A decent console, plagued with problems (Microsoft Xbox 360 Arcade)

Member Name: alexcharliemann

Product:	Microsoft Xbox 360 Arcade
Date:	22/06/09 (25 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheaper than PS3, good back catalogue

Disadvantages: Lots of technical problems, online costs money, no hard drive, no longer cutting edge

The XBox 360 has been plagued with problems, and isn't as good as the PS3. But on the other hand, for £129 compared to £279 for a PS3, does that difference matter? The 360 has now built up a big back catalogue of games, with a lot of 360 only classics such as Halo and Gears of War to get gamers interested.

The negatives?

-You have to pay XBox Live to pay online, and it isn't cheap, compared to the PS3 which is free.
-It backed HD DVD, which died, while PS3 has DVD replacement, Blu Ray.
-It doesn't have a portable console such as the PSP to drive extra value.
-The XBox Arcade has no hard drive, so if you want to actually save your games beyond the paltry 256mb memory you will need to splash out again for an external hard drive or memory unit.

But for the cheaper gamer it is a good option. Maybe it comes down to personal taste.

Must also be said that the 360 has a habit of breaking. Many people get the 'ring of death' (3 red lights), or the disc tray scratching the discs irrepairably. But again, price?

Summary: Worth getting if you cannot afford the PS3, but if you can, go for that!