Xbox 360 Console (20 GB Hard Drive)

A multi media experience

Xbox 360, shown with levitating wireless controller

In comparison to the Darth Vader inspired design of the original Xbox, the Xbox 360 a thing of (near) wondrous beauty.

In addition to playing games and movies, the Xbox 360 can stream music and video from a wide variety of electronic devices, including iPods and the Sony PSP.

Get Live

The Xbox 360 offers an online gaming experience via Xbox Live. This allows you to play multi-player Xbox 360 games on the internet via your broadband connection. The service also lets you download--and save on the console's hard drive--new missions, characters and vehicles for your favourite games. You can also shout real-time abuse at your opponents using the Xbox 360 headset

Choose the package that's right for you

The Xbox 360 comes in two different packages: the deluxe package includes a wireless controller, 20GB hard drive, and a number of other accessories. Alternatively, the Core System bundle has a standard wired controller and no hard drive.

Which option is right for you will depend largely on your gaming needs--are you a fan of downloadable content? Do controller wires upset the feng shui of your living room? There are pros and cons for each option: for instance, if you do plump for the Core System you will have to buy a separate memory unit if you want to save your games. Likewise, if you opt for the deluxe version you will need a steady supply of AA batteries or a rechargeable battery pack to power the wireless controller.

The Xbox 360 is only backwards compatible with a limited number of original Xbox titles, and a hard drive is required for this function.

The console itself is very neat, not nearly as big as the XBox (as many people were worried about), very good looking, and not nearly as loud as discribed.

The cost, at £280 for a premium pack that includes so much, is a VERY competitive price, I look back remembering that I paid £300 notes for the first XBox, which did not include a headset or remote.

Using the console can be a little fraustrating at first, but this will only affect the die hard XBox fans, such as booting up a game from the machine being switched off, you can sit there through the cut-scenes shouting at your controller as to why it won't skip, and then you realise you didn't turn the controller on....

And if you're playing old games such as Halo2, you will be bashing a blank space on the game pad trying to press white or back to see the scores.

I have Perfect Dark 0 and Project Gotham 3. These games are superb, if you're looking for something new, then this is the place to find it. Gotham has had a mini overhaul, and while the in-car views are nothing short of dazzling, they can be difficult to drive the car, but not to worry, online, you can FORCE everyone in your room to play with that view and manual gears if you so wish. You might lose your friends fast though :)

And finally, if you're thinking of waiting to buy a PS3, I recommend you reconsider your next gen console. Seeing as the consumers have not yet seen a REAL PS3 working, you can be certain it's not going to be released until this time next year. It will also cost a packet with the kind of features they're planning, and if you keep up with the gaming news, you'll also see many Playstation loyal developers are being forced to move and support either XBox or Nintendo due to the sheer costs Sony are outlining that it will cost to develop a game, meaning many of those Japanese games that some people buy the PS for, will no longer be available.

If you are reading this with the mind of buying a new console and are not convinced with the XBox, ask yourself a few things. Do you have broadband? Not something that should affect the buying of a console, but if you're not sure, and don't have broadband, I would advise you to look a bit more at the console.

However, if you do own a broadband package, make no hesitation in buying XBox360. The online side of this thing is for lack of a better word, perfect. The online reputation scheme keeps people in shape, and if it doesn't, you will only meet them once as when people have a bad rep, they play other people with a bad rep, the system works this time.

This console is fantastic.


Incredible   October 14, 2006
Jam (England)
18 out of 19 found this review helpful

Got mine in May 06, since i had heard many consoles released in 05 were faulty. You NEED xbox live gold to enjoy the full capabilities of the 360, and it's only £3 per month. You will also need the premium system, the core system is a bit of a rip. With great games currently out like GRAW, Dead Rising, PGR3 and TESIV, there is something for eveyone. There are also loads of cool games coming out over the next 2 years like Halo 3, PGR4, Halo Wars, CoD 3 and Gears Of War. With the demos over xbl marketplace you can try almost any game before you purchase it, the xbl arcade is also v. goofd, i would recommend Geometry Wars from that.

Concerning HDTV's, if you already have one, it'll look perfect, especialy with the 1080p output update coming this november. But if you don't have a HDTV and don't intend on getting one for a while, buy a widescreen monitor (the best price/quality is the Acer AL916W, 19" for £140) and an xbox 360 VGA cable, and the picture given out is increcible, much better than my 38" Sony CRT (non-HD)!


Make no mistakes - it's great!   May 31, 2006
Murray (UK)
16 out of 17 found this review helpful

Let's start things off by challenging some of the brainless things said by other reviewers about games etc. This system has been available for about 6 months. It has taken most developers YEARS to get to grips with the current generation of consoles in order to make their games look amazing. If anyone out there has a PS2 library with games from 2001 and games from 2006 then you can see the difference. I agree that at the moment most of the games on the 360 don't look quite as good as they could, but give it time - these titles will look amazing. It's already happening with games like GRAW and Hitman - Bloodmoney. They look great - and there's potential for more!
Also, there seems to be some general Microsoft bashing going on for the sake of it! I'm no great fan of the monopoly of MS but let's get this straight - they have hit the mark with the 360. The fact that Sony are, basically, ripping off the Xbox Live system for the (vastly overpriced) PS3 tells you everything you need to know about the 360's real attraction - online play! It's online where the 360 really grabs you and WONT let go! The joy of playing someone from across the other side of the planet at Quake 4 or EA Fight Night is emmense!
Overall, let me please beg you to ignore the idiots on here who probably haven't touched a 360, let alone own one to review. Yes there have been minor glitches, yes there is a way to go with the graphical quality of the games - but this system really is amazing. Oh, one last point, it might be worth holding off till nearer Xmas if you are thinking of getting one. Sony release the PS3 in Nov, and you can bet your house that Microsoft will respond with a fairly big price drop for the 360.



Xbox 360: Is it worth £280?   December 4, 2005
16 out of 17 found this review helpful

Brilliant. Pure Genius. That is what i think about 360. I just played it in Bluewater, playing on Kameo (demo), Call of Duty (demo), King Kong (demo) and Project Gotham Racing 3 (full version). They were running on HD televisions, which really shows 360's power. All the demos were extremely impressive but Project Gotham Racing 3 was the best by far.
The controller is one of the best i have felt and seen - it is really comfy and fits perfectly into your hand. The controller is either wired (cheaper) or wireless (expensive) but that is the only difference between the two. There is also a noticeable green 'X' in the middle which sends you back to the main menu where you cna choose from playing DVD's, CD's or playing games.
If you buy the Core package, you will get a wired controller and a 360 for £210 but is you buy the Premium package, you get a wireless controller, a 20Gb hard drive, a headset, a media remote controller and of course a 360.
But is it worth it? Yes and No. I would extremely recommend buying one with Project Gotham and Perfect Dark Zero and a Premium Pack but not right now. There have been complaints that 360's have been very loud and are often crashing due to overheating. When Microsoft have fixed 360, dropped the price (when PS3 comes out in Spring), introduced more games and stock supplies, i would buy one! Otherwise, wait! Thanks for reading!