Xbox 360

Microsoft developed an award winner here. The absolute best console on the market. Why, you may ask me. Well I'll tell you. This is the true next generation console we are looking at here. Lets start with the design. Originally codenamed Xenon, the console looks very slim and much more futuristic than the original. Its most noteable design feature is the ability to change out the faceplate or, the front of the console, to something you like. The 360 plays DVDs, CDs, and you can also link it to a Windows Media Center PC. Next we will focus on the games. Like the DS, no problem with them here. The system is based for teens to young adults though. The hit games for the console include Halo 3, Mass Effect, Forza Motorsport 2, Gears of War, and the list keeps growing. Now we shall move on to the multiplayer. I need a drum roll for this. If you are unaware, Xbox Live is the name for the online multiplayer system for the Xbox 360. You recieve a microphone when you purchase the console so any online match you enter, you can hear and speak to your teammates. The microphone plugs into a slot on the bottom of the controller for those of you wondering. Not only do you get an unrivaled multiplayer experience, there is the Xbox Live Marketplace. You link a credit card to your Xbox Live account and you are able to buy, Arcade games, Original Xbox Games, movies, music videos, TV shows, and much more. You have a friendslist, a personal profile, you can send messages using voice and text, and you can even enter a private chat between you and a buddy. Now we move on to the darker side of this review. The Xbox 360 has a high failure rate due to an error only known as "The three red rings of Death". Nobody can pinpoint exactly why it happens but we know it is a hardware malfunction. Buy at your own risk. But now that we have gotten that out of the way, I will finish off this review. This is the best system out no matter how you look at it. Remember if you buy the console for around 400$ remember to buy the warranty because the store will replace it. If you are a hardcore gamer this is the system for you.