With just one day remaining until the launch of the 360, the only thing left for future owners to do is plan out the events of their first day with the system. We asked members of the GameSpot staff what the very first thing is they plan to do when they get a 360, whether it's on launch day or sometime farther in the future.
1 huge power supply. "The first thing I will do, once I get my Xbox 360, is apologize to my wife for not having enough money in our bank account to pay the mortgage. Then I will load up Project Gotham Racing 3 and turn the TV up reeeeeeeeeal loud in order to drown out the sounds of my wife calling her lawyer and immediately drawing up divorce papers." -- Brian Ekberg, Sports Editor "With Oblivion delayed until next year, it might be a while before I have a convincing reason to take the $400 plunge on an Xbox 360, but when I do, I know exactly what my first order of business is. I'm getting online and downloading Geometry Wars 2. It's the game your naive middle-school self thought Math Blaster should have been." -- Brendan Sinclair, Associate News Editor
"The first thing I plan to do with my Xbox 360 is figure out where to put it. Since the power supply alone is about the size of a raccoon, and since the system runs pretty hot, it's going to need some serious breathing room. I guess if I were to get myself a big-enough TV, I could just chuck that ugly power supply behind it, so everyone could see my cool faceplate but none of the mess." -- Greg Kasavin, Site Director
"I will plop in Halo and see what it looks like. Then I will plop in Halo 2. And then I will twiddle my thumbs until Halo 3 ships or Bill Gates says that 'Steve Jobs is a computing god!'--whichever comes first." -- Jason Ocampo, Editor
"I'm not getting one--until next year, anyway. As was the case with the PSP, the launch lineup for the console is dominated by sports games, which aren't my particular brand of vodka. Only a few launch titles really appeal to me, including Perfect Dark Zero, Quake 4, and Call of Duty 2. However, they're not worth plunking down $400 for a 360 and $800-900 for an HDTV. It'll be a different story, though, when Prey, Gears of War, Stranglehold, and Elder Scrolls IV come out." -- Tor Thorsen, News Editor
"I plan to open the box, set up the system in place of my old Xbox, and check out the system menus and all that, just to see what I can tweak (though I probably won't change the default settings). I'll have to run an Ethernet cable since the 360 doesn't have an integrated wireless network card. Then, I'll get Dead or Alive 4 from GameFly, play it for an hour or two, and then wait until Gears of War comes out (if it isn't out by the time I get an Xbox 360)." -- Greg Mueller, Associate Editor
"The first thing I'll do with my Xbox 360, assuming that I've already had some friends help me get the power brick up the stairs to my apartment, will be to stick it under my little LCD TV in the spot currently occupied by my Xbox. No vertical console action for me, I'm afraid...unless, of course, I decide to plug the thing into my widescreen PC monitor instead. That's not a bad idea, actually; I guess I haven't really thought this whole Xbox 360 thing through yet. I do know that Project Gotham Racing 3 will be the first game I play, though." -- Justin Calvert, Editor
"In this order: unpack it to make sure it's all there, hook it up, get my gamertags on it, and go to the Xbox Live Marketplace. Then I'll purchase a couple thousand Microsoft points and use them to purchase Smash TV, Robotron 2084, Mutant Storm Reloaded, and Geometry Wars Evolved. Then I'll set out on a mad mission to get the top score in all four games. After that? I don't know, maybe play some more Guitar Hero." -- Jeff Gerstmann, Senior Editor
Seriously. 1 huge power supply. "I'm not going to buy an Xbox 360 at launch. All of the launch titles are pretty uninteresting, in my opinion. I'll hold off on moving into the HD era for another couple of months. I'll spend the money on a pair of Jimmy Choo's for my wife." -- Tim Tracy, Managing Producer, GameSpot Live
"I will look back on the day's events and note that between the massive bundles, overpriced accessories, and handful of games that sit on my living room floor, I am financially ruined. Fiscally shattered, my soul shall grow warm again under the watchful gaze of a green blinking eye, taking solace in the fact that I am now the proud owner of one very large power brick and an accompanying Xbox 360." -- Sarju Shah, Associate Hardware Editor
"The first thing I'll probably do is sneak around in a dark alleyway, cursing to myself about not having any bullets. I'll probably try to dent someone's noggin with a torn-off locker door before they can strangle me from a first-person perspective. And after that, maybe I'll start playing Condemned: Criminal Origins." -- Andrew Park, Senior Editor
"Well, I suppose the first thing I'll do is re-up my Xbox Live subscription and hop online with Project Gotham Racing 3. PGR2 was definitely my favorite online game of this last console generation, possibly because it was one of the few that I was actually decent at. While I'm sure that there will be the frustrating experience of having to deal with foul-mouthed 12-year-olds to go along with it, it's still looking like it'll wind up being the most enjoyable online experience for me out of the available launch titles." -- Matthew Rorie, Game Guides Editor
"When I take home my own Xbox 360 sometime next year, the first thing I will do is scout out an ideal location in the living room where the massive power brick can (a) not pose a fire hazard, (b) serve as a foot warmer, (c) act as a doorstop, and (d) stay within handy reach as a bludgeoning weapon in case of burglary." -- Bob Colayco, Associate Editor
"Since I've pretty much justified putting the money down on this thing for the sole purpose of playing Geometry Wars, I'll probably take it home, mess with all the cool little settings, move the system from vertical to horizontal a few times to watch the controller indicator change (it knows whether it's horizontal or vertical, genius!). Then I'll buy some Marketplace points, pick up Joust, Geometry Wars, and Smash TV, and set about trying to get higher scores than Jeff." -- Carrie Gouskos, Features Editor
"Put Elder Scrolls: Oblivion into it. Nothing against racers and shooters and sports games and all, but I like me some RPGs. Halo what?" -- Bethany Massimilla, Community Manager
I'm not buying an Xbox 360 system at launch, but if I did, I'd pick up the console and run straight to eBay. Microsoft has been dropping not-so-subtle hints that the console will be in short supply at launch, and now we're hearing reports that retail outlets are instructed to prepare actual signage to announce when the system has been sold out. A lot of the 360 launch games and even some Xbox Live Arcade games do look impressive, but I'm waiting to see more RPGs like Mistwalker's Blue Dragon. I say make a small profit by reselling the system and buy another one when more games are available, maybe after the first Microsoft price drop. -- James Yu, Senior Hardware Editor
"I'll be covering the Zero Hour event in Palmdale, so yes, I absolutely will be buying a 360 at launch. The first thing I'm going to do when I get it is cry as my bank account gets eviscerated. The second thing I'm going to do is let my mom (who lives in nearby Los Angeles) play Condemned: Criminal Origins so it scares the crap out of her--then I'll know the expense was worth it." -- Tim Surette, Associate News Editor
The Xbox 360 is the first system of its generation to hit the market, but in order to stay successful; Microsoft is going to need to keep on top of what its two major console competitors, Nintendo and Sony, are doing. Although little is known about the other two systems, comparatively, we compiled the currently known statistics about the two competitive consoles.
The PlayStation 3 is the 360's most direct competitor.
Manufacturer: Sony
Launch Date: Sometime in 2006? Last we heard, it was in the springtime.
Known Launch Games: None at this time, but we're hoping we'll see at least a new Tekken in the launch window.
Known Major Titles: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Devil May Cry 4, Gran Turismo 5, Killzone 2, Fatal Inertia, Lair, Heavenly Sword, and a bunch of other games that we know next to nothing about.
Known Specs: Cell Processor, Nvidia GPU :: Complete PS3 specs
Strengths against the 360: The PS3 boasts some powerful hardware that looks pretty good up against the specs from the 360. It also has Blu-ray, and though we're not sure how exaggerated the Blu-ray reports are, they sure sound nice. Combine that with the fact that we know a lot of big-name sequels are coming out exclusively to this system, like Metal Gear Solid 4, Devil May Cry 4, and Gran Turismo 5, and that many third parties, particularly Japanese third parties, have deep and long-lasting relationships with Sony, and you get a system that looks to repeat the great success of its predecessor.
Weaknesses against the 360: If the reports are true that the PS3 will not feature a centralized online service, then Sony still hasn't learned a much-needed lesson taught by Xbox Live. It's also rumored that the PS3 demonstrations of the system created expectations that will be difficult for developers to meet, at least according to comments made by Level-5 president Akihiro Hino just after the 2005 Electronic Entertainment Expo.
Ace in the Hole: It boils down to the games. People will buy the PS3 because it's got the games to back up the name. Plus it has an Old Solid Snake, and that might be just the card to pull out when the 360 sales start to climb.
The Bottom Line: The lineup of developers pledging A-list support for the PS3 makes it very dangerous, but it all boils down to whether people are going to hold out for it instead of making a jump for the tempting, and already available Xbox 360.
The Revolution should not be underestimated.
Manufacturer: Nintendo
Launch Date: After April 2006 but sometime later that year.
Known Launch Games: An online version of Super Smash Bros. was promised at the E3 keynote.
Known Major Titles: Also at the E3 keynote, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata verified that there are Mario and Zelda games in the works, a new Metroid game, and Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles with wi-fi.
Known Specs: IBM processor, ATI GPU (Codenamed Hollywood and Broadway) :: Complete Revolution Specs
Strengths against the 360: Nintendo has created something that none of the other systems are offering. While the PS3 looks to directly compete with the 360 on all fronts, the Revolution's unique controller promises an entirely different experience. Nintendo also has unquestionably the strongest first-party franchises of any other company out there. New games from favorite franchises and the Virtual Console system might provide a formidable threat against any new games Microsoft has to offer. Nintendo also has an uncanny ability to grab non-gamers and appeal to the whole family. The popularity of its pick-up-and-play games might increase even more dramatically with the family friendly Revolution controller.
Weaknesses against the 360: The Revolution will probably lack many of the fringe benefits available on the 360, including a cohesive online service and HD support. Nintendo's shyness about the hardware's power makes it sound like it'll be weak comparatively. And third-party support of both the company and the unique controller still seems pretty up in the air. Even though it seems like it's a part of Nintendo's strategy, the company appears to be giving up the hardcore gaming audience to Microsoft and Sony.
Ace in the Hole: Controller. Mario. Zelda. Metroid. Urban Champion!
The Bottom Line: The Revolution is a spooky mystery that keeps us awake at night. Plus, it's Nintendo.
If you've ever used something called "the Internet" to discuss the topic of "video games," then you've probably encountered "opinionated" people arguing about different game consoles, and how those different consoles are faring against each other. We decided we'd "cut to the chase" (and use a lot of "quotation marks" in the process). Yes, Microsoft's console launch is very exciting. Yes, the computer-industry giant has already accomplished many victories both large and small--but it has many more challenges to face. We've decided we'd make it simple, because at the end of the day, the success of the Xbox 360 is going to depend on three key points we're outlining here.
Carmack is one of a few developers who have already spoken highly about working with the 360.
Microsoft has said this time around that it has every intention of targeting Japanese audiences and that third-party support is a priority, as stated in our recent video interview with J Allard, but this had better be near the top of the list if the 360 is going to take on Sony's lineup. With early reports coming back from more than one developer claiming that the 360 is significantly easier to develop for than the PlayStation 3 (most recently from John Carmack in his Quakecon 2005 keynote), all signs are pointing to what seems to be more support for this Microsoft system than the last one. But that isn't all. There are already Final Fantasy and Resident Evil games planned for the 360, two franchises that have been integral to Sony's success. Of course, simply getting alternate versions of games that are also on the PS3 (or PS2 for that matter) won't be enough for Microsoft. It's going to have to sign on exclusive games from third parties, forging its own Tekkens, Devil May Crys, and Metal Gear Solids. Microsoft certainly has the bank account and the gumption to get this under way, but it's unclear whether companies that have already built such deep relationships with Sony will pursue greener pastures this generation. For the 360's sake, Microsoft had better hope so.
Outlook: Positive - During its last console hardware generation, Microsoft began building the foundations of a strong first-party stable by acquiring Bungie and Rare, and it forged relationships with the likes of Bethesda (creator of the Elder Scrolls role-playing games), BioWare (creator of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic), Ubisoft (publisher of the Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon games), Tecmo (creator of Ninja Gaiden), and Epic (creator of the Unreal Championship series). For the 360, the company has gone on to sign on Japanese studios SquareEnix for Final Fantasy XI, Capcom for Resident Evil 5, Koei with Dynasty Warriors 5, and Namco with Ridge Racer 6. But the company still has some holdouts, such as Konami (creator of the Metal Gear series) and that pesky Rockstar exclusivity contract, so Microsoft has its work cut out for it.
The 360 promises even more stellar online service with Xbox Live
The revamped Xbox Live service on the 360 promises to advance Microsoft's considerable lead in the online space. For instance, the new service will introduce competitive elements in single-player games by integrating high scores into leaderboards so that players can compete against one another even when they're not playing head-to-head games. To complement the service's competitive aspects, the newest version of Xbox Live will offer a way for players to purchase unique customization options and additional games from Xbox Live Arcade. All things considered, this is a service that has grown in just about every direction. Yet for some reason, Sony still insists on keeping its hands off online play for the PlayStation 3, leaving Microsoft ample opportunity to sweep the online console market a second time. Even though it has always been, and will continue to be, a broadband-only service, Xbox Live has worked well enough for Microsoft in the past and will only improve as consumer-level broadband becomes more common in the future. Though the Xbox Live service still might not appeal to all gamers given its broadband requirements, it need only continue to improve on what it's already doing to be successful: creating compelling console gaming experiences and offering enough downloadable content to justify the service.
Outlook: Very Positive - The Xbox Live service already enjoys a subscriber base of more than 2 million users, and considering the service's online matchmaking options, real-time voice chat, and community features, it's easy to see why. Games like Halo 2 still enjoy a robust multiplayer community, while games like Pariah and Far Cry Instincts have even offered editing tools to users to create their own content. Microsoft has built up a network of loyal Live customers, many of whom have become accustomed to using the service to receive online updates. If Microsoft can execute on its plans, it has a very strong chance of cornering the online console gaming market all over again with the Xbox 360.
Will BMX riders doing double dutch open up the 360 audience?
While Microsoft obviously wants to sell more systems than Sony, some of the early signs from the 360 seem to be sending mixed messages. To begin with, the price of the console seems extremely daunting for all but the most serious gaming enthusiasts. If the past means anything, systems over the $300 price point have significant sales hurdles to get over. If Microsoft takes the importance of having a strong install base seriously, then it's going to have to drop in price by the time the PS3 or Revolution is released.
Microsoft also seems to want to use the 360 to expand its gaming audience...within the family. Presumably with the implementation of Xbox Live Arcade, and the more-streamlined system and peripherals, additional family members might fight for time on the console to play a high-definition version of Bejeweled. Attempting to embrace casual games isn't a bad idea, but this alone won't get more 360s into more homes, since casual games are already available in many different formats for significantly less money. Microsoft appears to want to make the 360 the center of all household media, yet the company also seems to want the 360 to be a "hip" and "edgy" console recommended by hipsters and supermodels. Can it do both at the same time? Microsoft had better hope so--and it will need to do more to court a larger user base than just including support for Pac-Man. In the short run, it remains unclear whether its launch lineup will be strong enough to support the 360 through the holidays, especially considering the delay of the highly anticipated role-playing game The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and how there will be no sign at all of the most anticipated game for the console, Halo 3.
Will Japan be a key factor in the Xbox 360's future? That's going to depend on whether Microsoft can successfully woo the Japanese audience with the new console, as it tried and failed to do with the Xbox. Japan continues to be a large and significant consumer market for video games, and the company is already making brave attempts to get attention in Japan, though seemingly without much success as yet. In Japan, perhaps more than anywhere else, Sony has a huge lead over Microsoft in the home console market--Microsoft will need to garner that Japanese third-party support to really get the Japanese market on board.
Outlook: Unclear - With its early launch, Microsoft has a very important opportunity to capture the market by launching the first next-generation console, but it's not certain whether its launch game lineup will be strong enough to carry it into 2006. In addition, the company faces considerable hurdles with its positioning in the important consumer market of Japan--and the system's high price tag will clearly be a challenge in all territories. We'll have to wait and see on this one.
On November 15, 2001, Microsoft launched the Xbox in North America. The company's prior history in the video game industry had been fleeting, with only a brief collaboration with Sega to bring Windows CE to the Dreamcast under its belt. But Microsoft's first console burst onto the gaming scene and made ripples that would eventually become waves for game industry giants, Nintendo and Sony.
Though there were laughs had at the Xbox's expense (especially in the early days), due to some truly terrible launch titles and the system's massive size and clunky controller, it stuck around long enough to find support among a number of prominent Western developers. Those days, the Xbox's unique features began to stick out, namely those borne by the mandatory hard drive, like custom soundtracks and no need for a memory card.
It was the launch of the Xbox Live online service on the Xbox's one-year anniversary that definitively set the console apart from the rest. It was not the first online service for a console, but it was undoubtedly the best, integrating voice chat seamlessly into the system while maintaining a high level of support from developers. Xbox Live set an unparalleled standard.
Now, four years later, when the Xbox seems as relevant as ever, we're ushering in a new Microsoft console, the first system of the next generation. Though it seems too early, we're given reason to pause and reflect on the system that paved the way for the 360, and hopefully for many future consoles to come. Join the GameSpot staff, as we reflect upon the big green machine, the Microsoft Xbox, in this HD video.
Microsoft's next-generation Xbox 360 console will finally be here soon. And GameSpot is counting down the days to launch with a new angle every day. Up first--five action-packed arcade games that will be available on Live Arcade. Yes, you already know about Perfect Dark Zero and Project Gotham Racing 3, but did you know Robotron and other arcade-style games will be available online, too? Read all about it right here, and be sure to come back tomorrow for our continuing countdown.
This game is like Robotron, only with slightly less crazy!
Crystal Quest, the first color game on the Macintosh, lets you control a nondescript white orb with the singular objective to collect all of the crystals on a flat plane (which you are viewing from a 2D top-down perspective) and then escape out the door that opens up as a result. Two vortexes, one each on the left and right walls, pump out a number of different enemies, with more frequency and variation on later levels. As you progress, obstacles will appear, including burrs that will destroy your avatar after only a few slight touches. At your disposal is an endless supply of machine-gun fire and a limited number of smart bombs. Increasingly higher levels reveal more-complex enemies that, instead of aimlessly bobbing around the level, will hone in on you, leave behind burrs when they die, and shoot projectiles.
Because of the Xbox Live Achievement system, you can opt to play the game classically, going for high scores at any cost, or you can attempt other goals, like hoarding 30 smart bombs without using one, for example. Crystal Quest is a little slower than the other disciples of Robotron, but the intensity is more methodical, making it a different take on very familiar gameplay.
This game is like Robotron, only you're floating through space.
The game also rewards you for staying alive. As you blast away at the constantly spawning enemies, a meter will fill up and eventually lead to score multipliers. Another onscreen indicator tracks your skill as a percentage--when you reach certain percentages, you'll earn martial-arts-style belts. The belts also tie in to the game's achievements system.
The game's graphics possess a color-cycling, psychedelic quality that should definitely strike a chord with fans of Jeff Minter's work. But first things first--this is a hectic arcade-style shooter with a lot of levels and an increasing challenge level that has the potential to drive you crazy once you get into the higher stages.
This game is like Robotron, only it warps space and time.
You control a small ship on a 2D grid, and you must spend the whole time trying to stay alive at all costs. This involves a number of different tactics, including an understanding of the enemy AI, using smart bombs effectively, prioritizing the order in which you shoot enemies, and figuring out the best way to evade their attacks. Eventually the screen begins to accumulate circular objects that act like black holes, which suck in the grid and any enemies that happen to be nearby. Once it reaches a certain point (indicated by its brightness), the black hole erupts and enemies appear all over the screen to chase you down. At times like these, it's almost necessary to use a smart bomb to clear the screen, so, on top of everything else, it's best to get to the black holes before they get to you.
Every 10,000 points, you'll earn a weapon upgrade, which exponentially intensifies the action (they get faster rates of fire and wider bullet spreads at the higher levels). Above all, the appearance of this game is simultaneously mesmerizing and intimidating. You'll find yourself falling into a zone, where your eyes glaze over, and you must simply intuit the action. It's truly Robotron mimicry at its finest.
This game is like Robotron, and The Running Man and awesome.
Smash TV also includes cooperative play--letting two players enter the arena together, where they'll attempt to outscore each other at the same time as working to keep each other alive. The Xbox Live Arcade version of the game takes this cooperative play online--finally. Fully online Smash TV. Truly, the future is now.
A big part of Smash TV's appeal lies in its difficulty. This is a tough game that really required you to come strapped with a pocket full of quarters. While the Xbox Live Arcade version of the game lets you continue as much as you want, the achievements are set up to reward expert play, including one that asks you to finish the game without continuing. If you can do that, you have our undying respect. Good luck. You'll need it!
This game IS Robotron.
Inspired by his never-ending quest for progress, in 2084 man perfects the Robotrons, a robot species so advanced that man is inferior to his own creation. Guided by their infallible logic, the Robotrons conclude that the human race is inefficient, and therefore, must be destroyed.
You are the last hope of mankind. Due to a genetic engineering error, you possess superhuman powers. Your mission is to stop the Robotrons and save the last human family.
With that to guide you, you're dropped into wave after wave, starting in the middle, surrounded by robots, and forced to shoot your way out. The dual-joystick design, implemented by programmer Eugene Jarvis after a car accident left his right hand in a cast, is the thing that really set the game apart from the pack in the first place, and it's a huge part of what makes the game so exciting today. The frantic action simply wouldn't be possible without the ability to run in one direction while shooting in another.
The Xbox 360 version of Robotron: 2084 is all kinds of crazy. Not only is it a faithful re-creation of the original, with very lightly updated graphics, but it also has a new cooperative game mode. When playing like this, one player controls moving while the other shoots. It's an interesting and unique mechanic that also works over Xbox Live. Between that new mode, great leaderboards, and solid control using either the digital or analog controls, this might be the best version of Robotron since 1982.
zpostcode 
Recruit 
weather 
mreligion 
Yellowpages 
sport 
constellation 
shopping 
name 
game 
directory 
literature 
Word 
tour 
furnish 
Lottery 
tftnews 
lyrics 
News 
digital 
car 
dir 
Edu 
Finance 
