The Xbox 360 - Just Skip It

Mike Antonuccis views on Microsoft's console game history have long been clear: He's never seen a lot of value in any version of the Xbox, other than for the most hardcore of hardcore gamers and people who want to play "Halo". Yes, that latter group is huge, he writes. But is the pursuit of that game series worth the risk (either in terms of misspent dollars or breakdown headaches) that comes from a corporation with such poor quality control, not to mention disdain for being straight with consumers?

Read the rest of his article to find out more about his thoughts concerning the Xbox 360.

[power of Green]

Looks like this guy's trying to get some attention and ride the failure hype. lol

EDIT:

No sh*t #1.3 i know more about the issue than you do matter of fact telling me about the problems like telling The Beast his back yards on fire.

Will the good people of this site give me my bubble back the Sony fanboys took my bubble because i don't have a dooms day tone to my attatude about the subject. Thank you.

They took my bubble for stating the obvious.(Mike Antonuccis is anti Xbox and or MS, its like The Mart having the same job but against Sony.

[InMyOpinion]

Yup. Indeed.

[jromao]

It's a fact the high (lot more than acceptable) failure rate of xbox and poor quality control MS put on this console (and other stuff), adding other facts as good games are short, this article just state the truth. If xbox doesn't exist at all, only a few could be missing it.

[ALI G]

This article JUST SKIP IT

[P4KY B]

He should change his name to Hugh Jarse.

[XbugPosse]

Truth hurts, isn't it xbugs?

[ChickeyCantor]

on the next episode of " ps3- just skip it"
they will say " hurts doesn't it sonytool"

look i'm not on one side @ all but things like this gets really sad and old.
Do not repeat history, you are suppose to learn something from it....meh!
Just stop it....really its getting sad.

[BIG49]

screw you blowme fans

[THC PRITCHARD]

Ps3 = Just do it ( stop been a Bum)

Welcome to next gen The ps3

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

LOL

[achira]

there is some truth.

[calderra]

Some guy from "The Mercury News" gets posted on N4G, and it becomes a rally point for anti-MS people? Can I write a rant about Sony for my local student newspaper and get it put up on N4G as well?

[sjappie]

douchebag.

[Mike134nl]

So many haters these days.

[Bnet343]

I'm asking the same thing. He can be working secretly for Sony for all we know.

[THAMMER1]

To be so old this guy knows nothing about being a gamer. Or he must not remember having to blow NES games, or playing PSX upside down, Or the disc read errors of the launch PS2's. He must have been late to the 3 year warranty up date too. But hey we are human I've been wrong before too.

EDIT:@ RAZZY

I've been eyeing the silver slim PS2. I figure I would get that but then I think a PS3 would be smarter buy because of it's backward comp. and new exclusive HD games. When I see $300.00 for a PS3 I'm sold. There will be lucky launch 360 users just like there were luck PS2 owners like you. YOU LUCKY SOB

[Razzy]

LOL I remember blowing on the NES games and turning the PS upside down. Thing is though, the systems still worked even if barely.

As for the PS2 I still have my launch system and it still works like a charm. It was also my first DVD player so it got a helluva lot of use.

Guess I was one of the lucky PS2 owners never to have a problem.

[BIadestarX]

mmm.... that took a day.... I was expecting microsoft/xbox haters to start with these articles 1-2 hours after... the 3 year warranty announcement.... expect more... xbox haters will not stop about this... since it gives them hope.

[BIG49]

how can this guy recomend the ps3 when it has no games, maybe cause it looks pretty next to a tv

[WafflesID]

poor bladestar...the fanboys keep taking away your bubbles...

It would be understandable if you were in the PS3 threads going off on the ps3...but...this sure seems like an xbox article to me...

Strange.

[CrazzyMan]

with price cut, you will get just x360 premium for 300$ and if you will be a lucky, it won`t break in next few years.
then just for 60$ for online gameplaying, you will get just nice platform to play PC games + several x360 exclusive games.

So just for 540$ for next 4 years, you will be able to play most PC games with acceptable graphics. =)
----> 160$ per year, it`s not that much. :)
just ~15$ per month for HD gaming.

Of`course atleast 32" 720p HDTV is needed. =)

Almost best choice for pc gamers, which are able to get used for joypad AND love to have deal with tech-service. =))

[ben hates you]

to pay for xbl, if you use credit card it cost 4$ a month, if you purchase at store there are three options, 3month 25$, 12month 50$ with free xbla game, 200ms points, and head set, or 60$ for 12month with 200ms points, camra, and xbla game

[OldSchoolGamer]

The fanboy trolls are out!

[SuperSaiyan4]

Well let this tard harp on about it cos I am sitting back playing TONS of games and looking forward to TONS of exclusives.

[Captain Tuttle]

Nice toupee'.

[THAMMER1]

Yeah it looks like rats have been sucking on it.

[ben hates you]

i like my x360, haven't had one break yet, i like XBL, and i like the games that are upcoming exclusive(not just halo(masseffect)), not all are on pc, but whatever

some people say just pay for a ps3 it's worth it, well on xbox live just pay for it it's worth it

[cdzie1]

I never take advice about gaming from a bearded guy with thick glasses.

It’s advice my father passed down to me, and one day I will pass down to my own son.

[ShiftyLookingCow]

well put

[Dogswithguns]

he's speaking the truth......

[THAMMER1]

What if people said that about the PS2 when it had launch issues? We would possibly not have a PS3 now. This Mike Antonuccis guy is totaly wrong.

[sjappie]

he's speaking your and his truth, not mine.

[FordGTGuy]

Does he actually work for the gaming industry in anyway or have any credit in talking about the gaming industry? If not this is actually against the posting guidelines seeing as you are only allowed to post news posts with someones opinion only if they work in the gaming industry.

[tudors]

am I going to listen to someone with a haircut like that....oh yes Mr.Stupid hair I must listen to you even though I have a Xbox-360 because...guess what I think it is fantastic.

Derrr

[candystop]

I could give a rats azz what this guy has to say about his personal views towards 360! 360 offers the best Software and services so if he truly believes that the other game consoles are a better choice then so be it! The problems for the most part have been addressed and there are many nice looking titles on the way so this guy can yap all he wants! Yes it sucks to have a console break down but the issue has been addressed and MS has given us a 3 years warranty which was the right thing to do! E3 is coming and no matter how much bs is spread around we all know along with this guy that MS is going to throw one heck of a show and there more than Halo for the system! Only Fanboys say Xbox only has Halo so this guy is more than likely a fanboy and crazy to say the other consoles are a better buy this early in there life cycle!

[Says you]

Have anything left to sell considering thats the only game they can up with is Halo other games that they'll make will be nothing like Halo considering theres nothing to be excited about Halo 3 since it has practically the same weaponry and vehicles few new weaponry and vehicles and the innovative of Halo 3 is totally gone! or unless when Bungie makes a game the XBox 360 fans would think that there eyes have the next Halo game when they really dont

please snoope dizzle the first Gears of War is nothing but graphics the gameplay is just plain retarded you had to hide in every level of the game how crapy! is that the only thing good about the game is the graphics and thats it and its going to be the samething with Gears of war 2 and there isnt going to be MassEffect sequel considering they never announced it at all you douche.

[HandShandy]

It's pretty hard to discredit the success of the Xbox360 and the brilliance of it's online service. Sure you have to pay for it, but millions of people do and millions of people have fun.

He really doesn't look at the online factor or infact the larger software library the Xbox360 has to offer.

I would agree that Microsoft have a console that's as well put together as a dog turd but at least they are doing something about it now... and about time. I think all consoles have these tremendious problems, I mean a year down the line, who knows what will happen to the PS3?

I bought a PS3 on launch and it broke down 5 weeks later. I got an Xbox 360 second hand at Xmas and it's still going ok, fingers crossed.

I would seriously reccomend getting an xbox360 for what they are worth, they are cheap to buy and lots of good high quality titles for them. It's a shame they charge such rediculous prices for their peripherals but there you go..... I remember having to pay £20 for an 8mb memory card for the PS2, oh well...

Yeah the guy is a bit negative...

[level 360]

Can't fault the guy as there are a few truths in them, for sure. But to the point of using these game consoles for what they were meant to, think the XBox 360 only comes second to the Wii ( new consoles only - disregarding handhelds... ) for giving us the enjoyment and pleasure of playing games with a huge amount of titles to choose from. And you can't even consider the Wii as a next-gen console, because it is only comparable to the original XBox and PS2 for graphics/power. It is only now ( well not yet anyway - probably give it a few more months ) that the PS3 is starting to pick-up the pieces.

[tudors]

"22 - Lets all be honest after Bungie releases Halo 3 they wont
Have anything left to sell considering thats the only game they can up with is Halo other games that they'll make will be nothing like Halo considering thers nothing to be excited about Halo 3 since it has practically the same weaponry and vehicles few new weaponry and vehicles and the innovative of Halo 3 is totally gone! or unless when Bungie makes a game the XBox 360 fans would think that there eyes have the next Halo game when they really dont."

So if this is the case where does that leave the other consoles because they have even less.

Face the facts, you wish there was only halo to look forward to but there is so much more.

[snoop_dizzle]

sequels of Gears of War Mass Effect etc

[Gorgon]

I don't have either a 360 or a PS3 and I´m basically a PC gamer, but I´m considering buying either one or the other.

If you ask me, I prefer the 360 because it has (or will have) games that appeal more to me, like Bioshock, Alan Wake and Mass Effect. In that sense, the 360 is more to my liking than the PS3.

Now, what pisses me off is seying everyone happy about a 3 year warranty extended period as if that solved the problem. It doesn't. It certainly is a good thing on the part of Microsoft to aknowledge (finnaly, after so much lying and turn backs) the problem, even if they are not honest about it. Also, they are not doing this because they care about you and me, they are doing this because they will loose money on the long run if they don't.

It all about money, either for Sony or Microsoft. People should stop behaving like teenager Macintosh fanboys. Microsoft only cares about money, just like Sony. As a consumer its better that people realise this and simply make their choices accordingly.

As for the 3 year warranty for the "rings of death", its a good thing, but it doesn't solve the problem. When I buy something I expect it to have quality in built, not a 3 year warranty to send it to repars every 6 months (if not less). I Also shoudn't feel lucky because mine did not break yet. When I buy a car, a fridge, a microwave, a TV, etc, I'm not expecting to have a 3 year warranty and feel lucky if I don't have to send it to repairs 7 times in a year. Consoles are not different. It just surprises me that people think that the present situation regarding the 360 is normal and acceptable. It isn't. In fact, MS had a good oppurtunity to revise the motherboard in the Elite version and end this anomalous problems. It seems it didn't. There are some differences in the mobo, but to deal with the mobo warping and death of the console, the only thing they did was add a few silicon glue to the chips!

Unless MS puts its act togheter and revises the damn console, I'm going PS3 instead in 6 months and pass on the 360. Its not that Sony is better. Its just that the PS3 IS a reliable console, like any piece of hardware should be. As for games on the PS3, they will come and be as many and as good as on the 360. Thats only natural.

So, time will tell. The thing is, stop beying fanboys unless either Sony or MS is paying your college expenses. Get your act together as consumers who have the right to get a reliable and quality piece of hardware which you are paying for, not extended warranties because hardware is defective.

[candystop]

I don't think anybody is acting happy or being a fanboy over the 3 year extended warranty by MS! No matter how you view it this is good news for 360 owners and as far as we know they just might have fixed or figured out the problem already! Now I hope you get the console that caters to you best but there are to many games coming to 360 to pass up and personally I wouldn't miss out on them! All of this coming in trying to label 360 fans as blind is just wrong though and why would 360 fans just sit there and let Sony fans talk crap all day? Would you have said the same thing in a PS3 thread or would you of just looked and listened?

[BIG49]

they must have a solution to the rrod problem or else they would not put such a warrenty on it

[Gorgon]

I'm sure they have a solution. The thing is when are they going to implement it (motherboard revision).

[AngryTypingGuy]

That's ok, he can go play his second-rate games and poor quality ports. Us 360 fans can experience the best that gaming has to offer while laughing at those who are to naive to figure out who has all the great games.

@Gorgan: Just get a 360 already! You already know that it has games that are more to your liking, and it has a great chance of working perfectly since it is new. Hell, most systems that aren't brand new, that were built after Spring '06 work perfectly, and probably earlier than that. If you get a PS3, then you'll be kicking yourself when Mass Effect, Bioshock, Halo 3, etc. come out.

[Gorgon]

Maybe I'll do that, Angry. But I'll wait another 6 months or so and see how things are going both for PS3 and 360. As I said, I'm no fanboy of either, I just want to play and get what I paid for.

Right now I'll be playing Bioshock, The Witcher, Assassin's Creed and Age of Conan on the PC untill Christmas. In Q1 2008 I'll see what console I'll get.

Cheers!

[WafflesID]

Well, there are great reasons to own BOTH. If you do just one or the other than of course there are going to be games on the system you didn't pick that you wish you had. Thats how it works. Every system has its benefits over the competition.

Atari, coleco, neo-geo, NEC, nintendo, sega, 3DO etc. They ALL had benefits in one way or another. Its just a matter of determining if one console has more benefits TO YOU than the others. Or just get 'em all :)

Even less commercially successful systems like the 3DO, neo-geo, dreamcast, 32X, jaguar, colecovision had good games for them.

[Gorgon]

Candystop, I would do the same thing in a PS3 forum if the problem was with their machine. I think that from my post you can perfectly see that I'm just a gamer who wants the best value for its money and who is very conscious of his own rights. I never said the PS3 was the best thing out there or that people should not buy the 360 instad. As I said, I haven't decided yet which one to get because in my 20+ of gaming I've always been into PC, Commodore Amiga, ZX Spectrum, etc and never had a console in my life. So, I'm totally unbiased towards one or the other, but I cannot ignore my rights as a consumer.

As for the problem in the consoles, rest assured that MS knows what the problem is for a long time. That UK company that refuses to repair consoles with the dreaded ring of death has been pretty clear about what the problem is. More, they say that the repairs thay do are not satisfactory and only temporary and that the only way to resolve the situation once and for all is by revising the mobo. So evidently this problem is not going away with just the repairs that MS is doing, but it will only go away when the 360 gets throughoutly revised. And as far as I know, not even the Elite got that yet.

As for the PS3, is it problem free? No, no piece of hardware is, but as far as we know its as reliable as expected from any piece of hardware, be it a TV or a Hi-Fi Stereo, and thats the way things should always be. Ofcourse, the PS3 is young and there may be hidden problems that we don't know yet. But that only time will tell, and the 360 is at this moment very far from beying a reliable piece of hardware.

I don't know about you, maybe you're just a happy 360 owner and thats good and I'm happy for you and hope that everything goes well, but if you check out the commentaries in this forum regarding this issue and others you have to recognize that the maturity level is really low and fanboyism, either on the Sony or MS side, is rampant.

I'm just a consumer who wants quality either from Sony or MS, nothing else. And at this very moment Sony is the best choice for me, taking into account that I also have a high-end PC. Except for Mass Effect (which I'm dying to play)I can get every game I want for the PC or PS3. With a price drop on the PS3, its even better. But thats just me. I would prefer a 360, but for that MS has to very clearly put its act togheter and revise the 360 for real without more BS and delays. And I doubt that will be in the next 6 months.

Happy gaming for all, either on a PS3 or 360.

[candystop]

Well that's was a good reply and definetely came across as non-biased and truthful. Whatever you decide to do good luck and I'm sure E-3 a couple of days away should be memorable!

[Gorgon]

Thanks!

Happy gaming!

[xbox360elitegamer]

Halo is one of the best games series out there, so they better no screw it up or shut it down.
One of the most popular games on 360.

[WafflesID]

Ehhh. I still think the Half-life series is better.

Halo was more popular because it was more accessable. But popularity doesn't necessarily mean better.

[WafflesID]

And why do we care what he says?

[snoop_dizzle]

just skip the PS2 then because of its failure rates?

I hope not, the PS2 had some excellent games and was worth it even with all the issues it had.

The 360 for me at least has a lot of games i want to play so its worth my money.

[TheMART]

Uhm

LOOK AT HIM. LOOK AT THE PICTURE

What would that old bearded guy, close to being seated in an elderly home in his wheel chair know about a gaming console?

Jees.

[Hypnotic]

Regardless of what this guy knows about gaming consoles he has some very good points that I have to agree with.

"Spending Xbox 360 money shouldn’t feel like a roll of the dice in terms of quality and service."

Which pretty much at this point it really is.

[DJ]

bashing the PS2 in some sad attempt to divert attention from the low build quality of their system. There's a difference between a faulty laser lens that's easily replaced (lifetime warranty for the system, oo-oo) amongst a small percentage of systems, and a large systemic failure rate that is both covered up and ignored by the company responsible. Well, until they smelled a multi-billion dollar lawsuit.

I seriously only know one person who suffered from a faulty laser lens, and luckily it still plays DVD discs. On the other hand, I've seen 7 broken Xbox 360 consoles, and it's only been out for 18 months. I can walk into any game store and the 360 kiosk, more often than not, has the red ring of death flashing away. I'm sure the PS2 had a decent laser failure rate at the beginning, but Sony took care of it from both an engineering and legal angle.

I know if my PS2 or Xbox failed on me, I'd be very pissed. This is why I cannot understand people who state "Who cares if the 360 breaks down over and over? I believe it has the best games, and you should believe that too!"

Also, bashing the PS2 is kind of pointless considering it's sold 115 million units already. Xbox 360 on the other hand is a very new console, and is suffering from an issue that is being blasted across the news on a daily basis. While it's not fair that PS2 didn't receive the same level of publicity for its issue, I'm warning people to stop whining about it. If the 360 had not received this level of publicity, Microsoft would obviously still be blaming Xbox 360 owners for the large failure rate and the warranty would still be only 3 months instead of 3 years.

3 years obviously isn't enough however, especially when seeing that Microsoft isn't sending unfortunate users brand new units as replacements for their broken consoles. Then again, it might be too late to do anything positive on their part, and they probably just want to get rid of the 360 as quickly as possible. The Xbox only survived for four years, and it too suffered from quality issues. The 360 might also have a short lifespan, which is unfortunate but inevitable. If it costs $1.1~1.5 Billion to repair their current install base of 10.2 million, imagine how much money they'll be losing should the install base rise to 20 million, or 30 million even. Investors are tired of seeing their money go to waste, and there's no doubt that the Xbox brand is a financial failure. This soft recall is simply adding to their $5 Billion deficit, and it's only going to get worse...

[sak500]

I guess its fony defense force at it again..These fangirls dont hv much ammo left now that 3 yr warranty has been annouced for the RROD. Hmm no games, idle hands go and clean up ur mess fonybois...

Edit: Just came back from watching Transformers, what an amazing movie. Anyway in one of the scenes nearing the last quarter there is a small scene where an xbox360 comes alive. Sorry no ps3 there.

[Maddens Raiders]

right, but too bad the game blows no matter what system it's played on, so your point is..........?

Because an XBox360 was in the Transformers movie it means....?
Because a Nokia phone was in the Transformers movie it means.....?
Because a Mountain Dew Machine was in the Transformers movie it means...?

When I watch this movie on Blu-ray it means...?

[progx]

some old fatass virgin telling us not to go with 360? I can smell the desperation, LOL pathetic.

@maddens raiders= What would you have to say if this f@g was talking about the PS3? And how does this qualify as news? You droids are getting so desperate you'll jump on anything at this point, like...some crap from the san jose mercury news. Just stfu and go watch some blu-ray movies.

[Maddens Raiders]

and go take a nap. This was not posted by a "droid". This was posted by someone that supports MS who was tipsed by a Sony fan. Jenzo & Se7en, herr hitler youth. I guess the San Jose Mercury News is a "Droid" newspaper too? lol

Reading....it's fun!

[Daytona]

Just go and crawl up each others asses.

Youe both pathetic and always trying to be anti MS. Go and play your ps2 games, and leave the real games to the Xbox 360 big boys.

Both r losers.

[Raiden]

It rare that i get uo setup over artical, but this one has gone too far, i have friends who PS3's and never let's anyone play it, question is why? My friend is not selfish infact he is nice person who bought a PS3 hoping that this is going to be an amazing console with all the fantastic games (where F are they please) how dare you say my console is not worth purchasing how dare you. Look at the amazing game we have so far, how much longer dose my friend have to wait before he can say look at my library of games how much longer. You are a real nob infact you have pissed me of big time, i'm forcing myself back from bring any ruder. i better end this before i get into big trouble.

All i have to say is this i have a 360 and happy to have one, it has never brokendown and that i'm happy about. if it did well i have 3 years warranty.

I'm restricted to convay how pissed i really am.

Play games play fare have fun but always play hard.

[dmit01]

take a chill pill m8
get a gf as well
sound like u need some 1 lol
and will have u
starting 2 realise ur 360 is not as gd
as u fought it was

unlucky
:p

[littletad]

He is completely obscured to the ps2's history and their DRE issue. Not to mention the ps1's. Coming out and saying that we should skip the 360 gives a whiff of viral marketing gone way wrong.

[Wile]

Mike Antonuccis is about as unbiased as the KKK during the OJ trial.

[FirstknighT]

It's also the console with the best racers; Forza 2, PGR3, Flatout, Dirt, etc... Also the console with the best RPG's; Mass Effect, Eternal Sonata, Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, Cry one, etc... Best versions of multiplatform games...superb online service...huge library of quality games and exclusives.

Skip it??? HAHAHA to funny.

[killercam19]

to all the ps3 people calling it an xbot or xbug just makes u seem like a fu*king child grow up its not funny notice all the xbox people call the ps3 a ps3 cuz thats what it is a ps3 changing the name on something doesnt guarantee it to be funny.

[True Gamer King]

First off how does something like this get approved. All it is, is aunch of bull and will only cause flame wars. So why aprove something like this. This guy is obviously a complete idiot or is just making up this crap becaus he has something against microsft. Also the failure isues aren't as bad as everyone makes the out to be, and if your console does brake down microsoft now has a three year warranty. Andwhat machine doesn't have it's share of problems in the beggining. I hope no one believes this guy, because the 360 is defenitly worth the price.

[Shaka2K6]

The guy speaks nothing but the facts stupid xbugs always in denial.

' ' Halo???
It's also the console with the best racers; Forza 2, PGR3, Flatout, Dirt, etc... Also the console with the best RPG's; Mass Effect, Eternal Sonata, Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, Cry one ' '

Correction PS3 has the best racers.
Formula 1,Ridge Racer 7,MotorStorm ect.
The best RPG's??? Hahahahahaha you gotta be kidding xbug The best RPG's are and will always be on PS and Sony only, and guess what a Sony console PS2 has the best RPG's this year and they are also playable on PS3 to bad you wouldnt know since you 180 wont even play your xbox games.

[AAACE5]

I don't feel comfortable taking advice from a dude who looks like he should be in a retirement home tell me about the videogame industry!

I think the Xbox brand does draw a certain audience, but that was mainly a ploy to establish themselves in gamers minds. Now they are are trying to branch out with different titles.

Me personally, I like the 360 controller because of the comfortable feel in hand, and the placement of the sticks and buttons. The analog stick is the new standard for most games because of the pressure sensitivity. In other words it is ideal for FPS(as we all know), and with Forza 2 it seems to make buying a racing wheel not as important. I thought the Wii would have been the better choice because it is more like a PC setup(point and click) but that proved to be untrue for FPS.

Alot of sony fanboys would like to see the 360 fall off the face of the earth and microsoft along with it. But if that were to happen there would only be nintendo and sony, which would mean virtually no competition, which would mean nothing would get better the way it should( like the Madden football series). Not to mention there would be less jobs for the fanboys to get because the ex-microsoft employees would take jobs they were suppose to get because they have more experience in the industry, or in almost any other industry.

I'll leave you with this quote:

"Love the games you play, not the console you play them on!"