Just get xbox live silver and you'l be fine with stuff like leaderboards as seen on Ninja Gaiden 2.

Personally i would use the 360 for online gaming first but you obviosly don't want to pay for gold which is fair enough, but you do get a free months subscription so you will get a chance to check it out.

So basically, you will be fine without online gaming on the 360 as there are lots of single player games such as Mass Effect, Ninja Gaiden 2, Bioshock, Viva Pinata and so on. But you will definately be missing out if your friends have xbox live too.

There's craploads of single player entertainment to be had with a 360. Even if you don't buy a Gold Live account, Silver gets full acces to the marketplace (XBLA games!), messaging services, leaderboards and demos.

buy 360. Amazing console online and offline

if you can, get it.

I've rarely used Online for more than DLC and XBLA...And the 360 is still certainly worth it. It still has the best library of games, and the list of great games for sub-$30 is beyond huge.

Yea go for it. I have both PS3s and a 360 in my house. I wouldn't have it any other way. Multi-console is the win this gen.

i recomend getting a 360 even if you wont use the online service

yes it is worth getting one great games on it; no matter what type of games youre into you will find it.

I would say go for it if you can. Great library, Live is great as well. If you get a the free month use it to its fullest and see if you like it.