"There is no power greater than 'X'"

There were many doubters out there who felt that Microsoft could not pull off what was actually planned, mainly because it was the first of its kind. I myself, was partially convinced of this, until the Xbox graced my path.

Aesthetics & Controller
The Xbox, is admittedly quite fat. It is the same length as the PS2, but is a lot larger in terms of depth and usually cannot be turned on it's side for better storage. If aesthetics and storage ability is important, then the Xbox may cause a little problem, but do not let that guide you. The Xbox does come with 4 controller ports, so a multi tap, or an Xbox counterpart is not needed.

The controller, on the other hand, is excellent and probably the second best controller for all systems. I was surprised about the reactions of a few that disliked the controller because of its large, clunky size and poorly placed buttons. As a matter of fact, I like the controller a lot, and the 100+ hours of testing to create the best controller was not in vain.

The triggers are nicely placed and the analog sticks are in convenient positions so that control is never an issue in that respect. There were a few problems, though, which sometimes made control clunky at times. For instance, the black and white buttons are inconveniently placed away from the usual resting spot for your fingers, so they become quite annoying after a while. The action buttons (X, Y, a, b) are also a little far off, but tolerable. Basic movement is easily done with this controller, but for less basic actions, it becomes irritating. I just wish the PS2 controller could substitute for this one. 7/10 is the score for this section.

Features
The Xbox has many features to keep you interested, and though the Playstation 2 may have some of the same, it stands out against the gamecube. For starters, the Xbox is able to play most DVDs with crystal clarity; problems with DVD compatibility are rare. Secondly, CDs can be played, as well as saved on the Xbox hard drive! For the gamecube, you require a CD burner that will record songs or movies onto the Gamecube disk before you can play it, which is why the Xbox is really set apart from it.

What I like most about the Xbox is that it comes at a low price but comes with a lot. As mentioned, there are 4 controller ports so no multi tap is needed, and the system comes with 2 controllers and probably a quality game or two. Also, this Microsoft Machine does not require a memory card to save; there is a built in hard drive that will save a lot, but if you do need some extra memory, the memory cards are cheap and larger than the PS2's or the GC's.

So all in all, the Xbox has more features than other consoles and comes with more items, so it gets a 10/10 for features.

Games Available
The Xbox also has a classic line of games that are sure to please. Here is a list of the best:

HALO: Combat Evolved
Dead to Rights
Brute Force
Dead or Alive 3
Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball
Dino Crisis 3
Midnight Club 2
Spilnter Cell

and many others to please. The Xbox has a lack of
fighting games and realistic racing games (such as GT3), but it does have many shooters to make up for that. I would have liked
more variety and selection concerning this section, as the PS2 offers many games that the Xbox does not have. All in all, game selection gets an 8/10.

Audio & Video
In terms of graphics, the Xbox is the most powerful system out there. It has fluid animations, excellent frame rates and sharper graphics than on the PS2 or Gamecube, so games that push the other consoles to their limits won't be tapping the full potential of the Xbox. Off hand, I do not remember the polygon count, but I assure you, it is the highest of the next generation consoles. Because of this, the graphics will rarely disappoint. What also is improved by the power of the Xbox is the scope; the levels or environments in the games will usually be huge and too large for the others to handle.

The sound is also excellent and equals, if not surpasses, the other consoles. The audio for the games is crisp and never dull or fuzzy, and the Dolby Surround Sound will blow you away. Unfortunately, DVDs can sometimes be a little distorted in terms of sound, and occasionally overpronounced. Still, the audio and video is exceptional, so it gets an 8/10.

Value For Money
The Xbox can be yours for $200 -$300 dollars, and it is definitely worth it. The price tag may seem a little steep at first, but when you take into account that you get the 4 controller ports, 2 controllers, bonus games and hard drive all in 1 package, it does not seem so bad.

The Xbox also has online capabilities; sure, so does the PS2, but the Xbox live is superior to all other online play, and can also be yours for a small amount.

What may be a problem for some is that some add on peripherals are somewhat expensive, but if you are a hardcore gamer with a need for all that, and a large wallet, then it may be a good deal. So overall, the value for money deserves a 9/10.

The Future
While the PS2 has released most of its best games, the Xbox has witheld a few gems while keeping up the pace. So in the future, it may be the Xbox coming out with the best while Nintendo and Sony lag behind. In the long run, expect to see the Xbox come out on top. Overall, the longevity of this console may outlive the others, so it gets a 9/10.

Overall
Though not without its flaws, the Xbox has the best value for money and a high quality line of games waiting to be purchased. Here is a review of the scores:

Aesthetics & Controller: 7
Features: 10/10
Games Available: 8/10
Audio & Video: 8/10
Value For Money: 9/10
The future: 9/10
Overall: 8/10

PROS
Excellent line of games to come
Most powerful of the consoles
Good controller
Great Audio
Great Value (without add ons)
Great current game lineup
Many features

CONS
Controller Awkward at times
Peripherals expensive
Lacks racing & fighting games

The Verdict - If you are looking for a first console, then this is the one to buy.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 08/17/03