soon

many more I'm sure I'm missing... tons of great looking games around the corner though....

[Eaglesfan27]

I know you said you plan on avoiding Bioshock, but it is not a typical shooter. I dislike most shooters, but Bioshock is the best game I've played this year. I'd also highly recommend NBA 2k8 if you like the NBA at all. I'd hold on Madden and NCAA until a patch is released and until you hear that it actually works. If the turnovers are fixed on NCAA, I think I would call that a great game.

I've kept mine horizontal since launch day and have never had a problem. Make sure to keep it in a well ventilated area.

I agree a charge kit is a must. I prefer the one that plugs into the wall that can charge 2 battery packs at once, even though I only have 2 batteries and usually have only 1 set in the charger. Battery life is about 25 hours on average for a new battery pack from what I've seen.

Here is the backwards compatibility link. Both KOTOR and KOTOR2 are on it, but I don't see Pirates!:

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/backwardcompatibilitygameslist.htm

[heybrad]

Same here with Bioshock... I'm not a fan of shooters, but after hearing all of the hype I gave it a try and it's an incredible game.

[Jonathan Ezarik]

Here is the backwards compatibility link. Both KOTOR and KOTOR2 are on it, but I don't see Pirates!:

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/backwardcompatibilitygameslist.htm

Pirates! is on there. It's listed as Sid Meier's Pirates!

And give Bioshock a try. It's an excellent game.

[rjolley]

I'm still on the fence between a 360 and a PS3, but from what I've heard, Crackdown is a great game on the 360. Friends of mine enjoyed it a lot.

Here's a review: http://xbox360.ign.com/objects/773/773714.html

[sabotai]

Yes, get the rechargable battery pack.

Some game suggestions

College Hoops 2k7 was great and 2k8 is coming out in a few weeks. I don't follow college basketball at all and College Hoops has been my favorite sports series lately.

Jade Empire is an original XBox RPG game that plays on the 360. Very good game.

The Burnout series has been really good, although I have not played the latest one. Burnout: Revenge is really fun and you could easily find it for cheap now.

Overlord is fun. Some people said they got bored with it quickly, but I didn't.

[JetsIn06]

Thanks to a birthday and a very generous family, I'm now the proud owner of a new 360. :D :D :D

As of right now, I have the console, the one controller, and 3 games - Halo 3, as well as the Forza / Marvel Alliance game that came included.

Here's my question - what are the things I absolutely need? Keep in mind the following things - I absolutely hate shooters (they bore the hell out of me) - Halo 3 was a gift, and I'm wondering if its worth it to trade it in (still in seal) for something I'm more likely to enjoy. On the other hand, killing stuff is fun, and its something to do via Xbox Live. This is the same reason I intend to avoid BioShock.

- Mass Effect will be pre-order in the next couple of days; I think I have some Gamestop credit.

- Any other games? I owned Madden and NCAA the last time around (original XBOX) and didn't really play it - I did play Winning Eleven, but I hate FIFA (gameplay on Winning Eleven was always light years better). I did kinda enjoy COD 2 even though it was a shooter. I've heard great things about Lego Star Wars II and Oblivion

- backward compatability - I still own Pirates!, KOTOR, and KOTOR 2 (discovered it when I moved) - is the 360 going to allow me to play these games?

- I've been told I need an intercooler and/or a wireless rechargable pack. Is this important? What's the general battery life of a control?

- I've got no interest in setting up a wireless connection; there's shouldn't be any problems connecting the 360 to the router directly, correct?

Also, is there any particular issue with having the console horizontal as opposed to vertical?

Thanks a lot for any help. I'm already psyched for Mass effect. :D

- Halo 3 is fun if you like shooters, but if you really don't like shooters I would sell it on Ebay or sell it back to EB.

- Mass Effect is going to be AWESOME.

- In my opinion, Madden and NCAA were fun for me to play with other people, but some bugs in franchise mode just made it frustrating for me. If your willing to look past some of em, you might enjoy em.

- Supposedly FIFA 08 made huge strides this year. I don't have it, but I did play the demo and it felt way better than last year's game.

- Lego Star Wars is really fun, especially if you like Star Wars (which I do), or have a history of playing with Legos (which I also do). I thought it was a really funny game and had a blast playing both versions. I do believe a new one is coming out for 360 that has both games in it together. Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga or something like that.

- Oblivion is a REALLY good game. I've only played it for PC but I'm pretty sure it's the same on 360.

- As everyone's said, those games do work on 360. I also suggest Jade Empire as someone else said. I'm actually in the middle of playing it right now.

- If you just got the 360, I don't think an intercooler is neccesary. Just keep it away from a heater or a really confined space. I use a tiny little fan that I put behind it to keep things circulated back there, but the newer 360's are supposed to be much more reliable. I do highly suggest the battery charger because, I don't have one and really wish I did.:)

- Wired works fine. It's probably even faster that way.

- I have my horizontally and have never had a problem (knock on wood).

Enjoy and welcome to the 360 community :)

[SackAttack]

I hate the Play & Charge Kit (the wired one).

On the other hand, I love the Quick Charge kit, as it means I get to stay wireless and can just swap the charged battery for the dead one whenever.

[Calis]

I'll put in my usual vote for Dead Rising as the game every 360 owner should have, and you can get it cheap now!

The Game of the Year edition of Oblivion would probably be a good bet also if you haven't already played it.

Crackdown is worth a look as well.

[Greyroofoo]

I wouldn't get the XBox 360 recharge kit. You can get 4 rechargable AA batteries w/ charger for the same price.

[Crapshoot]

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Play-Charge-Kit/dp/B000B6MLS2/ref=pd_rhf_p_6/104-2279916-0812727

This is what I was thinking of getting.

Thanks for the advice in general guys - taking a trip down to the Gamestop today. :D

[Eaglesfan27]

That is the one that kind of a pain in the ass because you have to keep it plugged in and your 360 on for it to charge. It can charge while playing, but still annoying. Sack and I are recommending the quick charge which is only about 15 dollars more and it includes a spare battery pack.

[Crapshoot]

Thanks EF - good advice.

One last set of questions:

1) digging through my stuff again, I found I have a USB wireless adapter (ie, I used it on my desktop a few years ago to pick up our wireless signal). Can I use that with the XBOX's USB ports if I want to go wireless, or do I have to pick up the Xbox wireless adapter (or go with the initial wired solution)?

2) My TV has two set of component inputs (one is being used for cable, one was for the DVD player - now the 360_) as well as an HDMI input - given the 360 has HDMI as well, I'm tempted to just buy an HDMI cable and use that for the 360, letting me leave my TV's second set for the DVD player. Do any of you use HDMI, and have you found the quality differences between that and the standard component cable noticeable?

[Eaglesfan27]

You can use any wireless game adapter - however, I'm not sure if a USB computer wireless adapter would work or not. However, a generic linksys wireless game adapter works.

I can't answer the question about HDMI, but if my 360 had it, I would use it.

Edit: Correction, you can use most wireless game adapters. There are reports that some don't play well with the 360. I do know that the Linksys one works.

[Pyser]

crap, the hdmi's best feature is that it passes 1080p, so if your tv can handle that, thats the way to go. otherwise, the difference between hdmi and component is negligible, and really up to the user which looks best.

[MizzouRah]

That is the one that kind of a pain in the ass because you have to keep it plugged in and your 360 on for it to charge. It can charge while playing, but still annoying. Sack and I are recommending the quick charge which is only about 15 dollars more and it includes a spare battery pack.

Maybe it's just me, but it's never been a PITA to charge it. ;)

I play my games, then plug it in to my pc via the usb cable when I'm not playing.. no big deal.

[Crapshoot]

Sweet - I'm in - got live setup, though my apartment is just a tangled mess of wires at this point. :D

My gamer tag is Crapshoot101, in case anyone wants to add me.

[kingnebwsu]

Congrats on the system!

My "best of" Xbox 360:

Xbox 360 Cooler ($10-$20, charged by USB plug, not the intercooler)
Play&Charge Kit (I like it, and the batteries last a long time)
Xbox Live Subscription (Best $50 I spend each year)
BioShock (single player game, truly amazing...even for non-shooter fans)
Halo 3 (probably not for you, but it's pretty solid)
Gears of War (best multiplayer game on the 360)
College Hoops 2k7 (if you can't wait 2 weeks for 2k8)

Upcoming purchases (all coming out this month):

Scene It
Call of Duty 4
Mass Effect
College Hoops 2k8

Also, sign up at 360voice.com with your gamertag. It's like a blog for your 360. Very comical and very neat after you've been playing for a while. hxxp://www.360voice.com/tag/kingneb is the site for my gamertag.

Check out XBox Live Arcade too. There are demos for all the games on there. I'd recommend Puzzle Quest & Catan for starters. Great games.

Crackdown was lots of fun while it lasted (GTA with superpowers and I hate GTA). The whole game is co-op which is pretty sweet.

Enjoy your new toy and save up for all the great games this month!

[MizzouRah]

Kane and Lynch looks interesting as well.

Oblivion was a great game, do not forget that game!

[Kodos]

I hate the Play & Charge Kit (the wired one).

On the other hand, I love the Quick Charge kit, as it means I get to stay wireless and can just swap the charged battery for the dead one whenever.


Quick charge kit rocks da house!