Halo 3 Special Edition Xbox console

If you haven't already seen it, I suggest you go look at this:



Tell me that doesnt' look amazing. I'm not a drooling typical fan of Halo 3, but the 4-play coop and this kinda thing is well-placed marketing by Bungie/Microsoft. The coloring and contrast of the console is just dead-on.

Yet, the negative part about this is that its just not... all that great. I was hoping that it would be an elite console painted this nice color, but its actually a downgrade. I took this list from Xbox.com's page of features:

• Halo 3 Special Edition Console
• Halo 3 Special Edition Wireless Controller
• Halo 3 Special Edition 20GB Hard Drive
• Halo 3 Special Edition Wired Headset
• Halo 3 Special Edition Gamer Pics and Theme (Exclusive download via Xbox LIVE)
• Component HD AV Cable
• Ethernet Cable
• HDMI Port
• Play & Charge Kit
• Xbox LIVE Silver Membership
• One-month Xbox LIVE Gold Membership
• Halo 3 game not included—sold separately

Compared to the Elite, this just doesn't quite cut it for me. Maybe its the missing 120GB hard drive. Put that on one of these, and you have an instant sale to me, your typical customer.

Why not just do this? Make these things customizable? Upgradeable IN STORE. I mean, why should I buy a whole new hard drive just to have my old one sitting around at home. Seems silly. Make it like a sandwich from Subway. I want cucumbers, please, and hold the onions.

No Next-Gen Contest

It has been said by many that there is a heavy competition between these three consoles and it is going to be a war. I would have to agree that there is a limited money source, and they are definitely all competing for the same money. Yet, I find it difficult to believe they are all competing in the same race.

The three systems; the Sony Playstation 3, the Nintendo Wii, and the Microsoft Xbox 360 are three completely distinct consoles and can be viewed quite simply in this way.

Xbox 360: In 3-4 months, it will be seen how limited this hardware is when compared to the Playstation 3. Yet, developing for the Xbox 360 has been seen as relatively easy with their powerful development tools and large US customer base. As well, for any game that wishes to be online, the XBOX 360 is the only place to be. Ignore the pricing here for a second and think purely of online performance and matchmaking. There shouldn't be any argument. The Simple Truth about Xbox 360 is that it is the Online Now machine.

Nintendo Wii: This is yesterday's System of Nostalgia. It is easy to build, efficient and intuitive on all fronts. Ignore the corporations trying to shove the Living Room Media Center garbage down your throat and maybe you can see what this is. Its fun. Its a party system. It is not meant to be played online. It is meant for you to invite over all of your friends, grab a bunch of controllers and just go at it. No wires, no strings attached (except the extreme rarity and cost of the controllers). Just be gentle. Laughs are guaranteed.

Playstation 3: Despite all rumors, this is a great device. The only problem is that it is built for the future. And for once, it is not bull coming out of Sony's mouth. This system is a year ahead of its time. It may not be a great system right now, but give it 1-2 years and nothing will come close. The System of Tomorrow.

So who wins? That's like trying to say "He won the olympics because he won the hurdle race!" "No no no, it was the pole-vaulter!" "What are you two talking about, he won because he broke the world record in breast stroke!"

They are three completely different consoles, each with their own qualities. Which do you want, a system you can play tonight online, a system you can play with friends tomorrow, or a system that might work really really nicely in a year or two? Hey, that's your choice, but in the end, everybody wins.