Microsoft Xbox 360 [2005] 

"Break out of linear, limited gaming. Dive into ground-breaking entertainment that is always connected, always personalised, always in high-definition."
Xbox.com

Microsoft has revealed its new console, the Xbox 360. As can be seen from the picture opposite, the console is smaller, curvy and more stylish than the console before it, with the addition of the PS2 feature of being able to stand vertically or horizontally.

The Xbox 360 can be customised using a variety of faceplates to suit your style or furniture.

As can be seen from the specs, the Xbox 360 boasts a custom-built IBM PowerPC CPU running at 3.2GHz with memory at 512MB RAM. The graphics chip is a custom-built ATI chip capable of advanced antialiasing and shader effects. This means that the Xbox 360 will have the processing power to deliver true 720p and 1080i wide-screen HDTV images for all of its games - similar to what the PS3 can achieve.

Microsoft are set to continue and improve their Xbox Live feature, being available in silver and gold tiers, with the addition of a new feature: Xbox Live Marketplace where users can access a multitude of demos, maps, skins etc. for download. However, there are no details of an additional cost for this service.

Probably the most interesting feature of the Xbox 360 is the Media Center Extender where you can stream video, audio and photos from networked PCs running Windows Media Center Edition. also media can be streamed from portable music players, digital cameras, and Windows XP PCs. Also the Xbox 360 will have a video camera attachment, possibly similar to Sony's Eye-Toy.

Currently the Xbox 360 retails for around £200. You can have the choice of whether to buy your system with a 20 GB hard drive - its necessity is up for scrutiny but is a useful addition for caching etc.

The Xbox 360 uses the main gaming format, HD-DVD technology compared to the slightly more advanced Blu-ray technology (BD-ROM) used in the PS3. The Xbox 360 is backwards compatible with the top Xbox games.

The Nintendo Wii finally had its details announced, and is an interesting alterantive to both the Xbox 360 and the PS3. For many though, the Wii will be seen as the "family" console rather than the graphical realism and power of the big two.

VERDICT

Graphics Sound Games Extra features Cost The Xbox 360 as with its predecessor will prove to be a worthy competitor to its Sony counterpart, the PS3. As long as Microsoft deliver on games like the Xbox-only exclusives they did before, there is no reason why the Xbox 360 can't be the best console this year, next and beyond.