I'm thinking about getting a 360 finally. Good idea?

[duffmanth]

Right off the bat, I don't like Microsoft! I don't like Windows, I don't like the Zune, I don't like PC's, and I'm not really a huge Xbox fan. However, I was playing Forza 2 at my friend's place last night, and was VERY impressed! I've had the PS3 since launch and I'm still very happy with it, I'm just loving Forza though.

Basically I'm thinking about getting the Arcade model, just because I don't care about online gaming at all, and there's really only 4 or 5 360 games that I plan on buying, so the memory card should be enough space for saves and I just can't justify getting the Pro or Elite for so few games. I'm just wondering if the Arcade model is reliable?? Also I've had some people telling me that because the Arcade model has no HDD and is so "bare bones", that's a good thing?

[megasdkirby]

Right off the bat, I don't like Microsoft! I don't like Windows, I don't like the Zune, I don't like PC's, and I'm not really a huge Xbox fan.
Right here is your answer.


Whenever this happens to me, it is a sure fire bet that I will not like the console...or just won't play it.

You might love a few games here and there, but the probability is high that once the novelty fades, you will not play with the console again...or very infrequently.

Happened to me quite a few times in the past.

I do know the X360 has great games, however.

BTW, PC's have no relation whatsoever with Microsoft. :)

[duffmanth]

I don't like Windows PC's.

[heybtbm]

Yes. Buy one.

Now...a few things to think about. The 360 Arcade unit is not simply a 360 without a hard drive. It also doesn't come with component or HDMI cables (it only comes with a set of composite cables). So an arcade unit right out the box is not HD. Those cables seperately will set you back $40...so that's something to definitely think about if you have an LCD/Plasma HDTV. Otherwise 480i is the best you're going to do.

Also, without a hard drive you can't (obviously) rip your games and run them off the hard drive. Huge loss IMO...for the added quietness alone (no disc spinning).

[Princess-Isabela]

megasd and duff, that's really stupid reasoning.

games are what counts and 360 has the best library for a hardcore gamer.

get one asap, fantastic system.

if you like 2-d old school shooters, raiden aces collection came out yesterday for $19.99!

you also need to get banjo kazooie and banjo tooie ^^

[megasdkirby]

megasd and duff, that's really stupid reasoning.

games are what counts and 360 has the best library for a hardcore gamer.



You are right and wrong.

Although you are right about the games, many customers focus on particular brands. Or not on particular brands.

Anyone pro Panasonic will almost always go pro Panasonic only. Anyone anti Panasonic will likely NOT buy anything Panasonic.

I see this every day at work, but change Panasonic to Sony.

Also, it's not silly when it has happened, not only to me, but to many I know. Why else do you think some customers avoid certain companies? A certain product might be great, but if they don't like the brand, they just won't hear it. Now if said product was by a company they like, or any other company, things would have been different.

I could recommend getting one also, but something tells me it won't be used much.

IMO

[NE146]

Yeah man just get one. Get the newer Jasper models and you're good to go.

I don't recommend getting the arcade unit because you NEED a hard drive. Even if you don't care for online gaming, there are still a ton of games on Xbox Live you WILL want to download, and guess what.. you need a hard drive to store them.

[megasdkirby]

Also, don't focus on one game: the Xbox is a great console with many games. Get a list of games you might like, or try a few out whenever possible BEFORE a purchase. That way, you know the console will be given use, even after the game you really want to play.

[Princess-Isabela]

You are right and wrong.

IMO

I'm not wrong, please read again my previous post.
I didn't question people avoiding certain brands, I said such reasoning is stupid.

[YoshiM]

Here's an idea: if you can, rent a 360. Snag up a few games that interest you and give them a whirl. While the dollars spent in this will add to the overall cost of ownership should you decide to buy one, it will be less money than outright buying one.

If it's any consolation, I was going to write off Microsoft's console when they wouldn't fix my Red Ring issue due to the case being removed and painted (no warranty sticker) even though a rep said they would. But not long after I put my dead machine in the suit case it came with did I go to a store and buy an Arcade model. True you don't get HD cables, but you do get a wireless controller and the option for HDMI (which you can get a 12 foot cable at Big Lots for $18 or online for less).

On another note, I used to be a die hard anti-PlayStation guy. Hated it. Liked a few games but otherwise I refused to own one. Right now I have a PS3 sitting in between my new 360 arcade and my Wii under the TV and it gets played on a regular basis (when I have time, that is).

Like the good Princess said, it's about the games and the 360 does have a bunch of good ones. Retail games and Virtual Console aside, the offerings on XBLA are head and shoulders better than WiiWare or PSN. Another plus is that for all these downloadable titles you can play a demo of them before you buy. Can't do that with a lot of PSN games (I'm not plunking down $10 to play Flower on a whim) and not at all with any of Nintendo's offerings.

[Nate Nanjo]

BTW, PC's have no relation whatsoever with Microsoft. :)


I don't like Windows PC's.

You can always uninstall Windows and install another OS.

Anyways as for buying a 360, I personally haven't enjoyed the system. I just sold my 360 again, but to be honest all three systems have been lacking for me so far.

[Nature Boy]

If all you really want to play is Forza and a very few others I'd say don't bother, especially if you really dislike MS so much. It sounds like it's an impulse buy that'd be a waste of your money as you'd regret it weeks later.

[The 1 2 P]

I was playing Forza 2 at my friend's place last night, and was VERY impressed! I'm just loving Forza though.

Either get a 360 and enjoy Forza 2, Project Gotham Racing 3, 4 and a bunch of other good racing games or keep waiting patiently as Gran Turismo 5 becomes the new Duke Nukem Forever.

[duffmanth]

Yeah I just went to my local game store and my buddy that runs the place said I would be giving up a lot just to save a $100 getting the arcade vs. the pro. He also said there is supposedly a new 60gb pro model/bundle launching soon that has Fable 2 and Halo 3 packaged in? Maybe that's worth waiting for??

[The 1 2 P]

He also said there is supposedly a new 60gb pro model/bundle launching soon that has Fable 2 and Halo 3 packaged in? Maybe that's worth waiting for??

It's already out but it's an elite(120 gig), not a pro(60 gig) and cost $399.

[duffmanth]

Yeah I see where you're coming from, I've been working in retail electronics on and off for years and have seen it all. Some people are pro Sony, some pro Samsung, and so on... Microsoft products have just been so unreliable and such a pain in the ass for me over the years. I switched to Apple about 10-12 years ago because I was tired of the constant viruses, freezing, spam, and pop up ads on my old Windows machine. Now I will admit I owned an original Xbox for a few years and it was great. It's not that I'm pro Sony just for the sake of it, it's just Sony has my two all time favourite game series, those being Metal Gear and Gran Turismo. If I decide to get a 360, I just want to make sure it's going to be a worthwhile purchase. If I get one though, it will def. be the Pro.

[duffmanth]

Good to know. Shows how much I know, LOL!!

[kupomogli]

You have to look at the 360 and the PS3 as awhole before choosing.

The PS3 was so far behind the 360 awhile ago it's not even funny, and while the system still isn't quite as good overall, all games are turning multiconsole and the PS3 is starting to get in a bunch of exclusives over the 360 instead of the other way around(along with alot of previous 360 exclusives going to the PS3 while being overall the better version with additions to them.)

Also what the system itself can do. The 360 is currently in the lead with being able to listen to customer soundtracks while playing a game, sending voice messages instead of forcing them to be text based like on the PS3, and talk to a friend on XBL while playing a totally different game than he/she is. The PS3 wasn't even close to this, but with firmware update after firmware update, the PS3 is coming close. They've started following the XBLA idea of also adding arcade titles as well, so one thing nowdays you find on the XBLA(that's new) you'll more than half the time find it on the PSN. The PS3 also acts as a home entertainment center with movies and music being easily transferable to the system(and it's also possible of adding Linux and setting up the PS3 to actually be as good as a mid to high level single core PC.)

I used to own both systems and as I rarely bought games for either one of them, I decided to choose. I prefered alot of things on the 360, but I disliked the controller, needing to pay $50 a year for XBL, and also batteries for the controller unless I bought a extra accessory. The choice wasn't too hard for me, but I did lose the ability to play a few games I really liked(Dead Rising and XBOX360 version of Test Drive Unlimited.) Not too much of a loss, so I'm happy with the decision I made.


Either get a 360 and enjoy Forza 2, Project Gotham Racing 3, 4 and a bunch of other good racing games or keep waiting patiently as Gran Turismo 5 becomes the new Duke Nukem Forever.

GT5 isn't going to be the next Duke Nukem Forever. Sony actually released GT5 Prologue, which in my opinion was nothing more than a glorified demo, though definitely shows how well the game is coming along. When the real GT5 is released I doubt anyone would want to go back to Forza 2 if they own both systems. Forza 2 is atleast good though, while PGR isn't so I wouldn't even bother with that one(I didn't really like it.)

[moycon]

If you enjoy gaming I'd get one, otherwise, I wouldn't.

[shopkins]

The 360 is the perfect machine for the gamer who hates Windows PCs, because Xbox systems tend to get games that are otherwise Windows PC exclusives, such as Mass Effect and Left 4 Dead.

And it has the better console versions of games like Grand Theft Auto IV and Fallout 3 thanks to Microsoft's exclusive downloadable content arrangements.

[SegaAges]

Judging based off of brands is dumb.

I hate to say it, but it is true.

Coming from a Sega fanboy, I can testify that when you jusge based off of a company, sure there may be alot of shit to wade through, but you will miss the badass games.

[aclbandit]

I don't like Windows PC's.

Neither do I. I'm a Linux user.

I got a 360 cheap, and I'm really happy with it. It's a launch model, and although I rarely play it, I'm prepared for the day that it RRODs.

But, it does honestly have some good games, MS fan or no.

If you have the money and know of games that make it worth it, then get one. If not, stick with your PS3.

[123►Genei-Jin]

I got a cheap [Jasper] Arcade model and then used HDDHackr to upgrade my old 20GB hard drive with a 120GB Western Digital HDD and I'm using an el cheapo VGA cable which works wonders (My old monitor only has 1 HDMI port and the PS3 is using that one).

I'm very happy with it even though I got a launch model die on me with RROD some time ago. I only got it for the few exclusive titles since I have a decent PC and need my mouse and keyboard for most games, but it's an overal good system IMO.

[hbkprm]

get it

[The 1 2 P]

GT5 isn't going to be the next Duke Nukem Forever. Sony actually released GT5 Prologue, which in my opinion was nothing more than a glorified demo, though definitely shows how well the game is coming along.

I'm well aware of the GT5 Prologue demo. But I believe(not 100% sure) that the demo was at the request of Sony after Polyphony told them they wouldn't be finished the "real" GT5 for atleast another two years from when Sony wanted it to launch. In the meantime Polyphony has had to cancel their Psp version of GT because of how far behind they were on GT5. Hopefully it will launch soon but judging by how long it's taking(definitely not coming out this year), it will probaby be the only GT full game that launches this generation.

[megasdkirby]

I'm not wrong, please read again my previous post.
I didn't question people avoiding certain brands, I said such reasoning is stupid.

It might be, but alas that is how many people think. :(

I think the OP will play with it a bit and simply not play with it anymore. I've seen this happen when I sell electronics and people are dead set to either hate, or love, a specific brand.


You can always uninstall Windows and install another OS.

Yup! Friends of mine have even managed to install a hacked MacOSX inside his PC! I just wish my PC was powerful enough...

I never liked Sony, specially the PS2. However, I made sure to give them a chance and I am glad I did. Sure, I don't play my PS2 as much anymore, but still, it's a great console.

You need to give it a chance...a REAL chance. The Xbox 360 is a fantastic console, but if you come to it with the "I hate Microsoft" mentality, you will never like it.

But if you do give it a chance, you will love it. :)