Don't buy the Xbox 360, yet
by Blake Snow 
{ Nov 17th 2005 at 2:15PM }
The New York Post (via Fox News) gives five reasons why the price sensitive should wait to
buy the Xbox 360. 
The article does praise the system calling it "an amazing
console" but the writer still feels that the average gamer should abstain from purchasing at least until next
year. Here's why:
-
Too expensive. If you want backwards compatibility a la the hard drive, it's gonna cost at least $400 bones.
-
Lack of games. Most console launches suffer from a lack of games, the 360 is no different.
-
Wait and see what the competition will do. Before you rush out and buy one, learn a little more about PS3 and Revolution. Also, a mini-price war is eminent.
-
Hidden costs. Don't forget the cost behind an HD set and your Xbox Live monthly subscription.
-
Older consoles are not dead yet. The GameCube, PS2, and original Xbox still have and will continue to have quality games for at least 6 more months.
It should be known that you could make this case with any first-mover in an industry. So there you have
it. Discuss.
[Thanks SickNic]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Dakara @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
How about I dont buy one at all. Never seems like a good amount of time.
Obvious @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Makes perfect sense.
Pete @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Hm, common sense?
The1 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
This is crazy. The PS2 is dead IMO the only consoles I play now are my GC and XBOX. The X360 does not have hidden cost. You do not need a HDTV or anything else to play the console. I wonder if they were saying this crap when the PS2 was released in 2000. Will these same people talk this crap next year and say the PS3 is tooooooooooooo expensive? I do not think so. It amazes me how ANTI-MS everyone is. Haters.......
Gombard @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Hmm lemme think about this one... uh no thanks, i'll keep my preorder...
Sceptre @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Honestly it's a pretty rational article, not fan-boy hate.
There are great titles coming out for all 3 platforms not, not to mention PSP and DS (got my MarioKart! Yes!)
sandro @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
I do agree. I've seen the system, played the DEMOS and the price Tag eastern financial florida credit union does not justify the purchase.
Wait people!!!
master x 24 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Im not getting a 360 cause I still play my xbox alot and there are alot of games coming out on it i still want to play plus old ones i play all the time plus the 360 will drop its price in no more than 6 months all systems do plus MS said that they would reduce the price every year
itsgreen @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
1. yes it is not cheap, but new consoles never are.
2. BS, there is no lack of games, almost all genres are represented with great games.
3. Yeah, but i am already playing for 7 months when the other guys launch...
4. I am already prepared.
5. Yes they are.
yay @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
I read this before. This is the most biased article I have ever seen. But it's okay, I'm sure they will release an article similar to this when the PS3 gets released.
Domingo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
He has some points. Right now the best analysis I've heard actually came from Playboy of all places. It's tough to go back to the PS2 and GC once you've played something that much better. It reminds me of playing PS1 games after the PS2 came out. It's tough to look at them...even if they might be superior games.
If you do have an HDTV...take that cost away, too.
I'm personally getting one next week, but for a lot of people it likely is a good move to wait.
The "price war" won't happen for a while, though. You likely won't see the price budge for at least 9 months.
jc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Having just beat God of War and Shadow of the Colossus, I have another 12 must beat games on the PS2 before I dare even think of retiring it... not to mention all the multiplayer hockey action that is just getting underway.
After about 2 price drops with the X360, hopefully the bugs will be fixed and the good games will be out. By then X360 should be ripe for the picking... hopefull it will have a next gen DVD player in it as well.
Sense @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Of course, even those of us WITH pre-orders might be waiting til next year anyway...
Giddieon @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
That is why I am waiting...
pennywise969 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
"the writer still feels that average gamer should abstain from purchasing at least until next year."
This isnt a big shock. The average gamer isnt typically going to buy a system at launch.
bandit @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
I agree, as the launch titles are complete garbage compared to what will be out a year from now, or even months from now in march. Basically if I were you i wouldnt, not until the "REAL" 360 games came out a there was a price drop. Otherwise from now to the end of this year you essentially will feel like you are playing xbox 1.5 Wait until late 2006-early 2007 then you will feel like you are playing xbox 3.0 Seriously I have seen what is coming and it will make you deficate your undies.
master x 24 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Halo 2, half life 2, dead or alive online, forza motorsport, madden 06, battle field 2, star wars battle front 2, call of duty red one, far cry, are a few that are out or coming out that i will play on or offline so the 360 can wait
Master misChief @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
So, when the PS3 or Revo come out, will they include a HDTV for the price of $400 something dollars? Or is there any news that the other two consoles are going to launch for $200?? Or, will the Xbox, PS2, PSP, Gamecube and the NDS all die when the PS3 and Revo launch next year?
I smell a Sony-whore in NY Post !!
Jon @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Not enough games??? What a moron...you will have 18 Games on Day 1 that are 360 specific and over 200 more Xbox games that will run including Half Life 2 to name just one!
You don't need High Def TV or Surround Sound
You don't have to pay for Xbox Live
And what an ass I would feel like If I wait a year only to find that PS3 is $499, has no good online service and the games look and play the same as Xbox 360 games.
I won't miss a year of next gen consoles for reasons so trivial.
ChicagoOne @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
That is it. I am convinced. My pre-order is no more. Thank you FOX News for being fair and balanced. I would never make up my mind or see the world as it is without you.
bd (formerly b) @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
"This is crazy. The PS2 is dead IMO the only consoles I play now are my GC and XBOX. The X360 does not have hidden cost. You do not need a HDTV or anything else to play the console. I wonder if they were saying this crap when the PS2 was released in 2000. Will these same people talk this crap next year and say the PS3 is tooooooooooooo expensive? I do not think so. It amazes me how ANTI-MS everyone is. Haters......."
Not everyone that criticizes is an ANTI-MS hater, but your rationale sounds like you are an Xbox fanboy, especially when criticizing PS2 or PS1. PS2 dead? LOL, whatever, it has a lot more 'great' (read: expected) games coming, like KH2, FFXII, and FF7:DoC. I don't know about great games that are coming out for Xbox on the 360 launch window (maybe it is because of backwards compatibility issues?), yet Zelda is coming on Revolution Launch window, and FFXII is coming out on PS3 launch window, if not after it (at least in japan).
Anyway, that article is for the non-hardcore gamer population, so nobody that reads joystiq should care. It's just for the average consumer (read: casual gamer).
Mark Felps @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Groovy. Maybe that means fewer people showing up on launch day. We might actually get a console now. More papers need to condemn the 360.
Adam @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Did that guy even read WHAT games are arriving at launch, and the reviews coming from different sites?
Call of Duty 2, PGR 3, Kameo ... just to name a few. These are, from what I've read, excellent launch titles. More than the first Xbox had. A better launch than the PS2 and GameCube had.
How is this a problem?
bd (formerly b) @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
"especially when criticizing PS2 or PS1."
Oops, PS3 and PS2 I meant.
GamerZero @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
The PC was marching way beyond what the current consoles can achieve so it was logical that somebody produce a console that can keep up for a few years atleast.We could all stick with a Megadrive or Nes but I don't think it will play MGS4 or Gears of War somehow!
B. Carabetta @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Also no "average gamer" would be looking at this article anyway. If your an average gamer, buying any system at launch would be crazy. Mine is on pre-order and I cant wait to pick it up.
TK00 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
6 months? Didn't MS say orig. XBOX games would be coming out into 2007?
ea @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
It comes out on my birthday and I have money and I have it preordered, so nope. i will buy it on the 22nd.
Mark Streed @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
The only reason I would consider waiting is due the fact Microsoft has created an artificial shortage on the system. And the whole line about "Due to unexpected demand" no longer holds water. They should know by now that demand will be high. Yes, I still want one. :-)
Sleepernet @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Honestly, the only console that is really winding down at this point is the gamecube. I have one and love it, but there is a major dryup of games coming out for it. Xbox and PS2 still have alot going on. I honestly think MS moved so fast on the 360 that they cut this gen a little short before its time. Im not saying that the 360 is not "true" next gen or some bullshit. Im just saying that the current gen is still pretty solid. That being the case, only the really hardcore xbox boiz should be running out to get a 360. I think thats basically what the article is saying.
choosejiff @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
The thing that pisses me off is the damn BC. I'm not in a location where I can get broadband at a good price so I will have ZERO backward compatibility even if I get the premium bundle. Maybe they could ship some of the emulator profiles preinstalled? That would help.
Jeff Pinkston @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
This article is definently for the part time gamer. No matter what the retail item is, there will always be reasons to put off the purchase. Those of us that are known as "market innovators", the people that buy it when it first comes out, will always pay a premium to be the first to use the system. Also, please bare in mind this in only the SECOND console system in history to be launched in the US simultaneously with Japan. In the past, the Japanese market has had 6 - 9 months to 'beta test' for the American release which helped to improve launch day. Articles such as this just express the normal business trends for any release. Has it made me think twice about my pre-order? Not at all. Something tells me that a corporation responsible for roughly 5% of US GNP understands their market better than a handful of journalists that base articles purely on hype. I mean, honestly, look at the system specs, and if you can make a comparable PC for under $5000, you should get a trophy. I know where I stand, I know the pros and cons of buying on day one, and I know I will get mine at 12:01 am Tuesday morning.
Antonio @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
I will wait indefinately. As a true loyal gamer I strongly urge others to realize the poor Microsoft attempt to dominate another market. Sony has overwhelmingly proved to produce better quality products and remain strongly loyal to the gamers. I hope I'm not the only one smart enough, and loyal enough to ignore Microsoft for the betterment of the future of video games. I will not hesitate to purchase a PS3. Don't support a crappy, money grubbing video game future!!
Gombard @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Well i was one of the early adopters for the original xbox (bought it on day one). My dvd drive is crapping out on me now (wont read discs that are newer, or selective games in my library) so instead of buying a new old machine, i'm about to purchase the new machine with backwards compatibility (3/4 of games i own now are on the 200+ list, and awaiting for more). And i do have Live, so i don't think this applies to me.
SickNic @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
#26 choosejiff
You will be able to order CDs from Microsoft with all the new emulators for BC. They will charge you shipping costs only. You don't need broadband to get BC on the xbox360.
Master misChief @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Team Joystiq:
Have you actually read this piece of junk article? That such a pile of crap could merit a screaming headline on your site just shows what standard you require of news to appear on your site.
Well, enjoy your sensationalistic journalism while you can.. all the frenzy about the launch would be over by this time next week, and people will start to get on with their lives.
The idiot who wrote this article, does he also warn people not to buy movies on DVD or VHS because movies are enjoyed to the fullest extent only on an IMAX screen with a THX Ultra Select certified sound system? He says to take full advantage of the Xbox360, you need to have a HDTV and surround sound system - as if that is a negative for the console !!
Mark Mattsson @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Everyone who says only fanboys are looking at this as blasphamy are wrong. Most of these complaints have nothing to do with 360, but are more geared towards any launch. example- I have never seen a system cheap at launch. Lack of games is a crock, because it launches with games for everyone, and by the time u are bored of them more will be out.
"And what an ass I would feel like If I wait a year only to find that PS3 is $499, has no good online service and the games look and play the same as Xbox 360 games." --Totally agree with you.
"I don't know about great games that are coming out for Xbox on the 360 launch window (maybe it is because of backwards compatibility issues?), yet Zelda is coming on Revolution Launch window, and FFXII is coming out on PS3 launch window" --ever here of Perfect Dark Zero? Elder scrolls Oblivion? Gears of War? NFS Most Wanted? something for everyone. plus the final fantasy created is coming to 360 also.
about the older consoles being dead, its called UPGRADING. Xbox 360 is better than xbox for sensable reasons. ps2 is now outdated because most of the games for it are coming out on xbox anyway. gamecube is fun, but it is geared towards a younger audience mostly.
pr0cs @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
you can have the backward compatibility CD shipped to you:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/backwardcompatibilityqa.htm
"What I’m really proud to tell you and your readers is that it’s easy to get the emulation software, and it’s free. We’ll give gamers a choice—you can get the latest software updates from Xbox Live, burn a CD from xbox.com or sign up on Xbox.com for a CD that can be delivered to your home at a nominal shipping and handling fee. Once you get the CD, put it in your Xbox 360 and you’re ready to go."
HighDef Edition @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
I consider my self a casual gamer. However when I play I play 'BIG'. I have never owned a PlayStation - don't intend to. Loved My XBox and I'm looking forward to play my Xbox-360 on Launch Day.
I have a buddy who owns both the XBOX & PS2 and will be getting the XBox-360 and PS3 on their Launch Days. Me, PS3 is not an option. Launch windows are mainly geared toward early adaptors like me and my friend.
XanderC @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
I see no point, whatsoever, in buying an Xbox 360 ANYTIME soon.
Looking at the launch list I see a bunch of games that are already out for the Xbox or PC, 2 new FPS, Kameo, a first person adventure game, and a couple of racing games.
Not very compelling in my opinion.
There's also very little on the horizen that looks intresting.
Oblivion? Maybe, it's pretty, but looks boaring as hell.
The inevitable Halo 3? If you're into that sort of thing yes.
And that's about it.
Couple that with the fact that there is about 15 PS2 games out that I have never played and want to(and ones comming out that are sure to be great. KH2, FFXII, beatmania), and about 10 Gamecube games in the same catagory (not to mention Twilight Princess, Chibi-Robo, and Odama), and I have no intrest, at all, in buying a 360 within 3 years.
nyc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
What a crock of shit
XD @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
You know what, if you want it, get it. If you don't don't. If its too pricey or the titles you want aren't available yet, then wait. What's the big deal here? And the comment about
wait to see what the competition is going to do
who cares, that's so far away. You can always sell your X360 to get something you like better later on. We're more than likely talking about a year wait in the non Japan regions, if you can wait that long to make a better informed decision, so so; if not, enjoy the head start with the X360. Man this is getting so lame.
HighDef Edition @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Please don't forget that Rare is owned by Micro$oft Game Studio. You don't think that Rare had some 'Inside help' before PD-Z officially went to 'Cert'?? Please!!. Anywho my 46in HD-DLP is suffering from boredom so do the Damn thing Micro$oft.
XD @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
sorry,
so so;
should have read
do so;
Xbox 360 News @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
I need a shovel for that kind of BS...
O RLY @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Very good posts. Good job on weighing both sides Blake. The Xbox360 is a good machine and the reasons for not buying one (yet) are the same for any new console. That being said, early adopters will adopt early and sheeple will follow when their wallets and minds are ready. I wonder why the article didnt also note the many reasons to buy an xbox360 now. Thats what other mags have done.
Lets keep in mind that a new generation always comes admist the peak of the old generation. The stuff that the SNES was doing with the FX chip was awesome and the system still had some great games but the N64 came along and that was that. Even the N64 had awesome games when the GC came in. So this reason is also nothing new.
There will always be reasons not to move forward and there will be reasons to do so. For the first time, I will be an early adopter and pick up the Xbox 360 when it launches. Just staring at my website with all the box art of the games that come out at launch has me salivating.
Carl Winslow @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
I understand some points in that article, but some stuff is really lame. And really, I mean, I know "The Warriors" is good, and the author says the 50 Cent game is good (no one reviewed it yet...), but are those two games worth mentioning twice as reasons to hold off on the 360?
Quote: All that for a machine that won't play the hot games this season, like "Star Wars: Battlefront II" and "50 Cent: Bulletproof."
Quote: And popular new games, like "50 Cent: Bulletproof" and "The Warriors," won't play on the 360 at all.
Quote: You could take the money you saved and put it towards buying all the systems, plus a whole bunch of great games like "The Warriors."
Is this guy getting kickbacks? Hmmm...It's a New York Post article on FoxNews.com...I'm not saying that there's a connection, but Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. owns both of these. I don't think he and Bill Gates aren't the best of friends...maybe I'm reaching here...
Anyway, the article also has a link to another anti-360 article called "Ten Hot Games (That Won't Play on the Xbox 360 - http://xboxmaturegamers.com/forum/posting.php?mode=quote&p=174359 )" I thought, hey that's all well and good, you know - listing Xbox games that won't work on the 360. Hey! The Warriors tops the list! But the next game is...Mario Kart DS...? Now it's a fantastic game in it's own right, but if anyone expected it to work on the 360, then they are probably retarded in some fashion.
I realize that this list was just presenting games not made for the 360 - but that's rather pointless. I mean, should you not get the DS? There's only 2 DS games on that list. That's 8 "Hot Games" that won't play on the DS. You could write a million of these lists.
The article goes on to list things like "50 Cent: Bulletproof" (of course) and "Half Life 2" (which WILL play on the 360). Lame articles.
stoner @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
games are £50 here in england - can barely afford the current gen ones ;-(
Geof @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Wait wait wait- a non gamer telling gamers not to buy a next generation console?
Yeah let me listen to him.
This article is pretty lame. Anything new is expensive, and whatever you had before still has "quality for 6 months"
Why do you buy anything new? Either because you don't have one and you need it, or the old stuff is, well, old. That was a waste of an article and of a non-gamers opinion.
Jake @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
"The idiot who wrote this article, does he also warn people not to buy movies on DVD or VHS because movies are enjoyed to the fullest extent only on an IMAX screen with a THX Ultra Select certified sound system? He says to take full advantage of the Xbox360, you need to have a HDTV and surround sound system - as if that is a negative for the console !!"
I think what the author means is that without an HD set, the games don't look much better than Xbox games. That is just as much a testament to the Xbox as it is a knock on the 360's first generation titles. So your DVD argument doesn't exactly hold water. Would you buy a DVD or VHS player that upscales to 720p when you don't own a TV capable of displaying the improvement? That's all he's saying, and if you look at a lot of reviews of the first generation games so far, they say things that are very similar.