The Mother Of The 'Next-Gen' Consoles (Microsoft Xbox 360)

Member Name: oo2bea

Product:	Microsoft Xbox 360
Date:	10/02/09 (46 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Awesome Graphics, Gameplay And Very User Friendly

Disadvantages: Quite Loud

I recently purchased an Xbox 360 console from a friend who had bought a Nintendo Wii and no longer wanted his Xbox 360. Now a few months later I sit and wonder what could have made him do such a ridiculous thing, the Xbox 360 is without a doubt the mother of all the 'next-gen' consoles.

The console itself is quite a big one but only equal to the PS3, obviously the Wii is a lot smaller. However, it makes up for this with its white casing and very sophisticated design.

Once you switch the console on there is just one downside, the noise the console makes when you're playing a game from disc is very loud and it is more like a PC than a console. However, you can easily solve this by simply installing your games to the hard drive. Obviously if you're doing this you are better off with a bigger hard drive, I currently have a 20gb hard drive and so I only install two games at a time, which is more than enough for me.

The best thing about the Xbox 360 for me is the ability to sync it with your PC, simply connect your Xbox to your router using an ethernet cable and your ready to go. If your Xbox is too far away from the router you can always buy a wireless adapter and connect wirelessly although this will set you back around 60 pound it is definitley worth it, I would recommend logging into Ebay and buying a very long ethernet cable, you will definitley save yourself around 40 pound and very possibly more.

Anyway, why does the fact you can sync your Xbox with your PC so good? The answer is simple all of your music and videos on your PC can then be streamed through the Xbox, you have all your entertainment available through your console. It's like a gateway to a whole new world.

Now Xbox recently released an update for the Xbox called NXE (New Xbox Experience), this update gave the Xbox dashboard a new sleeker look and improved the user interface dramatically, before this update you could have possibly argued the PS3 was the best console out there. However, NXE put Microsofts effort back on top undoubtedly.

So, what is it like to actually play a game on this machine? I can tell you it is excellent the lovely shaped pads with a simple design make it easy to pick up the controls and the graphics are awesome. Obviously whichever game you choose to play will give you a different experience. Graphically the console is awesome, although I am currently using a standard TV I have used the console with a HDTV and would definitley recommend a HDTV to go with your console.

The selection of games available on the 360 is immense due to the fact it has being around longer than both the PS3 and Wii, you will get a lot more choice with a 360. The Xbox also has the best selection of exclusive titles from Gears of War and Halo to the immense Bioshock, although you can now buy this on the PS3, Bioshock was originally exclusive to the Xbox.

As many of you will know when the Xbox 360 was first released there were numerous bugs such as the infamous, red light. However, Microsofts latest versions of the console are all fixed and if you have got an older console Microsoft take full responsibility and replace your console for free, although you may have to wait up to 3 weeks to recieve it.

I have played a selection of games on the Xbox 360 including the likes of GTA IV, Prince Of Persia, Gears Of War, Bioshock, Lego Batman and PES 2009, and I can safely say that all of them are excellent coupled with this console.

Although I have only used a PS3 a couple of times, I am 100% behind my opinion that the 360 is better both graphically and in terms of user friendliness as well as having superior gameplay.

I have also played on the Nintendo Wii a decent number of time and although I love the console and the idea behind it, it comes across a bit childish and is no where near the quality of the Xbox 360.

So if you're looking for a serious gaming console or just a bit of family I recommend the Xbox 360 wholeheartedly.

Summary: Awesome Console