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When Microsoft revealed their next-generation console would be called 360, most, including myself, said it was because they wanted a revolution in gaming – a 360 degree turn in fact. After Microsoft’s price plan announcement this week at Game Convention in Leipzig, I wonder if it actually meant ‘the amount of pounds you’ll have to spend to use it’.
£279 with a 20GB hard drive, wireless controller, headset and remote – £209 without. I assume most hardened gamers will save up the extra pennies and get the hard drive version (I’ll have to since I want to play FFXI and any other MMOs that come out on the console). So for your reading pleasure, I’ve put together a guide on ‘How to spend £360 on the 360’.
1. The 360 itself. Like I said, you’ll need the hard drive to play FFXI and any other MMO released for it. So you’ll immediately need the value pack (Microsoft aren’t calling it this, but it’s essentially what it is). This gets you a wireless controller (essential nowadays with so many consoles to fit under your TV) a headset (for co-ordinating particularly complicated online attacks), a HD video cable and a universal media remote. But the hard drive means so much more. You can save your games on it (so no need to get a £22.99 memory unit) and you’ll be able to download game updates and media services Microsoft will develop throughout the 360’s life-cycle. Add to this the fact that you’re saving a tidy sum of money with the Value Pack, and there really isn’t any choice to make. Cost: £279.99
2. Another wireless controller. I know Xbox Live is being touted as the biggest thing to hit multiplayer gaming since Nintendo put four controller ports on the N64, but right now and for the next few years at least, multiplayer gaming’s still all about having a few friends over with some pizza and beer. Usually after Match of the Day has finished too. To this end, another wireless controller is a must have. Cost: £32.99r
3. Play and Charge kit. This little beauty will recharge your controller while you’re playing, thus avoiding annoying loss of control during a particularly intense Halo 3 rumble pit on Xbox Live. Instead, never worry about the ominous flashing of lights when power is on its last legs. You’ve got so much more to worry about, of course, like how you’re going to pay your Mum back for lending you the cash for the damn thing. Cost: £14.99r
4. A game or two. Which is what it’s all about really. No good opening your brand spanking new 360 on Christmas morning without a game to play on it. Check our feature on the top ten most important 360 launch titles for more info. I’m most interested in Perfect Dark Zero, Rare’s return from exile. Hopefully it will turn out to be the console seller Halo was for the Xbox. Most retailers will do some kind of bundle deal including a game or two. But with next-generation titles expected to be between a £5 and £10 more expensive than current games, deals won’t be cheap. Taking a base amount, add at least £45 on for a game – £90 for two. I don’t have much time this Christmas, so I’ll just be getting PDZ, but feel free to disagree. Cost: £44.99
Total: £372.96. And that’s only with one game. So maybe we’re a few quid over, but we’re close enough. You’ll need a pretty penny to enjoy the first next-generation console to market. It starts getting silly when you sling in an HDTV (how much you got?) a Wireless Networking Adapter (£59.99) a 64MB Memory Unit (£22.99), an RGB Scart (If you’re not going High-Def it’ll cost you £17.99), surround sound speakers (£££s) and a butler (if you can afford all that you can afford a butler). In short, the next-generation looks like providing the most amazing gaming experience ever – albeit an expensive one. Still, the last generation was hardly cheap, with both the Xbox and PlayStation 2 costing about the same as the Xbox 360. At least you’ve got some time to save up for the other consoles due next year, but with the much talked about high price of the PlayStation 3, perhaps it’s time to re-mortgage the house…
This article has been taken from our regular Sunday Supplement feature.
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