Official Xbox 360? Thread...Part Deux

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: jlmadyson
Worms next week!

Microsoft annouced a few minutes ago that Worms would finally be released on Xbox Live Arcade next wednesday. Excellent news, with 3 new screens
Update: the game will cost 800 points. Good price.

Ohhhhh snap.

I am buying some MS points next Wednesday!

EDIT:
I also decided to buy the new DDR game for the XBOX 360. I haven't tried it yet though, but they say it's got some nice beginner improvements over the other games in the series. Let me tell you, with my skill, I could probably use those modes >_>. It kind of looks like they're pulling a Lumines II with the new DDR game though and that worries me. Lumines, being a great PSP game and an equally as good XBL game, was practically ruined in its sequel with the horrid pop music (sorry, Gwen Steffani's Getta Back Girl or whatever does NOT belong in Lumines) and I noticed that this one includes more pop music where most of the previous music that I've ever seen in DDR or ITG is the techno-ish music.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Aikouka
I also decided to buy the new DDR game for the XBOX 360. I haven't tried it yet though, but they say it's got some nice beginner improvements over the other games in the series. Let me tell you, with my skill, I could probably use those modes >_>. It kind of looks like they're pulling a Lumines II with the new DDR game though and that worries me. Lumines, being a great PSP game and an equally as good XBL game, was practically ruined in its sequel with the horrid pop music (sorry, Gwen Steffani's Getta Back Girl or whatever does NOT belong in Lumines) and I noticed that this one includes more pop music where most of the previous music that I've ever seen in DDR or ITG is the techno-ish music.

I'm really disappointed that there aren't any wireless mats available for the 360....and USB mats don't work. I want to get DDR Universe so I can move the black Xbox upstairs and use it as a media center in the kids playroom but can't until my wife can play DDR downstairs. However, I want wireless mats!

 

[blurredvision]

I may pick up DDR for exercise reasons. I assume it gives a pretty damned good workout? Also, never having played DDR before, is it similar to Guitar Hero, just stepping on the arrows in sequence to the music? Also, is the pad that comes with the game pretty durable? It seems like it'd be easy to get tangled up in a plastic pad and ruin the whole the thing when you fall and dislocate your shoulder .

 

[bigrash]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: dlock13

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: dlock13

Originally posted by: blurredvision
Damnit! I'm up to 499 out of 500 orbs found in Crackdown. I actually sat down this morning, and in an hour and a half of looking, I was able to find 5 of the remaining 6 I had left at the time. There's no telling where that last one is .

Somebody on the net has made a map of all the hidden orbs, but I haven't decided if I want to sit down and get them all. I currently have around 170 of 300 of those, over 100 found by looking for the last 10 or 20 green orbs .

Send me a link to this so called map. I would love to get all the hidden orbs and possibly all of the agility orbs!

I've got the hidden orb map as well as the ign guide with the map to all the agility orbs (if you are crazy enough to go to each one from the map ) it also has a guide on everything in the game, it's a 26 MB pdf

I am crazy enough. PM please, sir.

PM sent. It's actually pretty neat to look at but 500 orbs is a LOT to track down. good luck

I'm crazy enough to do it also. I'm an Insider, so I know of the guide you are talking about. Plus, I just recently started work for a large printer manufacturer, so there's plenty of paper and ink to go around to print out the orb pages of that pdf and cross them off. Wouldn't take no more than a couple of hours to go through the whole thing, less time if the orb I need is pretty low on the list. Hell, I'll probably spend that much time searching anyway .

I'm sad to say that I played Crackdown looking for orbs that past 2 or 3 mornings, putting in a couple of hours a morning. Yesterday, I was driving to work, and there was this antenna coming up that was on the side of the road. I couldn't see the top of it, since it was out of view of the windsheild. Sadly, I caught myself leaning forward to glance the top (presumably to see if an orb was up there). Somebody shoot me .

haha. now that's funny.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: Queasy
I'm really disappointed that there aren't any wireless mats available for the 360....and USB mats don't work. I want to get DDR Universe so I can move the black Xbox upstairs and use it as a media center in the kids playroom but can't until my wife can play DDR downstairs. However, I want wireless mats!

Well, that's just how Microsoft handled their proprietary wireless setup. Although, I wish they'd tell consumers why they made it proprietary (as in to curb cheating (I doubt), etc). Although, I don't see why wireless mats are a huge deal? If the cables aren't long enough, get USB extender cables.

Originally posted by: blurredvision
I may pick up DDR for exercise reasons. I assume it gives a pretty damned good workout? Also, never having played DDR before, is it similar to Guitar Hero, just stepping on the arrows in sequence to the music? Also, is the pad that comes with the game pretty durable? It seems like it'd be easy to get tangled up in a plastic pad and ruin the whole the thing when you fall and dislocate your shoulder .

DDR will give you much more of a work-out than Guitar Hero will ever give you. Although if you like "doing things with your hands" ( ) then Guitar Hero may make you more nimble in such ways . But yeah, you step on the corresponding arrow when the arrow in game lines up with the arrow outline at the top. It sounds kind of awkward explaining it, but it's incredibly easy to understand and a lot like guitar hero's colored line-up. Although, doing multiple arrows at once does require hand-work in some situations.

Let me tell you, I had an ex who loved DDR and ITG, and she'd get all schweaty after playing a couple songs on hard or whatever mode it was. Maybe I should've used that to my advantage >_>.

As for the mats, your "hardcore" players don't usually like soft mats as the response isn't as good as a nice hard mat. But the price is what usually drives the casual player to a soft mat. A good hard mat can run you easily over $100 (thick soft mats usually cost around $100) and that's not a price people like to stomach. If you have issues with the soft mat moving, just get some duct tape and tape it down. I have never fallen on a soft mat before nor seen anyone fall unless they were being goofy or something.

Going back to the work-out aspect, there's even a "calorie counter" in the work-out mode in DDR if you're curious for how many calories you've burned by dancing to the revolution!

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: dlock13

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: dlock13

Originally posted by: blurredvision
Damnit! I'm up to 499 out of 500 orbs found in Crackdown. I actually sat down this morning, and in an hour and a half of looking, I was able to find 5 of the remaining 6 I had left at the time. There's no telling where that last one is .

Somebody on the net has made a map of all the hidden orbs, but I haven't decided if I want to sit down and get them all. I currently have around 170 of 300 of those, over 100 found by looking for the last 10 or 20 green orbs .

Send me a link to this so called map. I would love to get all the hidden orbs and possibly all of the agility orbs!

I've got the hidden orb map as well as the ign guide with the map to all the agility orbs (if you are crazy enough to go to each one from the map ) it also has a guide on everything in the game, it's a 26 MB pdf

I am crazy enough. PM please, sir.

PM sent. It's actually pretty neat to look at but 500 orbs is a LOT to track down. good luck

I'm crazy enough to do it also. I'm an Insider, so I know of the guide you are talking about. Plus, I just recently started work for a large printer manufacturer, so there's plenty of paper and ink to go around to print out the orb pages of that pdf and cross them off. Wouldn't take no more than a couple of hours to go through the whole thing, less time if the orb I need is pretty low on the list. Hell, I'll probably spend that much time searching anyway .

I'm sad to say that I played Crackdown looking for orbs that past 2 or 3 mornings, putting in a couple of hours a morning. Yesterday, I was driving to work, and there was this antenna coming up that was on the side of the road. I couldn't see the top of it, since it was out of view of the windsheild. Sadly, I caught myself leaning forward to glance the top (presumably to see if an orb was up there). Somebody shoot me .

I spent 2 hours searching yesterday until I was ready to go nuts. I may be crazy enough now to go to every point in the insider guide to find the orbs. Guess I know what I am doing this weekend. Don't know if I"m going to be able to print it all out though... Could always print it out on the governments dime at my other office in color

I wasn't going to tell anyone this, but since you admitted to looking for orbs on the way to work...
I had a dream that I was playing crackdown and saw my last 2 orbs on a part of the map. I couldn't wait to get home from work the next day to see if the orbs were actually there... sadly they weren't.

Stupid orbs!

 

[RagingBITCH]

Nerds. Get a life!

 

[R Nilla]

GTA IV trailer possibly debuting March 29th.

 

[bucwylde23]

thanks blurredvision for sending me that message that you found all 500 agility orbs.. it motivated me to take out R6 and put in crackdown for a bit to try to find my last two... and I finally found them. I got lucky and started in northern shai-gen, and that just so happened to be where BOTH of them were!

now to find all the hidden orbs.. about 60 to go

Repo man might take a while too

 

[blurredvision]

Haha, my last one was in northern Shai-Gen also. For those of you who don't know, I messaged Chris last night right after I found my 500th green orb. I printed out the IGN guide like I said I would, and sat down last night to start looking through them. I really didn't want to go this route, but I wanted that last orb. So before I started using the guide, I decided to put atleast 10 more minutes into finding it myself. I spawned on Shai-Gen, and headed north for no particular reason. Within 5 minutes, I ran across the orb on the top corner of a building up there. I guess I hadn't really searched around there at all now that I think about it, but I'm glad it's found and done. I may go for the hidden orbs now, as I've got around 190 of 300.

 

[Pastore]

I'm having an issue with my 360. I just turned it on and my screen is completely green. I've narrowed it down to either being a problem with the unit itself or the cables. I'm not getting any red rings or anything, and sound still comes through just fine, because I can hear myself clicking through menus on the dashboard even though the screen is completely green. Anyone heard of this before I start beating on the thing?

I tried switching it from HDTV to TV to use the composite video and it worked. What the hell is going on? I don't want to call Microsoft.

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: Pastore
I'm having an issue with my 360. I just turned it on and my screen is completely green. I've narrowed it down to either being a problem with the unit itself or the cables. I'm not getting any red rings or anything, and sound still comes through just fine, because I can hear myself clicking through menus on the dashboard even though the screen is completely green. Anyone heard of this before I start beating on the thing?

I tried switching it from HDTV to TV to use the composite video and it worked. What the hell is going on? I don't want to call Microsoft.

I guess it could be a bad cable... i'd just make sure there was a good connection.

so i guess you are using the component and not VGA?

 

[Pastore]

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: Pastore
I'm having an issue with my 360. I just turned it on and my screen is completely green. I've narrowed it down to either being a problem with the unit itself or the cables. I'm not getting any red rings or anything, and sound still comes through just fine, because I can hear myself clicking through menus on the dashboard even though the screen is completely green. Anyone heard of this before I start beating on the thing?

I tried switching it from HDTV to TV to use the composite video and it worked. What the hell is going on? I don't want to call Microsoft.

I guess it could be a bad cable... i'd just make sure there was a good connection.

so i guess you are using the component and not VGA?

Yeah the component is the one that is messed up, composite works fine. I ended up just calling Microsoft and they're going to send me out some replacement cables, and if that doesn't work they're going to have to do a repair on my unit. 5-7 business days for the cables. Guess I'm going to have to play myself some Wii this week...

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: Pastore

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: Pastore
I'm having an issue with my 360. I just turned it on and my screen is completely green. I've narrowed it down to either being a problem with the unit itself or the cables. I'm not getting any red rings or anything, and sound still comes through just fine, because I can hear myself clicking through menus on the dashboard even though the screen is completely green. Anyone heard of this before I start beating on the thing?

I tried switching it from HDTV to TV to use the composite video and it worked. What the hell is going on? I don't want to call Microsoft.

I guess it could be a bad cable... i'd just make sure there was a good connection.

so i guess you are using the component and not VGA?

Yeah the component is the one that is messed up, composite works fine. I ended up just calling Microsoft and they're going to send me out some replacement cables, and if that doesn't work they're going to have to do a repair on my unit. 5-7 business days for the cables. Guess I'm going to have to play myself some Wii this week...

personally i'd go to wal-mart and "rent " some

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: chrisg22
personally i'd go to wal-mart and "rent " some

Agreed. Either the local Wal-Mart rent-a-center or Circuit City rent-a-center .

 

[Pastore]

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: Pastore

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: Pastore
I'm having an issue with my 360. I just turned it on and my screen is completely green. I've narrowed it down to either being a problem with the unit itself or the cables. I'm not getting any red rings or anything, and sound still comes through just fine, because I can hear myself clicking through menus on the dashboard even though the screen is completely green. Anyone heard of this before I start beating on the thing?

I tried switching it from HDTV to TV to use the composite video and it worked. What the hell is going on? I don't want to call Microsoft.

I guess it could be a bad cable... i'd just make sure there was a good connection.

so i guess you are using the component and not VGA?

Yeah the component is the one that is messed up, composite works fine. I ended up just calling Microsoft and they're going to send me out some replacement cables, and if that doesn't work they're going to have to do a repair on my unit. 5-7 business days for the cables. Guess I'm going to have to play myself some Wii this week...

personally i'd go to wal-mart and "rent " some

Heh, I didn't think they would take returns on opened games? I'm only about 5 hours into Twilight Princess so I suppose I can work on that some more.

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: Pastore

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: Pastore

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: Pastore
I'm having an issue with my 360. I just turned it on and my screen is completely green. I've narrowed it down to either being a problem with the unit itself or the cables. I'm not getting any red rings or anything, and sound still comes through just fine, because I can hear myself clicking through menus on the dashboard even though the screen is completely green. Anyone heard of this before I start beating on the thing?

I tried switching it from HDTV to TV to use the composite video and it worked. What the hell is going on? I don't want to call Microsoft.

I guess it could be a bad cable... i'd just make sure there was a good connection.

so i guess you are using the component and not VGA?

Yeah the component is the one that is messed up, composite works fine. I ended up just calling Microsoft and they're going to send me out some replacement cables, and if that doesn't work they're going to have to do a repair on my unit. 5-7 business days for the cables. Guess I'm going to have to play myself some Wii this week...

personally i'd go to wal-mart and "rent " some

Heh, I didn't think they would take returns on opened games? I'm only about 5 hours into Twilight Princess so I suppose I can work on that some more.

I"m positive you can return a cable... I returned a wireless headset that was opened for a full refund.

At least you will know ahead of time if the cable is the problem or not... that way if it is broken you don't have to wait 5-7 days for a cable to come in just to find out that it will be another few weeks to get your box fixed.

 

[bigrash]

well, I rented Bullet Witch today and I'm afraid it's not that good. I might play a little during the week, but I can tell I'll get bored of it quick.

oh, and I finally went to Gamestop to preorder Guitar Hero 2. man I can't wait till it comes out!!

 

[Queasy]

512Mb Memory Card announced plus other XBLA news.

SAN FRANCISCO - March 4, 2007 - At the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2007, Microsoft Corp. today announced plans to launch a 512MB Memory Unit for the Xbox 360? video game and entertainment system and an increase in the official size limit of Xbox LIVE® Arcade games from 50 MB to 150 MB.

The 512MB Memory Unit, available worldwide beginning April 3, 2007, will retail for an estimated retail price of $49.99 (U.S.) in North America.* The 512MB Memory Unit will be pre-loaded with the hit Xbox LIVE Arcade game "Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved" from developer Bizarre Creations Ltd. for a limited time. The original 64MB Memory Unit will simultaneously drop in price from $39.99 to $29.99 (ERP).*

Eight times larger than the 64MB Memory Unit, the 512MB Memory Unit will provide Xbox 360 owners with vastly expanded storage capabilities for gaming on the go, allowing gamers to easily store and transport their gamer profile and save game data, Xbox LIVE Arcade games and Xbox LIVE Marketplace content. The 512MB Memory Unit also gives Xbox 360 owners the ability to download exclusive content from any of the 45,000 Xbox 360 kiosks accessible at retail outlets worldwide.

Beginning today, the Xbox LIVE Arcade game size limit has increased from 50 MB to 150 MB, giving developers greater flexibility in game design and expanding the opportunity to add advanced game features while still keeping games compact.

"The new size limit offers developers increased flexibility and continued opportunities for innovative game development, while also ensuring that the millions of gamers on Xbox LIVE can continue to easily access, download and play all Xbox LIVE Arcade games on Xbox 360," said Chris Early, product unit manager for Xbox LIVE Arcade and Microsoft Casual Games at Microsoft. "If you take a look at current games like 'Roboblitz' and 'Small Arms,' it's clear that our developers deliver amazing game experiences within a compact size limit. Our focus is on continuing to provide developers with an environment that allows for the creation of cost-efficient games and that nurtures an artistic and creative approach to game development."

"As we prepare to launch our first Xbox LIVE Arcade game, 'Boom Boom Rocket,' we're able to see how dynamic and creative this platform is," said Chip Lange, vice president of Online Commerce for Electronic Arts Inc. (EA). "Having 'Wing Commander Arena' on Xbox LIVE Arcade allows us to take full advantage of the online play and bring to life a 16-player online arcade experience that delivers unparalleled arcade action."

This week at GDC, Microsoft will showcase forthcoming Xbox LIVE Arcade games from a cross-section of genres to the game development community:

"Boom Boom Rocket" (EA and Bizarre Creations). This eagerly anticipated title from EA and Bizarre Creations is a hypnotic rhythm music game that will launch on Xbox LIVE Arcade this spring, priced at 800 Microsoft Points.

"3D Ultra? Minigolf Adventures" (Sierra Online and Wanako Games). The first outdoor sports game on Xbox LIVE Arcade, "3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures" lets players putt their way through 36 fun-filled holes on wild courses that include settings such as the Classic Carnival and the fantastical Outer Space.

"Eets: Chowdown" (Klei Entertainment Inc.). A completely revamped version of the popular PC title, "Eets: Chowdown" offers a fun puzzle game experience unlike anything else available on Xbox LIVE Arcade, and features new items and 120 new levels.

"Jetpac Refuelled" (Rare Ltd.). This is a new take on Rare/Ultimate's 1983 classic space blaster with enhanced graphics and Xbox LIVE features; players must clear a path through hordes of aliens to refuel their ship and amass a fortune over the course of more than 100 high-definition levels.

"Pinball FX" (ZEN Studios Ltd.). "Pinball FX" offers an unparalleled pinball experience that will be fun for novices and experts alike, with realistic ball physics and stunning 3-D tables. "Pinball FX" also features real-time, head-to-head competition over Xbox LIVE and Xbox LIVE Vision camera support.

 

[blurredvision]

Awesome news on the 512MB memory card. I'm still not sure why this wasn't introduced out of the gate instead of the 64MB card, but I guess it's probably a year and a half now since the decision was made initially, so prices are MUCH cheaper on flash memory than it was back then.

 

[Queasy]

Dead Rising getting co-op? - Sweet

In this month?s EGM, they rumour that when the platinum version of the zombie killing third person action game is released, it will include the option to play co-op with your friends via Xbox Live. They also state that this addition to the game would be available via the marketplace for those who bought the game when it was first released. However, it would unfortunately have to be paid for.

 

[Aikouka]

I don't like that "having to pay for it" thing.... I mean c'mon... Kameo's Co-Op mode was free.

 

[mzkhadir]

9 minutes of forza in game video-http://gameplanets.blogspot.com/2007/03/forza-motorsport-2-in-game-video.html

 

[raystorm]

Love how my 360 fvcked up my MLB 2k7 disc. It has scratches all over now and I get unreadable disc errors. Its too late to bring back the game too. What a god damn joke. How is it possible that the 360 disc drive mess up a disc?? I do leave the disc when I shut it off since I'm not playing anything else. I am so damn angry now. :|

I remember hearing stories about people's games getting messed up because they leave it in the console but how is that even possible?? I am not buying the game again. I am about to explode. RRROOOAARRR

 

[KLin]

Originally posted by: raystorm
Love how my 360 fvcked up my MLB 2k7 disc. It has scratches all over now and I get unreadable disc errors. Its too late to bring back the game too. What a god damn joke. How is it possible that the 360 disc drive mess up a disc?? I do leave the disc when I shut it off since I'm not playing anything else. I am so damn angry now. :|

I remember hearing stories about people's games getting messed up because they leave it in the console but how is that even possible?? I am not buying the game again. I am about to explode. RRROOOAARRR

Have you moved the console from the horizontal position to the vertical position while it was on?