An entry-level console sans advanced features

Category: Review on Microsoft Xbox 360 Arcade Console

Posted by: 4-Jun

Strengths: good game library, high definition graphics

Weaknesses: No hard drive, not compatible with Blu-ray discs, paid subscription required for online gaming

The Microsoft Xbox 360 Arcade Console comes with a wireless controller, five Xbox LIVE arcade games and 256 MB of memory. Unfortunately, it does not come with a hard drive, so unlike higher end models, this console does not support original Xbox titles right out of the box. Its limited storage capacity also restricts the amount of downloadable content that can be saved to the console.

On the plus side, the Xbox 360 has the best game library with plenty of exclusive titles like Halo 3, Call of Duty 4 and Gears of War. The console also comes with an HMDI output for full HD 1080p resolution, so these graphic intensive games can be viewed in all their glory. This model includes access to Xbox LIVE Silver, but to play any title in multiplayer mode online, a paid subscription for Xbox LIVE Gold is required. Another disadvantage is the console’s lack of support for Blu-ray discs.

When the Xbox 360 was first released in November 2005, Microsoft faced several complaints from owners about the console’s reliability. The system had a defect, commonly known as the “red ring of death”, which rendered the gaming console completely useless. To a large extent, Microsoft has rectified this frustrating problem in consoles manufactured after 2007.

Overall, the Microsoft Xbox 360 Arcade Console has great potential, but is too stripped down of must-have features for the hard-core gamer.