dworlow

I am getting an XBOX 360 for Xmas. Wondering what the essentials are to play this machine the way its meant to be played. I already have gotten a 2nd wireless controller.

Do I need things like:

Plug and Play Kits?
Cooler for XBOX?

Things like that, all suggestions would be sincerely appreciated.

corbin dallas

XBOX Live gold subscription.
Battery charger for wireless remotes http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...m-20/ref=nosim make sure you use dvdtalk link if you purchase through Amazon though.

mbs

The quick charge kit is worth the money. It comes with one battery pack, so buy another.

I have the remote but don't use it. A cooler (well, the Nyko Intercooler) might do more damage than it could possibly provide benefit.

The best accessory (IMO) is the HD-DVD drive at $200. However, it certainly isn't needed for the typical 360 experience. Just a cheap way to HD-DVD if you already have the 360.

maxfisher

I actually bought the Nyko quick charge kit because it was $5 cheaper than the Microsoft one and came with 2 batteries instead of 1. I know some people are a little wary about third party accessories, but I've had it for a month and it's been great so far.

DJ_Longfellow

What I recommend:
- Rechargeale batteries for wireless controller. I guess a Quick Charge Kit, but I have rechargeable AA's.

- HD-DVD: Excellent "accessory", comes with a remote and King Kong (I think, unless that has ended)

That is it.

i have a camera, lame thus far.

KurrptSenate

i absolutely swear by the wireless head set

xmiyux

Plug and play kit. Quickcharge kit. (that will give you 2 rechargeables to keep one always charged and be able to charge a second while playing).

cleaver

VGA Cable if your TV can use it, gold membership
HD-DVD drive if you're into it

eton03

Stay far away from the Nyko Intercooler......

Read this : http://evilavatar.com/forums/showthr...highlight=nyko

keyed

Which is better to have?
$15 - Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit
$27 - Xbox 360 Quick Charge Kit
$?? - new set of of rechargeable batteries

I have a maha battery charger laying around somewhere and I've already bought and opened the Play & charge kit, but I can pawn the play & charge kit off to someone if standard rechargeable batteries are good enough.

edstein

I just use the rechargeable batteries. No problems here. Sometimes they are a little hard to get out of the back plate.

Michael Corvin

I used rechargable batteries until I got my wii. Since the Wii doesn't offer recharge packs, I picked up the plug and play and now the Wii gets the rechargables.

Must own accessories:
1600 Marketplace point card

The Bus

Buy marketplace points. If you can wait, every few weeks/months there's a good deal on them. For the 1600 point one you can use a Best Buy gamer gift card, buy it for $14, then use the $5 coupon to make it $15 and give them a $1 bill. Still cheaper than online.

I love the play and charge kits. I don't know anything about the third party ones but $5 is not enough of a difference to me.

DO NOT buy the intercooler or any fans or anything.

DO buy a warranty, if you can get one that extends it beyond the 1-year warranty.

sniper308

Wireless adapter if you need one...

DAC

It's nice to hear that some people have gotten ones that work. You read the xbox forums and there are a lot of issues with this right now.

jrbrangi

You just saved my ass big time I was just about to buy one. Thanks

Decker

You don't need a cooling unit; you need enough space to keep the unit cooled.

I have no idea why people are talking up the quick charge kit. I have rechargable batteries and they work great and last a long time. I keep a charger in the wall and always have fresh batteries available. I can't really see any huge advantage to the other solutions.

LivingINClip

Is the HD-DVD worth it to run component via 1080i? My TV only goes up to 1080i and doesn't have a port for a VGA cable.

eton03

I've been debating this also....

The only advantage I see would be that you could go ahead and make the jump from DVD to HD-DVD and in the event you get (which you will) a 1080p TV then you'd be all set... Get a jump start on your HD-DVD collection now. The X360 HD-DVD player would be the only way I'd go at this time....

LivingINClip

I truly doubt I get a 1080p TV for at least another four years. Kinda kills the HD mood to sit here and think about that.
'\

corbin dallas

Maybe it's personal preference. I pesonally like the M$ charger. It's simple and an easy quick change when the battery does run out of juice. Especially good for quick changes while playing online.

Gromit

I can tell a big difference on my 50" Panasonic plasma. Everything is scaling to 720p but it looks a lot better than regular DVDs. You do get used to it though. I watched Superman Returns tonight and realized that I wasn't ooooohing and aaaaaahing at the picture the whole time. Then I flipped the disc and it looked like crap. For one thing, blacks are actually black with the HD-DVD version. The regular version was a lot of dark gray in dark scenes.

For $200, I think it was very much worth it.

gimmepilotwings

I haven't bought one because of this issue. If it were 1080i or 1080p over HDMI I would have preordered one. My 1080p TV did not come with a VGA port, unless I wanted to spend $500 more.