XBox questions

[milwaukeemommy]

I've seen a few threads about the XBox but it is all foreign to me. We have a Wii -- so that's all I know My kids have decided they now want an XBox & figure I'm better off just buying that for them for Xmas, plus a game or two -- than buying a bunch of stuff for the same $$$ that they don't want. Maybe I can even talk my mom into going in on it with me.

So -- from what I've read -- there are different GB? Why? Don't you just use games like for the Wii? Or do you download stuff? Then my son aid you need a subscription? I'm sorry, I'm confused LOL. Can someone give me the basics? Or a link to the basics? All that I've read is for people who actually know how it works. I'm really not technologically stupid -- but I am XBox stupid

 

[disney4us2002]

The subscription is for online play. My boys (16, 19, and 23) are huge gamers and play online exclusively. Do you want your kids online? They will also need headsets with microphones for online play. Our youngest has the basic 4GB but the oldest now has the 250 GB because he saves more. I'm not sure what they save honestly but they do save their game profiles.

If you want to invest in the xbox360 you are probably ok starting with the 4GB basic model, plus 2 wireless controllers, headsets, and several games. The xbox live gold membership subscription is payable monthly via cc or you can get a 12 mo subscription card which is $60 full price but typically on sale at lots of places between now and xmas for $35-45. I have managed to pick up 2 for $34.99 so we don't have to use a cc. I'm afraid to store a cc online at xbox because they could get hacked and it's just so tempting for the boys to purchase points/downloads without my knowledge.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[shoney]

I am by no means an expert!

By subscription, he means xbox live. This enables them to play the games with their friends over the internet. You still need to purchase the actual game disk.

You can also use microsoft points and dowload games, such as minecraft.

Some games are downloaded and some are not.

They will also need a headset to talk with their friends if they do the xbox live. These can be super cheap or super expensive (turtle beach)...you can spend $10 to $200 or probably more!

My boys are 11 and 13 and never use the kinect. This is the add-on that makes it more like the wii in that you move. Wasn't a big hit in our house, but others like it.

Basically things that go with the setup:
game console
kinect (if they want it)
xbox live subscription (if they want to play with their friends)
micropoint points (can buy any time, similar to itunes, they can download games)
games (kinect games use the kinect)
headset (talk to friends, can use kinect to talk to friends too)
controllers (i think only one comes with it, but it has been awhile)

I hope that helps~!