Digital Trends

Microsoft Xbox 360

November 22nd, 2005 | by Scott Steinberg

Games

Games-wise, don't get your hopes up just yet.

While titles like Peter Jackson's King Kong, Call of Duty 2 and Condemned all look fabulous and play brilliantly, most feel like hi-res PC ports. Mind you, the majority of America doesn't have a pimped out, dedicated gaming box just yet, so it's no big deal: Laymen will see a major jump in software quality (especially in terms of audiovisuals, and hence, atmospheric potential) across the board right off the bat. But if you're a hardcore gamer who's been banging away on a $4,000 Alienware system for years already, well... don't expect to be blown away this holiday season.

For the most part, the launch lineup's hit or miss. Much as we dig outings like Madden NFL 06, Need for Speed: Most Wanted and Kameo: Elements of Power, the Xbox 360 lacks a killer app. In case you're wondering, gadget-heavy first-person shooter Perfect Dark Zero is fantastic. But it doesn't push the bar in terms of innovation. Nor, for that matter, do titles like Tony Hawk's American Wasteland or GUN (great as the latter's gameplay is), which are basic graphically-enhanced upgrades of current-gen titles.

It'll be a ways yet before mind-blowers such as Halo 3 and Gears of War arrive, as developers learn to harness the power of the system over the coming months. With offerings like Dead or Alive 4, Full Auto and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion set to arrive in the next major wave of deliveries though, you won't be at a loss anytime soon for must-have diversions. Just know this: At present, you'll definitely be impressed by the titles the Xbox 360 currently has to offer (most, while based on proven concepts, up the bar for sheer intensity). Sent shivering onto the floor twitching in spasms of delight, not so much...

Perfect Dark Zero

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Prject Gotham Racing

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King Kong

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Some more bad news: Getting the most from the machine requires a major cash investment.

Yes, it's possible to buy just the system itself and a wired controller for $299. But why bother? The bundle package ($399) — which includes a wireless controller, remote, headset, A/V cables and 20GB hard drive — is a much better value, saving you nearly $200. After all, you'll want to save games after progressing a ways into them, and even if you skip out on the hard drive ($99.99 by itself), a 64MB Memory Unit runs $39.99 alone.

Never mind that every additional peripheral which makes playtime with the Xbox 360 so memorable also costs an arm and a leg. For instance, a wireless networking adapter ($99.99), the component A/V cable necessary for HD setups ($39.99), wireless controller ($49.99), or rechargeable plug-n-play kit ($19.99). Even an extra wired gamepad ($39.99) is pricey, and you know you'll also want to spring for that Gold subscription to Xbox Live.

Last, but certainly not least, while the Xbox 360 does work with normal sets, let's get real... Don't forget the pressing need for a $1000+ HDTV as well, a major purchase for most Americans.

Oh, and those titles you spent countless weeks' pay collecting for the original Xbox? Only a couple hundred or so (Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Jade Empire, etc.) are backwards-compatible. More will be added via later software updates, but still... the initial showing is a little disappointing.

Try and wrap your head around this one too: The Xbox 360 plays BMX XXX and Catwoman, but not holiday blockbusters like Star Wars: Battlefront II or Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones? Nevertheless, current-gen titles which work with the Xbox 360 like Halo 2 do sport noticeable graphic enhancements... and yes, you can still play with people who only own them solely for the original Xbox.