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The Xbox 360 can do a terrifying amount. Innocently powering the console on by pressing the X button on the wireless controller is akin to firing up a web browser on a computer. And, like the web, the 360 is deep, man, very deep.
The fact that it’s still ostensibly a games console and doesn’t have one killer stand-out game is, in our opinion, by the by. The Halo/GTA title will come and, in the meantime, the 360’s media tricks are more than enough to keep us occupied.
Any port in a storm
The 360’s media skills are enough to put the BBC and Sky to shame. You can plug cameras, MP3 players – iPod and PSP included – and flash keys into the two USB ports hidden behind a flap.
You can also play any music and photos on a networked Windows PC. If you want video and TV, too, you’ll need a Media Center PC. The Xbox Live Marketplace is rammed with high-def trailers, themes and more. Prog scan DVD playback comes as standard, though it doesn’t upscale movies to high-def.
You’ve also got to thank the gadget gods for the designers of the 360’s interface. Gaming, online stuff, media and settings are all clearly divided into separate sections of the ‘360 dashboard’, meaning you won’t accidentally launch an episode of The Simpsons off your PC while trying to continue a game of Quake 4.
We also love the way this dashboard, which allows access to other functions, can be superimposed on a game while you’re playing – you no longer have to quit right out.
We had our doubts about the prospect of wireless controllers but they’ve been dispelled. The 360’s gamepad is light, small enough to be ergonomic for most hands and – contrary to what we thought after an early test – the dual shoulder triggers are actually better than the old Xbox’s white and black buttons.
The wired version works with any Windows XP machine and an adaptor for the wireless ones is expected soon. The bundled infrared remote performs well, too.
Call us demanding but we think the 360’s hardware is the one thing that isn’t awesome. The good news: you can place it sideways or upright, and the exterior looks infinitely prettier than the old ugly duckling Xbox.
The bad: the fan’s unacceptably noisy, the actual box is huge compared to the slim PS2 and the giant mains adaptor will leave minimalists sweating at its 2-litre cola bottle proportions.
But don’t let that put you off. The 360’s innards are charming, and its gaming potential heartening: every game is high-def and Xbox Live-compatible. The launch line-up has such quality stalwarts as Project Gotham, and compatible at launch are 200 old Xbox games; via updates it’ll eventually work with them all.
Our final word? Buy yourself an HD-ready TV (even better, an HD-ready projector) and prepare yourself for truly spectacular gaming. Helped by PC-rivalling insides, the Xbox 360 delivers incredibly detailed, fast and smooth action.
Comments
inter4522
1 year ago
You cannot go wrong with the xbox 360. It is the best console out there. There is so many fans of it. It is a great seller. orlando computer network
DP
1 year ago
Had this for a couple of years now...never a problem with RROD.
As for which is better (Xbox or PS3)
Xbox is better for Halo and PS3 is better for Uncharted ;)
ie : Nothing to separate the two, both great consoles , both have positives, both have negatives.
As for my Wii...well, thats been gathering dust for the past three years
Grantbase
2 years ago
Got the red circle of death but good ol ps3 still going strong
markster
2 years ago
i must say one thing on the 360.now this is what i have experienced. is there is there not upscaling on dvd. now i have an lg dvd recorder, connected by HDMI. running in 576i. the dvd playing in xbox is sooo much sharper and brighter. the xbox is displying in 1080p, ok you say thats why, well when i downscaled tv to 576i. the dvd is still sharper. please explain.
markster
2 years ago
from a real perspective. if all we can slag it off for is a noisy fan. that is that bad. you drool over the HD graphics. it just rocks. i have upgraded from the Wii. that is not a bad console. all in all. the 360 is perfect.
smithy1993
4 years ago
I think the Xbox 360 is a great console, only the first editions of the console are very unreliable. As i have one of the later ones mine has not yet had the red lights [broken]. If you do get a 360 make sure you get xbox live, it will blow you away. The best combination, is Call Of Duty 4 And Xbox live. The xbox is in no form silent either it is very noisey
wackyjk
5 years ago
I think the 360 is a fantastic console, isnt as powerful as the ps3, i know but xbox live is kick ass and totally addictive, the games are soo much better on the 360, the only problem i think the 360 has is the over heating, so if you ps3 owners dont have a 360 i would wait until the XBOX 360 ELITE comes out which will show the 360's true power :P JK
markyp1234
6 years ago
It was worth the hassle: I'm now on my third 360, having paid a packet for one of the early bundled packs (thank you, PC World), only to have the thing freeze two days later. Another freezer later, and I finally have a fully working 360 (fingers crossed). You're too right about the fan, but the rest of the experience is sublime. Just stopped 24 hour sessions of Dead Rising (who can resist downing a zombie with an orange juice carton), and currently lost in FEAR. The image quality is superb (forget my dedicated hi-end PC), and you get a good DVD player to boot. All I'm waiting for now is for my son to ask for a PS3. $600? Tough one...