Xbox takes it to the next level

Fight Night Round 3 and others are best enjoyed on a high-resolution television

Microsoft's Xbox 360 has finally arrived in New Zealand and the question is, has it been worth the wait? The answer: most assuredly so.

Just as the original Xbox's innovations drove video gaming and home entertainment to the next level, the 360 improves on all that and sets some impressive new standards. It truly is a next-generation console.

The 360's most noticeable improvement is its graphics, which sounds strangely underwhelming because continued evolution in this area has become a given. Still, when hooked up to a high-definition television, the 360's graphics are utterly stunning.

In the dozen or so games tested by the Herald, the graphics were astonishing across the board - motions were more fluid, lighting effects were ultra-realistic and animation glitches known as "clipping" were virtually non-existent.

The 360 is also an impressive all-in-one entertainment box, even more than its predecessor was. Wireless controllers - ones that work well, anyway - are long overdue, and it's a real pleasure not to be shackled to within a few feet of the console. I was actually able to continue playing while visiting the bathroom, not that anyone really wanted to know that.

It introduces USB connectivity for devices such as MP3 players and digital cameras. That means users can hook up their iPods and stream music to the console, or view slideshows of pictures from their cameras, or even both at the same time.

A new remote control also expands beyond simple DVD navigation. It can turn the 360 on and off, fast forward photos during a slideshow and even skip songs on the iPod - a highly welcome feature for consumers unwilling to shell out $60-plus for an over-priced Apple-brand remote.

Speaking of Apple, Microsoft has obviously borrowed some style notes from its rival - the 360 is sleek and white, not clunky and black like its predecessor. It's a much nicer device.

The 360 has expanded its online capability with two tiers - Xbox Live Silver and Gold. Silver is included with the console and gives users free access to movie trailers and game demos, and Skype-like voice chats and messaging outside games. A gold subscription is needed for multiplayer gaming.

Both tiers give users access to Xbox Live Marketplace, where they buy "Microsoft points" to exchange for full downloadable games. These include original games such as Hexic to arcade classics, including Gauntlet and Joust.

But the console is not without its downsides. First is its fairly high price - the basic model, without hard drive or wireless controller, is available for $549 while the full version is $719.

The wireless controllers run on AA batteries, with an optional recharger module for about $40. This seems to defeat the Xbox's philosophy of providing gamers with a total package.

The 360 can also connect to a PC to share music and photos, but this is hardly an easy process for the average person. Users will likely have to spend some time updating their PCs with the proper Windows upgrades, then puzzle through getting the console to talk to the PC. An understanding of home networking or a call to tech support is necessary.

Lastly, in order to take advantage of the 360's best feature - its graphics - an upgrade to a high-definition TV will be needed. The graphics are noticeably improved on a standard television, but they only really become astonishing in high-definition. I was fortunate enough to test the console on a giant Panasonic Viera plasma screen, and it's hard to go back.

Over all, the Xbox 360 is a giant step forward - not just in gaming, but in home entertainment. It works beautifully in conjunction with the other pieces of electronics commonly found in the living room, and it also effectively connects those components to the internet.

Most importantly, of course, are the games - the 360 plays about 200 original Xbox games and features about 20 launch titles. Here is the Herald's pick of the new litter.


Fight Night Round 3

I hadn't played a boxing game for ages, so I was quite looking forward to EA's latest squared-circle opus. Simply put, it's a knockout.

Fight Night Round 3 is an excellent showcase for the 360's graphics, with the real-life boxers looking, well, real-life. The lighting effects are stunningly dramatic, from fights in dimly-lit, smoky gyms, to arenas packed with fans shooting off camera flashes.

The boxer animations are also outstanding - individual beads of sweat and blood can be seen flying from the impact of a punch.

Knockdowns and knockouts are easily the most entertaining part of the game. When a boxer goes down, a slow-motion replay captures the felling blow in all its agonising, graphic detail. The boxer's cheeks puff up, his eyes glaze over, squirts of blood go flying - all in beautiful cinematic slow-mo. It's enough to make you jump out of your seat and cheer.

Players can use greats such as Evander Holyfield, Joe Frazier or even Muhammed Ali, or they can play through career mode with their own creation.

The gameplay itself doesn't feature as much button mashing as one would expect. Like real boxing, strategy is required - swinging for the fences with power punches will likely result in the boxer staring at the ceiling wondering what happened. Feints, parries and blocks need to be combined with strategic jabs and uppercuts in order to triumph over more challenging opponents.


Project Gotham Racing 3

There always seems to be a surplus of racing titles released alongside any new console, and it's probably because such games often provide a good showcase for the graphics. The 360 is no different, and Project Gotham Racing 3 - another sequel in a fine line of racing games - is easily the best of the bunch.

Obviously, not much in the way of explanation of how such titles work is needed - players race cars, earning points and dollars that unlock new cars and tracks.

PGR3 has done away with a lot of the basic cars - rather than starting out in a boring Honda in career mode, players can opt to go straight for Ferraris and Lamborghinis. They can also choose to stick with the car they like, rather than having to switch between classes as in the previous games.

The game modes are familiar to PGR veterans - street race, cone and speed challenge, overtake and fastest lap.

PGR3's coolest addition, however, has to be its in-car view. Using this setup on a large-enough TV, combined with feedback from the controller, makes it virtually indistinguishable from being in a real car. It's a highly enjoyable way to drive.

The basic single-player mode is rather short with an extension available online, which makes an Xbox Live Gold subscription somewhat necessary.


Call of Duty 2

The World War II first-person shooter has become a sub-genre unto itself on the backs of several very successful franchises, such as Medal of Honor and Brothers in Arms. Activision's Call of Duty is another, and the second game in the series is as impressive as its brethren.

In a new twist, players start out controlling a Russian soldier, defending the motherland from hordes of invading Nazis. The action is fast and furious, with relentless swarms of fascists constantly advancing on the Russians' positions.

As such, players will have to think fast and react even faster - there's constant running, ducking for cover, and surprises around every corner. Some of the battle scenarios border on epic, such as having to defend a building from an enemy charge.

In one instance, the Soviet unit hunkers down in a building and the player learns over the radio that a large number of enemies are advancing. So far, it's standard fare for first-person shooters.

However, when the enemy wave crests the hill in front of the building with a loud and chilling war cry, you can't help but get shivers and fear for your life. The game is full of moments like these.


Amped 3

2K Sports' latest snowboarding game, Amped 3, is perhaps the wackiest and most colourful of the 360 launch titles. It's also a lot of fun, even for non-snowboarding enthusiasts.

Amped 3 pretty well throws reality out the window and allows players to engage in all sorts of gravity-defying tricks on their way down the mountain. It's basically Tony Hawk, on snow.

The rail slides, carving and huge jumps can all eventually become repetitive, but the game's amusing storyline and characters keep it thoroughly entertaining.

The player consorts with a colourful cast of characters, including Zen master Sebastian and a weirdo named Wiener Boy, whose combined craziness is strangely funny.

The game also incorporates bizarre and seemingly random cut scenes, including frame-by-frame animations acted out by action figures and dolls, to move the story along. Throw in some ninjas and boy bands, and the result is one insane experience. It's a hard game to put down.

And the winner is:

Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter

Every new console generally features one real "launch title" that basically sells the hardware. The latest Tom Clancy third-person military shooter from Ubisoft is definitely it for the 360.

Advanced Warfighter is set in the near future and puts the player in control of Captain Mitchell, leader of a specialised US military unit known as the Ghosts. The Ghosts have been plopped down in Mexico City to stop a coup d'etat, and fight off the rebel forces of a rogue general.

The storyline has all the intrigue and grit of a Tom Clancy novel and the action is hot and heavy. Players lead and command their squad through the streets of Mexico City in pursuit of different objectives, such as rescuing politicians, neutralising rebel bases and rescuing comrades.

The Ghosts are aided in their mission by some advanced technology, including infrared goggles and an "eye-in-the-sky" remote-control reconnaissance device.

Players can issue advance and regroup orders to their squad and will often come into control of armoured support, such as tanks, as well. They'll also engage in some rail-based shooting by manning a helicopter mini-gun.

Advanced Warfighter takes full advantage of the 360's graphics power, and can be said to be the best-looking console game ever. The game progresses over the course of a few days and missions take place during several times of day. Regardless of the time or lighting, however, the game looks absolutely photo-realistic. You could almost swear you were playing a live-action movie.

In the end, Advanced Warfighter is as close to perfect as games get.


Xbox 360
* Pros: Breath-taking graphics; wireless controllers; good game selection.
* Cons: High-definition TV is needed for full enjoyment; connecting to PC takes time to set up.
* Price: $549 for basic, $719 for full.
* Herald rating: 9/10.