Microsoft Xbox 360
Since the advent of video game consoles during the 1970s by names such as Magnavox Odyssey and Atari there has been a constant competition to create the most technologically advanced gaming systems. Atari primarily had a hold on the video game market until Nintendo stormed onto the market during the mid-1980s, followed closely by Sega. It was not until early 2000 that companies started to use more personal computer-based technology and brand new gaming systems flooded the market by companies such as Sony and the PC inventor, Microsoft. Since then, it has been a race to create more inventive systems and one of the key leaders has been the Microsoft Xbox 360.
First launched in 2005, the second generation gaming console for Microsoft is the closest competitor for the Nintendo Wii and Sony Playstation 3. The Xbox 360 created such hype that when the date for the launch was announced, people waited in line at big box stores for hours before the store opened at 12:01 for the launch. What excited people about Microsofts latest video game venture was that it allowed players to compete with others online with the Xbox Live feature as well as the ability to download other games, and even movies or TV shows.
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The current entry-level Xbox 360 is the Arcade. The Xbox 360 Arcade comes with a 256 MB flash chip built into the system, has HD output, AV cable and wireless controller. In order to immediately build ones collection of games, it comes packaged with 5 games on one disc, which includes the game that is the epitome of arcade games: Pac-Man. It also comes with an introductory disk that features its game demo and trailer capabilities.
On the opposite end of the 360 spectrum is the Xbox 360 Elite. This is currently Microsoft most expensive gaming unit and costs approximately $200-300 more than the Arcade. The 360 Elite is distinguished by its Black-finished case with a matching black headset. It comes with a hard disk drive of 120 GBs (the mid-level Xbox 360 Pro contains either a 20 or 60 GB hard drive).
No matter which model of Xbox 360 one owns, there are many options for games. Some of the best-sellers for the 360 are Halo 3 (which has sold over 8 million copies), Gears of War and Gears of War 2, Grand Theft Auto IV and Call of Duty, and Call of Duty 4.