Shampoo-Girl's Full Review: Microsoft Xbox 360 Core System White Console
Note: This is merely a preview written in early March of 2001. For a complete review, please check out the other reviewers.
It's been over a year since Microsoft first announced its plans for the new X-box and as we approach that eagerly anticipated release date this coming fall, the hype surrounding the mystery box continues to build as it did with the PS2. All the big questions on everyone's mind pertaining to the 3-way battle between the X-Box, PS2 & Game Cube will soon be answered as Nintendo planned on unleashing their cubic-shaped machine at about the same time. As yet, I have not come across any rumors pinpointing an exact date for the X-Box's release. All I know is that it will be set sometime during the upcoming fall, a period spanning mid-September to early December.
The X-Box, like the PS2 before it, is a topic of speculation with mixed opinions ranging from one end of the scale to the other. Such topics concerning the X-Box's ever changing technical specs & expected longevity in the console market are a subject of constant debate on VG boards all over the internet. The initially projected 600 MHz CPU has now being tweaked to a more capable 733 MHz. The over-boastful 300 million polygons per second, toned down to a more believable 125 million. You might have found the initial 300 million a little hard to swallow but believe me, Microsoft did make a claim on this at one of their press releases last year. Other slight changes in plans include the X chip graphics processor, initially projected at 300 MHz, has now been set at 250.
The 3rd party factor
The awesome power of this new system along with its 10 meg hard drive & DVD capabilities clearly gives it a muscular edge over its competition, however everyone knows by now that sheer power alone is no guarantee of a console's success. This simple fact was proven some 13 years ago with the NEC Turbografx 16 which claimed to have been twice the system compared to the NES. Look where that got them? Pretty soon the ill-fated console became a forgotten piece of video gaming history never again to rise from its ashes.
History repeats itself yet again with the Sega CD & 32X. Despite being one of the most powerful systems of its time, these consoles failed miserably because they all lacked the all important 3rd party support from game developers. Without quality games, a million dollar system would be reduced to nothing more than a dust collector for your living room. OK, so now we know it's the game developers who determine the success of a console. Bottom line: If a particular system does not sit well with the powers that be, that machine is doomed.
Microsoft, realizing this has managed to woo a number of heavyweights onto their bandwagon, most notably, Electronic Arts & Namco among them. Currently it is unknown as to whether Square would consider taking up on Microsoft's offer. Rest assured if the number one RPG maker were to sign with Microsoft, the people at Nintendo & Sony will have no further need for nail clippers.
Microsoft has a slight lead when it comes to fishing for 3rd party support due to the availability of development tools for programmers to work with. The X-Box being more closely related to the PC is the platform of choice for game developers compared to the other leading consoles. Though Sony may seem to have control of the market at the moment, many developers have expressed displeasure over programming for the PS2 from the lack of tools available.
This raises the overall cost involved in producing a game because without the proper tools, PS2 programmers would have to do things the hard way and as a result, games that would have taken X amount of time to program on the X-Box are now taking a lot longer to develop on the PS2. Speculators on Microsoft's bandwagon have used this fact in their argument as to why Microsoft would eventually win out over its competitors in the long run.
Predictions for Japan
On a more negative note, many believe the X-Box will undoubtedly have a hard time cracking the tough Japanese market. A foreign behemoth invading their console market, attempting to squash the local boys is one thing the Japanese will not stand for. I'm pretty sure the Japanese would think otherwise before letting Bill Gates into their playground but again, this remains to be seen. To my knowledge, no date has been set for a Japanese release, so I guess we're all still pretty much in the dark.
A word on Raven
I really felt Microsoft could have come up with a better looking mascot than the GI-Jane-like Raven. Sure, she's no Queen Brahne, but then again she ain't no Aya Brea either. The androgynous look is not a thing many people would consider cool these days. Obviously the designers had overlooked a simple fact, one that's been proven many times over by the likes of Jill Valentine, Aya Brea & Mai Shiranui - a good looking mascot does wonders in boosting sales ( & fanning the hype ).
Conclusion
After weighing out the various pros & cons, I'd give the Microsoft wonder box a slight edge over the PS2 & Game Cube. I could be wrong though, however I'm pretty sure Microsoft would eventually win out in the long run if they played their cards right. This means they cannot afford to make mistakes like the Turbografx 16, Sega 32X & Neo Geo did in the past. They probably won't anyway since they've already got part of the software development taken care of. According to a press release, Microsoft themselves will be churning out roughly a third of the games to be available on their new system with the remainder coming from 3rd party developers. Great news indeed, so let us hope the first wave of games will not end up like that of the PS2, of which 80% of them were total junk. Keep your fingers crossed and don't forget to save up.
Note: Further information can be found on the official X-box site. Technical specs are constantly changing as Microsoft is currently tweaking the system towards optimum performance.
Update: The X-Box is expected to have an opening price of about $300, not $500 as mentioned above.
Update 2: Judging from the negative reports I've been hearing about the X-Box from E3, I'd have to give the first round ( this year's Christmas season ) to the PS2, followed by the GC in runner up position. The X-Box, however, still has a chance on beating out both these machines in the long run but for now, lady luck is in clear favor of the PS2.
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