A Total Turnaround: The Xbox 360

The next generation console war beckons, and Microsoft has drawn the battle lines. A year away from the release of Sony and Nintendo’s machines, Microsoft has already readied and launched the newest incarnation of its flagship gaming device. It is called the Xbox 360, and it promises to take you for a wild and wonderful spin.

The Xbox 360 is named as such to distinguish it from Sony’s expected offering, the Playstation 3. Originally planned to take on the official name of Xbox 2, the number “360” was used as replacement to create the impression that it is at par with Sony’s machine when it comes to processing power and features, and rightfully so, as the Xbox 360 boasts of the finest attributes that the video gaming world has ever seen.

Completely abandoning its predecessor’s much maligned bulky exterior, the Xbox 360 would be available in a stylish and slimmer “sucked-in” casing with aesthetic curves. This time around, and perhaps with the Playstation 2 as inspiration, the Xbox 360 can be placed horizontally and vertically to suit any space that can be allotted for it.

The Xbox 360’s controller is not much different from its predecessor’s. This time, however, it comes smaller, making it easier to grip for people with smaller hands, especially kids. It can be remembered that the controller that came with the original Xbox was so big that people had to buy a special issue controller so that their gaming experience won’t be hampered. Also, the controller will now be wireless as well.

What Is On The Inside Of The New Xbox.

The Xbox 360 fully supports this generation’s wide screen, high definition television. Game manufacturers can now present their products with this in mind, which would give us a more immersive gaming experience.

When it comes to power, the Xbox 360 is well-armed. With a 3.2GHz IBM PowerPC processor, and an ATI custom graphics chip, and a system capable of multi-channel surround sound, this gaming machine is a monster! That much power is 6 times more powerful than the original Xbox, and it will show in the games and the overall experience.

The machine also has a slot for a 20GB hard drive. This would render memory cards obsolete. With that much storage space, you would be able to save a lot of games, and you would also be able to download content that would give you a new twist on the games you would already own.

Yes, you read it right: download. The Xbox 360 has a broadband network adopter that would allow you to connect to the internet and play against gamers from all over the world via the widely popular Xbox Live network. Not only that, but there would be special software that would allow you to browse web pages as well.

With games like Dead or Alive 4, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Test Drive Unlimited, NBA 2K6, Condemned: Criminal Origins, Perfect Dark Zero and Chromehounds, the Xbox 360 is poised to have a great first year. And once the next generation console wars start, they’d have even bigger games in their library.

The Xbox 360 will be available in two packages. The first package contains the basic unit, as well as a controller. It will retail for $299 come Thanksgiving of 2005. The other package is more comprehensive, albeit more pricey. It comes with the basic unit, a controller, a detachable 20 gigabyte hard drive, a broadband adopter, and a headset for use with Xbox Live. Naturally, the second package is the better choice. Never mind the price difference. What you will be buying is the experience, after all.

If you are looking to pick up this cool gaming console you should look to EBay as they have quite a few listed all the time.