A newer version of the Xbox 360 has been released with an apparent fix on the issue of the three red rings. The real question that needs to be asked here is, why on earth wasn’t it fixed sooner?

The console was released back in 2005 and it became clear there were problems with it later in the month when people started to experience the red rings of death for the very first time. You know its control throwing time when the green lights on the front turn to three red lights. You cannot use the console again until you send it off to be repaired.

It is unbeliveable to think that the console has been out for four years and the solution to the problem has only just been put into the consoles. What was the issue?

The red rings are caused by the console overheating as the soldering starts to melt which of course is never a good thing. The rings of death are called so because you cannot fix the console without sending it off if you see these. If you wrap up the console in a cold towel then you can put a short fix on the problem but it will return to you in the near future. This cools down the console so you can play it. This is only meant to fix the console for a very short amount of time so you will indeed have to send it off at some point.

I am really unsure on why it has Taken Microsoft such a long time to actually go out and fix this as it was costing them a lot to repair the consoles for free.

So whether it was the cable ties, Deutsch connectors or of course the electrical components at least they have fixed it.

Sales

If you are looking into sales alone then the Wii outsells everything. From the opiniopn of someone that has owned all of Nintendo's past consoles this has easily been their worst submission. The question to ask is why?

The major reason why is simply because they do not give a damn about all of the past fans that made them money before the Wii, the majority of new games are aimed at idiots and Nintendo fans rarely see the light of day. with Mario Kart on the Wii that just seemed to take out all of the things that made Double Dash A great game, it has sold because more kids will buy it. As well as this they are copying Mario Galaxy by adding in a few variations to levels in Mario Galaxy 2.

So as you can see the Wii is out of it.

Online and other

It cannot be said that the PS3 is a bad console with games such as Uncharted proving just how good the console can be. Although the online play is all free, it is very poor and it features many games with people unable to speak your language. Okay, but why not add some language barriers like Microsoft? Sure the PS3 has Blu-Ray but that seems to be all that it has going for it.

The 360 has the best games, the best experience when playing and a really good online community. Do not get a Wii as although it is said to be for the entire family, the kids and you will get bored quickly. 360 or a PS3 is the way forward.

To make sure these will not have to be replaced for some serious money, get game console insurance or gadget insurance. Of course you could also get some mobile phone insurance while you are at it.

You probably already know it, Xbox 360 Games offer some of the most incredibly immersive experiences anywhere, online or off.  With smash titles like Halo, Fallout, Call of Duty, and Panzer General : Allied Assault, it’s tricky to see what else could probably improve gameplay any more than the long way it is come.  After all , it was not but 1 or 2 years gone that clunky outdated controllers were still being used.  Nowadays the user interface has improved noticeably, with on-board accelerometers to process spatial data for human kinetics in gaming.But something on the horizon may just be the most revolutionary thing to come to videogaming at home in our time. 

Xbox 360 games can be closely matched to Xbox 360 Accessories for the most continuing experience of really immersive gameplay.  But what if there were no need for any Xbox 360 accessories save one?  One ueber-accessory to replace them all?  Long the raw material of scifi and comic books, this latest of Xbox 360 Accessories would also be the last.  It might be the one thing needed to play all of the Xbox 360 games made of then on. 

Not heard of it?  That’s because it was just recently announced by Microsoft.  It is a electronic eye of sorts that may obliterate the requirement for physical controllers, hardware that’s held in one’s hand.  This new soon-to-come electronic eye will sense player movements in space, so handheld controllers with built-in accelerometers will no longer be required.  This latest advance in gaming technology is due out inside the subsequent year or 2, and may be mounted separately from the console.  But all user movement information will be supplied to the console just the same.  Attempt to imagine playing videogames with nothing more than your own body and body movements! 

This veritable magic eye that Microsoft has been developing will even track eye movements to switch point of view in a first-person shooter.  Imagine Halo or Call of Duty or medal of honour without annoying controllers but with instead a light gun and your own body and your own eyes!  As you turn right the screen-capture reveals views to your right side, and as you turn left the panorama shifts with you! 
So while today’s Xbox 360 games are quite sophisticated, the Xbox accessories to come will need software that rethinks the entire notion of onscreen and off.  Hardware and software exist in a symbiotic relationship, and it is going to be interesting to see what transpires next now the hardware has taken a quantum jump forward!

Definitely, the Xbox 360 is amongst the finest games machines  available in the videogame market currently. A vast range of titles,  unparalleled graphics and capability to function in a wireless mode allows it to keep up with competitors. However, nothing in this world is  perfect and the Xbox 360 isn’t an exception. So, if your Xbox 360 does go haywire, that is when knowing Xbox 360 troubleshooting really comes in  useful. 

Xbox 360 troubleshooting is the answer to all of the  possible issues that you’ll experience while  enjoying your Xbox 360.  The 3 primary blunders that the  users normally face are the red ring of death, disc reading  mistakes and overheating machines. 

One of the most typical  problems is the afflcition of 3 red lights, commonly called  the red ring of death.  It’s really a warning the Xbox 360 is in trouble.  However when you find this problem it is not always easy to  get a distinct solution. 

Despite being a dynamic and  technically advanced console, the Xbox 360 can get overheated over  prolonged lengths of use. When this happens gamers are alerted to  the problem by the Xbox 360 overheating sign. Xbox 360 troubleshooting for such a  difficulty can be achieved by placing the console in a cooler  environment helping it to cool in free air. 

Some of the  things that are important for successful Xbox 360 troubleshooting are a basic understanding of the Xbox 360 console, and a collection of basic electrical tools like screwdrivers. 

By this time, you must have  gained a fair concept about Xbox 360 troubleshooting guides. Essentially,  these are tutorials and guidelines mostly in form of video or text to help you  detect and solve issues associated with an Xbox console, available  typically through online sources. The money back guarantees related to  these troubleshooting guides make it a decent investment and a reliable solution to basic  Xbox 360 faults. 

Here’s hoping with the help of the above  Xbox 360 troubleshooting guidelines you’ll be able to confront basic Xbox problems.  However, in cases of critical console failure, it is always recommended  you contact your closest Microsoft helpline.

Where do gamers go?

The choices you have as a gamer are:

1. Buy (Online, Ebay, used, Gamestop..)
2. Rent (Gamefly, blockbuster…)
3. Trade (Goozex, Switchplanet..)

Renting in the past at your brick and mortar rental place can easily set you back more then $5-$7 every week like Blockbuster. There have been other online rental game sites that charge a monthly fee like /month for one game out like Gamefly. Renting isn’t all together bad but playing videogames isn’t like watching movies. Much more time is needed for videogames than movies. Most movies range from 1.5 hours to epics of 6 hours. Where most videogames you could get a good feel for a game in 3 hours but most sports games and long role playing games could be played for more then 70 hours.

This is where Goozex Game Trading steps in. Goozex allows the gamer to keep the game as long as you want but have the option to sell it too. There is only a $1 transaction fee if you request a game on their network. So basically you can trade in your older games and build up Goozex credit until you get enough for a newer title and just pay the $1 transaction fee. A shipping and handling is handled by sender and the buyer only pays . There is no monthly membership so you can stop at anytime or go at a slower pace. This is ideal in the sense that you could play the game until you are actually sick of it then send it in for credit. No hurry as you play and ship at your own pace. Plus you OWN the game. From then on the game is yours, not a rental.

The network is peer to peer in that you can only request games and send games to other members. There is no single central warehouse and the pricing of the credits of the system are in points (100pts = $5). The pricing of the game is determined by market demand, release date, initial cost of the game, and a couple other factors. Most xbox 360 titles will go for 800-1000 pts which translates to $40-$50. This isn’t bad for a used game. Some money can be saved buying used but there is still tax and travel time/cost. Goozex gives you free shipping to you with no tax charge. You can buy games directly but will cost you a premium but then again this money is locked in credits anyways. The game prices will fluctuate and you will see the price change in your history. I’ve had a couple games I requested and I can see that price increase/decrease. It doesn’t happen that much but some games change +/- 200pts depending on market demand.

So why use Goozex instead of a used videogame store or an auction site with games like Ebay? You just need $1 to pay for the transaction fee. Most people don’t like to continually shell out more money for a game and then feel like the games they bought are depreciating at a very fast rate. Selling your game for cash anywhere will not give you that much. Selling it to a store they will mark your game up to make money. Selling it online at an auction site will incur fees and you still have to pay for shipping. Goozex at least you get to trade in games you are done with and still get some value out of it as it will lead to other games you really want. There might be more difficulty in sending older sports titles as those don’t have much demand once their season is up like trying to sending in EA sports Madden 2005 will be a hard game to sell to someone on the network. Even if you were to put it older games on ebay you will have a hard to moving it and you will have to pay per insertion. You can build your own game list and no insertion fees.

Lots of integrated information like tips and reviews. I love being able to see the supply and demand of each game. This will let you know if you have a game people want or if you can possibly get a game on the network. Goozex determines who gets the game by matching up users. There is a waiting list that is generated and when you add a game you will see in what place you are waiting for that game. This is a fabulous idea as impatient gamers can tell if they should expect a game soon. There is also a distinction between games you want now and games you have for holding. They will show you your place in line per game. This is a good way to build up a wishlist and then have your core set of games your really want now. It is ideal to have a very large set of games you want now so you will have a very good chance of getting a game soon. I requested Crackdown and I was like 60 people back. Turns out I got the game in less then 2 weeks. Just because you’re really deep in line doesn’t mean you won’t get the game soon. The system can deliver newer games in a short amount of time which is a huge bonus for gamers that want to play newer games but don’t want to buy them at the store. You have the option of trading just the game, the game with instructions, or the full package that includes case and instructions. Some people tend to not keep cases or instructions. The value of the game doesn’t go down as the credits don’t reflect what is included. This is because the user requesting the game can have the option to request only full packaged games, games with instructions, or just the game itself. I have not had a problem with getting full packages as I’ve gotten over 49 games and I’ve sent out 54 in under 2 years of being there.

Why NOT to use

For this site to be a perfect 5 star site I would like to see:

1. More users (will there ever be enough?)
2. More retro gaming console support (nes, snes, saturn….)
3. Sure isn’t free but man it’s 4 quarters. I’m a member of another site that has no transaction fees yet still protects the members.
4. Sneak peak video game trailers
5. More user interaction like user reviews and tournaments…)

All the above are small tweaks to the system that is already very functional. The main reason someone would NOT want to use this system is time and money. If you have the dough you would just buy it new down the street? Why wait? The main draw to the site is how much money you can save and the community there. Save money and also connect with other gamers. If you wanted to save money but are impatient then this sits is NOT for you. I’ve experienced about 1-2 month turn around time for new games. Why? You are placed in a waiting line. The order of the Que determines when you get the new game, but more importantly is how many are available? Most people will play a new release for a certain amount of time before listing their games. The wait times do get long. Say you want to play a game that takes a long time to beat. Some people like myself take a long time with games. Seasonal games with many updates like Madden will hit the system quick but it’s also a bad thing. You don’t want to hold a game too long or it will lose it’s value. Trading for early on might be for 1000 points but in a couple months with the market being saturated it could be 500 points in no time losing half of it’s value. Not entirely the fault of the system but some games just won’t move depending on your timing.

Current Goozex Simultaneous Transaction on the Network as of Mar 11, 2009 = 4793

Are you one of the many people out there who are on the hunt for an Xbox 360 Premium system? If so, then you should know that there are a few retailers in particular that you can visit if you want an Xbox 360 Premium system or even the Microsoft Xbox 360 Core system. Of the hundreds out there, here are a few that are definitely worth considering.

Before you go through any retailer to purchase an Xbox 360 Premium system it will be helpful for you to learn more about the video game console and what you are going to get included in your Xbox 360 Premium system package. You will get the Xbox 360 console which features three powerful core processors that are poised to pack a punch, 20 GB hard drive which is detachable and which allows gamers to store their games, music, downloaded trailers, levels, demos and community-created content from the Xbox Live Marketplace.

You will also get a faceplace, and this removable faceplate comes in a few different stylish colors. There is a headset which will allow you to strategize with teammates or trash talk opponents while playing xbox 360 games on Xbox Live. You even get a Live Silver membership with which you are able to chat with friends online, send and receive voice and text messages, and access new content from Xbox Live Marketplace demos such as trailers and casual games from Xbox Live Arcade.

If you’re interested in purchasing a next generation console, then the Xbox 360 video game system combines a great price with a grest selection of games and incredible graphics. There is simply no better value on the market today, although the Nintendo Wii has a number of exclusive titles which may appeal different gamers. The 20 Gb model goes for 0 (down from 0) in favor of the new 60 Gb model (with support for Netflix), which will replace the 20 Gb model at 0.

The bottom line is that this is a fantastic video game console, one that is definitely worth trying for yourself. Keep in mind that the prices are constantly lowering on the older Xbox 360 pro system as newer versions take their place, and so you can wait even just a few months and the cost will drop dramatically. You do always have the option of buying the game used, but you have to be very cautious if you decide to go this route because you can never really be too sure of the condition of the game if you are buying it used.

I am as many people would call me a Xbox 360 fan boy but I do have the other two so at least I can actually compare them personally. Although the Xbox is my fabourite it certainly doesnt mean that the console wasnt released with a few problems, many of which still exist.

I am still using my 20GB original console which I managed to pick up the month it was released which was very nice indeed, I also got two games with it. Kameo and King Kong were the first two games I received and for the time the graphics were awesome. The only reason people buy King Kong now is to get the easy achievement points from and Kameo is always seen coming in at around £10. Many games now go down in price very quickly because so many of them are made.

The games are great it seems to be a problem with the console. The three rings of death or three red rings is a term that angers many of the Xbox community as it is such a pain in the arse when it happens, if you are not familar with the term it means the console is pretty much broken unless you send it off for repair.

I have actually been through two repairs, the second I really had to push to be free even though it was on the same damn console. The problem is that there are not enough fans within the console to keep it cool which is what makes the soldering melt and destroy the motherboard. You can in fact quickly wrap the console in a cold towel which will fix the problem but this will only work temporarily so it is best to send it off straight away.

A good idea might be to put more fans into the system itself? It is already loud enough, putting more fans in is not going to help this at all. The stupid thing is that it is something that will have to be tolerated until the next console realease. The repair service is free within three years purchase which is nice and it hasn’t stopped me from ordering my brand new 250GB special edition “super” elite.

It is funny how far fan accessories and a few electrical components can go isn’t it?

Though all videogame consoles would like to be the entertainment focus of your home, Nintendo’s Wii is marketed towards a more general audience (with which it has been wildly successful) while the Xbox 360 from Microsoft and Sony’s Playstation 3 chase the hard-core action-gaming crowd dominated by male teens and tweens, as reflected by Xbox 360 Accessories like an Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter.  When it comes to hardware, the Wii is outclassed by both the Xbox and the PS3, but it’s really the software that makes a game console. Thus do Microsoft and Sony’s catalogs appear rather similar, as both are going after the same market with a similar issue of titles providing a similar range of action gaming.

But high numbers allow bragging rights in action-gaming, and it must also be remembered that, in the final analysis, hardware makes software possible.  (Though no one boasts of their Xbox 360 Power Supply.)  And so it is that many find the Xbox 360 and the PS3 fairly similar under the hood, regardless of Sony’s much-promoted “emotion engine” said to render facial expressions so realistically as to make for a much more engrossing gaming experience. However, each console does have its share of near-rabid fanatics who swear that major differences abound between the two. Yet it’s a safe bet that few, if any, would turn down a rival console given as a gift!

The real differences, in fact, involve those truly special features offered by each platform, as well as the online experiences each provides. And Microsoft has a noticeably richer online experience than that of Sony, whose online service is not bad at all. But the Xbox 360 provides a more extensive experience in that department, though the PS3 does try very hard to make up for it with a built-in Blu-ray DVD player, WiFi web surfing, and support for Bluetooth wireless devices. To which it should be added that NetFlix on-demand is available through the Xbox 360, probably doing away with all the PS3’s multimedia advantages. But the PS3 is quite moddable by users with the technical know-how, while Microsoft tries to discourage such hobbyist tinkering under the hood.

Then there’s the matter of prices, with the PS3 selling more going for than the Xbox 360 on account of its slightly longer list of features. Naturally, if you’re a hard-core gamer, prices are probably not going to be too big a factor, as purchasing decisions will often be made based on titles exclusive to each platform. Of course, the truly hard-core don’t care about prices at all and would simply buy both systems!

 

The XBOX 360 achievements creation is one of the key contributors to its booming success.  It is a popular idea wherein you stack points by playing XBOX 360 titles and finishing the various levels and challenges within. When you have gathered enough points you can swap them for various rewards in the shape of downloadable goodies from Microsoft. There’s much more to the system than this however. 

Garnering points is a simple task for veteran gameplayers who are at liberty to spend hours completing difficult games and feats.  But what about those of us who can’t devote hours at a push in attempting to amass XBOX 360 achievements? Well you do not have to feel hard done by any longer. 

Here is what you can do to glean the highest points on XBOX 360 with fewer hours of gaming;

To start off you should pick the simplest games for the XBOX 360. Remember that an easy title will mean straightforward gameplay too and some simple points to amass your XBOX 360 achievements. Some of the easier games currently available are King Kong, Madden NFL, Fight Night Round three and teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, to name some.

Some titles could involve easy parts alongside tricky parts. Basically you get the big points for finishing the tricky parts, but that may be really time consuming.  Attempt to get as many XBOX 360 achievements as possible from the simple levels and you may be at an advantage. 

Ultimately, it may be an idea to target your strengths. You might be extraordinarily strong at sporting games and not so much at ‘first person shooters’. Therefore, get on with the football and keep the gun aside for now! Just in the interest of getting XBOX 360 achievements, it’s ideal not to play the games from genres you do not prefer. You might finish up with very little points but lots of frustration that way. 

There’s a lot of XBOX 360 achievements guides available online, which can provide you with updated information on the simplest way to maximize your points tally easily. So you may need to keep an eye on these. 

By employing a bit of methodology and guile you can pile up the points while enjoying quality gaming time.  So best of luck with your XBOX 360 achievements and shoot at total mastery!

This is an argument that has been in debate not just for this generation of games consoles but since the beginning. Is the best consoel going to be Wii, 360 or PS3?

Although if you are going on the basis of sales the Wii is top of the market it just doesn’t seem to be doing it for me personally. The major let down is not the console but the games. There hasn't actually been a decent release on the Wii for a very long time. What happened to the fans Nintendo. Although there is the promised Mario Galaxy 2 and Legend of Zelda DS both seem to be complete copies of the previous game and this certainly is a first for Nintendo.

The PS3 is without a doubt a very good console indeed. Blu-Ray is the only real reason this console has sold and the only reason I purchased it. the word free should not always be used in a positive way. The whole online experience is very poor on the PS3. Compared to Gears of War and Halo the PS3 exclusives are not brilliant. The PS3 wand seems to be a bit off a rip off from the Wii as well.   

The Xbox 360 has to be top of the list simply because of the overall experience that is received. The games never hardly ever recieve lag simply because you pay for the service. Xbox Live seems to recieve many more updates that actually do things of importance. Project Natal is also on the way for the Xbox which hopefully will mean only one thing, domination of this generation. Microsoft are still trying to stick to their fans which is always good.

For more technology debates why not find a technology blog?