XBox 360 by Microsoft
The XBox 360 is a game console made by Microsoft. It can connect to the Internet using an ethernet cable or using a wireless wi-fi connection; however, an XBox Live account must first be established at a cost of $100 / year. Once you have an account, you can download game upgrades, movies and other software. Usually there is an additional charge for downloads. Sometimes downloads are free like with certain Halo 3 maps or select Rock Band and Guitar Hero songs.
Benefits
The benefits of purchasing the XBox 360 over other game consoles include the large number of users. When playing games on-line, it helps make team selection faster and more interesting having many players.
Costs
The problems with the XBox 360 include: hidden costs, overheating, disc destruction and problems with the hard drive storage device.
Microsoft does not make it cheap or easy to game on-line. Unlike some game consoles, they charge a yearly fee for Internet play. With some games, such as Halo 3, they force you to buy new maps. Then, when you go to the “Marketplace”, they don’t tell you what package you need (forcing you to make random purchases until you download the correct upgrade.)
The XBox is notorious for having overheating problems. When the console gets hot, the solder melts causing the unit to fail. Xboxers refer to this as “The Red Ring Of Death” due to the red ring displayed on the front of the unit. Another hardware problem has to do with vibration destroying game discs. If there is any movement to the console while there is disc in the unit, a circle get burned onto the disc rendering it useless.
Not only is the hard drive expensive, but it also has problems remembering. For instance, when you move the hard drive to a different console, it won’t recognize certain previous downloads. This is common with Halo 3 maps. An error will be displayed saying “player doesn’t have maps”. You have to log your user out of the game and re-download the necessary maps at the Marketplace.