Product Description

The Xbox 360 comes fully loaded for the ultimate gaming experience, with components and accessories that would cost over £100 if sold separately.

Included in the pack:

Xbox 360 console:
Sexy styling that packs a punch -- three powerful core processors are poised to pump out 720p/1080i output, 16x9 cinematic aspect ratio, anti-aliasing for smooth textures, full surround sound and DVD playback right out of the box.

Xbox 360 hard drive (20 GB):
The detachable hard drive allows gamers to store their games, music, downloaded trailers, levels, demos and community-created content from Xbox Live Marketplace.

Xbox 360 wireless controller:
Hassle-free high-performance precision wireless gaming features the Xbox Guide Button for quick access to digital movies, music and games libraries. The controller has a range of 30 feet and battery life of up to 30 hours of life on two AA batteries.

Xbox 360 faceplate:
The removable Faceplate comes in stylish white and can be swapped out with custom faceplates to reflect gamers’ personalities or room decor.

Xbox 360 headset:
This lets gamers form strategies with team-mates or trade banter with opponents while playing games on Xbox Live.

Xbox 360 component HD-AV cable:
This connects gamers to the world of Xbox 360 games and graphics through high-definition and standard-definition connections.

Xbox Live silver membership:
With this, gamers can chat with friends online, send and receive voice and text messages, and access new content from Xbox Live Marketplace such as trailers, demos and casual games from Xbox Live Arcade.

About the Xbox
The Xbox 360 console will be the first next-gen console released and will fuse powerful hardware, software, and services to provide a dramatic leap forward in high-definition gaming and entertainment experiences.

The key technical specifications of the Xbox 360 console are unlikely to make much sense to any but the most technical. But if a custom IBM PowerPC-based CPU with three symmetrical 3.2GHz cores, a 500MHz custom ATI Graphics Processor with 10MB of embedded DRAM and unified memory architecture of 512MB GDDR3 RAM and 700MHz DDR doesn’t mean anything to you just consider this: with specs like that the Xbox 360 is already more powerful than a £2,000+ state-of-the art PC.

The Xbox 360 will also have three USB slots and both HD digital and standard audio visual outputs, which can pump out games in widescreen at 720p and 1080i resolution, complete with anti-aliasing functionality. This will result in much higher resolution games than ever seen before: the beginning of the HD (high definition) era.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2274 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Microsoft
• Released on: 2005-12-02
• ESRB Rating: Kids to Adults
• Platform: Xbox 360
• Dimensions: 5.53" h x 15.00" w x 15.00" l, 14.84 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Xbox 360 is Microsoft's successor to the Xbox console, and is the first "next generation" games console to hit the market. It has three powerful core processors which pump out 720p/1080i output (translation: graphics look great), 16x9 cinematic aspect ratio (translation: it's sort of like the cinema), anti-aliasing for smooth textures (translation: characters look less like chimps and more like people), full surround sound and DVD playback right out of the box.

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.

Customer Reviews

Things I didn't know
Based on the reviews here and hearsay from friends I bought an XBox 360 for the family. I thought I would post my thoughts since I discovered things about the XBox that I didn't know before buying it. Everything good that has been said here is true, and none of the negative comments were. So in no particular order for existing comment comparison :-

1. The graphics are absolutely fantastic. Even on a normal Telly, but since we bought a Philips 26F791D HDMI it is truly staggering. Especially on ordinary DVDs, (the 1080i upscaling is very good).

2. We have had no crashes, freezes or any trouble at all.

3. The wireless is very simple to setup, and once sorted is a dooddle at connecting after startup.

Stuff I didn't know before buying (and it's not all good) :-

1. It has the noisiest fan of any game station we have ever owned. It is plain LOUD and is frankly annoying when watching a DVD, gameplay is usually loud in our house anyway so you don't notice it.

2. It runs hot so you cannot enclose it completely. But we have to some extent making the noise from (1) less annoying.

3. The external power supply transformer is HUGE, and heavy, so you need a big hole to get the XBox 360, it's transformer and clear air for cooling when you are locating it.

4. The wireless controllers use 2 AA batteries in a simple clip pod underneath, so you do not need a play and charge unit per controller if you already have an AA re-charger and some rechargeable batteries. (This is definitely a cheaper option in the UK.)

5. The HDTV connection is not a HDMI connection. It uses the Red/Green/Blue PR/Pf/.. and Red/White AL/AR connection scheme so make sure your TV has that or you need new cables (more expense).

6. Some games (TopSpin etc) require PAL-60 to be set, but the XBox comes with PAL-50 by default, and in HDTV mode the PAL menu is not visible so you cannot change it unless you switch back to normal viewing. (I just saved you 2 hours of messing about - you assume it's you, or some menu setting, at least I did, before trying to get help - we used the support line and it was excellent).


Despite my last 6 comments, which are for your information, our household is thrilled with the 360 and I would heartily recommend it, hence 5 stars.

3 Red Rings of light, However.....................
As I am sat here today typing this review my Xbox 360 is on it's way to be repaired having shown the 3 red rings of light (death!) issue. It is a strange feeling, I thought the 3RROD was somthing that happens to other people's 360's and not mine! Clearly i was wrong but i am now left feeling somehow part of a large community that i previously was not.

I purchased my 360 in March 2006 and have not had a single problem untill yesterday so the console really can stop functioning at any time.

Considering the above and the fact I have always loved Playstation I saw Call of Duty 2 in store and just had to get one and I have loved it since day one. The games (COD 4, Gears of war, Halo 3) are fantastic, the graphics, gameplay and online play via the user friendly Xbox Live cannot be explained, it is just so good.

I really would like to get a PS3 with it's Blueray and slick look, but the bottom line is at present I simply Do not want one because I don't like the games selection and online interface. I want to be made to get one to get away from a faulty consle like the 360 but I cannot get enthusiastic about PS3 even though I thought I would.

So for now I will wait for the 360 to return and hope this is a 'blip' and it will be rectified very soon. My advice from an open minded gamer is GET THIS CONSOLE, the games, community feel of online play and Xbox Marketplace make this a cut above.

I have to give 5 stars for fun but the reliability means an overall 3.

Xbox 360 - An Unbiased Review
After reading many reviews from customers and fanboys who cannot hide their biased nature towards particular consoles I thought I would offer a final review on the Xbox 360 having owned the console since it first came out two septembers ago and more recently a Wii. I do a little bit of part time gaming journalism for a gaming website and have playtested the next generation consoles and many of their accessories so my review will be unbiased and impartial.

Console:

The console itself is pearly white and is fairly solid, the machine can be laid either flat or vertical but I would recommend lying it flat, for starters the console will have greater grip when lay flat and this is especially important when you have children as many of the Xbox 360 accessories are wired and when they snag at force it could cause the console to move (although many accessories have a wire fail safe to prevent this happening) The console comes with a 20Gb HDD which is inserted into the top of the Xbox 360, there are also slots for wireless network adaptors and other USB based accessories such as XBox Live cameras/USB memory sticks and other devices (not all will work so please consult the manual/official website) There are two memory ports which will allow you to take your gaming on the go, in a response to Mrs. L. WEST "Gaming Mad Family" I too share your frustration over Xbox 360's breaking down but I wish to clarify this matter, the problem in which the lady speaks of involves 1st generation Xbox360's particularly the Premium Edition. These problems concerned the console often overheating or undergoing hardware failures, this problem has been rectified and I would like to point out that most consoles have problems at launch (Wii Mote straps etc) so the PS3 will not be immune from this and therefore this should not be considered as a reason for not purchasing this machine. This console is also partially customizable with a removable face plate allowing you to spice up your console to reflect your personalty, the wiring that comes with the console whether it be Premium or Basic is I must say dreadful, the powerbox is nearly the length and half the width of the console itself and therefore should be placed in an open and well ventalated area. Most of these factors simply come down to common sense, I wouldn't recommend placing your console in a TV cabinet for example as this will cause the console to overheat easily.

Xbox Live:

Xbox Live is the main weapon in the Xbox arsenal and is it's greatest source of strength. Xbox Live is your gateway into an online community which has been growing and expanding for over 5 years, once you have joined Live (with a gold account) you can play against gamers from all over the world, make friends, join clans, participate in tournaments, download additional game content and videos and many more features beside. The system is based around Microsoft Points (idential to Wii Points) They can be either purchased online via Xbox Live or bought in prepaid cards from any good retailer. Xbox 360 comes ready for internet use straight from the box and it is relatively simple to connect to Xbox Live, even easier if you are wireless.

Games:

As The Xbox 360 is now into it's second stage of it's lifespan it is beginning to benefit from developers having worked on their hardware for longer and this in turn is resulting in a better calibre of games on offer. Some of the games on offer and to look forward too are Gears of War, Rainbow Six Vegas, GRAW2, Forza Motorsport, Fable 2, Halo 3, GTAIV, Brothers in Arms: Hells Highway and many more. These games are truely next generation experiences and some are exclusive to Xbox 360. Xbox Live also has it's own offer of unique, fun and simple games which you can download. Some of these are old classics revamped and brought to life such as Pacman and Paperboy, others are games from small developers or unique offerings which are better suited to Xbox Live such as Geometry Wars, Sensible World of Soccer and Alien Hominid HD, Xbox Live even downloads demo's of these games for free as soon as they are released so that you can experience them for yourself before purchasing.

Accessories:

At present there is a handful of Xbox 360 accessories which are available, these range from the excellent (yet underutilized) Xbox Live Vision camera to your standard range of gadgets like memory cards. You can also purchase 3rd party accessories and even use accessories of your own such as digital cameras and USB memory sticks (once again consult the manual/official website to see what is compatable with the Xbox 360) You can also link your Xbox 360 to your PC and if you have Windows Media Centre you can benefit from a whole new world of interactive entertainment.

High Definition:

At the time of writing the Xbox 360 has now had an update which allows it to operate at 1080i, the native resolution for High Definition. This means that games can now operate to maximum HD resolution and providing your lucky enough to own a HD TV you can benefit from next generation visual quality with your games.

The Future:

With the PS3 launch imminent Microsoft has been keen to stress the advantages of the Xbox 360, both consoles are destined to become excellent machines and both have advantages and disadvantages to each other. Now that the Xbox 360 has recovered from it's early set backs of hardware failures the console is a reliable machine. Providing the machine is placed in a caring and open spaced area it is quiet and looks nice in any home entertainment set up which you might have. There is so much I could have included in this review but there is always the danger you can saturate a person with information, the console has a bright future, probably the brightest of the next generation consoles. The great games on the horizon have been matched by increasing 3rd party support (notably from Konami and Capcom) Metal Gear Solid may eventually be winging it's way to this white box of joy. The HD-DVD player (sold seperately) is an excellent device for those wishing to experience high definition movies without having it forced upon you as in the case of the PS3 and Blu-Ray. Xbox Live will soon be expanding further to allow gamers to download your favourite TV shows, music videos and full theatrical films. New accessories are being released such as the larger 120GB HDD and the 512Mb memory card to allow you to meet your needs (a huge complaint with the Xbox 360 was the lack of memory in the HDD once you account for the emulator which allows you to play Xbox games)

I hope this review was helpful to you, many people feel emotional ties to developers and to past consoles, but don't let the fanboys fool you with incorrect facts and statements. The Xbox 360 is a wonderful machine, and is a must have in any home.