Game Consoles &#187; XBOX Reviews

XBOX 360 REVIEW

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:26:33 +0000

Xbox 360: Standard-Setting Video Game Console

When Microsoft introduced the Xbox 360 into the market in 2005, a craze occurred. The newer and improved version of the Xbox consoles have become instant hit and challenged the leadership of Sony in the video game console market. The 360 consoles were officially launched in May 2005 and replaced the previous Xbox game consoles. Since then, Microsoft had successfully penetrated this market.

The Xbox 360 is truly a revolutionary game console, setting new standards in the video game industry. Its powerful processor is the console’s most imposing feature apart from its large storage capacity, which the Xbox players and users have been craving for. The 360 is equipped with 3.2GHz CPU processor, many times faster than Sony’s PlayStation. The latest model of the 360, the Xbox 360 Elite, has a large memory with 120GB hard disk drive. But all of these versions have almost similar performances and features, such as CPU processors.

User reviews gave the Xbox 360 a high mark on performance and features. Based on trusted reviews online, the video game console is the best alternative or option to Sony’s PS3 or Nintendo’s Wii. In fact, some of these reviews recommend the 360 over the other video game consoles. In the performance level, the 360 is comparable with the two other consoles. However, Microsoft’s 360 gained an edge through its powerful processor and huge storage capacity, which means that users can store hundreds of games, videos and music.

The 360 comes in three configurations; the Xbox 360 Arcade, the Pro (Premium) and the Elite. The Arcade is the older version among the three and has 256MB HDD. The Pro version has improved features and larger memory (60GB HDD). But the most expensive and most powerful version of the Xbox 360 is the Elite, with up to 120GB memory. All of these versions are compatible with all Xbox 360 games. However, only the Elite and Pro models are compatible with the other Xbox games.

The video game console’s packages include (in bundles) an HD DVD cable, wireless remote controller, battery packs, and other accessories. Prices of the Xbox 360 range from £130 to £300, depending on the model, the most expensive being the Elite model. Through its large storage area, hundreds of games can be downloaded from Xbox live online, the online community service provided by Microsoft to Xbox users. The most popular games are Six Days in Fallujah, The godfather, The Chronicles of Riddick, and other games.

XBOX 360 ELITE REVIEW

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:23:51 +0000

The Xbox 360 Elite: Top-Notch Video Game Console

Among the Xbox 360 consoles, the Xbox 360 Elite received the highest rating from almost all user and trusted reviews. Perhaps it is because the Elite is the latest and the newest update that Microsoft has made to its Xbox 360 game consoles. The Elite is the most powerful console among the Xbox consoles due to its high storage capacity (having a 120 GB hard drive). The console can store hundreds of games, among which the most popular are Resident Evil, Six Days in Fallujah, Fallout and The Godfather. Apart from all of the Xbox 360 games, about 300 other Xbox games can also be played with the Elite.

The Xbox 360 Elite also comes with a high definition HDMI output so that the user can play DVDs and CDs for watching movies and listening to music. In comparison with the PlayStation 3 or Nintendo Wii, the Elite can be a good match. Based on user reviews, the Elite can be an excellent alternative to PS3 as it has a powerful hardware and performs similarly with the PS3 and the Wii. It can also be connected to the Internet using its custom-built Ethernet and play games with other players across the globe. The console is powered by two AA batteries.

Since it is the most powerful version of the Xbox 360, the Xbox 360 Elite is also the most expensive with its price ranging at around £200 to £300 in the United Kingdom or about $400 in the United States. Video game reviews, however, state that the Elite is still the best option than PS3 or the Wii due to its high capacity and powerful hardware.

XBOX 360 ARCADE REVIEW

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:22:27 +0000

When Microsoft launched the Xbox 360 consoles, the Xbox 360 Arcade became an instant hit due largely to its revolutionary features and its powerful CPU processor. The Arcade is a competitor to Sony’s PlayStation and Nintendo’s Wii. It is Microsoft’s replacement to the previous Xbox 360 Core.

The Xbox 360 Arcade has a powerful 3.2GHz IBM CPU processor and is equipped with 256MB hard disk drive. In comparison to the Elite or Pro, the Arcade is less popular due to its low storage. However, its performance is similar to the two later models of the Xbox 360 as they use the same processor. The Arcade also has the same features as the Elite and Pro such as a high-definition audio and video output, which can also be played with DVDs and CDs. It is compatible with all Xbox 360 games such as the Godfather II, Resident Evil 5 or Grand Theft Auto IV, but is not compatible with Xbox games. The Arcade console also has wireless controllers similar to its successors.

The Xbox 360 Arcade also received good ratings from trusted user reviews online. Perhaps it is because the Arcade belongs to the Xbox 360 model that is why it is also a highly recommended video game console. Aside from its lesser HDD, the Arcade’s performance is comparable to its successors, the Xbox 360 Elite and Xbox 360 Pro (Premium). Since it is the first version of the Xbox 360, its price is significantly lower at around £130 to £170 (UK) and $199 (US). The Arcade is a good alternative to the Elite and Pro versions.

XBOX 360 PRO REVIEW

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:20:14 +0000

The Xbox 360 Pro (Premium) is another model of the Xbox 360 that was first launched by Microsoft in July 2007. Sometimes, the 360 Pro is also referred as Premium. The console is an upgrade to the Xbox 360 Arcade, which was the first model released by Microsoft. The 360 Premium includes all the features of the Xbox 360 Arcade like the standard 3.2GHz IBM PowerPC CPU. However, the Pro has a 60GB hard disk, which is larger than Arcade’s 256MB HDD but smaller than the Elite’s 120GB HDD. Similar to the Elite, all Xbox 360 games and around 300 other Xbox games can be played with the Pro console.

Based on user reviews, Xbox 360 Pro (Premium) is also a good video game console. It is a better option than the Wii or PS3 as it has a larger library of games. Among Microsoft’s Xbox consoles, the Premium is the second most popular game console next only to the Elite. It is also the second most expensive console with a price of around £170 to £200 (UK) and $299 (US). Like its Arcade and Elite brothers, movies and songs can also be played with the Pro and it can be connected to the Xbox Live online network.

The Xbox 360 Pro (Premium) is definitely a good buy, especially if you are short on cash to purchase the Elite. Aside from other features such as a larger storage capacity, the Premium’s performance is similar with the Elite. Hence, the Pro is a good alternative to the Xbox 360 Elite console.

XBOX 360 LIVE ONLINE REVIEW

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:16:02 +0000

The Interactive Online Gaming Services for Xbox 360 Users

Xbox Live Online is Microsoft’s online gaming service to all its Xbox 360 users. The online network serves as the Xbox 360 users’ interactive marketplace and networking site. Xbox 360 video game console users can download games, chat with other users and play against them from Xbox Live, which is provided by Microsoft at its website. Previously, the network served only the Xbox users but has undergone major improvement when the Xbox 360 was launched. The Xbox Live Community has now been improved and with better services.

The Xbox Live Online has two subscription features, the Silver and Gold levels. The Silver subscription is free of charge. Silver level subscribers can download from Xbox Live Marketplace, share their profile, chat with other users and other features and services. The Gold subscription, however, is a paid subscription. It also has all the features of the Silver subscription, but Gold users can have the ability to play games online with other members of the Xbox Live Community. Gold level subscribers can also create parties and play or join games with their friends online. Gold subscribers can also watch streaming movies right through their Xbox 360 consoles if the subscriber is a Netflix member.

The Marketplace feature of the Xbox Live Online features all the Xbox 360 games such as Six days in Fallujah, The Chronicles of Riddick and other popular games. Members of the community can also download movies and videos from the Xbox Live Marketplace using the Microsoft Points feature. Demos and trailers are free to download, while the games and movies can be downloaded only when the user purchased Microsoft Points.