Summary

It's easy to see why some have called the Xbox Microsoft's "Trojan Horse." Looking at the specifications alone, the video game system could be confused with a PC. The Xbox features an Intel Pentium III 733MHz processor, a special Nvidia NV2A graphics core based on the GeForce 3 engine, an 8GB hard drive, high-speed networking, HDTV display support, DVD playback capabilities, and a Microsoft operating system. However, instead of sitting on the desktop, the Xbox will be more at home in your living room. The front of the eight-pound unit features four controller ports, a slide-out disc tray, a disc-eject button, and a power button. You'll find a power connector, an AV port, and a network port in the rear of the unit. The standard Xbox A/V cable uses composite audio and video cables, but you can purchase additional A/V adapters to provide RF, S-Video, component video, and digital optical output. The Xbox works with HDTVs as well as standard 4:3 TVs. If you have an HD-ready television or monitor, the Xbox can output 480p, 720p, or 1,080i signals in either normal or widescreen (16:9) aspect ratios depending on game support. Most games only output up to 480p, but you'll find that images are still quite sharp. In addition to the impressive video display capabilities, the Xbox also supports 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound. Even though the Xbox has a built-in DVD-ROM, you'll need to purchase an Xbox DVD Movie Playback Kit to unlock the movie playback functionality. Unfortunately, while the system does support progressive scan output for games, the Xbox does not offer progressive scan DVD movie output. If you have a broadband connection, you can use the systems built-in Ethernet adapter for online multiplayer gaming. You will also need to purchase Microsoft's Xbox Live Starter Kit (available with 12-month or 3-month subscription plans). The Xbox Live system allows you to play against other people, and it offers community functions including friends lists and the ability to send and receive game invitations. You can even talk in-game with other players using the Xbox Live Communicator headset. Currently, over 100 Xbox game titles offer Xbox Live support, and there are more to come. The Xbox console also comes with a built-in 8GB hard drive, so you don't have to deal with memory cards in order to save games as with the PlayStation 2 and GameCube, but you can still purchase an Xbox memory card in case you want to transfer saved games over to a friend's house. The hard drive also improves game load times, because the system can cache data for quick access rather than reading information from the disc each time a load is necessary. At $149, the Xbox sells for the same price as the PlayStation 2 and costs about $50 more than the GameCube. While the PS2 currently has a sizable library of great games, including exclusives such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, most top games are being released on the Xbox simultaneously, and the console has its own excellent Xbox-only titles such as Halo 2 and Fable. The Xbox offers superior graphics and possibly the best online functionality. It's the obvious choice for those who want the game system with the best audio and video performance and have the 5.1 surround-sound package and HDTV to enjoy it.

Summary

Despite its relatively slow start out of the gate, the Xbox has managed to persevere. It's been on the market for over three years, and it's more popular now than ever before. Many people were initially unimpressed with the Xbox due to its limited library of launch titles, but as the platform has accumulated more games and shown people just what it is really capable of, it has earned the respect of gamers of all ages and preferences.

Sound

While sound may not be the focal point of the Xbox's technical prowess, it's certainly worth mentioning. The Xbox does indeed sound as good as it looks, with full support for Dolby Digital Surround Sound (something that was unheard of prior to the system's release), offering an aural experience unlike any that you'll see on any other console, and far less complicated and expensive than what you'll get from a high-end PC (just like every other technical aspect of the Xbox). All in all, the Xbox can give you the best experience available on a console, all in a system that is extremely efficient and reliable.

Gameplay

The most important aspect of any system's performance in terms of gaming is how well it handles games in an interactive context. A game that looks and sounds great is still a waste of money if the player can't figure out the control scheme, just like a console that doesn't control well in general is a waste of money. Fortunately, the Xbox has shown some strength in this area. Since many of its games are designed specifically for the console's hardware, they control exceptionally well (Halo is considered by many to have the best control scheme of any game on the market). In addition, while many people were turned off by the bulky and cumbersome "Duke" controller that was included with the console when it was first released, the newer "S" controller, designed to be more compact and therefore more efficient, has allowed new players to experience everything that the Xbox has to offer, and has forced critics to find something else to complain about.

Summary

X-box, by far is the best platform now. The only flaw is the 10 pound weight, but if you are willing to sacrifice that, then there is no reason why x-box should not be the top system. Many people tell me PS2 is better but why does it still have two controller ports, no hardrive in it that can save games for you, and no online play where you can talk to your friends? For the controller ports on the PS2 you can get a multiplaer tap but it cost alot and there are few games that are four players. For your game saving if you run out of space in your hard drive each controller has 2 memory card slots.

Sound

All Game systems sound the same to me.

Gameplay

The gameplay is gerat with the standard controllers being ideal for first person shooters. When you play any game your X-box will load some of the data for faster future loads.

Summary

Excellent product for the money! Now alot of great games(GTA series, Halo, ect.)Microsoft put this console together in record time and its paying off. It dominates over the ps2. I like the hard drive. Why should I have to by memory cards? It is greedy of sony to expect you to pay for a system without any real way to save your games. Not to mention the load times on the ps2 are painfully long...The xbox includes everything you need right out of the carton. Oh, so what you have to buy a remote to play dvd. Have you tried the ps2 dvd using a controler(yuck!) Its a game anyway...

Sound

Hooked to a stereo tv, seems on par with ps2.

Gameplay

Excellent, the best of the three all around. It used to be sony had the muscle to have all the good games, no more. xbox is superior with new creative games titles as well. I think its funny how some people wish Halo was avaiable for ps2? That slow thing wont even run the game, I know I owned a ps2(only for gta.)Rockstars gta vice city gameplay is great and really runs alot better on a xbox(looks better too.)Bottom line unless you want to play kiddie games(cube) spend your$149. on an xbox.

Summary

Best Game system yet one thing I love about my xbox is the hard drive so I dont need a memory card and the abuitity to download music to the xbox

Sound

with My Stereo and amp I get great sound

Gameplay

Fun But sometimes Slow On Cirtan Games

Summary

Ok. first off, id liked to say, this has the best graphics on any console. and it never gets boring. this has got to be the best console in years. PS2, is good too. first off the xboxs online abilities blow away the competition. XBOX LIVE has got to be more fun the prank calls. now, fellow XBOX lovers, i was reading reviews on dis website, and i saw a guy called Lt. Billy Coen, he HATES XBOX! what a H**O, anyway...

Sound

mediocre

Gameplay

awesome. have you ever tried the game ninja gaiden, IT IS AMAZING!