Should I get a 360?


Recommended Posts

I've been trying to buy a Wii, but it's so hard to find! I really need a new console, and one thing for sure is that I'm not getting a PS3, so that leaves me with a Xbox 360.

To be honest, I never looked into the 360 until recently. What I'm looking forward to play are Gears of War, Lost Planet, Dead Rising, Assassin's Creed, Allan Wake, Halo 3, and hopefully Crysis.

The thing is I heard MS is going to drop price on it, so I'm hesitated as for when is the right time to purchase it.

I also have few questions here. How does Xbox Live work, does it require fees? How is the modding scene for the 360 (as in backups, homebrew, etc)? And lastly, where would be a good place to purchase the console right now?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I hear Target has a deal on GoW but that might be over.

I wouldn't expect a price drop anytime soon. However, CES is coming up - I know there will be some 360 related announcements but I haven't heard anything to indicate any changes to the current hardware offerings.

Xbox Live Silver is free, and gets you the friends list, voice chat and messaging, achievements + gamerscore, and lets you download content.

Xbox Live Gold is about $50/year, and I believe the system comes with one free month. Gold allows you to play multiplayer games online, and also sometimes gets you early access to premium content. In my opinion it's well worth it, but if you don't ever play online it may not be.

There isn't much of a "modding" scene but largely it's not necessary. Most media playback / streaming functionality is built-in, and with XNA there is a legitimate avenue for homebrew applications although it is in its infancy (largely lacking a viable distribution channel but that will come I'm sure).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The thing is I heard MS is going to drop price on it, so I'm hesitated as for when is the right time to purchase it.

They did drop the price for the core package before Christmas, but that's the only price drop I've heard them do. I haven't seen any others planned yet.

I also have few questions here. How does Xbox Live work, does it require fees?

Unfortunately, yes. But it is well worth it. You pay ?40 a year (or $60 a year in the US), or you could pay monthly if you wanted to.

How is the modding scene for the 360 (as in backups, homebrew, etc)?

It seems to be doing well now. I've heard news of a firmware that allows you to play copied 360 games without using a chip. It also allows you to play 360 games from other regions, so basicly, the firmware makes the console region-free.

And lastly, where would be a good place to purchase the console right now?

Online. You get the best deals there. And if you're looking for cheap games, go to Play-Asia. They have the cheapest prices on the internet. I got MotoGP 06 off there for just over ?20!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

imo a 360 is only worth it if you have a HDTV or a decent monitor to play on, take that into consideration before you buy one. Thats just my view tho and many people seem to get on fine with a standard TV. I just personally think it is unplayable otherwise.

I wouldn't worry about a price drop or hardware changes, you can wait forever for the next big thing/price drop to come and then your months without the console.

Xbox live Gold is ?40/$60 a year which is really nothing when you think about it, tho if you don't want to play online the sliver account will do you fine(Its free)

There is a modding scene that will allow you to play backups but its just not worth being booted off xbox live completely for it, since its such an intergrated part of the console. Of course, MS would refuse to repair any modded consoles.

But ya, get one:pp its worth it

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You have to say to yourself, is it for me or the family. The Wii is Nintendo's sneaky way to make a lot of dosh! They have said themselves they see it as a side system to Sony's and Microsoft 's offerings and are not in the "next gen race". Wii can be a great system if you looking for something new and to say you have one or if you plan to play a whole lot with family or friends but if your a first person shooter person and/or love your media (TV Shows [uS Only at the moment], HDDVD [Addon], DVD, Stream Music) maybe the 360 is for you.

The 360 Live service is now well established and Microsoft did a good job, but it is upto you, both are great systems. Its just a fact really if you want something "new" to play with family and friends a lot, or a system that is for yourself maiinly and want a great online service. There is nothing stopping you getting the Wii as a side system as Nintendo has said which maybe isn't a bad idea.

What ever you do, good luck and let us all know here at Neowin what you do :).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Short answer: Yes, get a 360

Long answer: Xbox live kicks ass, even though theres a yearly fee. Gears of war kicks ass, Rainbow six Vegas kicks ass. I now know 3 Sony fanboys who I've complealty converted to 360 and they love it. You'll be happy with a 360, everything on it is just so much nicer and better than ps3.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Short answer: Yes, get a 360

Long answer: Xbox live kicks ass, even though theres a yearly fee. Gears of war kicks ass, Rainbow six Vegas kicks ass. I now know 3 Sony fanboys who I've complealty converted to 360 and they love it. You'll be happy with a 360, everything on it is just so much nicer and better than ps3.

I disagree, the only thing the 360 has is more games, and that is just because it's been out for a year longer. Geez, it always gets into a console argument.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ive got an xbox360 and my wife has one as well. She also got a wii on launch day but we have not got a ps3 yet. As for fun, the 360 and the wii are equally as fun with the games. I cannot get enough of wii sports playing bowling ect especially on a projector. The 360 has great graphics if your playing on an HDTV and the sound is great in surround sound. I love how the xbox dashboard is put together which is seamless with xbox live to download demos, trailers and whatever else. Ive played on live a few times with various games and its been very easy so far, the only issue ive had was with DOA4 which had lag a lot of the time. The best part of the xbox is the achievements because it makes you work for something so you can show off all your time spent playing games lol.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I disagree, the only thing the 360 has is more games, and that is just because it's been out for a year longer. Geez, it always gets into a console argument.

I wasn't talking about 360 having more games, I was talking about how its designed. The 360's Dashboard interface is 100x better than the PS3's cheap PSP knock-off interface witch seems they slapped together and ported over in a few days.

Another thing is Online. 360' Live dominates over playstation's online service (whatever they call it).

And no, I'm not a fanboy. I've played PS3 several times at my friends house, and I own a 360. This is just my personal opinion.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I disagree, the only thing the 360 has is more games, and that is just because it's been out for a year longer. Geez, it always gets into a console argument.

so, the same argument can be applied to the PS2 vs Xbox? :huh: :unsure: :blink: :rolleyes:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

YES! Go get the console. It is great. I got mine a couple of weeks ago and am loving it. Not sure what cheesegoduk is talking about. I play mine on a regular CRT Sony TV (which is like 7 years old too!) and it works flawlessly and the graphics are not bad at all! If you like realistic games, I think Wii is kind of out the picture. I see myself buying a Wii being really really amused for like a month and then giving up on it. The PS3 is just WAAAAAYYY overpriced. Conclusion: 360 is money :D

As far as the price goes... is it just me or whenever you buy something, the price drops and a newer, better model comes out. I have reached the conclusion that it is a reality in a capitalist society and you just ignore it. Get what you want and be done with it. Just my two cents :yes:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I say get the 360 also. I've had mine for about 15 days or so and I love it. Call of Duty 3 MP, Rainbow Six Vegas (sp and mp tee hee) Gears of War, hell Test Drive Unlimited even - all rock. I mean, I LOVE PC gaming and that will never change, but some games just won't be on Windows, some games just will run better on the 360 (since my PC is obsolete and dying anyways) and there are a ton more people playing games on Live usually (think: Rainbow Six 360 vs. Rainbow Six Pc)

I can't comment on the Wii (though I should be getting one sometime in Jan I hope - thanks Nintendo!) or the PS3, but the constant "Sony sucks" or "Wii blows graphics are everything!" arguments are getting a tad old. Obviously people like the 360, and the PS3 and the Wii.

Also, Xbox Live is pretty sweet. I can't comment again on the Wii or PS3 internet stuff since I haven't seen it, but Live is very well integrated into the system and even though every time I get disconnected from Live my PC's connection dies also - I'll live with it heh.

Oh and if you do get a 360, download the Lost Planet demo as soon as you log into Live!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Online. You get the best deals there. And if you're looking for cheap games, go to Play-Asia. They have the cheapest prices on the internet. I got MotoGP 06 off there for just over ?20!

I just bought Moto GP from Play.com for ?18 delivered and from inside the UK< go people, awesome sales at play.com !!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've had my 360 since the summer and haven't looked back. I want a Wii, but it's cheap and hard to find. Xbox Live is a feature two of the next-gen consoles haven't done very well except the Wii when it comes out next year.

You have a great list of games for the 360 and I believe its the way to go.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.