Xbox $199 & $299

[Buckeyefan 1]

Is this worth it, or should I just play the games on the PC? This local store is running a sale for another week.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/xbox.jpg

[xboxweasel]

Depends. Do you prefer PC or console gaming. I am a console fan myself. Comfy sofa. Big screen. Awsome sound. Multi player. And my PC is not exactly a hard core gaming machine. A few hundred for a console and that plus more for a good video card. :D

[Wafflesomd]

Im exaclty the opposite, I have a very powerful gaming pc, so I prefer pc over console.

Though I cant wait for the Wii.

[majorloser]

...but it sure is nice to play on a big front projection screen :)

And you don't have to deal with a keyboard.

[Buckeyefan 1]

Depends. Do you prefer PC or console gaming. I am a console fan myself. Comfy sofa. Big screen. Awsome sound. Multi player. And my PC is not exactly a hard core gaming machine. A few hundred for a console and that plus more for a good video card. :D

Console. I'm big on surround sound. I haven't been into gaming since Play Station 1, Hot Shots Golf and Gran Turismo - yeah, I'm showing my age. I'm ready to get back into it, and at that price, how can I go wrong? The picture was stunning at my local BB today. It seemed they had the same games available as they did for PS2. Knowing my cheap @ss, I won't spend the big bucks for PS3 or Nintendo Wii for another few years. Plus, my PC wasn't built, it was bought as a package so I'm sure the sound/video cards aren't up to snuff to play intense pc games.

What's the Wii msrp BTW come 11/19/06?

What games do you recommend to start out?

Update - I didnt' know the Nintendo system was going to be $249! Wow. I'm assuming this is HD 1080p? I'm not up on this system - reading it now. Waffle, fill us in.

Ugh...480p. What's up with that?

[Thunder18]

The Wii won't be in HD, but the 360 can ouput at least 1080i if not more.

[Wafflesomd]

I'm not worried about it not being hd, since well, I dont even have one.


You really need to watch Nintendo's E3 conference.

Watch this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hx07coihqA

Its really worth the hour, and it will bring you up to speed.

[Buckeyefan 1]

So if I get this XBOX 360 for $199, I get a composite connection - which means I don't get the pic in HD. Geezus. WTF is up with that? Can you get a cheap component cable at ebay?

[Spiffyfast]

So if I get this XBOX 360 for $199, I get a composite connection - which means I don't get the pic in HD. Geezus. WTF is up with that? Can you get a cheap component cable at ebay?

Its completely worth it to get the premium package, with the premium you get a wireless controller, its so cool to turn it on and off from the couch. You also get the hard drive so you don't have to worry about running out of space on the memory card. Plus you also get the HD cable for the system. It's a much better deal.

There is also a rumor of an update to allow 1080p coming in the next few months to go along with the addition of the confirmed hd-dvd player kit

[Sheep]

Have fun playing a FPS with a controller. Computers are already HD, you can get Surround sound for them, and you can hook them up to a giant TV/projector.

BTW, Have fun surfing the net, talking on forums, buying stuff, doing bills, and burning/downloading music with an Xbox.


OWNED.

SheepStar

[mikeyj92]

Taking money out of the equation, a PC is best for FPS gaming, and FPS gaming only, imo. The problem is, you really have to keep up on your graphics card and processor every couple of years to play the latest and geratest PC games. A pretty decent graphics card alone will easily run you more than the $300 for the premium 360.

The 360 and PS3 will be THE console systems for the next 10 years (at least) imo. The Wii, although interesting, is not a HD system and I think that is a major flaw by Nintendo. Hooking that up to a big screen HDTV will render it blocky and very "gamey" looking, whereas the PS3 and 360 will look gorgeous on the big screen, especially when compared to their eirlier PS2 and Xbox models on the same screen.

Definitetly pay the extra 100 to get the premium system if you choose 360, you get $190 worth of stuff for $100, pretty good deal.

[cheapskete OCer]

i own a now out of date pc:rolleyes: amd 2ghz/ nividia 6600gt x 2 (sli)/1 gig ram....farcry/halflife 2/fear all awsome IMO....my pc was not cheap to build...i also have a 360 :D ...get the premium ..besides the hard drive...wich you really want the space for the free demos of alot of cool games and other things,the componet cables,and the wonderful wireless controller, man i love that thing...although the wired controller that comes with the core system plugs right into the pc and works better than any controller ive used for the pc, 720p 1080i on my 55" mitshu ..and with a nice surround system...sometimes i feel a wet spot in my pants :o ...all im saying is if you already have a hd tv..300 bucks on a gaming console like the 360 is well worth it... dont forget about xboxlive...it has never been easier to hook up with a friend on a server and talk crap while gunning their *** down...ok im done....XBOX 360
call of duty 2../burnout revenge/fightnight round 2/dead rising...sweet games..and you should see whats coming out before the end of the year http://xboxmovies.teamxbox.com/index/xbox-360/ there are sweet HD vids on this site for free...no registration

[cheapskete OCer]

i forgot to mention elder scrolls OBLIVION..that game is unreal

[ivseenbetter]

Yeah...but what about FPS? It's harder on the console. I don't like harder games.

The 1080P upgrade isn't a rumor. It is happening.

[cheapskete OCer]

i dont think its harder on a console...i like using both analogs to move and aim...besides the guy on the other end is using a controller too

[majorloser]

BTW, Have fun surfing the net, talking on forums, buying stuff, doing bills, and burning/downloading music with an Xbox.

All things I don't want to do while lounging back in my theater recliner chairs. A keyboard is a PITA.

[ivseenbetter]

i dont think its harder on a console...i like using both analogs to move and aim...besides the guy on the other end is using a controller too


I agree wholeheartedly. Sarcasm doesn't translate well sometimes. I was mainly saying that as a friendly tease to the PC fan club. :D

[Buckeyefan 1]

Will this cable work with the $199 system that comes with composite, or is the $299 system proprietary to HD? I was leaning towards the $299 system due to the $49 msrp component cable, but found this for much less. The wireless remote is nice, but not a make or break factor. I do like the idea of the hard drive.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000BCEJW2/ref=pd_luc_mri/002-8923616-1636833?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A2WFBR3FPZIFCP&v=glance

[Nuglets]

PC is only good for FPS? Try flying an airplane with a controller on a console. I can do it on my PC thanks to Flight Simulator, a yoke, and rudder pedals. How about real time strategy games like Age of Empires...that would be pretty lame on a console trying to scroll around a map with analog sticks and selecting guys to command around. One game that I can play well on a console is GT4 for PS2 with a racing wheel, but there is also a better game for PC called GTR. Anyways, I can't stand any games on XBOX 360 and hate the gameplay and the graphics of every game I've played. I hope that the PS3 is a much better console than the XBOX 360 or I definately won't be buying it. Just my 2 cents.

[cheapskete OCer]

yes that will work...its not the wireless controller or the component cables or the media remote (if there still including that) that you need worry about...although its a great bonus...its the hard drive.....trust me you will be kicking yourself in the *** later when you realize you cant download crap ...oh ...i probably forgot to mention ..if you dont get the premium you have to buy a memory card...i dont know what they cost now ..but when i got my 360 at launch i got stuck with a core system cause thats all that was in...so i had to turn around and pay 40 bucks for a 256MB mem card.(useless).....i think 30 for the component cable..:mad: i was pissed

[cheapskete OCer]

PC is good for only FPS? Try flying and airplane with a controller on a console. I can do it on my PC thanks to Flight Simulator, a yoke, and rudder pedals. How about real time strategy games like Age of Empires...that would be pretty lame on a console trying to scroll around a map with analog sticks. One game that I can play well on a console is GT4 for PS2 with a racing wheel, but I also have a better game for PC called GTR. Anyways, I can't stand any games on XBOX 360 and hate the gameplay and the graphics of every game I've played. I hope that the PS3 is a much better console than the XBOX 360 or I definately won't be buying it. Just my 2 cents.
LOL...were not having a PC vs Console war here...thats pointless...that is strictly opinion...i owned almost every console that was introduced in the USA besides the neogeo and a couple of the atari systems like the jaguar...dont even start raggin on the 360 it is a very capable machine..and im still in awe when i play some of the games on it...if you hate the graphics your TV must suck ..ok im done..no offense...FanBoy

[ivseenbetter]

PC is only good for FPS? Try flying an airplane with a controller on a console. I can do it on my PC thanks to Flight Simulator, a yoke, and rudder pedals. How about real time strategy games like Age of Empires...that would be pretty lame on a console trying to scroll around a map with analog sticks and selecting guys to command around. One game that I can play well on a console is GT4 for PS2 with a racing wheel, but there is also a better game for PC called GTR. Anyways, I can't stand any games on XBOX 360 and hate the gameplay and the graphics of every game I've played. I hope that the PS3 is a much better console than the XBOX 360 or I definately won't be buying it. Just my 2 cents.

See sarcasm never translates well over forums. People get worked up over the silliest of things.

[Nuglets]

I am sorry but I didn't rag on it. I didn't say anything about it's capabilities, I simply said I didn't like(I used the word hate which is my opinion) it, the gameplay, or the graphics. I was also saying that a PC isn't "only good for FPS games". That statement is invalid and provoked an argument whether you like it or not. I would not want a PC vs. Console war because I love my PS2, and think consoles are a much easier option than setting up a PC for the average gamer.

I wasn't getting worked up before, I was just stating my opinion. Now that OC has insulted me, I am worked up. People who talk about things like a PC fanclub really bug me, because they obviously like what they like and could just as easily be called a "fanboy" of whatever that happens to be.

People that are considered "fans" of PC's are usually well informed people who understand a simple truth, that hardware for PC's is always improving the capabilities happen to be far greater than that of a console. Most people translate that as "Consoles suck, buy a PC." which is incorrect. Simply understanding that the hardware is superior is not saying that there isn't a place for console games, but the "power" of it is not up to par with a PC and this is shown in the price. Whether you like it or not, $399 will not get you a super-computer, it will get you a gaming console with middle of the road capabilities.

Also, the fact that it's a capable machine isn't related directly to a quality game. The programming of the game is up to programmers not the console maker's. The fact that I don't like any of the games, the gameplay, or the graphics is not a problem I have with Microsoft, it's the people that make the games I've played for the XBOX 360. Although, it is the console itself which has an operating system with the limits of programming language's the programmer is able to work with.

Starting your post with "LOL" and ending with "No offense FanBoy" is quite childish and shows that you aren't capable of taking part in a civilized argument so I hope you don't reply and this argument is over...but who knows? Also, talking about how my T.V. must suck is just ridiculous. Please don't deliberately offend me and follow it with "no offense". You are very arrogent!

[Buckeyefan 1]

Here's what I want. A HD system that can do games like Sony's original GT whatever version and Hot Shots Golf. I'm not into FPS, and could care less playing others online. Does the XBOX 360 have a great golf game, as well as a driving game? Tiger Woods PC games are horrible IMHO. I just have a hard time swallowing $500 for a new PS3 to play a few games in HD. You gotta realize I'm from the Atari 2600/Coleco Vision era. I still have a working Vectrex game in the basement if any of you are old enough to know what that is. The Sony PS is the last system I've had. My next one will probably be the last until my kids are into it. They're still young. ;)

[Sheep]

This is weird. I used to play GT3 and GT4 all the time, and I was really good at it, but ever since Underground 2 and Most Wanted came out, I can drive with a keyboard better then people with steering wheels.

I don't need a console for driving games. As far as keyboards go, its called wireless.

SheepStar

[Nuglets]

This is weird. I used to play GT3 and GT4 all the time, and I was really good at it, but ever since Underground 2 and Most Wanted came out, I can drive with a keyboard better then people with steering wheels.

I don't need a console for driving games. As far as keyboards go, its called wireless.

SheepStar

I would classify GT3 and GT4 (playstation) and GTR (PC) as simulators and the NFS series to be far from simulation. That may be the reason the steering wheel won't help someone in those type of games. If you try to race in GTR with a keyboard vs. somebody with a steering wheel you will be at a major disadvantage.

It would be like trying to fly in Flight Sim without a yoke. Just not happenin' if you wish to fly as you would in a real airplane without scaring the hell out of anybody riding with you :D

Buckeye, if you like simulation driving games Gran Turismo 4 and a Logitech Driving Force Pro racing wheel will be the only way to give you that on a console. Otherwise there is GTR for PC which is another simulation driving game which you can use the same wheel. As far as XBOX is concerned, there is Forza Motorsports, but you won't get the simulation feel because there isn't a wheel for the XBOX that is comparable to the Driving Force Pro, which has true force feedback and 900 degrees of rotation.

[majorloser]

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g278/majorloser_pics/Theater050.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g278/majorloser_pics/Theater044.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g278/majorloser_pics/Theater046.jpg

On a custom made black leather console. And a drink holder to boot :p

EDIT: I was going to put a spinner hubcap on the side of the chair as a joke.

[Sheep]

PGR is the biggest fopa to racing games sinse mario kart.

Undergounrd 2 and MW have very different driving engine then GT3 and 4. BUT, I like being able to paint my car after buying it. ;)

GT3 and 4 also get frustating sometimes. I like my oversteer and that game doesn't have any (unless you have a supra with a stage 4 turbo).

SheepStar

[cheapskete OCer]

Nuglets ...im just yanking your chain buddy...have some fun...i was calling youa sony fanboy by the way....and withdraw any offending comments Major loser...thats is a very big very nice system(showoff;) ) buckeyefan all we have for golf right now is tiger woods...racing PGR3 burnout revenge NFS most wanted and test drive ..i like the first 3 mentioned racers

[majorloser]

The room is 20'x12'. The screen is 100" diag. Nothing like playing games on the Big Screen. And "yes", I have played computer games in there. It's a pain to use a keyboard when you're reclined back chillin'. Gamepads are much easier to use.

Granted those shots weren't very good since I wasn't using a tripod. PGR2 was always a favorite of mine. I also like the NFS series. I'm waiting for the PS3 before I decide which one I'll sink my funds into. I don't mind waiting.

[cheapskete OCer]

Major..if you get a chance ..rent burnout revenge wether you like the game or not ..you should hear it....it has the best sound ive heard in a racing game ..it really sounds like your in a freaking hotrod and like your wrecking an entire city...actually you can just download the demo of it for free on the marketplace if you have xboxlive

[Buckeyefan 1]

Major,

That is tooo cool.

[Nuglets]

GT3 and 4 also get frustating sometimes. I like my oversteer and that game doesn't have any (unless you have a supra with a stage 4 turbo).

SheepStar

Ever driven the RUF CTR "Yellow Bird"? That car is the prime example of oversteer!! You can't just power oversteer any car but there is definately plenty of it in GT4, especially when you use a wheel and can really control it. All it requires is rear wheel drive, a decent amount of power, and some skill and you can oversteer all you want in that game. Not the best way to win races but it can be fun. It's also very hard to control a car that is oversteering with the X button and analog stick. It requires a good deal of control of the steering wheel and accelerator pedal just as in a real car.

By the way...That's a nice PGR setup but that game is nowhere near a simulation driving game if realism is what you are looking for in a driving game. That wheel also doesn't have true Force Feedback and no 900 degree rotation.

I'm the type of person who likes realism in a game. I like to play games that reflect things that I really love doing like: racing cars, flying airplanes and shooting people...Well maybe not the last one :P but the first two are a blast in the real world and I like games that do a great job simulating the experience. I guess I take the fun out of video games a little bit. I just use them to sharpen my driving and pilot skills.

OC...thank you for the apology, I was just a bit offended and really hate that "fanboy" term. It is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard in my life and the only people I've EVER heard use it are people defending the XBOX. No other time have I heard that term used and it's annoying as hell. Sorry to blow up, I just truly loathe it. Anyways, no hard feelings...Peace.

[Sheep]

Ever driven the RUF CTR "Yellow Bird"? That car is the prime example of oversteer!! You can't just power oversteer any car but there is definately plenty of it in GT4, especially when you use a wheel and can really control it. All it requires is rear wheel drive, a decent amount of power, and some skill and you can oversteer all you want in that game. Not the best way to win races but it can be fun. It's also very hard to control a car that is oversteering with the X button and analog stick. It requires a good deal of control of the steering wheel and accelerator pedal just as in a real car.


All having a steering wheel tells me is you need a more advanced mechanism to do what I can do with a more primitive one. :p

I can control oversteer with a X button and an analogue stick (they're pressure sensitive, remember?) and I can drift with a keyboard. All it takes is practice.

SheepStar

[Nuglets]

All having a steering wheel tells me is you need a more advanced mechanism to do what I can do with a more primitive one. :p

I can control oversteer with a X button and an analogue stick (they're pressure sensitive, remember?) and I can drift with a keyboard. All it takes is practice.

SheepStar

Sheep, you are playing a completely different game where driving is unrealistic. I play a game where driving is realistic. Try racing a real car with buttons.

By the way, buttons in a car would be a pretty advanced mechanism if they found a way to get it to work. A steering wheel is pretty basic :)