The Xbox 360® Arcade console is everything you need
By the title, I mean no offense to other reviewers, but when I was looking to purchase a new console, there was several questions not answered in the reviews. So, hopefully this can help someone, maybe a parent looking to buy for their child, a new console.
You can glance at my reviews and see that I’m completely lost in the last generation. I’ve held onto my PS2 like it was my security blanket. I’m not completely impressed with the current generation consoles trying to sell me on things that have no interest to me. I don’t care about a DVD player of any kind. Blu-Ray, HD, phooey, I’m here for the games. Don’t care about the online games. I go back to the Sega Dreamcast era of online console gaming. I remember the countless hours spent on dial-up access playing Phantasy Star Online. Of course, we dealt with the Gameshark modders that made weapons ten times better than any of us had found in the game, players who PK’d each other and stole your rare items. So, I have no interest, now in my 30s, to re-visit that frustration again.
I do however like the idea of downloadable content, especially the expansion pack type downloads, like with Grand Theft Auto IV. But, that’s not of my concern for now. Once I saw the price drop below 200, I figured it was time to grab one of these and try it out for myself. The Red of Ring of Death isn’t so much a concern to me either. I went through 6 Sega Dreamcasts and 4 PS2s. It isn’t like this is the first console to have some problems.
Ok, I ordered this, this past week. The console I received has the Jasper in it. For those not in the know, not that I am really, it is just a codename for the chipset. Jasper currently is the newest one and is supposed to be more efficient and less likely to have technical problems.
I was happy to see that Microsoft includes a wireless controller with this budget model. I don’t care about buying batteries. I was already doing that for the PS2 third party Logitech controller. No big deal. They do have a battery pack that can be charged that I will look into in a month or so, but just pop 2 AA batteries (2 Energizers included) in and start playing.
My biggest question was about the hard drive/memory cards. I actually went to a local well-known video game store that has the word stop in it. The guy absolutely baffled me. He was too busy trying to explain to me that the 360 has x amount of failure rate and blah-blah-blah. You must be kidding me? I tried an electronics store, but the lady working pretty much told me that she knew very little about the 360, but could sell me an HDTV to hook it up to.
I finally just bought the console without any understanding of the hard drive/memory card. So, now, I’m going to put it plain English, because I know there is some parent out there that is pulling their hair out trying to wade through the PS3/360 arguments to find out about the hard drive.
This model of the 360 on this very page has 512 internal memory in it. If you’re familiar with the last generation Xbox. This one is similar to it in terms of memory being built in. If not, all it means is that there is pretty much a memory card installed in this console. You don’t get all 512 MB though, memory may not be serving me perfectly here, but it was in the 320 MB free range. I guess they’ve installed something on the rest of it.
To give you an idea of how much memory that is, I only bought one game for now, GTA IV. It has taken up 1 MB. I’m sure other games are much higher, believe someone said the Forza racing game is around 40 MB. But, that is still not knocking a dent in 320. Mainly what I’m saying, I’ll get a hard drive eventually, but you don’t have to have one to get started. Also, when you do go to look for a HDD, check out that well-known auction site. I’ve seen them selling for 60 for 120 GB. But no, you don’t have to have one to get started.
If your intentions are to play online, then it would be recommended to get a hard drive ASAP. I usually play 1-2 games at a time. No rush to beat them, and enjoy them fully, so a hard drive is only needed in my case to get the downloadable content.
The power cord with this particular model uses only 150 watts, which I believe is 30-50 watts less than past versions of the 360. It comes with the basic A/V cables too. No HDMI, but if you’re like me, you’re not playing games on a HDTV, so who cares about the HDMI?
If you get the feeling that I feel pushed into this current generation of games, you’re right! I can only play God of War so many times. And not to worry immature ones, I have one of those slim PS3s pre-ordered, so this is hardly a biased review.
My thoughts so far on this console. I was shocked at how good the graphics are. I really didn’t think there was a big difference between last generation and the current generation, but I can see now that there is. One of my neighbors brought over the NCAA 10, and the difference between it and my PS2 NCAA 10 is like night and day. I’m one of the strange ones that prefers the 360 controller. I have big hands, it fits well, and I like the layout of their analog controllers better than the Sony controllers, though I guess is isn’t a big difference. The controller is nice though. Hardly no noise level and no heating up. So, so far, the Jasper must be doing its job. Overall, I’m very pleased with it and at least feel positive about this generation of consoles, as can be seen by pre-ordering the PS3 slim.
I just wish Sony and Microsoft would stop worrying about everything beyond games. We’ve got a Blu-Ray DVD player, three computers that are used on the internet. Just focus on those games! Hopefully this review will help those like me that can’t wade through the arguments, and helps someone out there.
The Xbox 360® Arcade console is everything you need to hit the ground running. Plug in the console and connect the wireless controller and you’re playing.
Features
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Play together today with Xbox 360 Arcade, including the Xbox 360 console, wireless controller, and 256 MB of internal memory. |
- Begin playing: Xbox 360 Arcade console is everything you need to begin playing right out of the box, including Family Settings that allow parents to restrict game access for younger players. Comes with a wireless controller, and 256MB of memory. This console includes an HDMI output, so you can experience your games in the highest definition possible, up to 1080p (HDMI cable sold separately).
- Xbox LIVE: Xbox LIVE is where games and entertainment come alive, the only unified place where you can play with anyone, anytime, anywhere. Connect Xbox 360 to your broadband connection, attach a storage device (hard drive or memory unit) and get instant access to Xbox LIVE Silver. Express your digital identity through your gamertag and gamer card, talk with others using voice chat, and access Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
- Games: Xbox 360 redefines what games look like, sound like, feel like, and play like to engage you like never before. Every Xbox 360 title supports a minimum of 720p, and up to 1080p high definition resolution or 480p standard definition resolution, in 16:9 widescreen, with anti-aliasing so you enjoy smooth, movie-like graphics and multi-channel surround sound. Vibrant characters display depth of emotion to evoke more dramatic responses, immersing you in the experience.
- Digital entertainment: Amplify your music, photos, video, and TV. Watch progressive-scan DVD movies and share your digital pictures with friends. Xbox 360 also instantly streams the digital media stored on your MP3 player, Media Center PC, or any Microsoft® Windows® XP 2005 Edition-based PC.
Product Information
Xbox 360 Arcade
Manufacturer: Microsoft
Category: Console
Console: Xbox 360
Related Links
- Family Friendly
- Windows Media Center for the Family
- Xbox LIVE
- Next Generation Accessories
- Download Instruction Manual
Related Products
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Xbox 360™ Wireless Controller |
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Xbox 360 Hard Drive |
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Xbox 360™ Universal Media Remote |
Amazon Best Deal for Xbox Arcade Edition Buying :
Product Features
- A central hub in Xbox 360 for all your music, photos, video, TV, DVDs, CDs, digital pictures Media Center PC content and more.
- Everything that players need to get their game on with Xbox 360 including: a Xbox 360 Arcade console, a Xbox 360 wireless controller, 256MB of storage and Xbox 360 Composite A/V cable.
- Free Silver subscription to Xbox LIVE, Xbox 360’s online gaming and digital entertainment portal.
- A one-month free trial subscription to Xbox LIVE Gold, where players can revel in the Xbox 360 community, download games and video, engage in online multiplayer gaming 24-hours a day, and much more.
- The ability to stream Netflix video on demand right from your Xbox 360 in seconds (requires a LIVE Gold subscription and a Netflix unlimited account).
Amazon.com Product Description
Xbox 360 Arcade console is everything needed for every member of your family to begin exploring the gaming and entertainment possibilities offered through Xbox 360, including family settings that allow parents to restrict game access for younger players. The Xbox 360 Arcade console comes with a wireless controller and 256MB of internal memory. It also features an HDMI output, so you can experience games, movies in the highest definition possible, up to 1080p (HDMI cable sold separately), and support for digital sound.
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Everything you Need to Get Your Game On
More About Xbox 360 The Xbox 360 Entertainment System Xbox LIVE Upgrade to Xbox LIVE Gold Games Digital Entertainment Family Settings * Microsoft Points required to shop Xbox LIVE Marketplace for games, add-ons, and media content (sold separately).
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