Xbox 360: Before Next Gen - Features Good and Vile

Microsoft gave the Xbox a good hardware setup, but what else is really new? For starters, the new Xbox looks a lot better than the old black brick, but this hardly matters in game. Let’s take a look at a few of the new features that might make a difference.

First, 360s will come standard with Wi-Fi controllers. Taking controller off their “leash” is a nice touch, but will be considered standard in next-gen systems. The Xbox will also have USB ports to plug in things like keyboards and steering wheels. We’re not sure yet what compatibility will be like between these USB devices and games, but Microsoft certainly has the ability to develop a nice driver base. A keyboard would be nice for chatting on Xbox Live, but will the system be flexible enough to use it as a game controller?

The big deal for Microsoft, though, is the hyping of Xbox Live. A lot of players enjoy the online gaming network, but the majority of Xbox owners don’t subscribe. Microsoft has said they plan for the Live subscriber base to rocket after the Xbox 360 is released. As with the Xbox, the Xbox 360 games will network via the Live service for online play. However, Microsoft has larger plans. The will be opening a Live Marketplace, which is just opening. Live subscribers will be able to buy and download Xbox games without needing to go to the store.

The Xbox Live Marketplace is now offering downloads for their launch games. Mostly they have game trailers, which you can download for free, and game pictures and themes, which you will have to pay for. Downloadable pictures are very “meh,” but Microsoft obviously has bigger plans for this.

Eventually, the Marketplace will offer downloadable game add-ons, for a price. While it’s nice to have the option to buy more levels of your favorite game, doesn’t this go a bit far when you already put down $50-$60 for the retail package? The Marketplace is designing a way to charge per game piece, perhaps even evolving into a pay-per-play. It appears to be a way to charge for things that were previously included in retail video games. This is the kind of feature that will excite Microsoft but leave many gamers wondering if they are getting their money’s worth.

As far as backwards compatibility, the Xbox 360 has surprised a lot of gamers by offering patches to make some original Xbox titles work on the 360. This is great news, if those are the specific games you own. However, the 360 will not be nearly as backwards compatible as Playstations have been, and the Revolution promises to play all Nintendo games from the company’s history. Still, most Xbox owners are left complaining that their favorite games aren’t on the list of compatible ones. They will still need to keep the old Xbox hooked up and working.

Next: The First Games Arrive >>
 

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