Microsoft Xbox 360 Review

Good Points
Brilliant marketing and lots of illusion make the Xbox 360 seemingly a top pick!

Bad Points
Over-promised and under-delivered. This system was rushed to market, and now it is starting to show.

General Comments
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.