Over the past few weeks, we've given you excellent reasons to stop supporting both Sony and Nintendo. Well, now it's Microsoft's turn. The billion dollar juggernaut' Xbox 360 is popular, but that doesn't mean we love it. If you too have grown tired of broken machines and overpaying for peripherals, here are 25 reasons why abandoning the company is a smart idea.
25. It killed the original Xbox
These days, a lot of gamers forget that Microsoft killed the first Xbox the moment the Xbox 360 arrived. Sure, it threw us a bone with limited backwards compatibility (you can also download Xbox Originals onto your 360's hard drive), but unlike Sony and Nintendo, the big M cut and ran. That makes us wonder what'll happen when the next Xbox arrives. Maybe we'll sell early.
24. Too much Xbox Live clutter
We lost track of how many ads and videos appear on Xbox Live. It's ridiculous. We know companies need to advertise, but we're tired of having to cycle through unnecessary junk to reach the good stuff.
23. Xbox Live Vision camera support
OK, so no one supports video game cameras, but that doesn't mean we have to like it. Microsoft used its Xbox Live Vision for Uno, You're in the Movies and that's about it (EA lets gamers take their drivers license photos in Burnout Paradise). Our cam sits in a box collecting dust. That doesn't bode well for Project Natal.
22. The system's too loud
Some Xbox 360s are so loud, you can hear them running amidst the on-screen chaos. Microsoft fixed this issue with the newer models, but there are still millions of first generation consoles in the wild. Conversely, both the Wii and PS3 barely make a peep.
21. That lame power brick
It sucks that after nearly four years on the market, Microsoft hasn't stuffed the power supply into its machine. Instead, we have to discretely hide that enormous power brick behind a mountain of cables and other objects (a dusty Xbox, perhaps).
20. It makes PS3 games look bad
Hear us out on this one. By saying that Microsoft's Xbox 360 makes Sony's console look bad, we're not referring to exclusive deals and comfortable controllers. You see, according to Sony, the PS3 is significantly more powerful than the 360 (beautiful games like Uncharted 2 and God of War III may support this claim in the future). Since the Xbox is apparently the lowest common denominator, that means third party publishers program on it, then port the games to the PlayStation 3. That also means they don't take full advantage of the console's supposed power. So there you have it. Xbox is so underpowered that we're denied the PS3's full potential 95 percent of the time (that's probably a crock, by the way).
19. External Wi-Fi
Although the system came out in 2005, Microsoft still sells the wireless network adapter separately. By now, WiFi should be in the console for free (like Sony did with PS3) instead of slapping a $99 sticker on such an overpriced peripheral.
18. Only one style of hard drive
Unlike the PlayStation 3, you can't swap the Xbox 360's hard drive with another brand. You can only use Microsoft's hard drives that max out at 120 GB. Even worse, the publisher overcharges for all of them. Yes, we paid $150 for 120 GB, and yes, we're bitter.
17. No Blu-ray
Microsoft took a stab at HD content with the now deceased HD DVD player, and you can watch online content in high definition, but we prefer having a Blu-ray player in the box. Unfortunately, you'll only get that with PCs and of course, PlayStation 3.
16. You don't like the games
We think the Xbox 360 has a tremendous video game library, but hey, we understand if you don't like it. Maybe you love Nintendo or prefer playing the God of War series. If that's the case, Xbox 360 won't impress you.
15. You hate the controller
We think the Xbox 360's controller is the most comfortable one out there, but to each their own. Plenty of gamers prefer the PS3's DualShock 3, and Nintendo loyalists drool over the tiny Wii Remote. Besides, if you love fighting games, the 360 controller's horrible d-pad makes executing combos a chore.
14. You love the new PS3 Slim
It's OK to drool over the new PS3 Slim. Sony took an already elegant design and improved it with a sweet matte finish and smaller case. Meanwhile, Microsoft hasn't redesigned its Xbox 360, other than messing around inside the machine.
13. You hate NXE
We have to admit that Microsoft's original Xbox 360 interface, Blades, was easy to use. As for the New Xbox Experience... not so much. Although we like the snazzy new graphics and avatars, it takes us even longer to find content (especially DLC that isn't "featured"). So if you can't stand NXE, well, time to choose a new console.
12. You refuse to pay for online gaming
Both Sony and Nintendo offer free, albeit inferior, ways to game with and against friends. Microsoft, on the other hand, charges $50 for a 12 month subscription for Xbox Live (which seems to have more ads than the free competition). Now tack on money spent purchasing downloadable content, and you'll easily blow through $100 or more a year.
11. Most of your friends have PS3 and/or Wii
When it comes to playing online with friends, you need to own the same console. You'll obviously run into a problem, for example, if you purchase the Xbox 360 version of Madden NFL 10, only to discover that your buddies bought it for PS3. If you're really into multiplayer and everyone within your circle owns the same console, it may be a smart idea to be a follower, at least this one time.
10. You need more calorie burning activities in your life
Xbox 360 is a wonderful system, but you'll spend most of your time sitting on a couch maneuvering your thumbs on analog sticks. If you prefer a more active workout, we strongly suggest purchasing a Wii. Most of the games feature motion controls (thanks to the console's Wii Remote) that'll have you swinging, punching and even jumping all over the place.
9. Too much violent content
Sure, Xbox 360 plays cute and harmless games like Kung Fu Panda, Scene It? and LEGO Batman, but come on. This console is all about shooters, graphic dismemberment and foul language. You don't buy a 360 for Nintendo style adventure games. You pick one up because you want to bludgeon someone with a prosthetic limb, at least virtually. If that makes you squeamish, buy a Wii.
8. Your significant other gave you an ultimatum: The games go, or I go
This one hurts, because how can you expect to choose between the one you love and your favorite hobby? It's a tough decision, but in the end, it's probably better to go with the person who gives you sex, as opposed to the console that gives you Batman: Arkham Asylum.
Actually, we'd choose Batman.
7. You don't have time for video games
There's no point spending hundreds of dollars on a system and games if you'll never touch the stuff. That's what'll happen if you travel all of the time or spend most of your days working. You might as well download games onto your phone.
6. Xbox Live is full of morons
Playing online is cool until the annoying teenagers/ignorant racists show up. That's when we pull the plug and go back to single player games. We don't need some arrogant idiot talking smack about our moms and letting us know what he'll do to our sisters.
5. You have an Achievement Point addiction
If you're like us, then you have an unhealthy addiction to unlocking achievements. We're so bad that we'll actually snub our noses at the PS3 version of a game, simply because of its lame trophies. The worst part is, Microsoft never does anything with gamerscores. By now, we should be able to convert points to score free gear and games.
4. You hate Microsoft
Perhaps you despise Microsoft, its products and corporate philosophy. Are you a Mac snob? Does the thought of using a Windows operating system make you want to punch Bill Gates' teeth in? Are you a Sony and/or Nintendo fan boy? If you answered yes to any of those questions, leave those Xbox 360s alone.
3. Microsoft nickel and dimes everyone
In 2005, we choked on the news that Microsoft planned to sell the premium Xbox 360 for $399. Little did we know that that was just the beginning of the company's plan to suck dollars from our wallets. Games debuted at $59.99 (a price we hadn't seen since the early PSOne/Saturn days), peripherals were outrageous (a 120 GB hard drive still costs anywhere from $120-$150) and don't get us started about microtransactions; no one likes buying clothes for their avatars. That said, it's OK if you don't have the cash to keep up. Just buy a Nintendo DS.
2. You have epilepsy
Hey, no one can blame you for avoiding video games for medical reasons. The last thing we want is for you to hurt either yourself or others because of a reaction to flashing stimuli. Unless you're on medication with doctor approval, you should ditch Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo. Safety first, right?
Let's face it, we all know someone with a faulty Xbox 360. Either the system locks up, turns itself on or worse, flashes the evil red rings of death. Even we can't seem to find a console that lasts more than a year; we've gone through at least 12 machines (a fact) since Microsoft released the 360 in November 2005. Sure, the company launched an impressive plan to fix these lemons, but that didn't seem to repair its broken image; that said, we still purchase new machines because 360 has amazing games. Bottom line, you don't need a $200-300 headache (or in this case, paperweight).--Chris Buffa
they should of made a top 10 list instead of put some stupid fillers ones in
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