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Posted on: Jun 19, 2008
The Xbox 360 Report Card
WORDS BY: OXM Staff
We're halfway through the year, and probably halfway through the Xbox 360's lifespan. Does our console make the grade? It's time for the midterm examination.
Software (First-Party)
Microsoft deployed its digital Death Star to maximum effect in September, unleashing Halo 3 upon the world. Eight million copies later, it is the current king of the platform and indeed of the entire industry — at least until Grand Theft Auto IV gets a holiday season under its belt.
And despite its vanilla title, Mass Effect was an intergalactic home run, with its BioWare pedigree and word-of-mouth buzz blasting it to seven-figure sales. The trilogy is now a first-party pillar with which to buttress the platform.
Of course, Gears of War was every bit the Halo successor Microsoft wanted it to be, moving 5 million copies at a time when the console’s installed base was nowhere near what it is now — or what it will be when the sequel lands this fall. And Ninja Gaiden II was also a wise first-party pickup to please the hardcore.
Unfortunately, Shadowrun was botched by the powers that be and Blue Dragon needlessly tanked (though lessons were learned and Lost Odyssey fared far better). But all told, the first-party portfolio has been stellar — despite a Viva Piñata: Party Animals or two.
Grade: A
Software (Third-Party)
Having clearly come to understand that strong third-party support means major success — the Wii may move more hardware, but the industry’s power players make exponentially more money on 360 — Microsoft has cuddled up with EA, Rockstar, and all of the other key publishers in the industry and received a lot of love.
Dead Rising, Saints Row, Lost Planet, and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion have been timed or full-blown third-party exclusives that all became million-sellers, while the 360 has been the beneficiary of receiving the superior versions of most multiplatform titles, thanks either to additional content (e.g., GTA IV’s exclusive downloadable episodes) or simply because its larger installed base meant that the 360 version was developed as the lead SKU from which all others were ported. Translation: the 360 version looks and runs the best (see: most of the Unreal Engine 3–powered titles).
Grade: A+
Thu, 07/24/2008 - 02:20
Posted by eqdrummer06
the best thing about the 360 is xbox live.
sony's "free online gaming" is crap.
its slow as hell. i've had my 360 since dec 07 and havent had any problems with it. marketplace was set up by an idiot though. i'm ready to see the new dashboard in the fall.
Fri, 06/27/2008 - 11:07
Posted by DrDenNet
I'm not a "hardcore" gamer, but I am fairly dedicated and have been playing (both consoles and pc games) since the first home Pong game. In my house, we (3 of us) started with a single XBL account, but, we eventually had to get 2 more to keep everyone satisfied (mostly me). I know I'm not the only gamer out there with a family that enjoys XBL games and my kids have been gaming for years (and are pretty good themselves). Any chance for a family multi-pack account in the future? Also, looks like the kids are gonna be here throughout college, so am probably gonna need at least 2 systems for the 720 (or whatever the next-gen xbox is called).
I refuse to get a console that sounds too much like a bodily function (um, sounds like a Nintendo) - am not really into cutesy kinda games. I refuse to get one that is overpriced due to drive format and brand name (Sony, get over yourselves, the PS2 is still kicking the PS3's butt - yeah, you have a great chip inside - so what? get some games for it!!!) with no titles, so it obviously leaves us with the 360 - there really is something for all of us there. Although our console gets loads of game time and is one of the early-non hdmi (had to add an adapter) model's, we've been lucky with no RROD and only one or two support questions (I didn't speak to Bob in India, but what sounded like a young guy gamer in Toronto who knew his stuff).
Exclusive content is cool and it gives MS bragging rights, but in all honesty, I don't care if it's available on both since XBL has such a large population (hey, anyone out there into Quake Wars?!?! - awesome game) that's another plus for them. I like that when multiplatform games do come out, that they be for the 360 or even pc's first. Was kinda sad to see the apparent demise of Games for Windows cheeves since Halo2 rocked on Vista and am sure others would have as well.
So for now, for us and our friends, the 360 is definitely an A+ (and for those not certain, get off your old tv's and play it on a 42" or larger plasma or lcd - you'll see).
Fri, 06/27/2008 - 04:13
Posted by chewbacca15
yea you have mine to i agree with J22
Wed, 06/25/2008 - 21:55
Posted by J22
No matter what happens i will always choose the xbox 360 over every other console. U have my vote microsoft.
Tue, 06/24/2008 - 21:32
Posted by heinkel90
See I prefer Microsoft because with everything I've bought from them they taken responsibility. Xbox Live was down for two days and they said oops and gave out a free arcade game. My 360 got the red lights I sent it in and got it back a week later. They've been accountable with their mistakes with me and that's why I'll always use xbox's
Tue, 06/24/2008 - 13:12
Posted by bigjayshade
I recieved the "red rings of death" twice in the two years Ive owned it. I know many people that have had RRD twice. Microsoft doesnt even give you a new machine, they give you a refurbished one. They dont care for your business. I hate talking to someone in India named "bob" (you know thats not his name). Microsoft has been trying to sweep this issue under the rug. They know they have a problem and wont fix it because they are hoping that the warranty will wear out. Sony's machine has crap for games but the hardware is solid. Xbox 360 has the best games but the Hardware is crap. Wii is for kids... I think Im retiring from gaming.
Sat, 06/21/2008 - 22:53
Posted by CrazyUncleRex
My console is a lemon. I don't want to even think of buying a new one let alone getting more memory for it. Grade c-
Fri, 06/20/2008 - 20:55
Posted by Dizzle84
Never mind the HD-DVD dying out, what about the absurdly over-priced Hard Drive? A lot of people who have the 20 gig hard drive (who love demos and downloading content) aren't going to pay $199 CAD plus taxes for 120 gigs of space. For that much I might as well get a terrabyte for my computer. Hardware has FAILED in spectacular fashion in my opinion.
Other than that, It's solid grades across the board for the 360. It has made strides (stability and HDMI now included), but it is starting to show its age.
Fri, 06/20/2008 - 19:30
Posted by scrub175
Why does MS have to advertise when EA runs a commercial and then displays xbox 360 at the end?
I think your grades are in line with my expectations of this great system.
I'd give XBL an A, nah never mind not after the Christmas fiasco.
Fri, 06/20/2008 - 17:14
Posted by wique
Agreed everything y'all have said makes sense especially about the Marketing and Advertising, but i happen to like what they have been doing with the Halo 3 And Lost Odyssey commercials even Ninja Gaiden 2's ad makes me want to go play it everytime i see it, but i'm what you would catogorize as a Hardcore Gamer and they need to do better to attract non-hardcore fans of gaming. As Stupid to me as the ad for nintendo's games look that is what works and playstation's ads looks like their is something for everybody. Microsoft's ad that i remember ad Mass Effect, Halo 3, and Bioshock in it and lets be honest those games aren't for everyone.