True, but the main problem in the lower version not coming with an HD and thus no backwards compatibility.

That should be in both version, the high end model should just have non-gaming stuff as extras.

There would be little or no bitching that way as the gameplay experience is identical either way, and people that want the extra features can pay for them, and those that don't can get the cheaper one to save money. Best of both worlds.

It's never ever going to be exactly the way you want it to be. I'm sure other people are happier with the way MS is setting it up. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

True, but the ratio of happier people would be much higher with HD in the cheaper one.

But you can buy the HDD for the cheaper one later on right? You do realize it's the cheaper one because it doesn't come with the HDD?

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I like the looks of everything and it looks like you will need the remote to watch DVDs (as with the current Xbox) but I like the more PS2 like remote and the fact the console has a built in IR port.

The controller is very sleek and Sega Saturn like. Looks like the white and black are gone, but I'm wondering if it has dual L and R buttons like the PS2.

I think MS has done some nice things with the design, but I'm also iffy about the HDD. I think they should have just made it standard so game designers would take advantage of it in every game. I can't see buying an Xbox 360 without it anyway. I know I wouldn't. Still I guess MS had to make some sacrifices to get a low priced version on store shelves.

Anyway I give MS a for what I have seen so far.

If load times don't increase, then I don't think there will be any net loss. The only game I can remember that actually used it was Blinx and we all know how popular that one is.

Point taken. Yeah, I keep forgetting that the load times should be quicker anyway because the drive speed is faster not to mention the console is faster in many other areas as well.

If I get one though I'm probably still getting the HDD one.

[Must fight urge to buy Xbox360 even if it has cool software from Japan.]

eh white controller, easier to get dirty. Would prefer it be same color as console instead of a solid white.

I'm sure that if the x360 is skinnable then the contollers will be too!

HDD doesn't add much. The DVD burner, Tivo like functions, etc. are what really make the other one cost more. They could have put the HDD in the gaming only one and kept it cheaper, and not lost backwards compatibility. As I said before, no backwards compatibility means no chance of me picking up a console (any of the 3) around launch as I have too many games to finish on this gens consoles and no room to add another console to my HT.

With backwards compatibility I can sell the console to help pay for the new one and free up space in my HT so it's a big deal to me.

Plus, with the HD not being in the cheaper one, we'll see the lowest common denominator effect and it will end up being used even more poorly than this gen as developers won't be able to use it for gameplay, just for extra crap I don't personally care about like custom soundtracks and downloadable content.

here's the pic fof the usb connector!

Some potential bad news in the Rumor Mill section of the new EGM. Though keep in mind it is a Rumor in the rumor section, but they tend to be right more often than not.

Anywho, he says that he heard that when some big name 3rd party developers were shown what the PS3 could do, they pulled their Xbox 2 projects and decided to put them on Sony's machine instead.

Prime example of how coming out a year early (and potentially underpowered) could backfire ala the Sega Saturn. But time well tell, and again it's just a rumor for the time being so take it with a grain of salt.

Ugh... The damn controller cord is on the wrong side of the controller - DreamCast style. That is so stupid.

I'll still spring for the HDD assuming it does have backwards compatibility and I can port my XBOX LIVE account over. I would hate to have to deal with memory cards or other methods of saving. I'd figure I'd pay $50 for a large memory card, so why not spring for the extra $$$$. I probably would not use the TIVO function or anything else....just the HDD to save games and music.

No big deal.

I can't see why anyone would use the cord anyway, except for the tiny minority that might have some kind of interference problem.

Some people whine about batteries, but they just need to join the 21st centure and pick up some Nihms and a charger.

The 360 is definitely not underpowered (based on what specs we have right now) and comparitively to the Saturn there will be less development hurdles. Whether the PS3 is significantly more powerful remains to be seen.

Sony can promise the moon and deliver the PS2. Hey didja here Saddam Hussein has built some WMDs using those? They were outta this world.

The Tivo IS the HDD. The stuff the Tivo does is simple software development they'll port over from MCE really easily. The HDD will probably add around $50. I think it's nice MS is giving people a chance who want a $50 for a machine without Tivo functionality.

That's true, but it would have been $50 more expensive. MS isn't looking to take a bath on the machine this time around who can blame them?

1. How many Xbox games do you own?
2. There IS backwards compatability, you just have to by the HDD seperate. Not sure what it will cost, but I don't think it will break the bank.

That's cool, for the price of an Xbox 360 + HDD or a PS3 + Memory Cards you will have a console with backwards compatability. I'm assuming by the time the PS3 comes out the 360 + HDD will be the same price as a PS3 with memory cards.

Yeah because we all know the developers constantly used it in innovative ways for the original Xbox

I respect your opinion and if the HDD isn't available standalone, or really expensive, then you have a decent point. But like I said, I bet by the time the PS3 comes out, a backwards compatible Xbox will be the same overall price as a backwards compatabile PS3 and the whole thing is a non-issue.

I thought you would applaud MS for release a base machine without lots of features you won't use, but the backwards compatability thing is obviously a huge stickler. You must own dozens & dozens of Xbox games.

Personally, I find backwards compatabilty to be a total non-issue.

I don't need $50 for my old Xbox or PS2, I'll just keep them in the closet and pull them out if I ever play the old games. And how often will I really play the old games? Possibly never.

That would be true, if it weren't for the fact that Sony will be using Memory Sticks (unconfirmed rumor)! No more memory cards!

After reading the next month section of EGM it states that Perfect Dark Zero will indeed be a launch title. Hopefully, this Xbox 360 or whatever the hell it's going to be called better have some good third party otherwise I smell another dreamcast.

It's a big deal to me, and the sole reason I plan on buying a PS3 when they come out. I'm probably the one guy who doesn't have a PS2, so I'll be able to pick up a bunch of cheap PS2 games and play them on my PS3 while I wait for decent PS3 titles.

That's irrelevant, but I think I own 3 at the moment--sold 5 or so others a few months ago.

The key is how many games I've yet to play. At the moment Halo 2, KOTOR 2 and Jade Empire top the list of unplayed X-box games. There's little chance I'll play any of these before the 360 launch due to having a backlog of games to finish on my shelf, the prices not likely to drop to $20 on these before, and a ton of other games coming out or recently released that are higher priority for me this year (1st party DS games, Zelda, RE4 and God of War to name a few).


Fair enough, just depends on cost. If the 360 is $300 it will be tough to justify paying even more for an HD. Especially if the PS3 and/or Revolution are going to have an HD for $300 or less. All that remains to be seen.


Well if the PS3 comes with an HD as rumored there'd be no need for mem cards I'd imagine, but time well tell.

Like I said, it would be put to even worse use next gen.


Like I said, it's the unplayed games that matter. But you have a fair point. MS has the most work to do to get me to buy their console next gen as this gen they had the least games of the 3 that appealed to me this gen. Still, the point is that backwards comaptibily is a big deal to me for all 3. I'd be unlikely to by a Revolution or PS3 as well if there's not backwards compatibility as I'm behind on games on the PS2 and GC as well (though I do have an extra year to catch up before those consoles role out).

I do applaud them for not just putting out a $400-500 machine with the Tivo, DVD burner and other useless non-gaming crap. I just wish the HD and backwards compatibility hadn't been a casualty as well.

But like you said, I can't blame them for not wanting to lose as much money on each console next gen, as doing so this gen didn't help them mount any real challenge to the PS2.

Looks like a PC in this shot. The eye-toy thing looks like a Commodore 64 peripheral...