North America is going through the frenzy of the Xbox 360 launch with many people choosing to line up for hours to get a hold on the anticipated next-gen console. Joystiq.com have questioned a few XBox 360 campers on why they're braving the conditions and lines for a console, and I have carefully picked the choice responses and placed them here....
Chris - ?I?m out here because two of my friends are out here, and if they get one and I don?t, then there?s gonna be a problem??Jay: "..because by my being here, I know that one less child is gonna have a good Christmas."
Australians will have to wait a few more months for 'XBox 360 launch frenzy" as Microsoft Australia have recently revealed when the next-gen console will be making it's local debut...
"Microsoft said the new system would be available locally on March 2, priced at $649.95 for the full version, or $499.95 for a basic Xbox 360 "Core system".The extra $150 buys a 20GB hard drive, wireless controller, a remote control and component video and ethernet leads. The Core system comes with wired controller composite video lead and no hard drive.
Microsoft is charging $169.95 for a 20GB hard drive sold as an add-on."
New Zealanders and the rest of Asia joins Australia in the last group to receive Xbox 360's behind Europe and Japan...
WEll, you'd be stupid to buy the 'core system' that's nothing but a marketing angle for Microsoft to say "we launched at a lower price than Sony", even though no one in their right mind would buy that rip off, not with the absence of the HDD, which you have to buy (yes, I know some people will point out that it's not a requirment - but that's a load of crap and you know it, the Xbox without it is a stunted system) anyway, making the larger package the only choice.
A bargin when you consider what the extras cost seperatly, but "(percent)650 (plus at least S100, probably more, per game) is a lot of money to play the same old thing.
let's see:
loads of sports title roster updates for 2006
PGR3 - awsome visuals but the same gameplay (and by recent accounts inferier quality gameplay) to the pervious version
COD2 - PC port
King Kong - current gen port
Gun - current gen port
PDZ - N64 come GC come Xbox come Xbox 360 port (yes, the content has been completely re-done, but this more than anything points out that gameplay hasn't changed in ten years)
Kameo - see above
so S750+ for what you've already been playing for the past ten years (or more), only prettier looking (or more plastic looking in come cases).
I think i'll pass, some future games look good, but and hopfully the price will have dropped a little by then...
http://www.planetxbox360.com/?view=article&article=553
Why is no headset included?
# Wireless (RRPS79.95) and wired (RRPS59.95) controllers
# Play charge cable (RRPS34.95)
# Rechargeable battery pack and cradle (RRPS49.95)
# Battery pack (RRPS19.95)
# 20Gb hard drive (RRPS169.95)
# 64MB Memory unit (RRPS49.95)
# Wireless networking adaptor (RRPS169.95)
# VGA cable (RRPS49.95)
# Advanced AV pack (RRPS39.95)
# High Definition AV pack (RRPS49.95)
# Headset (RRPS49.95)
# Faceplate (RRPS29.95)
# Universal Media Remote (RRPS49.95)
So, given that Microsoft's much vaunted media compatibility doesn't extend to releasing the XBOX360 region-free, does anyone know what the *Australian* game launch list is?