CNET's Xbox 360 Preview

Coming this Christmas..

Thursday, August 11, 2005 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News

Half the fun of a next-generation console comes from the furious rumormongering that precedes its arrival, and the Microsoft Xbox 360 has been no exception. But with the Xbox 360's release date now only three months away, it's time to revisit the platform and see which rumored features have been confirmed, which have been shot down, and which remain firmly in the realm of speculation.
GhoS
Reply #1 Thursday, August 11, 2005 4:08 PM
I am not an XBOX fan, but even so I feel this second one makes more mistakes than improves on things from the first one.
It doesn't sound like its going to be fully backward compatible, which is going to either make many decide not to buy it or just make it a little annoying for those who do.
It will allow HDTV quality games, but still uses only a regular DVD media. So with the report that a second version of the XBOX360 will be released with HD-DVD support, some customers may choose to wait on the purchase. (unless they offer free swapping)
I should think they would have a confirmed released date by next month. If not, it would seem to me they don't have a good business plan for the release.
Overall though I think its an improvement over the huge first XBOX. I just don't think things are that well thought out because they wanted to be first out the gates this generation.
Island Dog
Reply #2 Thursday, August 11, 2005 6:43 PM
I really haven't decided if I'm going to get this. Price is a big factor also.

Pricing: Despite widely reported rumors of a $299 price tag, with games allegedly in the $59 vicinity, Microsoft has yet to make anything official. But given that it matches the launch price of the original Xbox (which has since been discounted to $149), $299 wouldn't be a big surprise. Furthermore, it may actually be a bargain among next-generation consoles. Sony president Ken Kutaragi has repeatedly and somewhat maniacally declared that the PlayStation 3 will be affordable to almost nobody, fueling theories that the PS3's price could approach or even surpass the $400 mark.


I paid that for my PS2, but I wouldn't go over $299. Games for $59, I don't think so.

gfcentral002
Reply #3 Friday, August 12, 2005 3:34 AM
i don't have an xbox *having computers running microsoft products is enough i don't need them in every part of my life lol* but i do have a ps2, nintendo ds, gameboy advance, gameboy original *big gray thing w/ green screen*, N64, SNES, NES *yes the original! with duckhunt and the orange gun!!*. if the PS3 isn't too overly price, i'd def consider it. i am seriously considering the new nintendo system, Revolution, because of the ability to download games from all previous systems!!! that right there is probably the greatest thing and even better than just being "backward compatible" because they used different thigns for games, not just cd's. just imagine, playing original mario or zelda w/o having the original NES system - whew too much excitement. i think Nintendo will pull through with this one really well, and maybe microsoft will fall *not to be dissing microsoft or anything* who knows, maybe next round Apple will be developing their own gaming system too (lol)
NightTrainthedark
Reply #4 Friday, August 12, 2005 4:56 AM
just imagine, playing original mario or zelda w/o having the original NES system - whew too much excitement.


That was Bill Gate's original thinking behind X-Box. It was supposed to be able to play any game from any system. He lied!
joeKnowledge
Reply #5 Friday, August 12, 2005 5:21 AM
I read fron a Digg.com link that XBOX might raise the price of the game to match PS3.

Anyway, I like the XBOX 360, mostly because it will not cost 500 dollars and do all these different things when all I want to to is play a game and go online (not purchase music or have a wireless router, DVD writer)
arkoren
Reply #6 Friday, August 12, 2005 9:31 AM
Honestly, I really disliked the Xbox. It seemed it really lacked in quality exclusive titles and I wouldn't be surprised if the 360 does the same thing. It seems Microsoft is run by monkeys.
Mnelson
Reply #7 Friday, August 12, 2005 10:11 AM
maybe next round Apple will be developing their own gaming system too (lol)


And it'll have a gigantic library of 3 whole games too! Haha, oh wow, and Apple system, would they claim they invented the controller ?
Anyway, I'm not a huge fan of the Xbox, I've played a few games on it, but...I have Halo for the PC, and besides that, every game I would want for the Xbox I already have for the PS2.
Speaking of which, I definately want the new PS3, and OF COURSE a Revolution, I've wanted that since like....ever(2002)! I'd like to have both, but if it comes down to it I'll choose my Revolution. It'll be small, be powerful enough to play games well, backward-compatible with Gamecube discs, and of course it'll be able to download games from any of Nintendo's previous systems (A good way to back-up all of my precious SNES games should they ever break!). Plus chances are, like the Gamecube, it won't be that expensive.

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