I agree with all the good points about the Microsoft Xbox made by others, and some of the bad points. My main gripe is that existing Xbox games aren't automatically playable, which is really bad of Microsoft. I work in technology, and I know this is not a big thing to offer in this day and age.

Iv had my xbox360 for a while now on first impressions i loved it even thought it was better than my cube for a small amount of time. i was surprised at how good the controller was it works like a dream. Graphics were pretty good too. After this the long list of down points kicks in.
first thing i noticed was the huge power pack. Another one of 360s problems is it has hardly any good games which aren't fps (first person shooters) yeah dead rising, forza 2 and saints row are coming out and should be great but apart from them there's nothing. Yeah I do like fps but not all the time. At times the 360 can also be unreliable with problems with freezing during games and heating up too much both of these iv never experienced on another console part form ps2. I have premium pack with 20gb hardrive, which is a substantial amount of memory but compared to ps3s whopping 60gb its nothing.
the build quality is fine apart from the disc tray looks and feels cheap. Prices of games is a tad overpriced for what you get mostly just another man with a gun
I recommend sticking with the original Xbox as it has the best fps ever made- halo 2
but if your looking for a new console i would aim for a Nintendo wii or a PlayStation 3.

The xbox 360 is a great games system with some decent games, although not many on the launch line up. Also if you have the wireless controller the batteries need to be changed a lot.
If you dont have a HD tv then you may be dissapointed but if you do the graphics are amazing and so are the games.
I would reccomend this console to anybody looking for a games console with amazing features and great graphics.

I have had my XBOX 360 about 3 months now and I am extremely impressed, the difference however in playing through the standard AV set up and HD set up is immense.
If I had to rate this console through a standard AV configuration then I would say it's far too expensive for what would be a glorified Xbox, however for me with the inclusion of the HD option this bridges the gap between console and high end PC graphics wise, playing certain games like FIFA Road to World Cup in HD is breathtaking and what I always envisaged future gaming to be about.
The problem starts if you don't have a HD ready TV, the games don't look much different to say a Playstation 2 game, also certain HD ready TVs don't offer the right quality and again you may be left thinking what the fuss is all about.
I play the game on a Sony Bravia LCD HD TV and it is superb so.....

I bought a Xbox 360 just before Christmas, and overall it is a fantastic piece of kit. The Xbox Live online system is implemented brilliantly, and the Xbox Live Marketplace allows you to download demos, trailers and themes for your 360.

From the games I have tried so far, they have been OK, although I was expecting a better launch line-up. I am currently renting games because I cannot afford to spend £50 every time I wish to buy a game. The graphics are definitely a step up from the last generation so to speak.

As for value for money, everything seems OK, but I will wait until more games come out to make my opinion. The only problem I have had is when it froze whilst playing online. Since then there have been no problems.

I would recommend the 360 to friends, but all of them are PlayStation fanboys.

I just bought an Xbox 360 at the weekend, so this review is pretty much based on first impressions.

Firstly the box weighs a ton. I got the premium edition of the console, and the combination of wireless controller and power supply really isn't light.
I only bought one game, which was Project Gotham Racing, which I was playing 5 minutes after getting home. First thing I noticed was that the graphics don't look that much better than GT4 on my PS2 (with a component video connection), which surprised me a lot, considering I have a HDTV and the console set to 720p.
Secondly I tried a DVD. The playback is awful. In dark areas of a scene you can see terrible quantizing artifacts everywhere. If you're planning to use the machine to watch DVD's, don't bother, as it's going to really annoy you.

I found connecting to XBox live really simple. A bit convoluted, but I connected my laptop to a wifi hotspot, plugged in the Ethernet cable supplied with the XBox, told it to configure itself, and it worked perfectly. Say what you like about Microsoft, but they do know how to integrate their products well.

Lastly, I found some sample videos on the Xbox last night while poking around, the video was simply stunning. That leads me to think that when the games have matured a little and an external HD-DVD drive is released, the console is going to be greatly improved.
In the short term though, if you can't afford both then I'd wait for a PS3. The Xbox looks good, but it's more "existing gen and a half" than truly "next gen".

Well I got my Microsoft Xbox 360 1 week ago and it's a great thing to play on - I remember 15 years ago playing Mario and sonic, WOW since then games have come a long way - they where 8 bit systems with little graphics, if you look back to the old school days and look at today's advanced games machines you will say wow. Now we are all playing life like games but some times it isn't worth the cash to play - I still think Mario brothers is better LOL!

I got my Microsoft Xbox 360 at launch and I was happy with the performance from my new toy. It's not the a huge leap forward from the original xbox, graphically and otherwise, but it is still considerably better.

I've only bought one game (Perfect Dark Zero), and while it is an accomplished game, I've finished it a couple of times already. It is reputed to be the best game on the console to date, and I find this hard to believe as I would only rate the game as an 8.5.

I do have a few gripes with the console,
1) the fan is very loud, as loud as the original ps2
2) backward compatibility is only accessible through xbox live
3) the games to date haven't been much to shout about and releases have been few and far between
4) the emphasis on xbox live has been lost on people like me who don't have access to broadband at home
5) in order to maximise the consoles performance you must shell out for a HD tv and 5.1 surround systems
6) on top of the cost of games which in Ireland retail for between €65 to €75

It is evident that the xbox 360 is a rushed job for the Christmas season, and it may not have affected it's popularity and demand now, but I would predict that when the ps3 arrives the flaws in the 360 will be very evident.

This is a very competent console and I am happy with it, but if you can only afford one next gen console and if you are able to wait for the ps3, I would recommend you do.

I suspect that I am one of the few lucky Xbox 360 owners who didn't fight through throbbing crowds of nerdy, spotty, middle aged, teenage, dweebs on December 2nd, only to be informed that my pre-ordered machine was unavailable until April 2006!

In fact, I only decided to purchase a 360 once the Microsoft 360 demonstration booths began to appear in local stores, and I could see first hand what all the hype had been about. Impressed, I sold a rare guitar I owned, and sat in the comfort of my own home wading through eBay listings until I found a realistically priced 'Buy it now' auction that had literally just been placed online.

Two days after launch, and exactly 24 hours after I had placed my eBay bid, I received the most eagerly awaited console to date. So, I can't claim to have even waited, unless you count 24 hour delivery as excessive!

My first thought was 'This is a very small box'. Indeed I had assumed the 360 would be hand delivered by Amazonian virgins dressed in very little. Sadly, it was just a box.

There are currently 2 versions of the 360 on sale (where?!)

1) Core pack. This consists of an Xbox 360 with a white DVD drawer. A wired controller, basic AV lead to plug into your TV (LCD, Plasma, projector) and a massive power pack.

2) Premium pack. Which is by far the better valued package. It includes the Xbox 360 with a silver DVD drawer. A wireless controller, HD AV cable, Media remote control (limited to first edition I'm afraid), 20GB hard drive, head phone/microphone for Xbox live. (If I've forgotten something, then please forgive me, I couldn't find this unit anywhere!)

Both units come with warranty card, instruction manual and adequate packaging.

Lastly, you are also currently given a months GOLD connection to Xbox live (more on this later).

Having only been able to get my hands on the Core pack, I discovered the following, which might be useful to anyone following in my footsteps.

At the time of writing this, your Xbox games WILL NOT automatically play on the 360. In order to get them to play you A: need a Hard Drive B: you need to update your 360, either by Internet access or downloading an update to your PC, burning it onto CD Rom, and popping that into your 360.

Why? Well, apparently the 360 has a completely different graphics engine, and this means Microsoft have a list of games (approximately 200 at the time of writing) which will work if you take the steps I have detailed. If not, tough!

Any benefit with this? Well, the graphics are improved as the old games are running on better graphics engines. So if and when you can locate a hard drive, it's fine, so long as you own one of the 200 on the list. Will they ever complete the list to all titles? Who knows; but out of 30 games I had for the original Xbox, only 5 worked once I bought a hard drive.

The hard drive is simple to install, and it can be used to save game data, MP3's, video's, and even downloaded games and content from Xbox live. An excellent idea, but why only 20GB? that will fill up in no time at all if you are a GOLD Xbox live user! Without a CD burner built into the 360 to burn this content onto, that ultimately means you'll have to be careful what you delete or keep.

The Wireless controllers are something I've not yet used as I don't need them. I have heard however, that they have had a few teething problems, such as the batteries running out quickly and the console losing connection.

A key feature Microsoft kept from the original Xbox is that the wired controller has a small connection along the cable, so if someone trips, yanks or tries to move the cable too quickly it un-clips without damaging the Xbox. Unlike the original unit, the new controller uses a USB connection (which leads me to consider trying it on my PC for PC gaming too).

The controller is probably the most comfortable unit I have ever used. It is very ergonomic and highly styled, it also remains straight forward; and for the first time the Sony controller is beaten (in my opinion) into second place (after years at top spot!)

Prior to buying the hard drive, I purchased a memory card (which is a reasonable 64MB at a reasonable price £25). This allowed me to save game data to the card, but nothing else. It is NO substitute for the hard drive. It is also not held very tightly in the memory card slot - in fact it wiggles, although the connection seems secure.

The wireless adaptor is incredibly simple and very secure. This is another additional accessory, but necessary, if like me there is no way you can connect to the Internet from your living room (and a category 5 Ethernet cable would be too interesting to our 2 year old).

Setting the wireless adaptor up to file share with the 360 and get online was a complete nightmare. Before you embark on this major feat, contact your ISP (AOL in my case; who were less than helpful) and see whether they can give you any advice.

What you do need is patience!

The 360 allows two types of connection to your PC.

1) File sharing, view a piece of software you are required to download (free) from Microsoft Xbox support. This means that your 360 can play MP3 audio files, certain video files and JPEG images etc., directly from your PC's hard drive.

I personally think this is a huge bonus, as although you can't send the files and save them on your PC, it certainly frees up space I would have normally used for MP3's on the 20GB hard drive attached to the 360. Most PC hard drives are miles bigger, and can easily be used to store all the music for the house.

2) You can use Windows Media Centre to view TV, film and all sorts, but this is not coming into my house, as I dislike TV and can't be bothered with the additional expense.

The 360 backs these features with the another accessory - the remote control. Unlike the original Xbox you are automatically able to access DVD without the remote control (like the PS2), however the remote control no longer needs a dongle IR (attachable infra red remote sensor). The IR is built into the 360.

The controller is reviewed (no doubt elsewhere), but I feel that this is a key feature, especially if you plan to use the 360 with Windows Media Centre software, as it effectively completes Bill Gates' dream of making everything convergent in the living room, and is a quiet revolution in my opinion.

Once you have mastered the bits and pieces in the box, you finally get to the console itself. I've left the best until last.

I unpacked everything, set the 360 up (massive PSU power brick hidden behind the neighbours house!) and switched it on...

The immediate thing was that it demonstrated the RED LIGHTS OF DOOM! The front panel has 4 separate lights arrayed in a circle. They should create a chase effect, which Microsoft call 'The Ring of Light ' - cheesy or what?

If your console shows a red light, it spells trouble. I quickly discovered that ALL the connections at the rear of the unit are required to be very tightly inserted until they click. A bit more force was required, which I had been afraid of just in case I broke something.

The Ring of Light doing it's light ring thing, and up pops the new 360 load screen, then the new Xbox dashboard. Dashboard is where you select, update, configure and start every 360 experience.

I don't think this review is really meant to ramble on so long, but hell lets be in-depth eh? After all you are considering spending £300 on a console so you want to be sure!

Dashboard comprises the front end of the consoles operating system, so it's the equivalent of Windows Desktop (the bit where you select which programmes to launch).

Microsoft wisely designed the same features without it looking like you were actually using a PC. It's colour coded into sections, so you always know which areas of Dashboard you are cycling through.

It depends on what accessories are attached to the 360 as to precisely what options are available in Dashboard. The more you add, the more areas you can use or configure.

If you just set up the 360 on it's own (Core system), then the most important thing to do is just pop a game or DVD into it and load.

You are required to set up a gaming name straight away. This creates a means by which you can save the details of your gaming exploits and levels. Without a hard drive or memory card this is pointless, as nothing is stored internally, and you will just have to start at ground zero each time you load in the game. Not an option in my book.

Dashboard looks better and operates more like a PC in my opinion, which could be a distinct disadvantage to anyone unfamiliar with Windows operating systems (1% of the population surely).

So now the hardware and software of the system are covered; what about the actual operation of the unit?

I decided that in this type of review there is no point detailing the technical specifications of the console as they are available in 1 million other places. What I would want to know prior to buying a console like this is, 'Does it rock like they say it does, or is it a pile of poo?'

Rightly, you might consider me biased, after all I own one, and I am hardly going to say it's rubbish after spending the best part of £500 on this thing. Correct! My wife would go NUTS if I said 'It wasn't worth it', 'waste of money', or 'I think I'll get the PS3 instead'. What I will add however, is that I am a games console owner, not a Microsoft or Xbox enthusiast.

There are a certain number of grumbles.

1) The unit generates more heat than a furnace and needs more cool ventilation than available in Alaska. Although my 360 is housed in a TV cabinet, I have to open the doors whilst using it - close them and you could literally cook an egg on the console case.

2) The 20GB hard drive is a necessary addition, but it should have been half the price.

3) The build quality of the case is worrying, as it seems brittle.

4) It really should have been compatible out of the box with original Xbox games. No excuses, it's a major blow to someone like me who loved the original Xbox.

5) You need a degree in metaphysics to get this blasted console on-line. Once on-line, there's a wonder world of purchasing other games and downloads. This could be utterly abused by your kids if they learned how to do it. Suddenly the access to purchasing things on a games console seems insane.

The pros however, are as long as your arm, but come down to one phrase:

The 360 is amazing! In a nut shell, that's it! At this point I could say 'review over' and leave you wondering why, which is probably what you want as this review is akin to War & Peace, and I've only said 1 thing about the 360!

Once you obtain a software title you enjoy (which in my case is Need For Speed: Most Wanted, then you'll never look back. The processor speed, the graphics, and the attention to detail are breath taking.

Microsoft have managed to achieve my childhood dream. A means of playing arcade quality games in my living room.

The 360 is by far the most exciting and impressive games console around. In spite of the minor niggles and teething problems, I give the 360 a score of 9/10.

Xbox Live on the Microsoft Xbox 360 is excellent. Multiplayer means there is always a geek or another kid wanting to play.

Graphics are impressive, and I can't wait until games are more fully developed to take advantage of the hardware, and to push it to its limits.

I like the graphic interface on the Microsoft Xbox 360. It is nice not to have to wait for the game to load for every new scene. The price is a little high, even for what you get, but as always that will come down in a matter of time.

The XBox 360 is a nice gaming system. It has removable face-plates, sleek name-brand wireless controllers, and the jump on Sony and Nintendo.

The graphics on the 360 were noticeably better than the original XBox, but not THAT much better. Think of the best graphics on XBox and add a couple of points to that, and that would be the XBox 360's graphics. Definitely a disappointment because Microsoft talked up the graphics.

There aren't too many games for the 360 either. I have played many of the released games. Some of which include: Need For Speed: Most Wanted, Madden NFL 2006, Perfect Dark Zero, Condemned, and Call of Duty 2. NFS: Most Wanted and Call of Duty 2 were good, but a lot of the games were ported over from the first XBox. The only new titles for the 360 at launch were Condemned, Perfect Dark Zero, Kameo, and Project Gotham Racing 3.

Even though the XBox 360 costs a bundle, you get a lot in the premium package. You pay 100 USD more to get a hard drive (normally $100), a DVD remote ($30), wireless controller ($10 more than a regular), an XBox Live headset (at least $30), and HDTV cables. You end up saving $60-$80 on the bundle. However, the system itself could be a lot better, so the premium is not the perfect package.

After all that is said, the XBox 360 is nice, but could have been a lot better. It did not quite live up to its hype. However, if you like games like Elder Scrolls, Kameo, and Halo 3, then the XBox 360 might be for you.

Having read other peoples reviews on the Microsoft Xbox 360, I felt the need to give my two cents.

The Xbox 360 is without a doubt the next generation of console gaming! It enables more people to enjoy gaming in high definition with anti-aliasing, pixel shading, and vertex lighting etc., without shelling out thousands of pounds for a super PC.

It also connects the world of gamers together with Xbox Live, which in my opinion is the most innovative gaming service to date; it beats the hell out of anything on the PC!

The operating system on the 360 is also just as innovative, and it can be personalised to suit anyone's tastes.

The controller design is brilliant. The only gripe is that the start and back buttons are in an odd place.

The console is not as noisy as some are saying. Personally I have my TV volume on about 20, which is about medium, and I can't hear the fan or the DVD drive over my rifle shots and explosions when playing Call of Duty.

Also, some people on this site are moaning about the launch line-up. Well, all I will say is, it's early days for crying out loud! What do you expect?

I reckon the Xbox 360 will really shine this year!!

I am not pleased with the Xbox 360 games console, especially with its graphics capabilities, and my home computer which has a Nvidia 7800GTX can out run this ATi Zenos graphics card to bits.

Microsoft promised the Xbox 360 before Christmas and succeeded. However, although you'll be really excited if you are lucky enough to find one left in stock before Xmas, once you get home it'll be mixed feelings.

Firstly, if you don't have a HDTV you're out of luck. You'll power it up giggling like a kid, and it'll be like running face first into a brick wall. Without HDTV support the graphics are barely any better than the likes of Far Cry, Doom 3 and Half-Life 2. You'll wonder what's the point when the old XBox can do this? However, if you are lucky enough to afford one you'll be happier, power up the likes of PGR3 and you will be fairly amazed.

Unfortunately there are very few games worth your time at all. Project Gotham Racing 3 is fantastic, and although Perfect Dark 0 isn't as good as it's N64 sequel, it's still good fun, especially on Live. However, that's about all I can recommend.

So many of the games have been rushed. FIFA and Tiger Woods look nice but both have lost many features in the rush to release them; FIFA for example only has one tournament, while Tiger Woods has lost most of it's mini-games and even courses. Call of Duty 2 is put to shame by many PC games already out, and if you've played ANY other WWII game you'll be bored before long. And King Kong, Gun, Tony Hawk's, and Need for Speed are all nice, but you can pick them up cheaper on ANY of the current consoles, and when you're shelling out £50 for a game you really do expect more than half a game that looks pretty.

As for the console itself, it's honestly not too bad, obviously with the mad rush to release it there are teething problems, with many people reporting severe system errors (I'm lucky so far) with games glitching and some refusing to work at all. However these will be sorted in time, and with the initial rush now over, developers have more time to create the games this console badly needs right now.

Despite this the controller is brilliant, no problems with these, they are really easy to hold and use (imagine the old Xbox controller with the comfort of a Gamecube pad) and the wireless feature works just like the Wavebird on Gamecube, so in other words extremely well.

Live is fairly easy to get going and is brilliant fun. The years of tweaking from the Xbox really show through there.

The only other problems are minor really. The cooling fan sounds like something that belongs in a Nuclear Power Plant; Surely it doesn't have to be that noisy! And the external power pack (like the Gamecube's) is huge, but on the plus side, as it's external this time, it means the console isn't huge.

So finally, it's got the making's of a great console, but because Microsoft have rushed it out, it suffers from low quality games and some system problems, and apart from that it is very costly to get the best from it. However, in time HDTV's will come down in price, the games will get better, and more people joining Live is only a good thing. As for now though, you're better off waiting for the price to come down and the games to come out. Go and buy a secondhand Xbox or Gamecube if you haven't got one. You'll find some great games on either, that will keep you going for quite some time, and at only a fraction of the 360's price. With a Gamecube especially, you can pick one up cheaper than most new games now...

It's not to say you won't enjoy your 360 if you do buy one now, just be prepared to wait for it to get better that's all, but the main thing is that it WILL get better.

I don't know what the other guy was saying about the XBox 360 being a bad product, but he probably works for Sony and is trying to make the XBox 360 look bad. Trust me, it's pretty awesome. If you already have an XBox and a PS2 like me, then you will know that Microsoft will always have the upper-hand because of their experience through making PC's, and their knowledge of online gaming. XBox live is the best gaming experience you can get now, and I don't see the PS3 ever having online gaming as good as this. I don't recommend you to go out to the shops and buy the XBox 360 right now like I did. Wait until it drops a bit in price and enjoy the best console there is on the market.

The range of games for the XBox 360 are very limited at the moment, but by next summer they're supposed to have over 150 games, and with the graphical power and intelligence of gaming it has to offer now, the XBox 360 is going to be the first console a game making company will start making a game for, so it's looking pretty good because all the best new games will be out on it. Sony on the other hand are releasing their console next spring, and in the past haven't delivered all the things that they said they would with their new consoles . I hope that they will this time, because if not, Microsoft will rule the world.

Once again we find ourselves faced with the daunting task of selecting the perfect gaming console for our own personal preferences. We hear the hype, watch the commercials, hang on every word of the E3 and Tokyo conferences, and try to filter out the truth from the tripe. With the internet and television in full spin mode nearly a year before any system launch, it is a dismal fact that, in general, the tripe well outweighs the truth. I am a true "seeing-is-believing" type, so I buy into very little until my hands are on the final product.

That being said, my hands HAVE been on this final product, first back in September at my company's own gaming conference, and then at launch with the rest of the world. I was present at older brother Xbox's birth, waited with the crowds, felt the rush of playing the first game... and then... silence. My excitement abated. My pulse slowed. Where were all of the amazing promises? Why did my hard-drive freeze at random? Why am I reminded of AOL when I am on Xbox Live? Is big brother watching me? Where is my game selection? Why is my buddy who owns a PS2 playing all the games I wish I had? Halo? If I were a twelve year old fanboy who enjoyed arrogantly laughing in the face of those I destroy via headshot, perhaps then I would understand the miracle of Halo. My disappointment could have filled St. Peter's Basilica. Yet, again, years later, I was prepared to hang all of my hopes and dreams on Microsoft. Being that I work for a company that both buys and sells used product, I have more insight than most as to why people are dissatisfied with particular systems. Added with my own experience, I finally have this to say: What???

The system isn't THAT bad... let me say that first. Its graphics, while not where I feel Microsoft hyped them to be, are decent, especially considering if you remember where the original Xbox games were at launch, and the incredible difference to the latest games on the system.

However, there are several things that cause me great concern.
First, the launch catalog is horrible: Standard ports from EA, poorly designed Action RPG, pretty to look at but same old WWII combat and racing that leaves much to be desired. The mundane list goes on.
Second, a system plagued with problems from the start. A laser that overheats to the point of games being physically hot after game play. A hard drive prone to freezing mid-game. Yet ANOTHER power cord issue!!

These are all examples of what I perceive to be Microsoft's arrogance. Their brilliant adverts make people believe they are the system of the people, yet they continue to market only to 18-34 year old males, despite claims of pandering to "velocity girl", whomever that may be (I have yet to meet one.) They rush a system to market believing that being first might help them close the somewhat intimidating Sony sales gap, all the while ignoring important system details. They put all their eggs in the XB Live basket, despite the fact that a mere 15% of XB owners comprise the online community. Lastly (and perhaps the most arrogant of all), they market two separate versions of the system under the guise of "widening their customer base", while in reality all it achieves is alienating software developers and annoying hardcore fans. Then they distribute a disproportionate number of "Core" systems to retailers to force customers to buy more accessories (this is not conspiracy... I promise... I work on the front lines and see it every day).

I cannot see my way to recommend this system to anyone with any sort of fiscal sense. Don't throw your money away. Wait and see what Sony and Nintendo have to offer. Hope along with me that they do not fall prey to the blunders that Microsoft has. Don't buy into the hype. Don't love a brand... love a product. Don't become a mindless fan boy/girl. Think, breath, play, and love.

I purchase each new system at launch and once again I am pleasantly surprised with X Box 360. I waited in line the US to get one at Best Buy. I got the core system as the premium units had all sold out. The launch lineup consisted of 18 games. Not bad considering the N64 only had 2 games Pilot Wings and Mario64.) Hooking the system up is easy enough and loads up fairly quickly. I purchased Call of Duty 2 as the reviews and trailers had me intrigued. I could not believe the level of detail. The smoke effects from the smoke grenades were very lifelike. Having served in the military my jaw dropped at how realistically this game portrayed some of the sounds and effects. My HDTV monitor has never looked so good! The controller fit my hand like a well worn favorite glove. It was almost a cross between a PS2 contoller and an xbox one. I have not set up the xbox live yet but plan to enjoy it later this week. All I can say is that it was worth the wait as well as the money.

I'm going to be a bit controversial now so bear with me people - before I start though I'll answer a few of the possible comments that I might receive.

1. I am not a fan boy of any type - I own an XBox, a PS2 and a Gamecube. I also own a PC and a GBA for when I'm out of the house - I am an equal opportunity game player and will always give credit where credit is due.

2. I know I didn't play for long but the idea of a demo is all about first impressions and this review details mine - I'm not writing it off forever and I will keep checking back - I'll even write another review if I think it warrants it.

Ok now onto the Review - Be gentle with me.

While out with the Girlfriend on Saturday I happened to find myself in HMV just after it had opened and what did I see in the corner, that's right a sparkly new playable XBox 360. As no one else was about I settled myself in and began to have a play.

First impressions - Not to sure about the look of the console - may take some getting used to. Controller is comfortable, could be a little small for my hands though (I'm a big guy). I would have to try it over a longer period of time.

I selected the videos first of all - pretty standard fare really, nothing I hadn't seen before online so I exited and loaded up a game - Call of Duty 2.

I don't know what I was expecting and I know that developers get more out of a machine the longer they get to program for it but I wasn't impressed. From what I saw the graphics didn't look to different from my PS2 and were almost identical to the Xbox - the actual gameplay itself was also fine - the problem was that, that was all it was... fine. Considering that this was the dawning of a new era in video games I was just underwhelmed - there was nothing here that I couldn't get on the machines I already have.

OK, exit that one, onto game two: Kameo.
I literally only got 2 minutes on this game as a crowd was starting to build behind me. Looked ok - I think the graphics were better than Call of Duty but I still wasn't overly impressed. The gameplay again was nothing special and didn't set itself apart from the current batch of consoles. Don't get me wrong this could be a great game - the shop assistant said he agreed with me about Kameo and Call of Duty but I haven't had chance to read any other reviews so I don't know if we are alone in our thinking.

The assistant also told me that the games at the moment are coming up on the system at £50. He said that they would probably drop a bit before the 360 is released but it is still a lot of money when coupled with the price of the console. The Xbox 360 has a lot of potential and I was considering pre-ordering from what I had read on the internet - now after playing it, I think its going to be a case of 'wait and see'. Let me know what you think.