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Johnny Minkley is a games expert for BBC Radio 1, editor of Eurogamer TV and former editor of the industry trade weekly MCV. He's played games for more than 20 years and has been writing about them for more than seven. Here he picks the top games consoles. Click to view Top 5 Video Game Consoles.
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Best For Online Gaming (Xbox 360) |
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 A powerful console heavyweight in its own right, Xbox 360 comes alive once hooked up to a broadband connection. As well as offering the cheapest high-definition experience on the market, Microsoft’s brilliant Live service delivers peerless online gaming action. |
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When Microsoft entered a distrusting, sceptical console sector in 2001, we now know the original Xbox was nothing more than a stepping stone; a brand-building, service-establishing taster to the main event: Xbox 360.
Launching long after PlayStation 2, and lacking the incredible brand loyalty and awareness Sony enjoyed, Xbox was never going to trouble its main rival in sales terms. But this wasn’t Microsoft’s plan. Bill Gates’s firm squinted into the distance and concluded that the future was online, and so prepared for this day by rolling out the superb Xbox Live service on the original Xbox.
Five years of direct consumer experience has resulted in the next iteration of Live for 360, which offers by far the finest, neatest, most integrated online gaming experience ever seen on a console – and which is set to expand even further in the coming months. “With a full year in the market under its belt,” offers Eurogamer, “Microsoft's pitch for market leadership is looking stronger than ever.”
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The power of three |
 Before we head online, let’s take a look at what 360 offers out of the box. “The Xbox 360 deserves a medal for its stunning looks,” reckons Stuff Magazine. But which box will you buy? With two versions of 360 available now, and another due later this year, here’s the deal:
The Core version, carrying an RRP of £199, is the entry level system offering the cheapest route to high-definition gaming and the ability to upgrade at the user’s leisure to a more fully-featured unit. To go online you’ll first need to invest in either a hard drive upgrade or memory card expansion.
The Premium version is what you’ll need to get online and take full advantage of 360’s multimedia functionality. For £279.99, in addition to the console you get a wireless pad (it’s wired with Core), headset for chatting online, high-definition (HD) component cable, Silver membership of Xbox Live (more on this later) and a 20Gb hard drive.
Finally, due to launch later this year, is Xbox 360 Elite. This has been put together specifically by Microsoft to compete with the more technologically adept PlayStation 3 and is aimed squarely and tech-heads and HD junkies. Along with a special black version of the console and black versions of Premium extras, Elite comes with a massive 120Gb hard drive (ideal for storing data-heavy HD content), adds an HDMI port with a lead bundled, for optimum HD output, and throws in a free one-month Gold subscription for Xbox Live.
At the time of writing, UK launch details for Elite have yet to be officially confirmed, but the system will launch in the US on April 29th for $479.99. A release of late summer/early autumn is expected over here. The 120Gb hard drive will also retail separately for existing users wishing to upgrade. Disappointingly, no version of 360 offers Wi-Fi connectivity at purchase, a feature that’s standard with PS3 and Wii. A wireless adaptor is available separately.
For now, if you want to get online and get the most out of what 360 has to offer, Premium is the version we recommend.
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The disc dilemma |
 The one thing none of these 360s can do out of the box is play next-generation movies. For an overview of the HD-DVD/Blu-ray format war, take a look at our PlayStation 3 review. As an upgradeable platform, 360 can play HD-DVDs – but you’ll need to buy a separate player for around £129.99. It’s an excellent performer in its own right, and notably good value given the currently hefty price of standalone players. But if space in your living room is at a premium, the large extra box is a slightly clunky solution.
And it’s also worth bearing in mind that, while the 360 unit is sleek and relatively unobtrusive in design, the power supply unit is external – meaning you’ll also need to find room for a very large, unsightly grey box.
360 does support CD and DVD playback as standard; but all versions feature a very loud fan which can prove highly distracting during quieter viewing moments.
Xbox 360 is also a highly able multimedia device. Portable music players and digital cameras can be attached and content accessed via a TV. And because this is a Microsoft system, 360 can connect to a Windows Media Centre PC over a home network to access and stream content direct to your living room.
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Live and dangerous |
If you’ve selected 360 purely on its online gaming credentials, Xbox Live is likely to become a virtual home from home. This is an idiot-proof, seamless, integrated experience that gives you access to a wealth of content, community features and, of course, online gaming.
Membership comes in two flavours. Silver is free, and lets you create your unique gamer profile, set-up a friends list, and exchange voice and text messages; plus, it provides access to Xbox Live Marketplace. Marketplace is where you can download the latest demos and trailers of games and movies, plus purchase downloadable titles from Xbox Live Arcade.
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Live Arcade is joy-filled virtual shopping arcade where you can snap up classic arcade games from Pac-Man to Smash TV, and brand new, original creations like the superb Geometry Wars. Games are variously priced and purchased using Microsoft points which you can buy online or in your local games store. 2,100 points cost around £18, for example. And you can download a free demo of every game to try before you buy.
Gold membership carries an annual charge (£39.99 in the UK). This gives you full access to online gaming, and the polished service delivers skill-based matchmaking, gamer feedback, online leaderboards and the ability to heckle your opponents live via the headset. Crucially, your Gamertag – the unique online identity you assign yourself – is consistent throughout the entire Xbox Live experience. And you can even check online from your PC to see what games your friends are playing, how many Gamerpoints they’ve scored and so on.
Online gaming is nothing new, but no-one has pulled it off with the panache and professionalism of Microsoft. It’s very easy to get into and you really do feel part of a vast gaming community. No other system currently offers this level of integration.
For the solo gamer, downloadable content via Xbox Live is also a great source for enhancing the experience of games you own via new levels, items, tracks, vehicles, weapons, characters – you name it.
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The future's bright |
Already a great service, some new developments on the horizon look set to enhance the Live experience still further. With Live launching on Windows Vista-enabled PCs, registered 360 and PC users will be able to communicate with each other and exchange game invites. Furthermore, the release of action title ShadowRun this summer marks the first ever title to allow cross-platform gaming between PC and console. 360 users will be able to take on PC owners in real-time over Live. Additionally, the launch of Live on Windows-enabled mobile phones (date TBC) will also let you check up on your friends list wherever you are on the move.
Minor updates are more frequent – this spring, instant messaging will be added, for instance, with Microsoft planning to release a Qwerty-keyboard add-on for the 360 controller later in the summer.
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Gaming greats |
 On the gaming front, 360 has already proved itself as a force to be reckoned with. Sprawling role-playing adventure Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was named game of the year by G4, Spike TV, Shacknews and the Golden Joystick Awards, and has won a trophy cabinet-load of other prizes.
Meanwhile, gritty action blockbuster Gears of War scooped game of the year awards from GameSpot, Official Xbox Magazine, D.I.C.E 2007 and the 2006 Interactive Achievement Awards.
Major releases for the year ahead included the highly anticipated first-person shooter sequel Halo 3, and Grand Theft Auto IV which, for the first time, will release on Xbox simultaneously with PlayStation. Tantalisingly, the 360 version of 2007’s most anticipated video game will come complete with exclusive additional content available via Xbox Live.
PlayStation 3 may offer the more comprehensive HD entertainment experience, but a superior range of games magnified by the breathtaking scope of Xbox Live makes 360 a no-brainer if online greatness is your goal.
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Recommended Retail Prices: Core version: £199.99/$299.99; Premium version: £279.99/$399.99; Elite version £TBC/$479.99
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