Topic: XBOX360 questions

[kings x]

Well, the repeated delays of getting myself Wii has made me quite bored and a little frustrated, so I thought I'd take a closer look at some 360 games.  I'm a very selective gamer (even by nintendo fan standards), and I don't play for more than 12 hours per week at the most, but with my brand new surround system, new 42" plasma HDTV I really want some games in HD widescreen, and looking awesome.  I agree graphics aren't everything, but some of these games like Gears of War, Dead Rising, Viva pinata, and no doubt halo3 have me excited to play it because this is my first time with decent gear (I've never even bought a dvd player).  Experiencing eye popping graphics seems new and fun to me.

Before I take the plunge on the Premium system, I have a couple questions.

1.) my main reservation is reliability.  I do not trust the hardware, I do not trust micro$oft, and I do not believe their customer service is reasonable or helpful at all, from what I've read.  So what is the story on reliabilty of new 360's, and of customer service?

2.) overheating seems to be an issue early on, have they done anything since launch to correct problems or to remedy heating (or other) issues?  I have seen some attachment devices such as cooling units and things ...are these recomended?  Does anyone buy these, or are they cash-in gimmick item(s)?  I can NOT spend $400 on a malfunction!!

3.) The premium package seems to have everything I need, but are there other expenses and things I have overlooked?  

I guess that gets me started.  Maybe they'll have a price drop or bundle after the holidays?  Or maybe I'll find a Wii tomorrow and it will curb my gaming impulses.  honestly the thought of jumping the nintendo ship, even if only 'planned' breifly, and for a microsoft product makes me feel ...dirty (especially after they've spent the past 6 years insulting me as an adult gamer for my choice=nintendo), but man I'm bored, I am sick of Wii hunting or almost a month now, just to find out stores are hording their stock for 'another black friday do over' camp out.

Oh well, any words of wisdom from multiple console owners?

[segagamer12]

My friend got a 360 rigth after launch, he has already had it replaced once and it is messing up again. MS customer suppoort is the same as with ALL MS products, pure crap. The system has some awesome games thast for sure, and live is fun as hell. You shouldnt have to worry though, if you gety one brand new it will come with a warranty and if it doesnt last the warranty period (likely wont) they will replace it or exchange it for you.


Also we have noticed there is a problem with it scrathing disks when it is standing up so you migth wanna take that into consideration. Same reason why I have my Wii sitting down instead of standing up.

Um as for other expeneses yes there is. Live costs an arm and a leg to play, especialy if you want to DL content. They are WAY overpriced (people bicthing baout Wii VC prices need to check out Xbox live arcade prices)

You can do alot of neat multimedia things with it but honestly nothing you cant already do on the pc you typed this message on.

let me say this. All MS 1st party games and most of the big 3rd partygames will ALL eventually get proted to PC. If you are really worried about relaibality maybe you should consider getting a good video card and decent RAM and just get your HD fix that way.

I too would like a 360 cuz of a few games and the extra features but the price isnt worth it right now. Wait till Halo 3 comes out shrotly after that the price SHOULD come down to compete with PS3 and its MGS4.

Hope this helps.  

[Flames_of_chaos]

My 360 is doing fine and I had one since June I just get a occasional disc read error but it was a far less occurance than the disc read errors I got on the PS2. Its in the verticle position and theres little scratches on my discs, I think people forget that every disc based system scratches discs due to wear and tear people are just paranoid.

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2.) overheating seems to be an issue early on, have they done anything since launch to correct problems or to remedy heating (or other) issues? I have seen some attachment devices such as cooling units and things ...are these recomended? Does anyone buy these, or are they cash-in gimmick item(s)? I can NOT spend $400 on a malfunction!!

Microsoft is now using a processor that produces less heat. And don't bother with those external fans that you can buy for 19.99 they seem to cause more problems than solving any. Just put your 360 in a place thats well ventillated.

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3.) The premium package seems to have everything I need, but are there other expenses and things I have overlooked?

Xbox live subscription, XBLA games and microtransaction purchases if you plan on those, if your planning on connecting to XBL wirelessly a wireless adapter which costs 99.99 . And if you want to play HD-DVDs the external attachment is 199.99 but thats completely optional.

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et me say this. All MS 1st party games and most of the big 3rd partygames will ALL eventually get ported to PC. If you are really worried about relaibality maybe you should consider getting a good video card and decent RAM and just get your HD fix that way.

Thats about 80% false and 20% true, its obvious that microsoft is pushing cross platform availability (most 360 accessories compatible with PC accessories) and some xbox/360 games will end up on the PC but most of them takes years for that transition to happen and to a point where people just won't care for the 1 - 3 year late PC port. But the games that similtaneously launch on 360 and PC, you need a good and sometimes expensive PC rig that it will be much cheaper just to get the 360 version.

[KDR_11k]

I think people forget that every disc based system scratches discs due to wear and tear people are just paranoid.

That's strange because my disk based systems don't scratch any discs.

They're OPTICAL discs, the only part that should touch them is the rotor in the center and the laser beam from the read head. Laser beams sure as hell don't scratch discs.

[ShyGuy]

That's cause you aren't turning the laser intensity high enough, Weird Bunny Girl.

[oohhboy]

I got a friend who got a 360 about 6 months back. It started acting up a month and a half ago. DREs, random crashs, boot failure, all related to a bad disc drive. He also ruined his copy of PD0 when he transported the 360 with it inside. His smoking room mate probaly didn't help.

He is in the process of getting it replaced, but it is a fairly long winded affair. At the end of the day though, you might be better served getting a PC. He plays that so much more. I wouldn't be suprised if it was something like 100:1 hours against the Xbox.
level 60 in WOW does that.

[KnowsNothing]

Unfortunately WOW sucks.

My xbox (which, admittedly, doesn't get played that often), has worked flawlessly for as long as I've had it.  Don't know ow long that is though  A few months at least!  Whatever!

[KDR_11k]

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Originally posted by: ShyGuy
That's cause you aren't turning the laser intensity high enough, Weird Bunny Girl.

That's burning, not scratching.

[segagamer12]

>>Thats about 80% false and 20% true, its obvious that microsoft is pushing cross platform availability (most 360 accessories compatible with PC accessories) and some xbox/360 games will end up on the PC but most of them takes years for that transition to happen and to a point where people just won't care for the 1 - 3 year late PC port.<<


Sorry its 100% true as the only games worth buying the system for ARE ALREADY ON PC and better versions to boot.


Same deal with regular Xbox, and it always will be Xbox 360 IS a PC in disguise after all.  

[KDR_11k]

Even though you're our forum troll and we all know you're making crap up, I feel like disproving your claim: Show me the PC versions of Gears of War, Viva Pinata and Dead Rising. And where's my friggin' PC version of EDF3?

The 360 is a Mac in disguise. No, wait, even Macs have shifted away from that architecture. Seems like the 360 is a proper embedded system. Oh my.  

[SgtShiversBen]

I have to agree with the general consensus here.  I bought my 360 in my dismay to secure me a Wii but to tell you the truth, I couldn't be happier with my purchase.  I'd been wanting a media center in my living room to stream off music, movies and pictures just for show and with the 360, I didn't have to buy a PC [although I wanted another one].

I've had some problems with mine.  It was causing the games to have this weird rainbow polygon effect, so I took it back to where I bought it and got a new one.  After some vigorous playing of Gears of War, it hasn't messed up yet.

Live is where it's at when it comes to online services.  Some of the stuff  may be a bit overpriced, but hell, it's no more expensive than what the Virtual Console does.  Also some of the newer XBLA games that have come out on there are pretty damn good for being $10 or so.

The myth that all 360 [or even the good ones] games will be coming out for PC is the biggest sham this side of the notion that the South shot first.

Edit:  fixed stupid mistake

[hudsonhawk]

I couldn't be happier with my 360.  My first one had a manufacture date of November 05 (in other words it was a launch unit) and it had problems.  So I preemptively returned it to Target and exchanged it for one that was newer and it hasn't had any problems since.

Heat is only an issue if you try to put it inside of an entertainment center.  As long as you give it room to breathe you shouldn't have any trouble.

I agree, the premium bundle is a no-brainer.  I think Microcenter is still doing their $100 rebate on it if you have one near you, otherwise there's some other bundles and deals out there for it.  Despite the fanboy FUD that Segagamer is giving you, the best games are not available on PC and you don't need the XBL gold to download content (though the online play is worth the $4 / month anyway).  

If you plan to use it as your primary DVD player with your HDTV you may want to invest in the VGA cables.  They're overpriced, but they improve the picture quality for games in it lets the 360 act as an upscaling DVD player.

Oh and they just added Psychonauts to the backwards compatibility list so if you haven't played that do yourself a favor and pick it up.

All in all, it seems silly to talk about the "experience" of a console, but I think Microsoft got a lot of things right.  Browsing my computer for music to put on while I play PGR, or inviting a friend to a game of Gears that I'm in the middle of... it all just works.

[IceCold]

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The myth that all 360 [or even the good ones] games will be coming out for 360 is the biggest sham this side of the notion that the South shot first.

Oh yeah? Then it must not have any games..

[KDR_11k]

Oh and they just added Psychonauts to the backwards compatibility list so if you haven't played that do yourself a favor and pick it up.

I don't know about you but not having an XBox wasn't a hurdle for me playing that game, it's on every home gaming platform except for the Gamecube. I've got the PS2 version.

[SgtShiversBen]

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Originally posted by: IceCold

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The myth that all 360 [or even the good ones] games will be coming out for 360 is the biggest sham this side of the notion that the South shot first.

Oh yeah? Then it must not have any games..

I don't know what you're talking about IceCold, I never said such a thing :X

[segagamer12]

I meant Oblivion, thats teh only gaem i care about, Capcom will get Head Rising on Wii just yo wait.




and whos aid I ama  troll thats not nice. All I try adn dois, whatever nevermind it aint owrth arguing over



360 can still pretty much do anything a PC can and its made by Microsoft.

GEARS OF WAR aint on PC yet but I promise yo it will be. FEAR as the other BIG game I wanted 360 for but coudl get on PC instead.  

[hudsonhawk]

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Originally posted by: segagamer12
I meant Oblivion, thats teh only gaem i care about, Capcom will get Head Rising on Wii just yo wait.

Now, I do think that the Wii will hold it's own in a lot of ways this generation, but one of the huge gaps you'll see is that games like Dead Rising just could not be done the same way on the Wii.  Have thousands of characters on the screen, each with their own independent movements and scripting is something that the multi-core cpu consoles will have over the Wii.

Again, the Wii will hold its own in a lot of ways, I'm not dissing the Wii but realistically something like DR isn't feasible.  It has lots of things going for it but this isn't going to be one of them.

So in other words, I wouldn't hold your breath on this one.  

[Kairon]

Or fror Assassin's Creed either! /cry

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[Athrun Zala]

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Originally posted by: segagamer12
I meant Oblivion, thats teh only gaem i care about, Capcom will get Head Rising on Wii just yo wait.

A great idea, which means it won't happen (we're talking about Capcom here....)

[Trippy Pancakes]

As far as the heat problems, I've had none so far.   Mine was manufactured in March of 2006 and is stuck inside an entertainment center with an open front and open back (no glass door).    It gets warm but the unit never gets hot and I've had no problems.

I agree that it sure seems like the 360 has had a large amount of problems in general.     One solution may be to purchase it somewhere that has a liberal return policy.   Like Walmart or Costco.   Costco will allow you to return the product at any time (any time - even after warranty has expired - even after they don't carry the product any longer).    The catch is that you have to keep up your membership (50 bucks a year) the whole time.

[Kairon]

It seems like the XBox 360 is NOT a bad choice after all. The only open question is whether MS will drop the price in 6 months, or a year?

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[kings x]

I agree Kairon, and it's weird to say it but Nintendo has lost me -possibly for this generation.  I am a 'one console' owner, and the Wii hunting combined with no games for Wii that really excite me surprised me.   I may grab Wii  much later after a price drop and some actual games are released.  My new gear (42" plasma, surround, etc) definetly played into this decision and XBLive is something I've never even thought about, so I am  getting excited about "new for me" type of gaming as a change for me, after holding out for Nintendo's plans to unfold while ignoring GC for what, 2 years?  I havent been playing anything on a console other than quick replays through GC classics that I dont care to finish again.

Wii has 1 game I want... and it's the GC game.  Only problem is it's sold out for GC already and everyone's saying it was a limited run?   Playing Zelda would get me through until a 360 price drop and/or bundle.  

I think 360 will drop and/or bundle once ps3 and Wii are regularly in stock and I think they will be more 'platinum hits' very soon too.  I'm already buying 360 games at reletively fair used prices, and will NOT buy anything new (except maybe Halo3) for the $60.  One of the benefits to being late to the party I guess.

[Kairon]

Wait a sec... you're ALREADY buying X360 used games? I thought the purpose of this thread was to ascertain whether you should buy a X360 since you were afraid of manufacturing errors?

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[kings x]

When I said I've started grabbing used games, I meant literally right now... as I was typing that message I was ordering 2 games.  You see, once I decide what I'm buying (in this case, the 360 using my Costco membership -as suggested here- and hopefully with extended warrenty, etc.), I start grabbing games on my list when I find them "cheap".  When I get the console I'll already have most or all of the intitial 5 games already ...oh yea, that should be a very fun day.
thanks to everyone that offered tips.

[IceCold]

It seems kind of dumb that because the Wii is so high in demand for now, you would forsake it for the whole generation in favour of a 360, especially since you've been looking forward to the Wii for so long, and haven't even considered a 360 until recently. But whatever..