Very basic advice needed

Bradfield

Hi Everyone

My friend and I enjoy playing competitive games on the computer. Things like scrabble, hearts and trivial pursuits. But these games can get a bit repetitive and are beginning to lose their appeal.

What we are looking at now (after reading the posts on this thread) is getting an Xbox 360 and trying out some new and exciting games.

Thing is that we know nothing whatever about the Xbox technology and would greatly appreciate any help and information as to what particular Xbox to purchase and also what games to acquire.

I take it that the Xbox is connected to the TV via a HDMI lead and two players can compete against each other using separate control sticks.

We are both cracking on a bit so are just looking (at least to begin with) for some simple games where two people can compete against each other.

Would welcome any advice.

donnajunkie

what also might appeal to you is with some games you can play together. it will say on the back of the box of the particular game if there is a co-op option. i can only think of the obvious in terms of playing against each other. the obvious being sport games like one of the fifa games. the controls can take time to master if you arent used to them. also playing competitively can be extended much further if you play online multiplayer. you could be involved in games where you are on the same team or on opposing teams. first person shooters like the call of duty series are very popular online. you have to pay a subscription to play online with the xbox 360. the official price is £39.99 per year but i believe it is possible to get cheaper deals.
also dont rule out the idea of getting a ps3 instead of an xbox 360.
i am sure more clued up people will be able to give you more info.

WiggyDiggyPoo

Local Co-Op

As above thats the clincher for you, you may want to use something like wikipedia to see if the games you want to play have that feature.

Xbox Live Arcade

This is a marketplace for games you buy and download, they tend to be smaller but I think more in line with what you want and more likely to offer local co op. Again check before you buy as its no refunds!

Do you need Gold?

To start with, I don't think so. You can create 2 profiles, download the games from arcade and play them without it. If you later decide you do want it don't buy it through the xbox - its expensive. Instead use a site like HotUkDeals to find the best place to buy a code.

Which Xbox to I need?

Can you wait a couple weeks? The new XboxOne is about to be released, when it is then a lot of Xbox360's will be traded in. I think you'd be best with an older model to save £££ (not a 'S' basically), the oldest you'd want was called the 'Arcade' and has HDMI, the HardDrive you get you should be 120Gb.

Where to buy?

For your first time, maybe take a walk down to Game. Don't let them upsell you on stuff you don't need but see what they have in stock.

Should I get a PS3?

Sure why not, I can't advise specifics as I don't have one but I like the consoles and for what you want there's pretty much nothing in it to decide between the two.

Good Luck!

p00hsticks

What has made you go for an XBOX 360 rather than a PS3 or a Wii / Wii U ?

I'd suggest you start by finding some games that you think you might be interested in playing and seeing what console they are available on, rather than fixing on a console first.

Go on Amazon and look under in the 'PC & Video Games' deaprtment to see what they have - it's divided up by category.

meeshpeesh

Do you mean playing online with each other or together in the same room? If it's the former I'd suggest looking into a playstation 3 instead as there is no cost to access online. As for hooking it up to a tv, all consoles should come with a quick start guide that will give you everything you need to know.

As for games it really depends on what kind of game you're looking for, the majority of Co-op or online games will be shooters of different varieties

Bradfield

Thanks everyone for the super replies. You have given me a lot of ideas to investigate. Will start by looking at the games on Amazon.

donnajunkie

Thanks for the info on co-op option. I like sports games and they would certainly be an option. Also shooting games. I appreciate that the controls will take time to master. Can the Kinect sensor be used to control games? We don’t plan to play on-line, at least not to begin with. Ps3 is certainly something we would consider.

WiggyDiggyPoo

Thanks for info on Xbox Live Arcade and Gold. The Arcade seems good. Decent sized Hard drive and HDMI. As above ps3 is an option. Need a couple of weeks more before buying so hoping prices may come down or there might be a special offer somewhere.

pOOhsticks

Am open to advice on all types of console. Finding the games first seems like a very good idea. Thanks for the Amazon link.

meeshpeesh

I mean playing together in the same room. I favoured a HDMI connection because I like to use my 32 inch TV as a computer display and find HDMI leads convenient. Sorry I cannot be more specific about the games as I have not seen that many. I am thinking shooters and sports games would be a good start. I seem to remember about 12 years ago I had a very simple game where a destroyer would be dropping depth charges on a submarine below. It was a game played alone but it was great fun.

DCFC79

Bradfield wrote: »

donnajunkie

Thanks for the info on co-op option. I like sports games and they would certainly be an option. Also shooting games. I appreciate that the controls will take time to master. Can the Kinect sensor be used to control games? We don’t plan to play on-line, at least not to begin with. Ps3 is certainly something we would consider.

The kinect is used instead of the controller so instead of being sat down with a controller in your hands you are standing up and you use your hands say to do stuff (my knowledge of Kinect is limited but its based on the Wii and its games that use the motion sensor)

Bradfield wrote: »

pOOhsticks

Am open to advice on all types of console. Finding the games first seems like a very good idea. Thanks for the Amazon link.

As well as amazon there are other sites and 2 others that spring to mind are Game.co.uk and shopto.net, I have used both and not had any problems.
Yes having a look at what games are available for each console is a good start.

Bradfield wrote: »

meeshpeesh

I mean playing together in the same room. I favoured a HDMI connection because I like to use my 32 inch TV as a computer display and find HDMI leads convenient. Sorry I cannot be more specific about the games as I have not seen that many. I am thinking shooters and sports games would be a good start. I seem to remember about 12 years ago I had a very simple game where a destroyer would be dropping depth charges on a submarine below. It was a game played alone but it was great fun.

All 3 consoles have shooters and sporty games for example the Battlefield games, Call of Duty games, Fifa games, Ice hockey games from EA. Theres puzzle games, games where you have to carry out quests.

And as an added bonus there's alot of used games out there.

WiggyDiggyPoo

Kinect

The Kinect on the 360 doesn't let you do multiple people, but that doesnt stop it being a lot of fun depending on what your into. If you can get a cheap one (£20-25 for it on its own is ok) it can be worth having, it also lets you do things like control the console with just your voice and waving your hand around.

Before you buy any game for Kinect though, read a review, some have rather limited use of it but others are great.

Depends if your a fan of waving your body about like a loon I suppose!

donnajunkie

Bradfield wrote: »

donnajunkie

Thanks for the info on co-op option. I like sports games and they would certainly be an option. Also shooting games. I appreciate that the controls will take time to master. Can the Kinect sensor be used to control games? We don’t plan to play on-line, at least not to begin with. Ps3 is certainly something we would consider.

driving games are another genre where you are likely to be able to play together offline. like i said it will say on the back of the box if its co-op or not and how many players it goes upto offline and online. it will say on the box if the game can be played with kinect. some games rely solely on you having a kinect sensor.

matilda.cs

To me, you sound like you need a Wii.
Its cheapest of all 3 consoles, with a second hand version available for around £40. The games are cheapest too, and the second hand market is very competitive.

I love my Wii, and Mario Kart is just AMAZING. It also focus's on Party Games. Xbox and PS3 lean toward serious games like COD, FIFA, et al.

source - Long term gamer, with self build Gaming PC experience, but now an avid PS3 fan with PS4 on order.

Chickabiddybex

I agree get a Wii. Loads of games for it, great two player fun, you can play GameCube games on it, DIRT CHEAP.

Plus you can go online on it and watch Netflix etc like you can with the Xbox 360 and PS3. But did I mention its cheaper?

The kind of games you want... I'd say you need a Wii.