Xbox 360 News

An Associated Press tech writer gives his impressions of the new 360 titles out.

If you've scored an Xbox 360, some actual games are going to be the next logical purchase — unless you auctioned it off for thousands of dollars on eBay.

We've worn our fingers to the bone the past few weeks (just for you) playing through the 18 titles available when the system launched. While the offering is diverse, many of the games are merely visually tweaked versions from the older consoles. Worse, Xbox 360 games can cost a whopping $60 — roughly $10 more than games for older systems.

Here's our take, from best to worst.

North American video game rental service GameFly, which is allowing its members to request Xbox 360 games ahead of the console's November 22 release date, has released its list of the most-requested Xbox 360 titles, giving an interesting insight into the games that are of most immediate appeal ahead of the launch.

Topping the chart is Rare and Microsoft's Perfect Dark Zero, but Activision's Call Of Duty 2, which was not perhaps initially one of the most high-profile of the launch window titles, has shot up into second place. Also placing highly are titles such as Quake 4 and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, though it is appears that the latter has slipped into 2006.

The full GameFly most-requested chart for Xbox 360 titles is as follows:

1. Perfect Dark Zero, Microsoft
2. Call of Duty 2, Activision
3. Quake 4, Activision
4. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Take 2
5. Need for Speed: Most Wanted, Electronic Arts

I was looking at the Gamestop site that has several bundles that can be preordered.

The "Core" bundle alone is $699.91, so lets round up to $700.

It includes the following:

360 Core Pack:

- Xbox 360 Game Console
- Wired Controller
- Composite A/V Cable
- Xbox Live Silver
- Xbox Live Gold 30-Day Trial
Core Bundle Games:

- Perfect Dark Collector's Edition
- Project Gotham Racing 3
- Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
- Dead or Alive 4
- Call of Duty 2
Core Bundle Accessories:

- Extra Wired Controller
- Memory Unit
- 1-Year Product Replacement Plan


When you get to the top of the line called the Ultimate Bundle the price becomes $1,199.83, so round up to $1200.

Once you’ve loaded the site, seek out the Madden thumbnail and click that for the video.

Here’s the list, in order that the games appear.

1. Kameo, Elements of Power (Microsoft Game Studios)
2. Quake 4, (id Software)
3. Test Drive Unlimited (Atari)
4. Call of Duty 2 (Activision)
5. The Darkness (Majesco Entertainment)
6. Madden NFL 06 (Electronic Arts)
7. Project Gotham Racing 3 (Microsoft Game Studios)
8. Gears of War (Microsoft Game Studios)
9. NBA Live 06 (Electronic Arts)
10. Frame City Killer (Namco)

North American retailer Electronics Boutique, which expects Microsoft to ship the Xbox 360 as early as November 2, 2005 for an MSRP of $299.99, has comprised a complete, albeit questionable, list of X360 games for the console launch, IGN learned today from several EB outlets.

The list IGN acquired from EB retailers today, features 21 launch titles, including three first-party games from Microsoft Game Studios -- Perfect Dark LE (i.e. Limited Edition), Kameo: Elements of Power, and Project Gotham Racing 3, approximate pricing, and sku numbers for every game.