The XBox 360 Still Dominates

The Xbox 360 is the second video games console to be released by Microsoft, following the previous Xbox. The Xbox Live service means that users will have the ability to connect to the online store and download arcade games or compete with others across the internet, which is a feature that helps set this console apart from its nearest rivals. The latest version is the Xbox 360 Elite, slightly higher in price than classic versions of the console.

Features of the Xbox 360

• 250 GB hard drive,
• HD ready,
• Xbox 360 headset,
• Wireless connectivity available with the purchase of a separate network adapter,
• Wireless controllers,
• Ethernet connectivity.

Pros of the Xbox 360

Like the Playstation 3, games on the Xbox 360 are displayed in excellent graphics and high definition. The Xbox Live online gaming system is also perfect for those who are a fan of online support – surpassing that given by the Playstation 3. Another feature where the Xbox 360 excels over the PS3 is with its backward compatibility with all original Xbox titles.

On top of this, the new Xbox 360 processer is cooler, quieter and less demanding on power than previous versions. The dashboard is easy to use, and the console itself can serve to extend Windows Media Center.

The 360 also offers connectivity to third party media streaming services depending on the user’s location. This includes Netflix in the US, and BT Vision and Sky TV in the UK.

Cons of the Xbox 360

There are a number of famous technical problems experienced by users of the Xbox 360, notably the ‘red ring of death’ that would cause the whole system to crash. However, the problem generally affects older versions of the console, and Microsoft have also extended their warranty to three years, guaranteeing to replace faulty systems if necessary.

Unlike the Playstation 3, the Xbox 360 does not come with embedded Wi-Fi connectivity. This means that, should you want to connect wirelessly, you will need to purchase a separate wireless network adapter. The Xbox 360 also does not support the dominant form of HD disc – Blu-Ray – instead customers could previously purchase an HD-DVD add-on (which has since been abandoned after the producers of the format gave up and conceded victory to Blu-Ray).

Conclusion

In short, the Xbox 360 is a real rival to the Playstation 3, with several pros and cons. You may need to buy greater accessories for the 360, but the Live network is generally considered to be the best of its kind. For those looking for Blu-Ray support the Playstation is the obvious choice. However, the game library of the 360 is excellent, especially considering backward compatibility with original Xbox games.