I am joining the new gen finally. QUESTIONS!

[Human Snorenado]

So, I'm being gifted a shiny new Samsung 26" HDTV for Crimmus.  I have surveyed the current gen gaming landscape and decided that the 360 has more games I want to play.  The PS3, while intriguing, isn't worth it for me because:  I could only see myself saying "I have to play that" about Valkyria Chronicles, and I don't give a shit about blu-ray.

Having said all of that, I've been eyeing all of the various 360 console permutations and have some questions:

1. It's basically the same exact price to get a Pro and an Aracade with a separate hd, but with the arcade and the hd accessory pack you get a 3 month gold live card.  Am I missing something that would make the Pro more appealing?  Other than the trash bundled games, which would get traded in at Gamestop.
2. You can get a 20 gig refurbished hd with a 3 month gold card from MS, sans headset.  Does anyone have any experience with a refurbed hd specifically? 
3. I plan on playing a bunch of rpgs on this thing.  I understand you can load the entire game onto your hd.  If I went with the 20 gig hd, I imagine I would probably run out of space quickly.  Would this be a problem or a hassle?  Is it really that much better to load the game onto your hd as opposed to running it off the disc?
4. I plan on getting Lost Odyssey and maybe Tales of Vesperia day one.  What other good games are out there?  I'm fond of rpgs, action games, etc.  Shooty shit can be fun but it must be well done.  I'm not so big on playing games online.

Finally, some warnings:

1. I have no plans or intentions of using this as a media center hub or any shit like that.  I have fucking computers for that, this is a GAMING CONSOLE, fucktards.  Don't tell me how how awesome or shitty stuff like that is cause I don't fucking CARE.
2. Preemptive FUCK OFF to Duckman or any other sony-tards.  Don't waste your time extolling the virtues of your crap ass system- I don't like wipeout games, would rather eat my own scrotum than play a MGS game, and as stated previously have no interest in blu-ray.

[demi]

Having said all of that, I've been eyeing all of the various 360 console permutations and have some questions:

1. It's basically the same exact price to get a Pro and an Aracade with a separate hd, but with the arcade and the hd accessory pack you get a 3 month gold live card.  Am I missing something that would make the Pro more appealing?  Other than the trash bundled games, which would get traded in at Gamestop.
2. You can get a 20 gig refurbished hd with a 3 month gold card from MS, sans headset.  Does anyone have any experience with a refurbed hd specifically? 
3. I plan on playing a bunch of rpgs on this thing.  I understand you can load the entire game onto your hd.  If I went with the 20 gig hd, I imagine I would probably run out of space quickly.  Would this be a problem or a hassle?  Is it really that much better to load the game onto your hd as opposed to running it off the disc?
4. I plan on getting Lost Odyssey and maybe Tales of Vesperia day one.  What other good games are out there?  I'm fond of rpgs, action games, etc.  Shooty shit can be fun but it must be well done.  I'm not so big on playing games online.

Finally, some warnings:

1. I have no plans or intentions of using this as a media center hub or any shit like that.  I have fucking computers for that, this is a GAMING CONSOLE, fucktards.  Don't tell me how how awesome or shitty stuff like that is cause I don't fucking CARE.
2. Preemptive FUCK OFF to Duckman or any other sony-tards.  Don't waste your time extolling the virtues of your crap ass system- I don't like wipeout games, would rather eat my own scrotum than play a MGS game, and as stated previously have no interest in blu-ray.

1. get an arcade with a 120GB HD, you will love installing games. 60GB is also optimal. but go above 20 at this point.

4. Last Remnant, Blue Dragon, Devil May Cry 4, play demos

[Howard Alan Treesong]

1) 20 GB is not enough, 60 GB or bust. 120 GB is ideal.
2) Vesperia > Lost Odyssey imo. Also get Pac-Man CE.

I like my PS3 but then, I love Blu-ray and I love Rock Band PS3.

[fistfulofmetal]

buy a ps3 

[Draft]

Lay it out straight: what is the best JRPG on the Xbox?

Chrono Trigger has awakened my inner weeaboo.

[Oblivion]

I am joining the new gen finally.

So you're getting a Wii?  

spoiler (click to show/hide)

sorry wanted to get that terrible joke out of the way

[close]

[Human Snorenado]

I am joining the new gen finally.

So you're getting a Wii?  

spoiler (click to show/hide)

sorry wanted to get that terrible joke out of the way

[close]

Motherfucker, did I say was joining LAST gen finally? 

*smack

[demi]

Lay it out straight: what is the best JRPG on the Xbox?

Chrono Trigger has awakened my inner weeaboo.

Lost Odyssey

[dammitmattt]

Lay it out straight: what is the best JRPG on the Xbox?

Chrono Trigger has awakened my inner weeaboo.

Lost Odyssey, seconded, especially if you liked FFX

Tales of Vesperia is a solid step or two behind

OP,

I would get an Arcade with a used (or Circuit City sale new) 120GB HD for $99.  You will really appreciate the extra space and it's worth it to load games onto the hard drive since it takes less than 10 minutes.

Here are some random games that I have really enjoyed (many can be found for very cheap): BioShock, Mass Effect, Fallout 3, Oblivion, Gears of War 2, Dead Space, Burnout Paradise, Assassin's Creed, Braid, Cloning Clyde, Tomb Raider Legend, Carcassone, Call of Duty 4, GTA4, blah blah blah I could keep going.

Gamefly is your friend...it's one of the cheapest ways to try (and buy) used games from the past few years.

[archie4208]

Lay it out straight: what is the best JRPG on the Xbox?

Chrono Trigger has awakened my inner weeaboo.

Tales of Vesperia

[Draft]

Lost Odyssey sounds less gay than Tales of Vesperia.

But I'm not sure I can play a game where the main character's midriff is exposed.

[Howard Alan Treesong]

Vesperia 4 Lyfe

LO was boring

[dammitmattt]

Lost Odyssey sounds less gay than Tales of Vesperia.

But I'm not sure I can play a game where the main character's midriff is exposed.

Did you like FFX?

[MCD]

Lost Odyssey sounds less gay than Tales of Vesperia.

But I'm not sure I can play a game where the main character's midriff is exposed.

I'd would say it depends on what type of rpg battle system you prefer.

since there is a demo for vesperia, give it a try.

[Kestastrophe]

I haven't played Vesperia, but I can say that Lost Odyssey had the best story out of any JRPG that I've played.

[Draft]

I will try the demo!

[MrAngryFace]

Vesperia is the best RPG on the 360

[dammitmattt]

I will try the demo!

The demo barely gives you a taste so just dive right in.  Keep in mind that it's a weirdly-paced game.  It's really good at spots on the first disc, but hits a lull in disc two.  Things pick up again on disc three and then disc four it becomes much more non-linear, typical of FF-like JRPGs.  And I really, really enjoyed the end game on disc four.  Lots of cool, optional stuff to do.

On another note, if you have the patience, the short stories REALLY flush out the main character's back story and are almost all extremely well-written, if you have the patience to sit through them.  Otherwise, you'll probably like a couple of the other characters much more and feel like the leading man is kind of a blank slate.

[patrickula]

Good choice with the 360... I'd also say either get a 60gig pro or arcade+120.  Unless you don't want to install any games, and you probably will.  The disk drive is LOUD.  If you get the arcade, maybe you can get a Jasper one

So you'll have a PC connected to your TV?  Otherwise the 360 will be useful for media streaming and Netflix (if you have it).  No it's not the best reason to get the system, but give it a shot and you might start caring.  I use it way more than I expected.

I haven't played any of the JRPGs, or Fable or Fallout yet, but Mass Effect was pretty good.  Gears(2) is great, but it's greatest in coop.  I love Bioshock, and that's all singleplayer.
Try lots of demos!

[MCD]

If you are getting the Arcade, try to find the newer ones (Jasper unit) with internal 256 memory unit instead of the old external ones.

[Joe Molotov]

Vesperia is legit.

[cool breeze]

I think you should get at least 60 gigs if only for installing games.  You might think 20 gigs would be enough since the maximum game size like 8 or 9 gigs, but in the end it's more like 14 gigs or less, plus you'd want demos and XBLA stuff.  Installing makes a big difference for load times and noise.

the 120 gig hard drives are on clearance at Target and I think Circuit City for $90 or $100 depending on the store.  It still seems like a lot, but it's half the price it used to be.

I will try the demo!

The demo is really bad.  The full game is the best jrpg on 360/PS3.

[Don Flamenco]

So, I'm being gifted a shiny new Samsung 26" HDTV for Crimmus.  I have surveyed the current gen gaming landscape and decided that the 360 has more games I want to play.  The PS3, while intriguing, isn't worth it for me because:  I could only see myself saying "I have to play that" about Valkyria Chronicles, and I don't give a shit about blu-ray.

Having said all of that, I've been eyeing all of the various 360 console permutations and have some questions:

1. It's basically the same exact price to get a Pro and an Aracade with a separate hd, but with the arcade and the hd accessory pack you get a 3 month gold live card.  Am I missing something that would make the Pro more appealing?  Other than the trash bundled games, which would get traded in at Gamestop.
2. You can get a 20 gig refurbished hd with a 3 month gold card from MS, sans headset.  Does anyone have any experience with a refurbed hd specifically? 
3. I plan on playing a bunch of rpgs on this thing.  I understand you can load the entire game onto your hd.  If I went with the 20 gig hd, I imagine I would probably run out of space quickly.  Would this be a problem or a hassle?  Is it really that much better to load the game onto your hd as opposed to running it off the disc?
4. I plan on getting Lost Odyssey and maybe Tales of Vesperia day one.  What other good games are out there?  I'm fond of rpgs, action games, etc.  Shooty shit can be fun but it must be well done.  I'm not so big on playing games online.

Finally, some warnings:

1. I have no plans or intentions of using this as a media center hub or any shit like that.  I have fucking computers for that, this is a GAMING CONSOLE, fucktards.  Don't tell me how how awesome or shitty stuff like that is cause I don't fucking CARE.
2. Preemptive FUCK OFF to Duckman or any other sony-tards.  Don't waste your time extolling the virtues of your crap ass system- I don't like wipeout games, would rather eat my own scrotum than play a MGS game, and as stated previously have no interest in blu-ray.

1. I agree with Arcade + 120gb hdd.  order the HDMI cable from www.monoprice.com (it's like $10 shipped.)  Headsets are cheap.

2.  20gb is not large enough, but I do have a refurbed HDD (120gb.)  There isn't much to say about it, it works.  Don't let the word "Refurb" throw you-- they just clear off the old data and call it a day. They don't have people tinker and fine tune the HDD. If it's broken, they put a new HDD in the shell.

3. You will run out of space on a 20gb and yes, you will want to rip everything to the HDD-- the DVD drive is so loud it's not funny. Not to mention that you get performance boosts.

4. Action games -  DMC4 and NGII are your main options.  Castle Crashers is good but people run into problems with it.  Fable satisfies both action and RPG needs.  Fallout 3 is the best WRPG by far on the system (and ever.)  Lost Odyssey is great too.  If you can stomach the animu, I hear Vesperia is good.
 
   "Shooty shit" - ummm   Halo 3, Gears 1 and 2, CoD4 are the main shooters. 2D wise - Alien Hominid, Ikaruga, Omega Five, Geometry Wars 1 and 2, Mutant Storm 1 and 2, and that other Dreamcast shmup are all good.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

But really, just get a PS3.  Wait for Home 2.

[close]

Lost Odyssey sounds less gay than Tales of Vesperia.

But I'm not sure I can play a game where the main character's midriff is exposed.

play the demo of Vesperia.  People rave about the game, but I found it way too animu.  and I like some anime (though I'm not full blown weeaboo.) It's saccharine sweet cutesy.  and special move names are screamed a million times a battle. 

[MrAngryFace]

I do fine with 20, but I dont download a lot of stuff, and now that you can install games its nice to have space. But since everything is on my 20 im fucked cause transfer cables are rare

[Don Flamenco]

I do fine with 20, but I dont download a lot of stuff, and now that you can install games its nice to have space. But since everything is on my 20 im fucked cause transfer cables are rare

Buy a used memory card from GS, transfer your saves to it then to the new HDD, then return the memory card and redownload your stuff.  Some games don't allow save transfers though (NGII and DoA4 come to mind.)

[cool breeze]

I do fine with 20, but I dont download a lot of stuff, and now that you can install games its nice to have space. But since everything is on my 20 im fucked cause transfer cables are rare

Transfer cables came with the $90 hard drive I got from Target

[Brehvolution]

Triumph is now

[MCD]

I do fine with 20, but I dont download a lot of stuff, and now that you can install games its nice to have space. But since everything is on my 20 im fucked cause transfer cables are rare

Buy a used memory card from GS, transfer your saves to it then to the new HDD, then return the memory card and redownload your stuff.  Some games don't allow save transfers though (NGII and DoA4 come to mind.)

I can copy NG2 just fine.

it's the older games like doa4, forza 2 and pinata 1 that can't be copied nor moved, they fixed this in 2006 sping dash update.

[MrAngryFace]

I do fine with 20, but I dont download a lot of stuff, and now that you can install games its nice to have space. But since everything is on my 20 im fucked cause transfer cables are rare

Transfer cables came with the $90 hard drive I got from Target

I got a 120 with my elite, but no cable with it :*(

[Bildi]

If prices are similar to here, I agree Arcade + 120Gb + HDMI cable is a better deal than the 60GB pro, and a monstrously better deal than the Elite.

20GB is woefully inadequate.  With the Xbox game Dreamfall installed plus Shivering Isles and a few arcade games I only had room to install one of the smaller Xbox360 games.  Installing is well worth it - noticably faster loads, quieter, and you don't have to deal with potential DREs.

[Joe Molotov]

I do fine with 20, but I dont download a lot of stuff, and now that you can install games its nice to have space. But since everything is on my 20 im fucked cause transfer cables are rare

Transfer cables came with the $90 hard drive I got from Target

I got a 120 with my elite, but no cable with it :*(

Can't you get one from Microsoft if you bought an Elite?

[MCD]

I do fine with 20, but I dont download a lot of stuff, and now that you can install games its nice to have space. But since everything is on my 20 im fucked cause transfer cables are rare

Transfer cables came with the $90 hard drive I got from Target

I got a 120 with my elite, but no cable with it :*(

http://assets.xbox.com/en-us/support/MigrationKit-OrderForm.pdf

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemuse/xbox360/console/datamigration.htm

[MrAngryFace]

I do fine with 20, but I dont download a lot of stuff, and now that you can install games its nice to have space. But since everything is on my 20 im fucked cause transfer cables are rare

Transfer cables came with the $90 hard drive I got from Target

I got a 120 with my elite, but no cable with it :*(

Can't you get one from Microsoft if you bought an Elite?

That sounds suspiciously like "work".  :spiderman

[Ganhyun]

So, I'm being gifted a shiny new Samsung 26" HDTV for Crimmus.  I have surveyed the current gen gaming landscape and decided that the 360 has more games I want to play.  The PS3, while intriguing, isn't worth it for me because:  I could only see myself saying "I have to play that" about Valkyria Chronicles, and I don't give a shit about blu-ray.

Having said all of that, I've been eyeing all of the various 360 console permutations and have some questions:

1. It's basically the same exact price to get a Pro and an Aracade with a separate hd, but with the arcade and the hd accessory pack you get a 3 month gold live card.  Am I missing something that would make the Pro more appealing?  Other than the trash bundled games, which would get traded in at Gamestop.
2. You can get a 20 gig refurbished hd with a 3 month gold card from MS, sans headset.  Does anyone have any experience with a refurbed hd specifically? 
3. I plan on playing a bunch of rpgs on this thing.  I understand you can load the entire game onto your hd.  If I went with the 20 gig hd, I imagine I would probably run out of space quickly.  Would this be a problem or a hassle?  Is it really that much better to load the game onto your hd as opposed to running it off the disc?
4. I plan on getting Lost Odyssey and maybe Tales of Vesperia day one.  What other good games are out there?  I'm fond of rpgs, action games, etc.  Shooty shit can be fun but it must be well done.  I'm not so big on playing games online.

Finally, some warnings:

1. I have no plans or intentions of using this as a media center hub or any shit like that.  I have fucking computers for that, this is a GAMING CONSOLE, fucktards.  Don't tell me how how awesome or shitty stuff like that is cause I don't fucking CARE.
2. Preemptive FUCK OFF to Duckman or any other sony-tards.  Don't waste your time extolling the virtues of your crap ass system- I don't like wipeout games, would rather eat my own scrotum than play a MGS game, and as stated previously have no interest in blu-ray.

1. Go with the Arcade and the 120 gig HDD and HDMI cable option. You're better off that way.

2. As far as refurbed drives go, I have no experience with them. But a 20 gig HDD  is not worth much now. Better to get the 120 Gig like the previous poster suggested.

3. running most of the games of the HDD is MUCH MUCH better than via the disk drive, which sounds like a jet engine most of the time. There are a few games that dont run well installed, like Halo3, but they usually inform you of this in the game updates.

4. RPG wise, others have mentioned good RPGs on the 360. You may like Infinite Undiscovery. I'd also recommend Fallout3 and Fable2, but they may or may not be to your taste. Shooter wise, Gears, Gears 2, COD4, and Halo3 are the big boys. Since online play isnt your thing, you may want to be more careful getting these, as several people really only like the MP part of these games. Also, if you don't plan on playing online much/or at all, Left 4 Dead is not for you. That game was made for Online Co-op (The single player is third option, lol), but is doable in single player, just dont expect to get some of the achievements as the AI will fuck you over on things like the witch.

[dammitmattt]

I do fine with 20, but I dont download a lot of stuff, and now that you can install games its nice to have space. But since everything is on my 20 im fucked cause transfer cables are rare

They come with the new hard drives.  Since I got a used hard drive, I borrowed them from a friend.  FYI, my HD was packed and the transfer process took about an hour and 45 minutes, and incredibly, it found a bunch of demos and movies that I couldn't see before that were sucking up space on my hard drive.

I've still got them, so if you really need them, let me know (as long as you can get them back to me!).

[MCD]

keep in mind that the migration cd is region locked.

[dammitmattt]

keep in mind that the migration cd is region locked.

Is MAF a foreigner?!?

[MCD]

nope.

[Human Snorenado]

So it seems like the way to go is to get an Arcade and a 120 gig hd.  That's kind of what I was thinking.

Is there any reliable way to tell if a particular unit is a Jasper or not? 

[Rman]

I enjoyed Vesperia and Blue Dragon in the JPRG front.  Haven't played Lost Odyssey.  Regarding Western RPGs, Oblivion has been my most played game this generation, if you have a decent gaming PC, though, stick to the PC version, likewise for Fallout 3. 

XBLA has some great offerings--Geometry War 2, PacMan CE, Galaga Legions, Bionic Commando Rearmed, SSF2THD, Castle Crashers, Braid.

[demi]

So it seems like the way to go is to get an Arcade and a 120 gig hd.  That's kind of what I was thinking.

Is there any reliable way to tell if a particular unit is a Jasper or not? 

the wattage usually. i think jaspers are around 150w?

[MCD]

yeah, this thread might help: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=343546&highlight=jasper

[brawndolicious]

http://www.bingegamer.net/2008/so-how-much-time-are-you-saving-xbox-360-nxe-hard-drive-install-chart/

In general, there is a pretty noticeable difference in loading if you install the games.  Especially in open-world games like RPG's.

[Eel O'Brian]

fallout 3 will totally appeal to your sadistic commie streak

spoiler (click to show/hide)

[close]

[tiesto]

Lost Odyssey or Vesperia (haven't played the latter) for RPGs, although Last Remnant sounds like it might be up your alley based on other peoples' comments and descriptions about it. Just stay the hell away from Eternal Sonata. For non-RPGs, Mirror's Edge was a total blast although you should download a demo first, Bioshock looked fun, and COD4 for your FPS needs. For XBLA, Geo Wars, Rez HD, SOTN, Ikaruga, Assault Heroes are all choice.