X-Box 360 and the lack of top tier games

[Asher]

Over how many years?

Man, that's almost one passable game a year. Stellar.

And many of them are ****ing Mario spinoffs. Get some originality, Nintendo.

[Asher]

Guitar Hero II rules.

[DrSpike]

Sounds a bit gimmicky to me. Kinda a bit like the Wii really.

[Wiglaf]

yeah i don't like the idea of guitar hero

it's not original, the only innovation is the shape of the controller, and it has almost nothing in common with real guitar playing

when people say "its got great tunes" I just think...why not listen to it on mp3?

pressing buttons as they flash on the screen is not good gaming [it's like the wii games asher detests] nor is it how you play a guitar.

[Asher]

Originally posted by DrSpike
Sounds a bit gimmicky to me. Kinda a bit like the Wii really.

It is gimmicky, of course -- and like all gimmicks, they're fun until the fun wears off. The difference is, Guitar Hero is one game...you don't force the guitar controller for all the other games too.

yeah i don't like the idea of guitar hero

it's not original, the only innovation is the shape of the controller, and it has almost nothing in common with real guitar playing

pressing buttons as they flash on the screen is not good gaming [it's like the wii games asher detests] nor is it how you play a guitar.

Do you play guitar?

It's not THAT different. Of course, playing chords on the guitar is more complicated than pushing a button, but many of the concepts carry over. You don't just push buttons as they come up, you hold buttons down in various configurations and strum with the other hand. Add in the whammy effects and the orientation of the guitar and it's much more than just pushing buttons.

I've played guitar for many years and I quite enjoy it.

There's definitely a place for rhythm-based games, though some people don't have the natural abilities to do well with them.

[DrSpike]

My X-Box is here.

First impressions:

1) Looks nice with my other gear. Easy to set up.

2) Wtf is that headset? It has one earpiece! What kind of mutant freaks buy these things? (mine was part of the package before you quip)

3) Ah, they inlcuded some batteries, nice little touch. The first thing I did (before seeing the batteries) was start charging the rechargable battery I bought with my quick charge kit.

3) Bugger. I forgot the component input on my Sharp LC32GD8E has a little adaptor, so I'll need something to convert the sound too. Just a £1 adaptor and I thought I had one, but a long search of my bag o' tricks reveals diddly squat. Nowhere within easy walking distance will have one - most irritating though not really the X-Box's fault.

4) Wanted to check everything worked so (this will make Asher cry) connected everything over the basic composite connections. Man Gears of War looks ****e!

5) Me likey the wireless controller a lot.

6) Tried component next. Switched to full HD. Man Gears of War looks teh pwn!

I don't really want to play through in non HD or in HD using the mutant headset, though I'll probably give that a try just in case I'm missing how super awesome it is. So an adaptor hunt looks imminent.

Then I'll try to set up XBL, though it's going to be a pain as my PC is in the study, some way from the lounge.

Second impressions later.

[Asher]

2) Wtf is that headset? It has one earpiece!

Err...it's for voice communication only.

[DrSpike]

That would explain it.

It still looks pretty odd.

[DrSpike]

So (am too lazy to walk into the other room) can I connect normal headphones to the console as a sound solution until either i) I can be assed to go and find an adaptor (unlikely now given bank holiday weekend) or ii)my new amp and speakers arrive next week.

There's also a scart adaptor that came with it I could use to connect everything via scart. I guess this will not be any better than the composite connections though?

[Asher]

Originally posted by DrSpike
So (am too lazy to walk into the other room) can I connect normal headphones to the console as a sound solution until either i) I can be assed to go and find an adaptor (unlikely now given bank holiday weekend) or ii)my new amp and speakers arrive next week.

There's also a scart adaptor that came with it I could use to connect everything via scart. I guess this will not be any better than the composite connections though?

There's no headphone jack on the console.

[DrSpike]

Lame. I am finalising speaker choices so I haven't tested any more yet. I might be able to get one tv speaker working I suppose, or I can try the scart connection (am not optimistic about that idea though).

[Asher]

I don't see why that's lame?

Why would you have a headphone jack on a game console?

[DrSpike]

For people who don't have the adaptor they need and don't want to go and get one. Try to keep up.

[Asher]

What adapter do you need?

I don't understand. Every TV made in the past 50 years should work with the standard audio cables that come with the thing.

[DrSpike]

I have the Sharp LC32GD8E. A great telly but it has a non-standard component input where you use a 3 RCA to 15-pin D-sub adapter. It has one 3.5m jack as an audio input.

It does have the standard audio connectors of course, but only to be used along with a composite video or S-Video input.

So I need one of these:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=1218&doy=29m10&C=SEO&U=strat15

Or to wait for my amp to arrive. I'm probably just going to do that.