Xbox 360

[Matthew]

Ok I know there are other 360 threads, but they are all horrible. Who here has one? And what games have you played and own?

Madden 06: Nice game, some features missing like owner mode, but its a fantastic game and has gone in a different direction to that of the entire franchise. With no tv style commentary or presentation, you actually feel like you are playing the game rather than controlling what you see on tv. I recomend it.

Call of Duty 2: PC gamers will recognise this and identify it with one of best shoot em ups ever. the only proble i had was the recharging health system. i can buy that concept with halo as its 500 years in the future, but this was ww2, come on. health packs or simply switching to one of you other soldiers would have been better. muiltiplayer is great, and i also recomend this title

Far Cry: Oh dont even bother. It's fairly good value if you like the games, as you get instincts and evolution, but its a horrible shoot em up. you run for 40 seconds, find two guys, shoot them as they run away, and repeat for the duration of the game. multiplayer is worse as ranked matches are allowed to use user created hosts, and you have to download their shit maps before playing. Not recomended

Battlefeild 2: Ah this is what a shoot em up should be! Intense, beutiful sounds and smart ai. I love this game, and its so bloody hard! The only regrettable part is there are no checkpoints on the actual missions, but it makes you a much better player. Its fantastic.

NBA Live 06: Oh dont even bother. This has potential to be a great game next year, but i cant recomend a game strictly on graphics. The gameplay is live 2005. the features are worse than that of live 2000. Thats just not good enough for 2006 on next gen.

[peaches]

I'm getting my 360 in two weeks.

I've already played the Tiger Woods game at a mates, it looks fucking amazing. Pretty good game too.

Edit: Is there any cricket games coming out?

[Matthew]

Tiger woods looks decent, i'd never buy a golf game though lol.

Are you getting the core or premium pack? If you get the premium, get the play n charge kit as well. its $35 and its already paid for itself with me by not having to buy batteries.

Cricket games, EA will probably release one, but i cant see rickey ponting comming out for a while considering the last cricket game by codemasters was brian lara cricket for the mega drive.

what games are you planning on getting?

[peaches]

What comes with premium?

Im going to Bali and Singapore soon so i'll be getting heaps of games. I'll be looking for

-2006 FIFA World Cup
-Major League Baseball 2K6
-Virtua Tennis 3 or Top Spin 2

If theirs a hockey one i'll get that instead of FIFA. Call Of Duty sounds good but im not decided on if im going to get that or Halo 3.

A good list of the games so far.

http://xbox360.ign.com/index/games.html

[Jugs]

I played Top Spin 2 at Dickhead Smith's. fucking awesome graphics, i only played 20 seconds but still, felt good too

[Matthew]

Peachy, the premium comes with the hard drive, hdtv cables (which can also be used on regular tvs as well), wireless controller and remote.

the premium is just the console, wired controller and standard av cables. You'd need at least a memory card for the core system, but with the size difference of the hard drive, the remote and wireless controller it makes sense to get the premium.

there is nhl 2k6, and topspin 2 is great. only played the demo but unbelievable. thats the next game on my list.

Call of duty is worth it even if you plan on getting halo 3, becuase halo 3 wont be ready for at least 6 more months.

[Nick]

I've saved over 2 grand and was thinking of getting an xbox 360... but i think i might wait until the price comes down... (and until a chip is made ). Plus i need a car.

Anyone got any links to any kewl preview videos of kewl games?

[peaches]

Madden: Whats gameplay like?

I want a rugby game

[Matthew]

Nick, IGN is where i get my video's from.

Peachy, I love madden simply becuase you feel like your in the stadium and on the feild. have you ever played madden before?

[peaches]

Nope, thats why its gonna be a bitch to learn the controls.

[Matthew]

Well, the 360 version is very simplified. It doesnt have any in game tutorials, but the qb vision isnt switched on and precision passing isnt a must.

I loved the gameplay and thats even with being a madden vet. I'd definately suggest it. Get your games from EB, 7 day return policy. If you dont like it, take it back..

[Srbija]

I don't know what to get the XBox 360 or wait until the PS3 comes out.

Madden especially the NFL Superstar mode.

[Matthew]

Theres no superstar mode on the 360, not like it matters. That mode was horrible. Way too gimmicky.

[zmac]

Ive been saving for a few weeks now to get one, Im almost there, but Im taking my time as there arent many games that have intrigued me a whole lot.
From what Ive seen/played, Battlefield 2, Ghost Recon and maybe even Oblivion and Nba 2k6 are worth getting, but not desperately. So Im probably a fair way off buying one....

[Matthew]

I agree, the xbox 360 has lacked that one game for the launch to make the system must get, like xbox had halo combat evolved. I wouldnt bother with ghost recon unless if you really like that series of games.

NBA 2k6 isnt out for the 360 yet, but battlefeild is fantastic and ive heard great things about oblivion.

[Scotty]

yeah but they're pretty much making Perfect Dark the launch game or PG3, the reason i got an xbox in the first place was for topsin, if no.2 is as good as 1, then i might get one when they're at a human price

[benji]

I personally would wait for PS3 and Wii. The prices of the consoles will drop and probably the games. I usually wait until the first "greatest hits" line comes out for a console, then you can get good games cheap. (Though I just bought a PS2 this year, cause of the new tiny ones...and the fact you can get tons of great games used for $5-10.)

Call of Duty 2 seems better on the PC. I've played it on the both, XBOX 360 looks slightly better because they decided to make it so. I guess I like my mouse and keyboard control set. I haven't played through all of it, though I've played the same level on both systems.

NBA 2K6 is out here for 360, it's just the XBOX version with better graphics. While Live is Live 98 with better graphics. I'd actually just get the regular Xbox version if you have 360 since it's $20 a lot of places now, and wait for 2K7 on 360.

I have the Ghost Recon demo for PC, haven't played it yet. It does look freakin amazing though. Same with Condemed: Criminal Origins.

I've played Battlefield 2 on PC, people love it, but...I really really really hate the hit detection and system in DICE's and EA's games. Both MOH and BF series suffer from the whole requiring three-four shots to the chest to take a guy down. I'm spoiled by DOD series I guess.

Far Cry is something you only should play on a PC, the console versions just haven't matched it in gameplay. Crytek's next game is looking amazing.

Kameo and Perfect Dark Zero were both disappointing, but Rare is so overrated to start.

My opinion on X360 sports games, is don't get any for it. Get the cheaper XBOX versions if you have an X360 if you have to get one. Otherwise just wait for the 2007 crop, they have to be better. 2K just ported XBOX and EA's games were all half finished (Tiger, Madden, Live, etc.) with the focus on the graphic engines.

[Matthew]

I dont expect the price of the xbox 360 to drop significantly. They might release the console with a hd disc drive to combat the bluetooth of the ps3, but the ps3 will be expensive to begin with and nintendo wont be a threat anywhere outside japan.

with battlefeild 2, on xbox 360 you actually have missions to complete. the two or 3 shots to the chest depends on what gun you use. is you use a sniper or shotgun you can get an instant kill by shooting any part of their upper body.

Madden is a dumbed down version of its franchise, which isnt bad. Its appealing to people who dont understand how to use playmaker on defense or the value of precision passing. I like how it uses less tv style presentation, for example it goes to the arena scoreboard for the announcement of whether you are short or made the first down. Maybe after 6 years of an emphasis on the tv style madden game i was just happy to see a new direction, but i still recomend this game simply becuase its probably the best of the bunch on the 360. Thats not including Fight night 3 of course.

As you said, nba 2k6 is almost identical for the 360, and thats why i'd get it. it beats nba live becuase live went backwards.. i cant describe how disapointing that game was, and im still happy i was able to get bf2 on a trade in.

The reason I did get a 360 is i was going to get one anyway becuase of Halo 3, so why not get one at launch and enjoy games like madden (with online finally for aussie version) and cod2.

What will probably set the consoles apart will be online. Other than that i dont see any real difference between them at this point.

[benji]

PS3 will use Blueray not Bluetooth

I think it will also have a HD.

I'm not saying you should wait, if X360 has got games you want, I'm just saying I'm personally waiting as I've become a person who'd prefer to wait to see what libaries look like in a couple years instead of be an early adopter. I was happy getting a Dreamcast in 2001 a few months before it died because I could get a ton of great old games for cheap. Same with PS2. It's changed when I'm spending my money instead of my parents hehe. Cheap beats new.

I hadn't looked into Battlefield 2 on X360, I just get so frusted with the sniper rifle on the PC because I'm am so hitting the neck/chest of guys and they aren't dropping just slowing down so I have to rebolt and shoot them again.

Yeah, NBA 2K6 is almost indentical, that's why I'd get the cheaper XBOX one! At least here it's $60 compared to $20-30. Certainly can lose a little graphics while you wait for the new one.

As for online. Considering how much I was playing DOD:S and RO until this last week or so, I shouldn't really say this. I hate online. The last thing I want to do anymore is associate with the people who play games online.

I think X360 will have to drop. I mean Sony is most definately going to take a loss on PS3 and is looking for any advantage. Then Nintendo is coming in at $150-200. Even though the GameCube was in third place in sales, it's price drove the drops for the other two consoles, they had to be within $50 for a lot of people.

E3 is certainly going to be interesting this year though. Microsoft has go to show the games it's got coming this fall, PS3 and Wii have to show reasons to buy them. This might be the most important E3 for the industry in years.

Though I like how a lot of industry people are mad at Microsoft. Nobody was ready for this generation that's why the X360 games aren't more than Xbox games with better graphics in most cases. Microsoft started this generation early while Sony and Nintendo were both banking on another two years I believe. At least that's what I gather from developers, that they were working on next gen products but current gen was the focus, then the X360 comes along and suddenly they're porting their games but aren't taking it to a next level.

Don't think I'm saying getting an X360 is bad idea anyone. I'm say, I personally am most definately going to wait. I don't want to plunk a months rent down on a console that might not have the games I want in three years.

[Tuomas]

I totally agree with Ben here. I don't want to put 400€ on a 360 just to get a few decent games. Why not wait a year when the competition gets tougher and get some great games cheper? Besides, the current generation console games have just reached their full potential so there still is and will be games that you shouldn't miss.

[Matthew]

Haha did I say bluetooth? I'm losing my nerd knowledge. I havent heard anything concerning the ps3 also having a hd drive, and its hard to believe becuase sony seems to be backing blueray almost exclusively in terms of their movie industry.

I'm not sure how quickly game prices drop over there, or even consoles, but it takes a fair while before they drop here. Thats why I decided to get a 360 now.. I was going to get one eventually so why not get it now? The ps3 might not be the dominant console in this generation outside japan. I honestly believe its how popular Halo 3 is. If Halo 3 becomes the must get game that halo 2 was for the original xbox, and thats before the ps3 is released (dont buy the hype of halo 3 being released on the same day as the ps3), it could easily swing things to the 360.

With that said, I'll probably get a ps3 like i got an xbox, but ill just wait until the price comes down. I always get the first next gen console (yep, i had a dreamcast too), then get the other console once theres a price drop.

you make a good point about getting the original xbox version of 2k6. if it was live enabled here i would get it, but im not sure if it is. Online gaming is a huge selling point to me these days.

I have never played BF2 on the pc, but my mate played it, and was worried if it was the same for the 360, and thats why he didnt get it. but he said if i never played it on pc, its worth getting.. and when i returned live and got BF2, he played it and said it was nothing like the pc version. Take that for what its worth, but also consider that far cry predator recieved a higher score on ign than BF2 on the 360, and theres no comparison of the two games: Battlefeild to date is the best shooter game ive played, even with the annoying asian voices.

Why dont you like online? I love playing people in madden, halo 2, cod2 and bf2 online. nothing is more satisfying then dominating someone online in gaming today.

The Wii will be more of a nostalgic system i think. It's main selling point are the oldschool controller (i know its a new idea, but the amount of buttons is small). It will have its place in the market, but only by defualt. And if its best feature will be bringing back snes and n64 games, the system will be in trouble.

I like it how people are sposed to be mad at microsoft, remember they were angry at sony in the last generation, becuase the ps2 was too hard to programme for? look how that turned out.

[Matthew]

I totally agree with Ben here. I don't want to put 400€ on a 360 just to get a few decent games. Why not wait a year when the competition gets tougher and get some great games cheper? Besides, the current generation console games have just reached their full potential so there still is and will be games that you shouldn't miss.

I'm not saying by a 360 (although i told you to buy an xbox ), i just gave reasons why i bought one.

[benji]

Yeah, I'm not sure about the Blueray thing being the only format the games are on. Most of these games are not filling DVD's, it's only the San Andreas, God of Wars that are. But that is part of why I'm waiting. PS2 playing DVD was huge for Sony in the last generation, if Blueray catches on...

Game prices and consoles drop quickly over here, I think they drop more often than Japan even. The American consumer is fickle in what he will pay. The reason the last generation didn't drop as much as previous ones was because PS2 was seen by a lot of people as a DVD+Game player.

Halo 3 is so not making the PS3 release date. Bungie said they weren't even officially working on Halo 3, they have another project in the works first. It could become Halo 3, but still. That was Gates making announcement of his own. He had a couple of those last gen.

I thought PS3 was to have HD, that Sony learned from the PS2 HD debacle, especially since HD's are so cheap these days. For some reason I remember Sony seeing the X360's small and optional hard drive as serious advantage this generation like the reverse of the last generation.

The Dreamcast is the most underrated system of all time in my opinion. It has a larger and superior game library to the Nintendo 64. There are so many games I'd still love to get my hands on for it.

I'm just so turned off by the asshats online anymore. It's mainly kids, they just aren't smart players. I guess it's because I play games where they're on my team, and they're more focused on getting kraft dinners than securing objectives.

The Wii is supposed to have a standard controller or use the GameCube's along with the newfangled one. Companies can make games for the new tech or not, like for the DS where they just use the second screen for a map or something. I personally love the concept of playing all the old games (even if I have ROMs...did I say that outloud?) how can you not like having access to SNES, NES, N64, TurboGrafix16/PC Engine or Genesis/Mega Drive games? There are so many classics on those. Plus you know Miyamoto is going to be clutch. I think Nintendo is smart in going for that "cheap second system" concept. It's a permanent niche you are guaranteed to profit in.

That PS2 stuff was such BS. The PSOne was insanely easy to program for because it was a standard processor, the PS2 had this newfangled one, so suddenly they had to expend effort. One thing of note on the PS2 though. Compare the first wave of PS2 games to the latest ones. Then compare the XBox's first wave to it's last. Is the jump as big?

I am leary about the PS3, they've shown basically nothing from it. I am much more interested in the Wii because of the different gameplay it can suppose.

Btw, the reason the Wii's main controller has so few buttons. Apparently Nintendo undertook a massive casual gamer survey. The people were saying things like "I like Mario you only needed one, two buttons, now they need all 8+ buttons" so they reasoned minimizing the required gameplay to a few buttons would pull in the casual gamer. That's their niche. I think it's a brilliant business plan. Someone is buying all those games that aren't good but are simple that always wind up in the top ten, Nintendo is reasoning that the can get those people. I have to say I am more excited for this console gen than the last one. PS2/Xbox/GC were all too similar outside of first party games/exclusives. (and their disc storage capabilities) Wii will produce some new ideas at least, like the DS has been. That might change how developers approach the standard systems in PS3/X360..

[Tuomas]

I totally agree with Ben here. I don't want to put 400€ on a 360 just to get a few decent games. Why not wait a year when the competition gets tougher and get some great games cheper? Besides, the current generation console games have just reached their full potential so there still is and will be games that you shouldn't miss.

I'm not saying by a 360 (although i told you to buy an xbox ), i just gave reasons why i bought one.

of course. I totally understand, I just pointed out my reasons why I haven't bought a next gen console yet.

[Matthew]

Ben when I say HD, I'm reffering to the high definition dvd drive that the xbox will be adding. http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/may2006/id20060503_029223.htm?chan=innovation_game+room_top+stories
I'd be shocked if the ps3 didnt have a hard drive.
I'm guessing the game sales % is higher here in australia, becuase nearly all games are sold at $100, and stay at that price until for a year. The point you raise with the ps2 staying at an expensive price is legitimate, but it didnt drop when the xbox was released, and actually xbox was before long the cheaper of the two.
Halo 3 will either make or break the xbox 360, almost in a similar way gran turismo 3 made the ps2 appealing to gamers. Everyone is saying "imagine how good halo 3 will be" etc.

I think the dreamcast paved the way for the xbox. the whole console online concept started with the dc, and the small controlers are almost identical to that of the dreamcast. Toumas, if you want a new console, fuck the gamecube, get a dreamcast

In online games its easy to have douche bags on your team. But you take the good with the bad, and then join a decent clan and participate in cla matches and your cheerin.

The Wii looks to have its niche in nostalgia, the old games, the old style controller.. i might get it, but if a game comes out on the 360 or wii id get it for the 360 simply becuase the online will be alot better. The less buttons are ok for older style games, but that era is gone.