X360 shopping list

[Nebu]

With the upsoming release of Test Drive Unlimited, I think I've run out of excuses for not buying an X360.  The reason I'm posting is to ask some of you more experienced console guys a simple question: When getting setup, what do I need beyond the basic console, a controller, and a couple of games?  I think the last console I purchased was an N64 and things have changed a wee bit since then.

Thanks for the help.   

[Strazos]

First, buy the premium package. Also get a warranty if you like.

It comes with an HD cable, but make sure it's the one you need before to pay. You may need a different cable. I personally know jack shit about HD cables.

Then, when you get home, STAND THE UNIT UP. Unless you want the thing to scratch rings into your discs.

[NiX]

With the upcoming release of Test Drive Unlimited

Hrm? This came out in the beginning of September.

Anyway, if you're getting a Premium you really don't need anything. You'll have the HD cables, headset, wireless controller, hard drive and a trial for the Gold membership for live. That's really all you need. Unless you want to go Wireless with your 360 and in that case grab the adapter for that ($99). Also, if you're really into HD-DVD, you can pick up the add-on for $199 and I hear it looks damn sexy. You might also want to grab a Play & Charge kit ($20) and extra rechargeable (MS Brand) batteries ($12) for each extra controller you have. Trust me, this'll save you cash on having to buy batteries all the time and it's really inexpensive.

Other than those things, I can't think of anything else.

Edit: Standing the unit up has nothing to do with rings. It has to do with your 360 overheating. Standing up your 360 and moving it while games are spinning causes the scratch rings. Make sure it's in a safe spot, trust me. If I didn't know people who work at EB I wouldn't of been able to replace my NHL after my buddy thought it would be a good idea to move my 360 while we were playing NHL.

As for HD cables, it's just a matter of if you want special ones like Monster. The MS brand ones work with all standard HD TVs.

[Strazos]

/shrug

Seems that every time someone comes in with the rings, they had the system laying down. Haven't seen the same problem from anyone who stands the system up and doesn't move it while it's on.

[murdoc]

I have had my 360 laying down for about 8 months and I don't have a single scratch on any games.

Nebu: The premium bundle should have everything you need. If you have a receiver for 5.1 surround, you'll want a digital optical cable I would think, but other than that you should be good.

[Nebu]

Thanks for the help guys. 

[MisterNoisy]

You might also want to grab a Play & Charge kit ($20) and extra rechargeable (MS Brand) batteries ($12) for each extra controller you have. Trust me, this'll save you cash on having to buy batteries all the time and it's really inexpensive.

Alternately, stop by the photo/electronics section of a department/discount store and pick up a pack of rechargeable Ni-MH AAs with a charger.  If you're willing to shop around a bit, you can get 4-8 AAs and a charger for $20-30.  As a bonus, you'll be able to toss those same batteries in things like your remotes or whatever else and not just the 360 controllers.

[HaemishM]

Hell, I got a 2 pack of NI-MH AA's with a travel charger for less than $5 at Wal-Mart. They are currently sitting in my Wiimote.

[Sky]

It's worth the dough to get a decent charging unit with an external transformer, btw. At work we have one with an integrated transformer and it takes forever to charge vs my home unit that charges in 10 minutes or so (4 AA). I use rechargeable nimhs in my cordless mouse, but plain old non-recharging alkaline in the keyboard.

Lithium non-recharge in the camera, those puppies last forever.

[schild]

Toms Hardware did a cable shootout and the difference between $200 cables and $20 cables is just about nothing. Having both, I tend to agree with this.

[bhodi]

my favorite, next to the monster brand power strip (it stops demons from getting in your computer!) is the monster brand optical cable.

[Arrrgh]

High end cables are snake oil.

[NiX]

Seems that every time someone comes in with the rings, they had the system laying down. Haven't seen the same problem from anyone who stands the system up and doesn't move it while it's on.

You're such a retail newbie :D I'm sure Schild can vouch for what I'm about to say:
Every customer will explain how it was caused and make it sound like it wasn't their fault. ALWAYS. They'll never admit they didn't listen and stood it up on a table that people constantly bump into or when it overheats they won't admit they had it laying flat, on carpet and with numerous objects covering it. I had to argue with a guy who killed his 360 when it had carpet fiber all in the side vent holes.

You'll understand in 6 months or a year, if you last in that shit hole job.

[Strazos]

Oh, I know customer's are morons, but I've heard this problem from people other than idiot customers.

[NiX]

I'm not sure why it would happen. That's sounds more like a faulty mount in the drive. The only time I've seen it happen is when the system is moved and I've carried out that test with defective discs just to see how likely it is to happen in every day kind of things.

[schild]

Srazos, obviously you haven't heard it from people other than idiots. The only advice I can think of worse than setting it vertical is "submerge in water while playing for better experience" and "Ya know, shaking it will make it load faster."

[Strazos]

Srazos, obviously you haven't heard it from people other than idiots.

That is most certainly possible.

[Big Gulp]

Seems that every time someone comes in with the rings, they had the system laying down. Haven't seen the same problem from anyone who stands the system up and doesn't move it while it's on.

I think you may have nailed it, Strazos.  I've had problems with Madden 2006 and a couple of original XBox games getting some minor scratches on the inner edges of the discs and I sure as hell haven't been moving my 360, it's safely ensconced at the top of my entertainment center.  I've alleviated this problem to a certain extent by not leaving any games in the tray when I shut down.  Unless I do that I'll hear a couple of distinctive clicking sounds on boot up, whereas I hear nothing without a disc inserted.

Anyway, I'm standing the bitch up right now, just in case.

[Strazos]

I know, logically, you should be able to lay the system down with no problems...

But this is the video game industry we're talking about.

[NiX]

After some talking with a buddy who still Manages an EB, it's a faulty tray. Some systems have loose spindles (is that the word?) that wobble when booting and shutting down. If it happens, you can try contacting MS to get a replacement, but it's probably not worth it.

[Nebu]

Great information here.  A couple more questions.

1) I make my own cables and have for years (I'm an Audiophile geek).  I started doing this when a) I first discovered they do make a significant sound difference  and b) when I worked at best buy and saw the margins on them.  I can get/make what I need here unless something is proprietary.

2) Dumb question: Why do I need the HD?  To decrease load times and save games?

3) I don't have an HDTV.  How much will this suck without one?

4) I have a headset for my PC.  Do I still need one for the X360?

Thanks!

[Big Gulp]

Great information here.  A couple more questions.

1) I make my own cables and have for years (I'm an Audiophile geek).  I started doing this when a) I first discovered they do make a significant sound difference  and b) when I worked at best buy and saw the margins on them.  I can get/make what I need here unless something is proprietary.

You can do some splicing at the ends (where the connections plug into the TV), but nope, the cable is proprietary.

2) Dumb question: Why do I need the HD?  To decrease load times and save games?

In theory you don't need it.  If you're at all interested in Live Gold (ie, downloading demos, getting XBox Live Arcade games,etc), pony up for the HD version.  Don't be a cheapass on this one, you'll regret it.

3) I don't have an HDTV.  How much will this suck without one?

It won't until you see your friends playing it on their HDTV's.

4) I have a headset for my PC.  Do I still need one for the X360?

You have to get an adapter for a PC headset, because those split audio in (mic) and audio out (sound) into two seperate channels.  The XBoxes headset is a one pronger.  On the upside, a headset is included with the premium version.

[NiX]

Just like Gulp said, it's worth it to spend the extra money. It's a shame you missed the Dell deal today on the 360. Pretty damn nice.

The 360 headset isn't too bad either. Good audio and does some decent noise canceling.

[Murgos]

What deal on the 360?

[NiX]

Must be a Canadian thing. Can't find it anywhere on the US site. Every so often Dell does "Dell Days" where for almost 2 weeks they give us some crazy deals which change every day. It was $449 for the current premium bundle (GRAW + XBLA) with GoW. Normally it's $499 just for the bundle itself. Not a bad deal.

[Big Gulp]

It was $449 for the current premium bundle (GRAW + XBLA) with GoW. Normally it's $499 just for the bundle itself. Not a bad deal.

Real money, or Canadian?

[Velorath]

I've been holding off on buying a 360 figuring that there would be a price drop soon, but after watching that X06 video of Mass Effect, I'm really hoping the price drops sooner rather than later (at least if Mass Effect comes out early next year).

[Strazos]

I wouldn't expect a price drop until At Least after E3, and even then I only give it a 30% chance of actually happening.

[Velorath]

I wouldn't expect a price drop until At Least after E3, and even then I only give it a 30% chance of actually happening.

I don't know if price drops will coincide with E3 anymore, but if Sony manages to start producing PS3 at a more rapid pace I wouldn't be surprised to see a price drop during the first half of the year.

[Morfiend]

You might want to consider a wireless network adaptor. Xbox 360 is much better if online.

[Viin]

Forgive me, I'm new to this whole Xbox 360 thing...

I went to GameStop to see what used/new 360 games I could get. Is it just me, or is there really nothing that exciting? Are there any "must have" games that I'm missing?

The only ones I was even remotely interested in were DOA4, Gears of War, and Final Fantasy VI(?) - but not quite interested enough to pay $40-$60 for one.

[Murgos]

Yeah, I dropped $700 on a new 360, games, cables and etc.. and now I feel like I've shot my wad and have to wait for something interesting to come out.

Hey, Schild, how was 99 Nights?  Was it a good stand in for Dynasty Warriors?  Or should I wait for the real thing?

[Viin]

Yeah, I dropped $700 on a new 360, games, cables and etc.. and now I feel like I've shot my wad and have to wait for something interesting to come out.

Hehe, that's a good way to describe it. I'm *almost* tempted to take my 360 back and wait to get a Wii instead - at least it'd be novel for a bit. The 360 is really same ol' same ol' except the online support is pretty good (but I have a PC for that).

[Strazos]

Gears of War
Dead Rising
Rainbow 6: Las Vegas
NHL 2k7

The following I would put at maybe:

Oblivion (if not for PC)
Chromehounds (/shrug, does anyone still play it online?)
Call of Duty 3
Also, Prey or FEAR (If not for PC)

Also, Dynasty Warriors 5 is already out as I remember.

Also 2x, remember that Mass Effect is on its way, Blue Dragon as well....

EDIT: Feel free to chip in, Schild. 

[Morfiend]

Tony Hawk: Project 8
Marvel Ultimate Alliance
Splinter Cell: Double Agent