Xbox 360 Arcade - A Few Questions

danza · 9 Jan 2009 at 18:11

As per title.

After being further disgusted by the somewhat lacklustre attitude of game developers with console>PC conversion, I again find myself considering ownership of a console just so I can play the games I want to at a decent level of performance.

I know the Arcade only has 256mb(!) of storage, but can this be increased by slapping in another HDD (ala the PS3), or is that all you get with the Arcade?

Also, I'd be plugging it into a Samsung 223BW monitor - will I have any issues with this, and does the 360 support 16:10 (I think I read it does, although I can't remember).

Any info on the above - or indeed anything else that my be noteworthy - would be most spiffing.

Cheers

Sayn · 9 Jan 2009 at 18:22

You can add a HDD either 20GB (£40), 60GB(£50) or 120GB(£100). Microsoft were doing a thing where you can order a refurbished 20GB harddrive from them for i think £12.99.

Dont think it does 16:10 resolutions but they may have added that in the Dashboard Update. even if it doesnt it'll still look great. i used to play with 16:10 monitor and you couldnt tell it wasnt its native resolution.

hopes this helps you a little

Shamikebab · 9 Jan 2009 at 18:24

Yes it does 16:10 resolutions, Im assuming you're res is 1680x1050. Thats what Im running through my NEC monitor.

danza · 9 Jan 2009 at 18:31

Sayn said:
You can add a HDD either 20GB (£40), 60GB(£50) or 120GB(£100). Microsoft were doing a thing where you can order a refurbished 20GB harddrive from them for i think £12.99.

Sounds good apart from the prices. Would a standard off-the-shelf HDD not work?

Shamikebab said:
Yes it does 16:10 resolutions, Im assuming you're res is 1680x1050. Thats what Im running through my NEC monitor.

So no annoying vertical stretching to fill the screen on a non-pixel mapping monitor?

Cheers

Shamikebab · 9 Jan 2009 at 18:42

danza said:
Sounds good apart from the prices. Would a standard off-the-shelf HDD not work?

Unfortunately not, thats why ID recommend getting the Pro.

danza said:
So no annoying vertical stretching to fill the screen on a non-pixel mapping monitor?

Cheers

Correct

Meeko · 9 Jan 2009 at 18:43

You need to use the HDD designed for the console. 'Off the shelf' ones wont work without a lot of hassle. Your best bet is to ignoe the Arcade and buy a Pro which come with 60Gb hard disks.

SDK^ · 9 Jan 2009 at 18:54

I've just bought a 60GB box
The Arcade is a false economy because you'll need a HD ASAP.

danza · 9 Jan 2009 at 19:09

The pro is beginning to make sense really. I can get it for £148 inc. which seems pretty cheap (only £20 or so more than the arcade).

Shamikebab · 9 Jan 2009 at 19:16

It really is worth the extra money, you'll just regret it down the line if you dont.

K.C. Leblanc · 9 Jan 2009 at 20:36

Shamikebab said:
It really is worth the extra money, you'll just regret it down the line if you dont.

Do you just use the HD for save games or do you have to partially install titles?

I managed with 16mb on my PS2!

Shamikebab · 9 Jan 2009 at 20:38

Save games, DLC, demos, videos, music, optional installs to improve load times (afaik no games require installs, FM and maybe Burnout Paradise do require a hard drive though) Consoles have changed from the PS2, marketplace stuff is excellent, map packs and the like.

K.C. Leblanc · 10 Jan 2009 at 09:52

Fair enough,

Also I assume they support 4:3 aspect ratio. I don't have an HD telly at the moment so my best option is probably to use my monitor via DVI.

BringTheRain · 10 Jan 2009 at 10:00

How the hell does arcade consoles sell. If you downloaded the free arcade games that M$ have given away, you need like 5 memory cards lol

K.C. Leblanc · 10 Jan 2009 at 10:07

DAMO RAM80 said:
How the hell does arcade consoles sell. If you downloaded the free arcade games that M$ have given away, you need like 5 memory cards lol

Because people don't know that before they buy the console. Of they've had had an older Premium die on them so they have all the kit, they just need the console.

BringTheRain · 10 Jan 2009 at 10:09

I know they just sucker them in. Thats a good idea on just buying the console. I changed my 360 as soon as the elite came out, never looked back

Naan_H · 10 Jan 2009 at 10:35

DAMO RAM80 said:
How the hell does arcade consoles sell. If you downloaded the free arcade games that M$ have given away, you need like 5 memory cards lol

When you can get them for £99 its a bargain. Not everybody wants all the bells and whistles with their console, some just like to dabble in a little gaming and thats all. Tbh i got an arcade for £99, a 20 gb hdd and 3 months XBL from MS for £19.99. Then traded in and hdd and sold the XBL for £40, and bought a brand new 120gb hdd for £70!..a bit of a hassle but near enough an elite for £149

. When things are that cheap the arcade doesnt look such a bad idea

.

danza · 10 Jan 2009 at 12:01

Okay, without asking for competitor names etc. is £148 inc delivery a good price for the Pro, or should I carry on looking?

steve258 · 10 Jan 2009 at 12:11

Don't think you can get much cheaper than that without going on auction site.

rp2000 · 10 Jan 2009 at 12:14

danza said:
Okay, without asking for competitor names etc. is £148 inc delivery a good price for the Pro, or should I carry on looking?

I think for around £159 you can get it with a game included. If that £148 is without games then it seems bad value, For £159 with a newish game you could probably trade in the game straight away and get it for less than that tbh. If you don't want any hassle and just want the console barebones, then £148 is a good price.

rp2000

danza · 10 Jan 2009 at 12:46

rp2000 said:
I think for around £159 you can get it with a game included. If that £148 is without games then it seems bad value, For £159 with a newish game you could probably trade in the game straight away and get it for less than that tbh. If you don't want any hassle and just want the console barebones, then £148 is a good price.

rp2000

Okay, cheers for that. I'll look into where I can find it/with what game in a mo.