Launch Games
Accessories
Home Theater: TV
Home Theater: Audio
Publisher: Microsoft Games Studios
Developer: Rare
Release Date: November 09, 2005
Rare’s been working on Kameo: Elements of Power for over five years. Originally a concept for Nintendo 64, the game was first developed on GameCube. Microsoft soon acquired the rights to Kameo when it purchased Rare. The company began work on the game on Xbox and later moved it to Xbox 360, where it will launch alongside Microsoft’s next-gen console. The adventure follows Kameo, a magical fairy that can transform into different elemental warriors. Each of these warriors has their own unique abilities that will be essential to progressing into the game. On top of this, dynamic platforming and a gripping story that follows the rescue of Kameo’s family make Kameo a tempting purchase for launch buyers.
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Activision
Release Date: November 15, 2005
World War II has never looked this good, Call of Duty 2 is one of the showcase titles for the Xbox 360 with it’s incredibly realistic graphics. Call of Duty 2 features open ended battlefields that allow you to complete missions anyway you see fit, your allies and enemies alike boost incredibly realistic AI that allows them to be fully aware of the environment and what is going on within it. Throw in the same online multiplayer modes that made the title a hit on the PC and Activision has a winner on their hands come Nov. 22nd.
Publisher: Activision
Developer: id Software
Release Date: November 15, 2005
You play as Matthew Kane, a member of the elite Rhino Squad. When the Strogg attack earth, your squad must defeat the enemy to save the homeland. But sometimes the only way to beat the enemy is to join the enemy, as you learn when you become a Strogg and take advantage of their super powers. Most the game takes place on ground in first-person, but other parts feature vehicle actions, including some mechanical walker goodness. Graphically, the game is stellar, running on an enhanced version of the Doom 3 graphics engine. Unlike Doom 3, though, Quake 4 employs bright outside environments opposed to the dark, confined ones found in id’s other shooter.
Publisher: Activison
Developer: Neversoft
Release Date: November 15, 2005
Just when you thought Tony Hawk couldn’t get any better, it takes a step thru time into the biggest skate park of them all. Taking place in the 1980’s, your custom skater looks to makes his name on the rising skateboard scene. New additions to this version are Live play and the use of BMX bikes. For the first time, get off the board and unto a bike that lets you get places the skateboard can’t. Expecting good graphics? Drool over the accurately reproduced Los Angeles in stunning 720 resolution. The biggest innovation in the game? You can go anywhere in this massive city with absolutely no load times. With over 30 classic songs, Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland is a top pick for the 360.
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Neversoft
Release Date: November 15, 2005
Imagine the HBO show Deadwood in the form of a video game and you have Neversofts, Gun. A free roaming western with tons of weapons from the period, horse back riding, and an deep story written by Randal Jahnsan (Mask of Zorro) that promises to immerse you in the old west as gun slinger, Colton White. Gun may not be the best looking launch title for the 360, but it is certainly shaping up to be one of years best games.
Publisher: EA
Developer: EA
Release Date: November 15, 2005
Tiger Woods first next generation appearance has some of the most amazing graphics seen in any game. With the power of 360, you will be able to see every peak, hill, curve and undulation of every green you play on, right down to the individual blades of grass. The new Shape Stick innovation, featured this year on current generation Tiger Woods games, carries far more importance. The amazing game face character creation feature gets even more detailed, and the game sports some of the best high definition graphics you can see anywhere.
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2006 will sport multiple custom golfers online as well as some EA hosted tournaments.
Publisher: EA
Developer: EA
Release Date: November 15, 2005
Ever since EA inked an exclusive deal, the only way to play console Soccer is to play FIFA. That’s a good thing, as FIFA is shaping up to be a solid Soccer Sim.
Moving away from the arcade style gameplay of the games before it, FIFA also promises highly detailed stadiums and full use of the World Cup license. Expect life-like players, commentary that remembers the most legendary games, and pick and play style controls that will let anyone be a David Beckham on the 360.
Publisher: EA
Developer: EA
Release Date: November 15, 2005
Do you have the need for speed? EA’s latest racer takes the franchise back to its roots, re-introducing cop chases to the formula. You can take control of over 30 different cars, including makes from BMW and Ford. While the theme this time around is running from the cops, the developer has ensured that all of the great customizable options that made the Need For Speed: Underground series so successful are included. Moreover, there are new gameplay features that allow you to use bullet-time to avoid terrible car accidents and environments that can be interacted with to create obstacles for anybody on your tale.
Publisher: EA
Developer: EA
Release Date: November 15, 2005
Football fans rejoice, the Xbox 360 will be hitting the gridiron immediately with Madden NFL 2006. This version of EA Sports insanely popular franchise will feature greatly improved graphics such as photo realistic faces and bodies for every player, realistic new lighting, thousands of life like fans, and new graphical effects like mud on helmets and clothing. The franchise mode has also been vastly improved upon, making it easier to manage your team and players. Madden 2006 is shaping up to be one of the 360’s biggest titles as far as popularity goes and with the improved graphics and features, make this version of Madden something that every football fan should own on launch day.
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Visual Concepts
Release Date: November 15, 2005
If you have any doubts that the next generation of games has arrived, you need look no further than NBA 2K6. The players in this game look eerily like their real-life counterparts, and move like them too. This detail is extended to the people in the stands, the coaches, and to the custom player tool. Also returning is the awesome Crib mode, where you build your player’s apartment as you progress in the game. Crib mode is also used to by new features, music, and minigames. No feature from the Present-Gen version have been left out, and the new V.I.P. profile allows you to find players across the country equal to your skills.
Publisher: EA
Developer: EA
Release Date: November 15, 2005
EA first foray into next-gen basketball doesn’t add as much photo-realism as NBA 2K6, but what it lacks in realism it more than makes up for in small details.
From sweat droplets to hair movement, this game nails the minute details of every player. Getting bored playing against the computer? NBA Live goes online across the world on the 360, allowing you to take on practically anyone. While there is no Franchise mode this year, the new Season mode offers you the chance to take a single team from its first game all the way up to the championships. If you add the promise of NO load times and never being out of the game, NBA Live looks to be the game to beat.
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Indie Built
Release Date: November 15, 2005
Amped has been an Xbox mainstay since the beginning, and Amped 3 looks to raise the bar above all snowboarding games before it. Amped 3 will feature real licensed Ski Resorts and the most stylish career mode ever seen in any game. Over 120 tricks are accessible at any time using the new face button trick system. Amped 3 is a free-roaming game that allows you to ski anywhere on the mountain, and even plot out your own ski courses. Amped 3 sports a new track creation mode, an in-depth character creation mode, and over 100 licensed songs for its soundtrack. Check it out!
Publisher: Microsoft Games Studios
Developer: Rare
Release Date: November 17, 2005
Set in the year 2200, Perfect Dark Zero takes place three years before the events that unfolded in Perfect Dark. This prequel is filled with fast gameplay, tons of customizable multiplayer options and a full-blown campaign single-player mode that explores the story of what happened before the original Perfect Dark. If you loved Perfect Dark or GoldenEye on the Nintendo 64, you’ll feel right at home with PDZ. Tons of weapons, maps and modes await to be mastered. And on top of a sci-fi single-player escapade, there’s a huge Xbox Live-enabled online multiplayer mode that supports 32 players simultaneously.
Publisher: Microsoft Games Studios
Developer: Bizarre Creations
Release Date: November 17, 2005
Mixing a great balance of arcade style racing and ultra realistic graphics, Project Gotham Racing 3 returns to launch with the Xbox. One of the best to take titles to take advantage of Live play, the game supports up to eight racers with 30, 000 spectators online. A new feature, GothamTV, keeps you updated in real-time as records are broken. Photo-realistic graphics back up not only the new dashboard view, but also the crowd reacts to how you are driving. The Kudos reward system is back, and you get a chance to test it out thru the streets of New York, Tokyo, and London. If you’re a racing fan or just loved the original, Project Gotham Racing 3, is something you should check out.
Publisher: Tecmo
Developer: Team Ninja
Release Date: November 18, 2005
When the original Xbox launched in 2001, one of the most popular games alongside it was Dead or Alive 3, well Team Ninja is poised to continue that success on the 360 with Dead or Alive 4 which features unparalleled online play via Xbox Live with global tournaments, clans, detailed scoreboards, and interactive lobbies that feature both keyboard and voice chat. The online is only the start, Dead or Alive 4 also features amazing visuals, new characters, and environments that are more interactive than ever before. This is one title that every fighting fan will want to own come launch day.
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Release Date: November 21, 2005
While the pretense that game-to-movie adaptations usually end in horror runs wild, some developers have proven that this is not always the case. Ubisoft seems to be one of those developers. The company is working very closely with Peter Jackson and Universal – the makers of the upcoming film – to make sure that King Kong the game is of the same high caliber quality the movie will be. You play as Jack Driscoll from first-person, who must save the lovely Ann Darrow from the grip of the giant and legendary King Kong. In addition to these first-person adventure sections of the game, there are also third-person action sequences where you play as the giant ape himself.
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Visual Concepts
Release Date: November 21, 2005
Love hockey? Love next-gen visuals? Microsoft and Visual Concepts have you set. NHL 2K6 features everything you love about the past games in the series plus plenty of additions. For example, you can dynamically coach your team and call changes to the game plan in-game. There’s also full Xbox Live support for online competition once you’ve mastered the single-player AI. Finally, running on the Xbox 360, NHL 2K6 is no doubt the best looking hockey game to date.
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Monolith Productions
Release Date: November 22, 2005
Condemned: Criminal Origins places you in the role of Agent Thomas, a detective with the uncanny ability to see into the minds of serial killers. His success catches up with him as he starts to lose his sanity. Framed by the mysterious Serial Killer X for the murder of two cops, Agent Thomas now seeks to take down this mysterious man, who seems to hold no pattern anyone can detect, and prove his innocence. Played entirely from a first person perspective, Condemned: Criminal Origins has you walking thru abandoned buildings, seeking out clues and fighting the inhabitants who seem to have gone insane. Creepy survival horror at its best, with a touch of mystery thrown in, Condemned: Criminal Origins is a must see title.
Publisher: Namco
Developer: Namco
Release Date: November 22, 2005
Namco always makes sure they have a Ridge Racer game out in time for the launch of every new system and the 360 is no exception. This time the folks a
Launch Games
Accessories
Home Theater: TV
Home Theater: Audio
Hardware
Xbox 360 Console
Xbox 360 Controller
Composite AV Cables
Xbox 360 Console
20 GB Hard Disc Drive
Wireless Controller
Xbox Live Headset
Ethernet Cable
Component HD AV Cable
Store your games saves, music, pictures and other data on this 20GB attachable hard disc drive (HDD).
Accessories
The incredibly comfortable Xbox 360 controller that attaches to the Xbox 360 via USB.
The incredibly comfortable Xbox 360 controller in wireless form. Must be recharged via charging pack or can be used with two AA batteries. Has 30-hour life for set of two AA batteries.
Designed for use with Xbox 360’s online gaming service, Xbox Live. Is complete with a volume dial and noise canceling that doesn’t pick up background noise.
Charge your Wireless Xbox 360 controller while playing your Xbox 360 at the same time.
Plugs right into the Xbox 360 controller and can be taken in and out to be charged with use of Recharge Dock.
For controlling your Xbox 360’s DVD features and other browsing features as well.
For those who don’t purchase a HDD, a Memory Unit is a must for saving games and data.
Launch Games
Accessories
Home Theater: TV
Home Theater: Audio
Perhaps the single most important aspect of your entertainment setup is your TV. It’s what you look at – good or bad – whenever you watch TV, play games or view DVDs. That’s why we’ve come up with an huge list of TVs of every technology that we can suggest to those looking to buy a brand new HDTV.
Below, you’ll find that list along with a descriptions of the different kinds of HDTVs that populate today’s entertainment industry.
Please keep in mind that we encourage researching any product we suggest before actually purchasing it. These are our personal favorites, based entirely on our opinion, not fact.
CRT TVs are famous for their high picture quality. To this date, few other technologies can rival the picture quality of a good high-definition CRT TV. Likewise, the black levels of CRT TVs surpass the black levels in most other TVs to boot. And with excellent viewing angles, they are ideal for gaming. Even so, drawbacks to the CRT route include both heavy TV sets and bulky TV size. Moreover, the max widescreen TV size in this category is 34†so consumers are confined to small size screens.
These TVs are quickly taking off and becoming one of the most popular choices for both gamers and DVD watchers. The reasoning is simple – their high picture quality is beginning to rival even CRT sets. And depending on how much you’re willing to spend, they come in much larger sizes than CRT – anywhere from 40’ to 70â€. Essentially, buyers get picture quality close to CRTs at the size of other large screen sets without having a TV that takes up as much room as an RPTV. Unfortunately, some lower-cost sets can have problems with viewing angles. The prices of these TVs can also get pretty high too.
Without a doubt the most controversial technology for those who plan to use their TV for gaming. Plasma TVs are sleek, sexy and can be hung on a wall to save space. However, they’re notorious for burn-in with static imagery and inferior black levels. Higher-cost Plasma TVs don’t suffer these problems nearly as much as they did just a few years ago, but the saying “You get what you pay for†rings painfully true with them. The more expensive ones offer crisp image quality that looks as beautiful as the display hanging on your wall.
LCD TVs are ideal for those that want a mix of both DLP and Plasma sets. On one hand, they’re slim and range from sizes 15†to 40â€. They don’t take up nearly as much space as RPTVs, CRTs or even DLPs, and they still offer good picture quality. The prices of LCD TVs can vary quite a bit depending on what brand you go with and what size the TV is. That noted, LCD TVs are sometimes plagued with after image problems while displaying video games. Cheaper LCDs can also suffer from delay between the game console and the image displayed on the screen. Once again, you truly get what you pay for with LCDs.
The father of big screen TVs is the RPTV (Rear-Projection TV). These monsters come in sizes 40†through 70†at lower prices than similar sets that are DLP, Plasma or even LCD. They offer good picture quality, though they can have viewing angle problems. The more expensive brands have corrected such problems, however, so if you’re window shopping for TVs, you’ll notice which models have such troubles. The drawback to RPTV is that they take up a lot of room. They’re just big and bulky, which might be a turn off for some.
CRT
Samsung 26†TX-R2678WH – $599.99
Sony 30″ Hi-Scan FD Trinitron WEGA TV KV-30HS420 – $799.99
Sony 30†TX-R3075WH – $799.99
Sony 30″ Widescreen FD Trinitron WEGA HDTV KD-30XS955 – $1,199.99
Sony 34″ Hi-Scan FD Trinitron WEGA TV KV-34HS420 – $1,199.99
Sony 34″ Widescreen XBR HDTV KD-34XBR960N – $1, 899.99
DLP
Samsung DLP 50†Samsung HL-P5085W – $1,999.99
Samsung DLP 46†HL-R4667W – $2,000.99
Samsung DLP 50†HL-R5067W – $2,299.99
Panasonic DLP 61†PT-61DLX75 – $3,499.99
Samsung DLP 71†HL-R7178W– $5,999.99
Plasma
Panasonic 50†TH-50PX500U – $4,999.99
Panasonic 65†TH-65XVS30U – $10,999.99
LCD
Sharp Aquos 26â€LC-26DA5U – $1,199.99
Sony 26″ BRAVIA LCD Flat Panel HDTV – Silver KLV-S26A10 – $1,499.99
Sony 32″ BRAVIA LCD Flat Panel HDTV KLV-S32A10 – $1,999.99
Sony 40†BRAVIA XBR LCD Flat Panel HDTV KDL-V40XBR1 – $3,499.99
Sony 70″ XBR Grand WEGA 3LCD Rear Projection HDTV KDF-70XBR950 – $6,999.99
Rear Projection TV (RPTV)
Sony 51″ CRT Projection HDTV KDP-51WS655 – $1,799.99
Sony 42″ Grand WEGA 3LCD Rear Projection HDTV KDF-E42A10 – $1,999.99
Sony 57″ CRT Projection HDTV KDP-57WS655 – $2,099.99
Sony 50″ Grand WEGA SXRD Rear Projection HDTV KDS-R50XBR1 – $3,999.99
Suggested CRT
Sony 34″ Widescreen XBR HDTV KD-34XBR960N – $1, 899.99
Suggested DLP
Samsung DLP 50†Samsung HL-P5085W – $1,999.99
Suggested Plasma
Panasonic 50†TH-50PX500U – $4,999.99
Suggested LCD
Sharp Aquos 26â€LC-26DA5U – $1,199.99
Suggested RPTV
Sony 57″ CRT Projection HDTV KDP-57WS655 – $2,099.99
Launch Games
Accessories
Home Theater: TV
Home Theater: Audio
Klipsch home theater setup |
Sounds Good
There are a few very important things that you should realize when it comes to surround sound. For starters, audiophiles – those obsessed with audio – all agree that the best sound setup is often composed of components that are bought independently of each other, allowing you to pick purchase the very best component you can find, one-by-one. That means that you’d need to buy a separate receiver, front speakers, rear speakers and sub woofer to create the ideal home theater experience. However, doing such would be a very pricy foray. Those who can’t afford to drop thousands of dollars on their home theater setup would be better served to go the route of buying a Home Theater in a Box or a speaker set and receiver separately. Below, we’ve included descriptions for these things, along with our suggestions for those looking to get into the world of home theater.
Please keep in mind that we encourage researching any product we suggest before actually purchasing it. These are our personal favorites, based entirely on our opinion, not fact.
Home Theater In A Box – A complete systems that comes with a full set of speakers, including a sub woofer, a receiver and all the connection wires you’ll need.
Speaker Set – A packaged set of speakers from the specified manufacturer, including a sub woofer. Should include wires for all the speakers included in the package.
Receiver – The component that powers your speakers and often connects to your display (or TV). It is a standalone product and does not include any speakers to use with it.
Home Theaters in a Box
Yamaha 5.1 720 watt YHT-360 – $449.99
Yamaha 5.1 900 watt DVX-C700 – $549.99
Yamaha 5.1 720 watt YHT-860 – $849.99
Yamaha 6.1 760 watt DTX-5000 – $1,249.99
Speaker Sets
Kilipsch 5.1 Speaker Quintet II Sytem – $499.99
Klipsch 5.1 Cinema 10 Speaker System – $1,199.99
Polk 5.1 RM40 System – $2,599.00
Receivers
Denon [AVR-5805] THX Ultra2 7.1 CH Receiver – $6,000.00
Denon [AVR-4806] THX Ultra2 7.1 CH Receiver – $3,500.00
Denon [AVR-3805] 7.1 CH Home Theater Receiver – $1,199.99
Denon [AVR-1906] 7.1 CH Home Theater Receiver – $549.99
Denon [AVR-1506] 7.1 CH Home Theater Receiver – $349.99
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