Xbox 360 Purchase

Hytek · #1 (**permalink**) 07-20-2009, 07:27 AM

I've been thinking of buying an Xbox 360 but since there're so many different versions I don't know which one to pick. So far I've found an Arcade, Pro and Elite version and clearly the Elite version seems to be the most pimped one of all of them but is it worth the price?

I have widescreen TV with HDMI so would the games gain from a konsol version that has HDMI or is this just for watching movies?

I would like to be able to play with Microsoft's Project Natal when it's released and I'm thinking the regular Arcade without HDMI will not work for this.

Some console versions have harddrives and some don't. They have different sizes ranging from anywhere between 0 to 120GB. Is this space used for anything else than savegames? Also, what are my options of pirating singleplayer games off say thepiratebay - what are the requirements to accomplish this (HDD, chip, w/e)? I know you get an console-ID permaban if you're busted on XBOX Live so that's something I'm alrdy aware of.

Any help and tips is appreciated. Thanks!

Lebowski · #2 (**permalink**) 07-20-2009, 08:35 AM

The only real differences between the Pro and the Elite are the Elite has 60g more HD space, is black and comes with HDMI cables (Pro comes with component but has an HDMI port). Unless you plan to do absolutely nothing with Xbox Live (very unlikely), the Arcade really isn't an option.

You use the HD space to save games, install games (makes them run faster and quieter), and save anything you download from Xbox Live (games, demos, videos, game add-ons). I have the 60g and while I can fit a good amount of stuff on it, I'd definitely buy the Elite if I was buying a new one today.

I believe there's quite a few modding choices out there, some are hardware mods allowing you play installed games, some are just flashing the bios to allow the system to play burned games. You can probably get away with it for a while, but when releases come out for the console software, they usually add new detections for the latest mods and, as you said, ban all consoles using it from Xbox Live.

You'd be losing one of two big reasons to have a 360 over a PS3...the other being game selection...so be prepared to probably buy a new system.

Also, there's bundles for both the Pro and Elite versions which come with Halo 3 and Fable 2, I'd definitely try to get one of those...two fairly decent games for free....

Hytek · #3 (**permalink**) 07-20-2009, 09:42 AM

Thx - sounds like good advice. I'll definately be going for one with a HD then. If I can find a good bundle with an Elite version here in Denmark I'll probably hit that one up for the extra space as it sounds like that's the direction the Xbox is headed in.

Lebowski · #4 (**permalink**) 07-20-2009, 11:13 AM

Didn't realize you were in Denmark. I believe the bundles do vary by location...

Hytek · #5 (**permalink**) 07-20-2009, 11:37 AM

Yeah, well - so far I've only been able to find the Elite as a single pruchase with no bundles or anything. I'll keep looking tho.

Lebowski · #6 (**permalink**) 07-20-2009, 12:24 PM

Noticed on the US site it shows the elite with the two games, and the Denmark version doesn't: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x...em/default.htm

Looked around and found several other bundles with games like GTA IV, Gears of War (1 and 2), and Call of Duty 4...be surprised if you can't find one with at least one game included...

Hytek · #7 (**permalink**) 07-20-2009, 01:00 PM

Found a couple bundles like Lego Indiana Jones+Kung Fu Panda so nothing worthwhile and they're shit expensive too

Lebowski · #8 (**permalink**) 07-20-2009, 01:36 PM

Yeah, I got those two games when I got mine. I wouldn't pay extra for it, but those are decent games (especially out of the other's my son plays) or you could turn around and sell them.

Hytek · #9 (**permalink**) 07-20-2009, 03:57 PM

I've found some used ones were there's still a receipt and warranty. If all is cool I'm going to grab one of those. With the warranty still active there won't be too much beef should the box crash and burn. Now to find one where the games are someting I want to spend my time on like GTAIV, The Force Unleashed, Mass Effect and the like.

Lebowski · #10 (**permalink**) 07-20-2009, 05:34 PM

Unless they are massively discounted, not sure I'd buy one like that, but I don't know the full situation.

I highly recommend:

Assassin's Creed: should be able to find for $20-30.

Fallout 3: Great RPG/FPS. Although in October, the Game of the Year Edition comes out which includes all five downloadable content (DLC) add-ons (an extra $50 if you download those individually).

Braid: X-box Live Arcade (XLA) game, puzzle/platformer...lot's of fun

Crash Crashers: Another XLA game, hack and slash 2-D. Very funny and fun.

GTA IV was a blast, playing through the first DLC right now. Force Unleashed is cool. My son plays it a lot, I just haven't had time to get too into it. Call of Duty 4 & 5 are both pretty fun if you want to play an online FPS.

There's demos and videos you watch on X-box Live of most games.