Microsoft makes its sales pitch
Sep 28, 2006
So the stage is now set for a fantastic holiday for gamers.
Sony has previously detailed its specs for the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo is set to launch its Wii console. This week was Microsoft's turn to sell gamers on its console. As the Xbox 360 will be nearly a year old when the PS3 and Wii arrive on store shelves, Microsoft is left to tout its big fall titles and its nifty HD-DVD add-on.
And in looking at the fall lineup, Microsoft looks pretty solid. All of the requisite sports titles are present ("Madden," "FIFA Soccer" and two titles for both the NBA and NHL) and a great diversity of enticing titles are ready to roll, as well. Here are some of the highlights that should arrive on the 360 this fall:
"Gears of War" continues to look like a solid shooter. I love the chainsaw bayonet. I can't wait to play this game. It looks spectacular.
"Viva Pinata" is both an animated TV series and a garden-building video game that will please a younger audience the Xbox systems have never really targeted.
"Call of Duty 3" surprisingly looks better than its great predecessor. Sure, I'm tired of replaying World War II over and over again. But, in this case, I think I'll be strapping on my combat boots one more time.
"Rainbow Six Vegas" is one of the most popular first-person shooter titles. The new version looks fantastic, allowing gamers to rappel down the exterior of real-life-inspired hotels. ("Vegas" is also planned for the PS3.)
Plenty of other titles, like "Fusion Frenzy 2," "WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2007," "Sonic the Hedgehog" are all destined for store shelves this fall. Plus, those three have demos available for download right now on the Xbox Live Marketplace. Try them for free now before deciding on whether or not to shell out your cash.
Sadly, some big titles like "Half-Life 2," "Guitar Hero II," "Lost Planet," "Alan Wake," and "Mass Effect" won't arrive until next year.
To help counter the PS3's high definition blue-ray DVD, Microsoft is releasing the HD-DVD add-on in mid-November for $200. The two aren't compatible and the two companies are waging a war over which platform will succeed in the next-generation DVD space. But, if you care about watching DVDs in high-definition, you'll have the option with the 360 this fall.
Will it be enough to woo people away from the new consoles? Gamers will decide this fall at stores across the country.
-- Ryan Huschka
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