"An excellent system. Well done Microsoft."

Hello, and welcome to my review of Microsoft's first console. The Xbox

Appearance
The Xbox is a big black box with a green X in the middle. On the front of the system is the power button and the disc opener. There is an Ethernet port on the back for online gaming.

Controller
The first Xbox controller (called the fatty) was very big and unpopular. The newer one (called the S controller) is much smaller and more comfortable. there are two analog sticks, a d-pad, A, B, X, and Y buttons, two triggers (a right one and a left one), a "start" and "back" button, a black button, and a white button. That pretty much wraps up appearance.

Game Library
This is what a console is all about, and the Xbox shines in this category. The xbox has an array of great titles including The ever popular Halo series, Star Wars Knights of the old republic (1 and 2), Ninja Guiden, Counterstrike, The elder scrolls 3 Morrowind, Crimson Skies, and the Splinter cell series to name a few.

Xbox live
all xbox online gaming is done through a network called Xbox live. You pay only 50 dollars a year to get this great service, and it is well worth it. Once you have xbox live you get access to many great features. You now have a friends list for people you know that have live, or people that you have met over live. You can chat with friends over the Xbox headset (which connects into the controller), and send messages (text and voice) to them as well. You also get access to down loadable content like the yavin station in Star Wars Knights of The Old Republic, new plane types in crimson skies, or new multi-player maps in halo 2. I strongly recommend getting life to anyone who decides to buy an xbox. You will need to have a broadband connection if you want to get xbox live.

Online Gaming
Another category that the Xbox shines in. Playing Halo 2 on xbox live is simply amazing! Halo 2 is not the only one however. There are many awesome online titles like Counterstrike (another amazing game) Crimson skies, and Mechassault (1, and 2).

Accessories
Unfortunately you have to pay thirty dollars for the dvd movie playback kit if you want to watch dvds on your xbox (the dvd player is decent though). There is also the Xbox Media extender which turns your console into a media center. The media extender allows you to watch and record television shows, access your media center pc's media content (pictures, videos etc.), and listen to fm and Internet radio. The media extender also allows you to watch dvds which makes it a better deal than the playback kit. There is also a Wi-fi adaptor for the xbox.

Features
The most notable feature is the Hard drive of course! No longer do you have to spend tons of money on memory cards just to save your game. The hard drive can also store your music. Some games even have custom soundtrack support! This is especially cool in the gta series, where you have a customized radio that plays your songs everytime you tune into the station.

Graphics
The graphics on the xbox are excellent when compared to its competitors (the ps2 and the gamecube). You can really tell the difference in multi-platform games like Splinter Cell Chaos Theory. Crimson Skies is one of the most beautiful games I have ever seen. If you decide to get an Xbox I recommend picking Crimson Skies up to really show what the xbox is capable of in the graphics department. It's not Xbox 360 quality or anything, but it is still very good.

My thoughts
The Xbox is a great system that is definitely worth buying. With amazing games, and the cool media extender, it is a worthy addition to any household. The Xbox 360 is out now and I recommend getting that (if you have the money for one). If your just not ready for the next generation of gaming, or you want an amazing system at an affordable price. The xbox is for you

I give the Xbox a 10. Well done Microsoft.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 08/30/06