10 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Excellent multipurpose gaming machine
Date of Review: Oct 31, 2009
The Bottom Line: Buy it if you tend to play video games with just 1 or 2 people
I purchased the XBOX 360 because I just moved to a small town where I didn't know anyone and wanted something to do to pass the time.
I could have gone with the PS3 or Wii, but I chose the XBOX 360 based on the strength of its single player titles. The benefit of the XBOX 360 is that you can play all the old XBOX games as well, which you can't necessarily do anymore with the PS3.
This system is really an "adult" gaming system, meaning that there are not a lot of cute games like Mario Bros. This was the hardest part to compromise on, because those games are fun to play and the Wii tends to be a party system with good games to bond over.
However, I wanted good single player titles and HD output. After seeing a Wii being played on a 60 inch 1080p set, I could not overlook the pixels in Wii Tennis. It takes away from the immersion that you get when playing some games.
My favorite titles on the XBOX 360 - that take good advantage of its capabilities include BioShock, Gears of War, Mass Effect and Halo 3. The XBOX 360 excels as a platform for role-playing games and first-person shooters. Visually, everything looks stunning in high definition and sometimes you want to play the game slower to take in all the design and art you find in some of these games.
When you don't feel like playing any games, the XBOX Live feature is handy. Though you have to pay around $50 a year for Gold, it enables you to buy games and music online and play the multiplayer features of the games you have. My criticism is that $50 a year to hear 12 year olds scream at you in Halo 3 is not worth it. It is fun though, to play with friends over long distances. If you have other friends with the XBOX 360 - this would be a great reason to get a Gold membership to XBOX Live.
The hidden treats are things like Netflix. Though Netflix costs money, its incredible to watch DVD quality movies streamed though the XBOX. I also like how well the XBOX can stream music and video from computers on your network. I use my XBOX as a jukebox to stream mp3s from my computer in the other room. It makes your TV another stereo system.
The high value that comes from an XBOX is its good networking features and the variety of titles that appeal to the older gamer.
