Is the Xbox 360 Really Worth the Cost?

Just hours after Microsoft released its long-awaited Xbox 360 before Thanksgiving, news reports of mechanical problems with both the system and its individual units flooded many internet news services. Some users claim that the brick-like power supply has caused serious overheating, while some hard drives have come in dead on arrival. In addition to this, many systems are freezing or crashing after relatively short attempts at game-play.

Microsoft claims that 3-5 percent of these first generation consoles have been or will be deemed as faulty (see also here). To put this into perspective, if 500,000 consoles are sold by Christmas, then a full 25,000 could overheat, crash, freeze, result in scratched discs or die.

Certainly, all new technology is subject to a few problems. Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo are all working hard toward producing the best and most innovative next generation gaming systems for an ever-growing market.

It is no secret that Microsoft regretted its late launch of the original Xbox. The system never saw the number of sales achieved by Sony, and insiders claim that part of the problem was due to the system’s late launch behind the PS2. Now, Microsoft is ahead of the pack with an early, and perhaps too early, pre-Christmas release

So, are these malfunctions, whether major or minor, something that cutting-edge gamers should expect when paying inflated prices for the newest gear? Time will tell. Indeed, many gamers will tell you that first generation consoles of any era are generally subject to more problems than their later releases. While the companies who create these consoles will not readily admit it, the initial releases are still part of the testing process. If they admitted to that, however, they would be hard-pressed to answer the ethical question of selling a $400 system and accessories, plus games, to an audience that amounts to little more than a group of beta testers.

For more commentary and thoughts on the new Xbox 360, and video gaming in general, local readers can check out “The Rebel Faction” tonight at 5 on Rebel Radio, WUMS 92.1.

If you aren’t local, you can listen to a string of pre-recorded interviews below.

[INTERVIEWS WITH FOUR STUDENTS (Dec022005xbox360.mp3—00:10:08)] *

* All music provided by OCRemix.Org.