xbox 360 very first impressions

January 5, 2006

here are my very first xbox360 impressions so far:

the good

very nice packaging
controllers are the best controllers i’ve ever used.� they work very well.
wireless controllers should be the norm for all consoles (sounds like it will be)
power button on the controller seems obvious.� i’m spoiled
the composite/av cable is a brilliant design!� (pic coming soon)
xbox dashboard is impressive interface.� the “blades” are easy to use
xbox live is nicely integrated with dashboard
xbox live marketplace is a brilliant idea.� microsoft is gonna make a lot of money here.
downloadable demos finally make it to consoles.� the bridge between consoles and pcs closes a bit.
the downloadable trailers (in 720p (1280×720)) are very nice.� (apple will definitely follow suit with their media offerings to the living room… are they too late?)
the game achievements are addictive.� especially if you build a long friends list.� can you say “fierce competition”
the hardware is smaller than you think.� it seems bigger from pictures online.

the bad

xbox 360 should support third party usb wireless adapters.� (my linksys didn’t work)
i’m not happy about being forced to create a microsoft passport account.� i really think this should be separated from the gamertag.
it’s very 1988 that i can’t do anything else while my content is downloading. what were they thinking?
more xbox live marketplace content please! (this could be a good thing - the delivery mechanism is well done, except the above point)
the power brick is too big.� i’m telling ya, it is.
for the price, one wired and one wireless controller should be included (at least!)
the onscreen keyboard is not QWERTY.� i know the reasons (for international compatibility) but i still hate it

i was only able to put in about 2 hours with the console last night.� had a rough time getting home from work along with problems with my network.� (long story)� i may get another hour or so in tonight after i produce episode 023 of the braytek podcast.