10 Reasons Why the Xbox 360 Will Own the Holiday Season

[BajiRav]

We are in a golden age?

These past couple of years have brought use some of the most memorable titles in the history of gamingBioshocki>Gears of Wari>, anCall of Duty 4 i>to name a few, and with other awesome features such as achievements, online-gaming, and downloadable content, there has been no better time to be a gamer then right now. What still amazes me, however, is the quality of these games: Games that will immerse us into epic storylines. Games that will push our hardware to the limit, and games that will try new things to help keep gaming fresh. With so many good games to choose from, it's hard to comprehend why everyone on earth doesn't game. What I do understand though, is that the golden age hasn't stopped, and there is no end in sight. This holiday will be one of the greatest ever for us gamers (especially 360 ones), and we here at TGR are going to give you some insight on what 360 gamers can expect throughout the rest of this year.

[lefReason 1: New Xbox Experience

b>[/left]

One of the exciting things we all saw at E3 2008 was the New Xbox Experience. Microsoft first showed off the snazzy new dashboard at their press conference. At first glance, the creepy Mii-ish creatures caught our attention and we all had a bad feeling about where Microsoft was going. But then they showed us all the new features that would be coming with the new dashboard, anticipation mode begun. We'll be getting party chat, we'll be playing games off our hard drive, and we'll even be able to take a part in Xbox Live primetime which feature game shows like 1 vs. 100 in which you can win real prizes. While the new 'Avatars' look like copies of Nintendo's Miis, it still is looking like a cool feature to have, they'll be appearing in some of our XBLA titles and will feature tons of different options that will keep your Avatar different from someone else's. We have just barely scratched the surface here and the New Xbox Experience is looking like a welcome addition to our Xbox 360s.

Reason 2Gears of War 2i>b>

The sequel that we've all been waiting forGears 2i> is arguably the biggest game coming out this year, and it's exclusive to us 360 gamers. The first game was a smash hit, receiving Game of the Year awards from several different magazines and sites. What's more is Gears of War 2 will be bigger and better. Cliff Bleszinski (or Cliffy B) has promised us a more dramatic focus on the story line, epic battles, and updated graphics. New features such as chain saw duels, all the new 'curb-stomp' options and updated multiplayer will keep the game fresh and on top of that, we'll also be getting some new weapons and a number of new, scarier enemies. No 360 gamer can pass up on this, with a release date of November 7thGears of War 2i> couldn't come soon enough.

Click Me

The article is spread over 5 page:/:/ for ad revenue and is kind of low on substance. But hey, this is "news" these days.

[kalam_]

Only the first four reasons interested me.

[afusion]

Man I don't know which 2 games to pick out of the holiday bunch,

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

Let me just state right now, right here, keep this thread civil and on topic.

Sorry if I am sounding harsh, but for whatever reason these Top 10 topics seem to go to hell much quicker than other topics, I have seen it first hand, so I am just prepping everyone now, no BS will be tolerated.

Personally I feel the title alone, although taken from the source itself, is sensationalist and immature in nature. Not surprising since I never even heard of www.thegamereviews.com, I suppose they feel having an article with the word "own" in it is going to bring them traffic, and perhaps they are right since it has been posted after-all.

Ironic thing is I glanced at all 10 reasons, and they all seem valid, I just really am not a fan of the approach with the "shock value" title.

Again, not sure why, but these threads more often than not go to hell, and if it even shows hints of going that way, the appropriate measures will be taken. Sorry to sound so harsh, but as a Mod, I really loathe these Top 10 threads, as they always seem to bring out the worse in members for whatever reason. Lets see if this thread can break that trend, shall we?

[non.sequitur2]

Only the first four reasons interested me.

So price cuts don't interest you?

[pjak]

Why are most of the reasons games? I was expecting to see unique features or something... :/

Everyone knows all consoles have great exclusive games...

I am personally enjoying my PS3, so the XBOX360 will not "own" me this year... :p

Edited October 14, 2008 by pjak

[Ghostdraconi]

Price cuts should be #1, the drop in price has made the 360 a much more attractive choice.

[offroadaaron]

these articles are so annoying

[Berserk87]

its the cheapest, and has a huge lineup of games, and some great exclusives.

[Andrew Lyle Global Moderator]

I was expecting to see some more games on their, but yeah I can definitely see the netflix things being the "BIG" winner in all of us

[kalam_]

So price cuts don't interest you?

Not when I already own a 360.

This holiday season is definitely going to hurt my wallet.

[spenser.d]

Top reasons for me:

NXE

GoW2

BK (XBLA)

BK:NB

Netflix

Fable 2

-Spenser

[FlibbyFlobby]

Seems like they've done this type of article about the Playstation 3 too.

[Fourjays Veteran]

I disagree with the games (on both Xbox 360 and PS3 lists) being reasons for "ruling" Xmas. Mainly because most of them are not of "family appeal", which I think is important if you want the console to break into the same area as the Wii has. The only game capable of this is LBP, although with the PS3 so highly priced initially, it will put people off.

The Xbox's new experience shows an aim for family appeal, but it needs the games to match it now - fun, colourful, cute, but not childish (nowhere near as easy as churning out a new FPS every month, IMO).

In terms of "ruling", the Xbox probably will because it is cheaper initially. People tend not to look at additional costs, whether they like the games, etc - just the price tag.

[MightyJordan]

I'm not a fan of all these ridiculous "reasons why xxx will be king", though some of the reasons are valid here. A few of them however, are not; mainly the GTA IV DLC, and Netflix. Fair enough, Netflix will probably own in America, but that's the only place where it will own, as you can only get Netflix in America. Couldn't they at least offer alternative services for other countries? All we have over here is LoveFilm.

[Smigit]

I disagree with the games (on both Xbox 360 and PS3 lists) being reasons for "ruling" Xmas. Mainly because most of them are not of "family appeal", which I think is important if you want the console to break into the same area as the Wii has. The only game capable of this is LBP, although with the PS3 so highly priced initially, it will put people off.

Banjo Kazooie and Viva Pinata 2 both will be around for Xmas (VP2's out already I believe?) and both appeal to the general crowd.

[Brad.]

its the cheapest, and has a huge lineup of games, and some great exclusives.

Sums up their whole article in a sentence xD

[Dead Clown]

I love the line up of games coming out! cannot wait for new call of duty even if it is a WWII game....

[Fourjays Veteran]

Banjo Kazooie and Viva Pinata 2 both will be around for Xmas (VP2's out already I believe?) and both appeal to the general crowd.

I was thinking more of a competitor to LBP - you have all of the FPS crazy people going nuts over a cartoony, cute, platformer. I haven't seen this reaction over BK or VP. The only games I ever see Xbox owners drooling over is whatever FPS is flavour of the month.

[madd-hatter]

Dude, did you actually read this article or we're you in a hurry to paste it's stink here for us to share with you?

It was written by a 6th grader, I'm positive. The biased opinions are enough for me to never visit that site again.

[BajiRav]

Let me just state right now, right here, keep this thread civil and on topic.

Sorry if I am sounding harsh, but for whatever reason these Top 10 topics seem to go to hell much quicker than other topics, I have seen it first hand, so I am just prepping everyone now, no BS will be tolerated.

Personally I feel the title alone, although taken from the source itself, is sensationalist and immature in nature. Not surprising since I never even heard of www.thegamereviews.com, I suppose they feel having an article with the word "own" in it is going to bring them traffic, and perhaps they are right since it has been posted after-all.

Ironic thing is I glanced at all 10 reasons, and they all seem valid, I just really am not a fan of the approach with the "shock value" title.

Again, not sure why, but these threads more often than not go to hell, and if it even shows hints of going that way, the appropriate measures will be taken. Sorry to sound so harsh, but as a Mod, I really loathe these Top 10 threads, as they always seem to bring out the worse in members for whatever reason. Lets see if this thread can break that trend, shall we?

I considered renaming the title but was too tired to think of anything else. :p I thought Gamers Hangout has been responsible for last few months to glance over the title. :blush: The reason I posted (and came across this article) is that this was highlighted on gamerscore blog. As I said in OP, I found it pretty low on actually why it will "own".

[BajiRav]

Dude, did you actually read this article or we're you in a hurry to paste it's stink here for us to share with you?

It was written by a 6th grader, I'm positive. The biased opinions are enough for me to never visit that site again.

Did you read my OP? I did actually RTFA. I don't think there is any need to go on offensive about this. I've already made my impressions clear.

[Smigit]

I was thinking more of a competitor to LBP - you have all of the FPS crazy people going nuts over a cartoony, cute, platformer. I haven't seen this reaction over BK or VP. The only games I ever see Xbox owners drooling over is whatever FPS is flavour of the month.

Well that really could also be taken as saying something about the lack of excitement for the PS3's shooters and the like this Xmas as much as anything. I'll agree Banjo isn't probably as big as LBP in terms of hype or anything, but it's hardly an obscure product and certainly is a big name title that will appeal to casual gamers as LBP will also. Given LBP is an unproven concept really so far in terms of market acceptance and the fact Banjo is clearly aimed at a more casual audience, I do think it's a little unfair to say LBP is the only title of both companies that is able to compete with the Wii for that section of the market. MS has a couple that most certainly do even if they aren't being marketed here as much as GoW.

[maplecookie Veteran]

Thread Cleaned

[Ricardo Gil]

Why are most of the reasons games? I was expecting to see unique features or something... :/

It's a console, why would they not be games? :p