a great game system, when it's not self destructing

I got my xbox 360 over a year ago mainly because some of the downloaded titles that I could play online like TMNT 1989 arcade game, and Super Puzzle Fighter 2 HD remix interested me. But there were also a few other RPG and other action titles I found that I liked. After owning it for a year there is a lot to like about the 360, and a few things that I don’t like about it.

Graphics.
The newer model Xbox 360 contain an HDMI hook up and that is what I use to hook up into my very small 19 inch flat screen TV (yeah I want HD but I am not enough to won a real HD tv) When hooked up this way I have to say the graphics are very smooth and very life like. This means that the human faces apear more real, or in more cartoonish games brighter colors are used over last generations. All though I should point out that the 360 is the smallest jump graphically between consoles that I have ever seen. Still graphic freaks who like HD will find plenty to like in the graphics of the system.

Setup.
Setting up the 360 pro is easy it comes with component and composite cables to hook up to either an HD-TV or a SD-TV. But there is an HDMI cord attachment to that can be bought cheaply (note any brand HDMI can work so you don’t have to buy the expensive Microsoft one) and that is the way I use it since my component plugs are used for my wii. It’s pretty much plug and play.

Setting up is pretty simple to if you don’t go online you pretty much set up your own profile page to keep track of your games, plus things like parental controls and your clock. If you sign up for MS live you have to set up an xbox live account which is easy if you have a hotmail account, if not you have to register for an MS account which takes a bit longer.

I should also note that MS expects you to pay for online you can either pay for it by credit cards or by purchasing little cards at retailers like wal-mart and gamestop and entering the code.

The basic set up will take about 20 minutes but once your set your ready to go.

The controller.
I have a love hate issue with the controller. It works great for 3d action games and FPS, it sucks at doing 2d games, especially fighting games. The controller is wireless and runs on 2 AA batteries and it’s pretty light and the way the shoulder triggers are you can hold on to it without cramping. The controller set up is in-between a PS2 and a GCN controller, the action button and the shoulder buttons are mapped out PS2 style while the control pad and the two analog sticks are put in the same place they were on the game cube controllers. The sticks work ok but my biggest problem comes with the control pad. It is very shoddily made and while it looks like it would be a good pad that would allow for diagonal movement looks can be deceiving. Playing a round of street fighter 4 and trying to pull off a few of Ryu’s ultra combos with this controller with have even the experience gamer yelling in fits. Overall it works on most games but I wish that MS would bring the controller with the improved control pad that they released in Europe over here.

Xbox live
While you have to play for online play the xbox live free silver members ship gives you free access to download games and movies. There are a lot of TV shows that you can buy individual episodes for about 2 dollars a piece, and movie rentals will cost you between 3 to 6 dollars depending on the movie and if you want it on HD. There are also a lot of game demos that you can download and try for free plus the xbox live arcade featuring new games and old hits with online play. There is also the xbox original area which is worked scooping out if you don’t mind devoting a lot of space on your hard drive to a single game. The arcade is filled with games that are great to play multiplayer and online for about 5-15 bucks. Check out games like Street Fighter 2 HD remix, and TMNT are worth the points.

Has for online play I like the way they do the community. Anybody you play with you can rate, chat with them after the game, or PM. If you like there play style you can ask them to join your friends list. You can invite your friend to any game that you both own at anytime there online just by asking them and you can do it in game to without stopping the way you play.

There is also achievements that the game designers can put in games. These do nothing for the games themselves but when you accomplish something in the game these will unlock and give you more points to your gamer card. Anybody online can see your gamer score total or on the game so they can see just how good you really are at a game. Has goofy has these sound they add in a lot of replay ability in games like Guitar Hero were your rewarded more gamer points for doing more challenging settings.

Navigation.
Microsoft updated it’s look last November to be more user friendly and to give xbox wii like avatars. While still no wii menu for getting around it gets the job done. All your games both downloadable and on discs and your achievements can now be access by you’re my xbox area. Along with system settings, downloaded music and videos. You can now browse new releases in the game and video store easier has well has browse them by letter the title begins with. Along with the new spotlight features which advertises new games, new DLC, and new tournaments.

Games that I recommend on Xbox
Naruto Raise of a Ninja
An anime game that is program by a western studio for a console that pretty much appeals to western gamers. And with the exception of a few hiccups it does pretty good. Rather then being a bland RPG, or just another fighter. Rise of a Ninja puts you in control of Naruto has you explore his world of the hidden leaf village. Outside of missions your free to explore and goof off anyway you like in this huge anime world.

Eternal Sonata.
If you don’t mind the fact that you have to be high on something to understand the story Eternal Sonata is a pretty good RPG with an interesting and unique battle system that is a lot of fun. It’s take on turn base and action battle system that adds new rules every chapter to keep you guessing keeps this RPG fun from beginning to end, even after the story looses you.

The Halo Series.
Yes Halo 1-3 are cliché games to recommend on the xbox but guess what I am recommending them to you. There fantastic FPS with online game play that is just tons of fun. If you won an xbox then the halo series is worth checking out.

Street Fighter 4
Despite the difficulties that the 360 controllers can bring you there still is fun to be had with street fighter 4. Street Fighter 4 takes what was good about 3, keeps all the characters from 2, and builds upon it. With unique style of life like characters that can do somewhat cartoony poses STF4 is a game worth owning.

Star Wars KOTOR 1 and Kotor 2.
These old favorites from the original xbox work on the 360 and are worth checking out. In each one you play has a jedI charge with saving the republic. But if you want to run amok and just kill people because they tick you off and become a sith the story lines give you that option. There deep RPG’s that have plenty of replay, and HK-47 is one of the funniest characters you can meet in an RPG.

The xbox live arcade
There are plenty of good games on the arcade and plenty of crap, fortunately your allowed to download trials before buying the crap. Here are a few good games.

Street Fighter 2 HD remix
Capcom says Street Fighter 4 is the casual street fighter, I call bull, with the exception of capcom finally adding in a tutorial mode that explains the game and how to use each individual character it is more complicated then the games before it. HD-Remix not only gives you pretty re-made visuals based off the original street fighter 2, and fully animated characters. But it’s new remix controls make it simpler to pull off some of the more difficult moves, add in now reliance on super combos and the 360 control pad actually works well enough to play the game. Like Street Fighter 4 features a pretty good online play.

Commandos wolf of the battle field.
If you feel like a little classic arcade shooter Wolf of the Battle field may be up your ally. The game plays like the classic shooter mercs but it has a more cartoonish sense of humor about it. The game plays using pretty much the two analog sticks one to move and the other to fire your machine gun in all directions. For those of you into games like Contra and Smash TV this might be on worth checking out.

Soul Calibur.
The original Soul Calibur and it turns out to be a pretty good fighter for 10 bucks. The graphics to show there age a bit even though it has been updated for HD. Still an impressive list of fighters, each with unique weapons and play style make Soul Calibur fun, the only downside is that there is no online play.

Pac-Man Championship edition.
Pac-Man is older then dirt but this new game gives us the old school gameplay with a new twist. The maze is twice has large but rather then clearing stages by eating all the dots you are rewarded for eating half of the dots on certain side of the maze, when you chow down on the fruit that is awarded more dots appear, and sometimes that side of the maze can change. Adding to the chaos is that you can now combo power pellets and ghosts, sometimes earning 3200 bonus points for ghosts eating during power pill. The whole idea is to get the high score, and adding even more pressure is that there is a 5 to 10 minute timer. Pac-Man Championship edition is a fun game and is available 10 bucks for single download, or 30 if you buy the Namco Museum collection disc which also contains Galaga Legions and Mr. Driller, which aren’t half has good has this little gem.

Puzzle Fighter HD Re-Mix
While Capcom did stretch out the character models for this game, having some fans call it not true HD. My thought is who cares it’s a freaking drop block puzzle games, has long has it’s in color that’s all I need. And it’s a fast paced on at that. Puzzle Fighter HD is a game that must always be played against someone either against a human or the CPU to fully enjoy. You pick a character from the street fighter universe each with different drop patterns. The whole idea is to either stack blocks to where they form large gems, or long chains and then put a bomb orb of that color which will wipe out all the blocks. The more blocks you destroy the more damage the opponent takes, especially if they are long chains. Damage blocks drop on your opponent become real blocks for them in 4 turns so a fast and smart opponent may pay you back if your to aggressive with your bomb puzzle. Again there is a great online feature and it’s definitely worth a 10 bucks investment.

TMNT 1989 arcade game.
The original brawler that I loved has a kid, based on the cheese filled cartoon I loved has a kid. This is the best 5 bucks I spend on the xbox live arcade services. Not only is the game a classic fast paced brawler, but Ubisoft and Konami went the distance and actually got the rights to all the music and sound effects in the game. Making this a pretty much arcade perfect port. Nothing like teaming up with 4 people on xbox live and seeing if you can get to the technodrome using 20 lives. The game is pretty short but it’s a blast to play and the online multiplayer gives it a lot of replay ability.

What are a few negative criticisms about the xbox 360.
It’s not a perfect game system and there is plenty to criticize outside of it’s controller. First off MS likes to nickel and dime consumers. While I don’t mind paying 50 bucks a year for online I get use of it and it is an easy system to use compare to PC and Wii gaming. Things I don’t like are things like they want 100 bucks to buy there wi-fi adapter, and unlike the HDMI cable only there wi-fi adapter is directly plug in play with the 360. Meaning if you want to go online and your router is clear across your house form your gaming room your going to be out 100 bucks to experience xbox live. 2nd thing is like the wifi adapter only xbox approved hard drives will work on the 360 and while MS has brought the prices down since they found out there New Xbox experience doesn’t work in less you have a hard drive there still cost a lot more then a normal hard drive.

And of course you can’t talk about 360 problems without mentioning the 800 pound gorilla in the room. The red ring of death. Every gamer knows someone who has a 360 and has gotten one of these things, if not have had there own xbox do this. I fall in to both categories. Basically some eternal problem happens and while playing your xbox freezes, when you start it up the circle that tells you how many controllers are connected to the 360 flashes 3 red lights meaning your xbox is FUBAR. Fortunately Microsoft is on the problem and they will fix the problem for free. It will take about 2 and a half weeks to fix if you send for your own box, and a little more then a week if you print your own label and find your own box to ship it back to them. They also give you a free month of xbox live. Now this all great that they at least have good customer service when there system breaks down, I would rather have had them make a system that doesn’t break down. My NES still works after 20 years, even though I have to beat the cartridges down into it, my state of the art xbox doesn’t last 20 months hey MS WTF.

Final Recommendation.
I still have to say that the games on the 360 are fun and I did get my value for my money, a lot of my friends own 360 and that next to the DLC goodies made me purchase the 360. But I can’t give it a 5 star rating in till MS fixes the RROD problems.