Xbox Console and Xbox Live
I did it. From the start, I said I wasn’t going to. My allegiances were firmly planted in Mario’s corner. I even admitted to Sony’s quality product having advantages, some of which Nintendo would not top. No matter what though, I was dead set against giving the evil empire that is Microsoft any more of my hard earned money. I decided I wouldn’t be caught dead lugging that 3 ton black and green behemoth to my car, and there aint no way I was gonna put up with wrapping my fingers around a controller that was bigger than my GameCube.
Well, since it’s release, the controls have gotten smaller, the price has gone down a bit and they’ve added one piece of functionality that sealed the deal for me. Online, Xbox Live gameplay. I can honestly say that without the online multiplayer ability of the Xbox, I would never have bought it. Since my introduction to video games, I have never been a fan of single player gaming. Oh, there are exceptions, but given the choice, I would much rather play against a human than a computer any day of the week. Nintendo’s nazi stance on online play hasn’t put me off of their products entirely, but it has prompted me to invest elsewhere. I’m aware of the third party solutions for online play with the Cube, but for now it’s a hassle and has extremely limited support. So into Best Buy I walked, 4 days after Christmas. I walked out a full hour later (after waiting to check out) 300 dollars poorer and with system plus accesories in tow. Console, 2nd controller, memmory card, Xbox Live communicator and headset and 2 games in addition to the two the console comes with as part of a holiday package.
I’ve known of the low points since it’s release, so they weren’t a surprise to me. Sticker shock is common. Even with the recent price drop and game inclusion, $179 is steep in comparison to the Cube, now sitting at $99. Size aparently matters for Microsoft because this thing is huge, as long and twice as thick as the PS2, not to mention it dwarfs the GameCube. The power and eject buttons are easily located unlike the PS2, though similar in respect that it uses standard 5 inch dvd’s, front loaded. The controls have evolved a bit from their original bulk, but still feel awkward in my hands despite the fact that my hands are bigger than most. I find myself needing a break from the control because my wrists begin to hurt and lose circulation over time. I type code for a living, write reviews and draw in my spare time and I’ve never had signs of carpal tunnel before. Finally, being a Nintendo patriot for so long accustoms one to low, if not nonexistant, load times. Even compared to the DVD based GameCube, the Xbox load times are nearly unacceptable for games like Halo and Clone Wars. I’m not sure who’s to blame there, but it seems consistant among the non-Nintendo systems.
On the positive side, the games are very obviously more adult themed than the Nintendo crowd. This is a plus and minus discussion, better suited for an editorial. Just know that adult gamers, looking for more of a hardcore experience are likely to choose X over N. Graphic quality is top notch and options abound, and that’s all before putting the game in. An audio CD player is available off the bat and a DVD add on can be used for future home theatre upgrades, but this functionality is only useful in homes that are low on funds and have need to conserve space. When you consider the price drop in recent months of DVD players and the fact that the Xbox provides no digital audio out and lacks many standard features of today’s DVD players, most video and audiophiles not find the console a valid DVD solution. Sound quality is however very good for the games, but that will be dependent on the software and compression for the most part, and not the player itself.
My focus and the Xbox’s biggest draw for many is the offering up of Online play. Xbox Live allows players with a broadband connection to hook up and play a slew of different titles online, including racing, first person shooting, strategy and sports games. The broadband adapter is built into the unit. This leaves dial up users in the dust, but it’s for the best. The games would suffer for it. Even at broadband speeds, lag can be noticeable. Regardless though, this is the console’s saving grace. The holiday bundle I purchased included 2 months of free Live service. The headset communicator is not required, but certainly enhances gameplay by allowing players to converse with others while playing their game of choice. Whether it be coordinating team strategy in games like CounterStrike and Crimson Skies or trash talking opponents in Project Gotham Racing 2 or Unreal Tournament Deathmatch, voice enabled players seem to have more fun. Voice quality suffers a bit from lag, but only slightly and is dependent on that person’s connection. It is comparitive to the PC services, such as Roger Wilco or TeamSpeak. It’s not quite telephone quality, but is more than functional. Xbox Live offers a friends list ability and many games keep track of your stats to equally match opponents to your skill. In addition, users can participate in public and private chat rooms outside of actual games. I’ve had a PC for many many years and have used voice chatting in many games. Although Live isn’t anything truly new, it qualifies as an excellent and unique addition to set-top gaming consoles that other systems should aspire to.
I still prefer my PC for games like CounterStrike, but mostly for control purposes. The fact is though that I can always be sure that my Xbox will run the software I buy for it without having to drop down $200 for an upgrade here, $300 there to play a $50 game. I feel almost guilty, ashamed for helping to buy Bill Gates another mansion and going against the grain of my Nintendo roots with the purchase, but I am satisfied with it. I have to say though that I’m only going to recommend getting this system under two conditions.
1) You are an adult that likes their share of darker, bloodier and less childish games.
2) You have a broadband connection and live to play multiplayer games.
