X-Box 360

[Eric]

I want one....but damn. 60 dollar games, and most likely won't see one until next year, so I have plenty of time to decide, Shriner thoughts on this new Microsoft system?

[Flip]

pass.

[Oracle]

I played NBA 2006 for the 360 today. Wholly unimpressed.

[Chris]

they focused on graphics over quality games. the funny thing is that the regular X-box version of gun looks and plays better than the 360

[Nev]

My issue is that there are no "killer games" on the system, at least for me...

It will be out far before any of its competitors. I saw a few games running on it at E3. Actually, the graphics looked a bit underwhelming to me there, but they are better than the regular XBox.

I probably won't get one unless I come into a shitload of cash, or unless my friends up in the Bay Area convince me to get one and start playing on Live with them (which is not a completely implausible scenario).

[Tortolia]

I waited four years to buy a PS2. I think I'll wait a little while and see what games actually bloody come out for the new consoles before I spend any money.

[Julius Seeker]

Well, you can't really expect graphics to improve very much this generation. It's the whole Bell Curve thing; they have improved polygon counts and such significantly, only it doesn't really matter, it still looks relatively the same to us. This is the first time that the best looking games of the current generation (Conker, Zelda: Twilight Princess, Resident Evil 4, etc...) are comparable to the games coming out on the next generation systems.

On a side note, I do like the looks of Kameo, the game has been in the works by Rare for close to 7 years now.

Currently I do think that the best games available and into next year will be on systems I already own. Perhaps 2-3 years down the road. The benefits of waiting are that there will be a wider selection of games, games that I may have wanted in the earlier part of its life cycle will be available for cheaper prices, and the console itself will likely be a good deal cheaper (enough that I'll be able to save money to get 5-10 extra games depending on the prices I pay for them). If the Xbox 360 turns out to not have many good games (like Saturn), I can save the money and put it into other games.

[Zeus]

With a focus almost solely on graphics, there's little reason to get one right now. Graphics are not the main selling point nowadays, we had great graphics in the last/current generation. We need something more. Either great versions of current genres, redefining of new genres, or completely new game types.

Before any of you go on a "you Nintendo whore" rant, I'm not even sold on the Revolution, even if I do agree with their basic strategy. That might be TOO much of a change, something I"m not so sure I'm ready for. Xbox's success has always been the FPSs and they have 3 right off the bat. But I'm sick of seeing so many of them, even if they are great.

As always, it'll boil down to the games. I waited on the PS2, Xbox, GC, and the DS until they had the great games before I got them, and I'll wait again. If Sony or Nintendo show me great games to buy right away, I will. But right now, Microshaft hasn't. As much as I want to play PGR3, it's not $600 worth. And nothing else is really worth getting a new system for. PDZero might have been the one, but they won't let the reviewers get their hands on it, which is NOT a good thing.

[Lox]

I will definitely not be getting one.

I agree with what everyone else pretty much said.

There are no games that make me drool for the system, the graphics are better but nothing to go crazy over, and it's freaking $400 (not counting the bundles you are forced to buy at EB and Gamestop).

Heck, I will probably hold off getting my PS3 for a while once it comes out. I may try to get a Revolution when it first comes out, but that's because I have never been let down on getting a solid handful of titles from Nintendo that I will love. And it'll be cheaper, hopefully, which is a big factor for me.


I kind of hope Microsoft doesn't do nearly as well with the 360 at they are hoping because they are acting like it's the end-all of gaming systems and that annoys me. (Yeah, I know that Sony and Nintendo will do the same thing, but Microsoft is doing it the earliest).

[Imakeholesinu]

Being a strict PC gamer, the only reasons I think for me to buy any console would be...

1) Sports games
2) RPGs (unless we see more Fallout titles or similar.)
3) Racing games
4) Fighters

So far the 360 only has shown me sports games, but I would not pay $520 for a 360 and Madden 06 and NHL 06. More games, more genres, something original. Halo 3 is a long ways away, but I think that will be the only saving grace for this system.

If I buy anything it may be a PS3, pending Sony gets its way with Blue-Ray.

[Kupek]

I'm a late adopter with all systems I've gotten so far. I wait until there's a game that justifies the purchase of a new system, which often takes at least a year. (For the PS, it was FF7, for PS2 it was FFX, and for GC it was Metroid Prime.)

[Lox]

I'm a late adopter with all systems I've gotten so far. I wait until there's a game that justifies the purchase of a new system, which often takes at least a year. (For the PS, it was FF7, for PS2 it was FFX, and for GC it was Metroid Prime.)

That's basically what I did too with my systems.

For the PSX, it was FF7.
For the PS2 it was GTA 3.
For the GC, it was Animal Crossing.
For the PSP, it was GTA:LCS.
For the DS, it will be Animal Crossing.

[Julius Seeker]

I'm a late adopter with all systems I've gotten so far. I wait until there's a game that justifies the purchase of a new system, which often takes at least a year. (For the PS, it was FF7, for PS2 it was FFX, and for GC it was Metroid Prime.)

That's basically what I did too with my systems.

For the PSX, it was FF7.
For the PS2 it was GTA 3.
For the GC, it was Animal Crossing.
For the PSP, it was GTA:LCS.
For the DS, it will be Animal Crossing.

Heh:

PSX - I just got one because it was getting better reviews than Saturn, and I could make an even trade.
N64 - Goldeneye 007
DC - Soul Calibur
PS2 - Final Fantasy 10 and the FF8 remake clips
GC - Super Smash Brothers Melee and Zelda clips
Xbox - RARE
DS - Its release date


Unlike Zeus, I am pretty much sold on the Revolution. It's cheap, has extra control options for games, and has backwards compatability unlike anything ever seen before. I will likely get it as soon as it comes out because I know I will have something to play on it as soon as it comes out. You can call me a Nintendo slut if you want to; if labeling me that makes you feel better about having a different opinion than me =P

[Agent 57]

I've asked for one from my family for Xmas, and when I say "asked for one from my family", I meant it - when having the discussion with my parents, I essentially said I'd like to have the entire family pitch in for it and basically receive nothing else. (I'm getting into my late 20's here - there's not much I can realistically ask for for Xmas any more anyway.)

I'd basically like to get one because of:

1) Wireless controllers. One less set of extended cables that I have to snake all the way across my living room/coil up after I'm done would be nice.

2) HD. I have, as you guys might recall, a 57" widescreen HD set. Would be nice to get a game system that takes advantage of it, finally.

3) Online gaming - I finally have internet and a wireless network at my house. If I'm going to get in on the whole online gaming thing, I'd like it to be with the latest stuff - the new Xbox Live, etc. If the 360 is backwards compatible anyway, why bother blowing money on getting my regular Xbox equipped with network stuff?

<i>EDIT: Wow, does the backwards compatibility of the 360 blow nads or what? At least it looks like I'd be able to play Crimson Skies & Halo 2 online, though. That's something.</i>

Now, you'll note that I didn't mention anything that I really, really wanted here - just stuff that would be "nice", which is essentially why I've only asked for it for Xmas and not preordered it or anything. If I don't get it for free, I'll probably hold off getting it until the machine has made itself sufficiently attractive (either through games or price drops).

[kali o.]

No launch games really interest me, so I'm fine leaving it for someone to grab for me for Xmas.

However, with TES4, Bioware, Obsidian, Xbox Live, Team Ninja, N3, Condemned, LO and BD all announced....no question I'll own one soon enough.

With a focus almost solely on graphics, there's little reason to get one right now. Graphics are not the main selling point nowadays, we had great graphics in the last/current generation. We need something more. Either great versions of current genres, redefining of new genres, or completely new game types.

God this is stupid...for too many reasons to get into. Yes, it is a "Nintendo Whore" comment, and qualifying it with "well, I'm not even sold on the Rev" doesn't make it less so.

Nintendo goes for a hail mary pass after 2 gens in last place and all of a sudden this is what is right for the industry? Bullshit. Graphics matter every gen, that's why we buy new consoles. And using the graphics of launch titles is hardly a fair measurement (and nevermind you are ignoring every other perk/upgrade of the 360). Only selling point? Pffft. Go go fanboy.

[Julius Seeker]

I buy new systems for the new games; and not anything else. I was am actually fine with Sega Genesis and SNES graphics, that's why I still play those systems quite a bit. Most people aren't like me though. I do think that most people buy new systems for new games though, otherwise how would GBA sell 70 million and PS2 80 million when they have the worst graphics of this generation? Because they have most of the new games on them.

Launch titles often have great graphics, Rogue Leader and Halo really blew everything FAR FAR FAR away from previous generations.

[Tortolia]

I'm much more inclined to upgrade my video card and play Oblivion on my PC than I am to buy a 360.

[Zeus]

No launch games really interest me, so I'm fine leaving it for someone to grab for me for Xmas.

However, with TES4, Bioware, Obsidian, Xbox Live, Team Ninja, N3, Condemned, LO and BD all announced....no question I'll own one soon enough.

With a focus almost solely on graphics, there's little reason to get one right now. Graphics are not the main selling point nowadays, we had great graphics in the last/current generation. We need something more. Either great versions of current genres, redefining of new genres, or completely new game types.

God this is stupid...for too many reasons to get into. Yes, it is a "Nintendo Whore" comment, and qualifying it with "well, I'm not even sold on the Rev" doesn't make it less so.

Nintendo goes for a hail mary pass after 2 gens in last place and all of a sudden this is what is right for the industry? Bullshit. Graphics matter every gen, that's why we buy new consoles. And using the graphics of launch titles is hardly a fair measurement (and nevermind you are ignoring every other perk/upgrade of the 360). Only selling point? Pffft. Go go fanboy.

At least make sure you're quoting the right person....

There's a difference between graphics mattering and graphics being the selling point. I promise you one thing: people aren't going to buy games in the next gen beyond launch for graphics like they did with the PS2 and Xbox. Why? 'Cause the graphics on those systems were damned good, FAAAAR beyond what we see now. A system 10 times as powerful as the Xbox will have better graphics than one twice as strong, but even the one twice as nice is going to still look great. MGS3, Halo, RE4, those are spectacular lookin' games, MUUUCH better than what we saw on the PS2 and N64. Look at PGR3 and PDZero (hell, Gun might be a better comparison), they're better than the Xbox, yes, but not by much.

There has to be another selling point now. A couple of my friends seem to think it's going to be AI/volume of enemies. Rather than fighting 5 or 6 guys with spectacular graphics, we're going to see 50 now that we have the power to do so. Yeah, you'll have your bitches who think 10000 polygons vs 5000 polygons makes a dif, but most won't care, especially when the Xbox is 1/4th the price of the Xbox 360. SOmething else has to be there.

I personally think it's going to be kinda what happened with movies when the indies took over after the CGI craze of the 90's. You're going to have the movies with nice effects, but the stories make the dif more often than not now. In games, you're going to get gameplay elements that make the dif again, like back when the graphics weren't that great, like on the NES and Atari.

This is not a veiled attempt to say "Nintendo has it right". I don't necessarily think they do. You might see the most successful innovations come from some of the other guys, like Capcom (they do invent stuff to milk), Konami, and Namco rather than Nintendo, who might be going too far off the course for the masses.

Just for the record, I own all three next-gen system and have the LEAST amount of games for my 'Cube. I might think that they are the best developer around (it's hard to argue that), but I get all the other good stuff too. It's all about the games, man, not who makes them or what image they have.

[SineSwiper]

This conversation isn't even interesting anymore. Too long to read...

[Julius Seeker]

Zeus, you are a Nintendo whore. One who wastes a lot of money trying to hide your true Nintendo whorishness by buying a lot of Sony products to disguise your identity! Your ego prevents you from truly indulging in your nintmphomania, but you're hiding in a glass box; in otherwords, you're fooling no one and only serving to cut off your own air supply by refusing to come out of hiding in that glass box.




Am I wrong? I don't know, I just made all of that stuff up based on how I view Kali's opinion of Zeus.

[Zeus]

This conversation isn't even interesting anymore. Too long to read...

Sorry, let me re-word that response so it's easier to digest:

KALI, YOU ARE RONG LOL! IAM NOT A NITNENDO HORE! I LUVS MY PSS2 AND XBOOXXX SONY RULES MICROSOFT RULES NINTENDO SUCCKSS WOOT! THE GAME THEY WILL BE MAKEING WILL BE THE BESTEST EVAR! THEY WILL HAVES THE BESTEST GRAPHICS AND THE BESTEST GAMESPLAY!

Better?

[kali o.]

I'm a big fan of logic. If someone has qualified their last handful of posts on a certain topic with a "Not a fan/Not sold/Not sure" kinda statement, intended to remove the impression of bias....well chances are they are bias. I know, me an' my nutty leaps!

Nintendo whore, terminally cheap or both, I still love him.

KO-

[Chris]

ok from someone that has the system here.....so far it pretty much sucks more balls than a vegas hooker. I'm just glad I got it extra cheap....

[Agent 57]

Derith, care to be a smidge more specific?

[Tortolia]

When was the last system with really good launch titles anyway?

[Chris]

Derith, care to be a smidge more specific?

the advantage of pop culture journalism......only $100 out of my pocket

[Julius Seeker]

When was the last system with really good launch titles anyway?

I can only count the PS2 and Xbox 360 that haven't had any good launch titles.

[Agent 57]

Derith, care to be a smidge more specific?

the advantage of pop culture journalism......only $100 out of my pocket

You misunderstood me. I couldn't have cared less how you got it or how much you got it for - you said, and I quote, "so far it pretty much sucks more balls than a vegas hooker." I'm a mite more interested in having some meat to that statement.

[Blotus]

Until the system has more than shooters, racing games, and multi-platform titles, I'll hold off. But for most of the reasons Kali mentioned, I'll own one eventually.

[Zeus]

I'm a big fan of logic. If someone has qualified their last handful of posts on a certain topic with a "Not a fan/Not sold/Not sure" kinda statement, intended to remove the impression of bias....well chances are they are bias. I know, me an' my nutty leaps!

The sole reason I put that stuff in there is 'cause I'm constantly accused of being a "whore" whenever I say anything positive about Nintendo in any way. Never mind all the positives I saw about a lot of others and the negatives about the Big N.

It's the erroneous stereotype I'm trying to get away from

[Zeus]

When was the last system with really good launch titles anyway?

Halo with the Xbox......if I remember correctly. Before that, it was Mario 64 with the N64.

[Torgo]

I'll pass for now. The price, waiting period, and lack of truly spectacular titles keep me from gaining any enthusiasm for this system. Besides, I usually fall in with the late adopter crowd.

For the PSX, it was FF7.
For the DC, it was Phantasy Star Online.
For the PS2 it was FFX.
For the GC, it was Metroid Prime.

Fixed for me.

[Imakeholesinu]

Admit it, who is in line right now? And who gave one to Sine and Shell for a wedding present?

[the Gray]

I took a different route to work today, just so I'd go by Best Buy.

I stopped at Tim Horton's first and got 2 xtra larges. I saw maybe 120 people in line for the 360. Now I know the store doesnt have 120 machines, so I wait.

Sure enough, they had 40 or something. Unknown if this was Core & Real system combined. I don't care. So of course some mighty tired, cold, and ornery people were coming out of Best Buy.

What did I do? I smiled at each and every one of them while double fisting my Tim's and cheerfully said "Isn't it a Great morning?" Or, "What a Beautiful day!"

I sometimes enjoy being an asshole.

[Kupek]

I sometimes enjoy being an asshole.

Even better, <i>I</i> enjoy you being an asshole.

[Zeus]

I took a different route to work today, just so I'd go by Best Buy.

I stopped at Tim Horton's first and got 2 xtra larges. I saw maybe 120 people in line for the 360. Now I know the store doesnt have 120 machines, so I wait.

Sure enough, they had 40 or something. Unknown if this was Core & Real system combined. I don't care. So of course some mighty tired, cold, and ornery people were coming out of Best Buy.

What did I do? I smiled at each and every one of them while double fisting my Tim's and cheerfully said "Isn't it a Great morning?" Or, "What a Beautiful day!"

I sometimes enjoy being an asshole.

Never saw you as one who enjoys people's pain....

I'm sorry I couldn't have joined you :-)

[the Gray]

Enjoying their pain? No. I do enjoy pointing out people's stupidity though.

I was going to roll down the street and mock the people at Ian's EB, but I was going to be late for work if I did.
I dropped in at lunch but he had already left. Supposedly 2 people didnt' come in for their preorder and they were sold to walk-ins. Hahahhahahah.

[Zeus]

Enjoying their pain? No. I do enjoy pointing out people's stupidity though.

I was going to roll down the street and mock the people at Ian's EB, but I was going to be late for work if I did.
I dropped in at lunch but he had already left. Supposedly 2 people didnt' come in for their preorder and they were sold to walk-ins. Hahahhahahah.

HA! He'll have to regale me with the stories of those people who didn't pick up subsequently crying when I go in on the weekend

[Julius Seeker]

Hmmm, it looks like there are a lot of bugs to work out of the system. Apparently it crashes fairly frequently. Looks like Microsoft is back up to their old tricks again.

[the Gray]

I had the only employee at Ian's store that got the 360 try and berate me for implying that the launch was less than stellar.

You've got to be kidding me. Greatest launch ever? There is no 'Killer App' for the thing. Kids don't know Perfect Dark. CoD, while fantastic looking in HD, is not a system seller by itself while it can be found on PC, Xbox and the PS2. Not as good perhaps, but you can play the same game.

Crashes, overheating, controllers that don't work etc. I'm reading a lot that would put me off buying one of these things until they work some kinks out.

[Julius Seeker]

I had the only employee at Ian's store that got the 360 try and berate me for implying that the launch was less than stellar.

You've got to be kidding me. Greatest launch ever? There is no 'Killer App' for the thing. Kids don't know Perfect Dark. CoD, while fantastic looking in HD, is not a system seller by itself while it can be found on PC, Xbox and the PS2. Not as good perhaps, but you can play the same game.

Crashes, overheating, controllers that don't work etc. I'm reading a lot that would put me off buying one of these things until they work some kinks out.

Call of Duty 2 can be found on every system; though the reviews say not to get the PS2 version due to a lot of choppiness, but that the Gamecube and Xbox versions work fine; of course the 360 version being the best, but how many of us have one of those yet? It is a good game overall, and one that would be worth picking up at a discount price, or even new if you are starving for a game (but in my opinion there are plenty, for strategy, Fire Emblem PoR and Civ 4, for RPG's DQ8, not to mention about 10-15 great handheld titles released recently.

As far tas the launch goes, we'll see how things go from here; it does sound like a fairly successful launch to me, but it impossible for it to sell as much as the original Xbox or GC simply because the shipment numbers were less than the sales of each of those systems. One thing that does seem obvious about this launch is that most of the people buying the system are older than us; possibly parents buying it for their kids. There were about 100 people lines up at walmart (according to a girl living at my house who works there) and most of them were mothers. Of course, it might be different in other cities where the majority of younger people aren't students.

[Zeus]

I had the only employee at Ian's store that got the 360 try and berate me for implying that the launch was less than stellar.

You've got to be kidding me. Greatest launch ever? There is no 'Killer App' for the thing. Kids don't know Perfect Dark. CoD, while fantastic looking in HD, is not a system seller by itself while it can be found on PC, Xbox and the PS2. Not as good perhaps, but you can play the same game.

Crashes, overheating, controllers that don't work etc. I'm reading a lot that would put me off buying one of these things until they work some kinks out.

My friends over at Microplay put their one unit out for demo purposes on Friday and by Tuesday it stopped working.

There's even more incentive to go and overpay for one on Ebay right now :-)

[KluYa]

http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3145154


Moderately interesting article that compares the 360 to the Sega Dreamcast. =)

[Julius Seeker]

Seeing as how I have nothing better to do at 2:00 AM. Except maybe sleep, which I don't want to do just yet. I'll offer my response to those points. As worthless as this may be, I'll do it anyways =P


Similarities are kind of misleading:

1) Genesis also launched a good year or two before the competition, PS2 launched a year before its competition as well (Dreamcast was competition for the PSX and N64, not the PS2/GC/Xbox).

2) This one I do not understand, the demos on the PS3 were not technically significantly more impressive than those on the 360.

3-6) = insignificant

7-8) Internet abilities: That's all new systems. Not just Xbox 360 and Dreamcast

9) Wow, I have never seen a circular logo before.

10) Misleading. DVD's were already around for years by the time the PS2 came out and already had a major market and were already well known to be the prefered media type for future. I have not even seen any of this HD-DVD or Blu-Ray stuff at all in stores.

11-17) Insignificant

18) False, and all systems have had that for years

19) I do not recall this being true either

20) SNES, Gensis, N64, all were saying similar things, and it looks like it will continue in the future.

21-22) Insignificant

23) I don't recall this either.


Next Page:

1) True

2) False, Square is most certainly not, and never was, Japans most important developer. Namco, Konami, Sega, Nintendo, have always been more important developers than Square.

3) True, but Dreamcast didn't need EA, they had Sega Sports

4) Insignficant, online play was not important during the time of the dreamcast.

5) I thought people critisized Xbox 360's backwards compatability?

6) The Dreamcast controller sucked while the Xbox controller is good? Now it's just getting ridiculous.

7) Insignificant, Dreamcast had Soul Calibur instead of Halo, which is (in my opinion) a much better game.

FF8 being launched at the same time as Dreamcast didn't stop the DC's launch from being the best system launch in history up to that point.

9) Insignificant

10) When the Dreamcast launched, 100 million dollar marketing budgets were a lot.