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Microsoft XBox 360

The XBox 360 was launched by Microsoft in the US in November 2005, and entered the UK market in December 2005. Although the XBox 360's predecessor, the XBox, struggled for sales against Sony's PlayStation 2, the high specification XBox 360 captured the public's imagination and heralds a new era of console gaming.

Retail of the XBox 360 in the US and UK has seen demand outnumber supply. Microsoft expects around 6 million to be sold by the end of 2006. The XBox 360 contains a triple-core IBM PowerPC 3.2Ghz processor, a 10MB 500Mhz graphics system and 10MB, and 512MB of Ram. As the most powerful games console on the market the XBox 360 uses a liquid cooling system.

The XBox 360 weighs 4Kg; it can be placed vertically, and when horizontal, the XBox 360 is 309 mm wide, 83 mm high, and 258 mm deep – in all, slightly smaller than the original XBox. The lower priced ‘XBox 360 Core System' comes in pearl white, while XBox 360 includes hardware and online accessories.

Features of the XBox 360 include:

• CD/DVD Player Facility

You can use your XBox 360 as a CD player to play music CDs or as a DVD player to watch the latest films.

• Broadband Connectivity

The XBox 360 runs XBox Live – an online facility for gaming and communications. You can try out high definition games for free online, via your XBox 360, then purchase them to go on your XBox 360 hard drive. The online connection also enables XBox 360 users to chat to friends and family around the world while playing.

• 20 Gigabyte Hard-drive

The XBox 360 includes a 20GB hard drive, enough memory to store plenty of web-purchased games, game and player information.

• USB Ports and Accessories

The XBox 360 includes a wireless controller, with inputs for a total of 4 wireless games controllers, as well as two USB ports. A green LED on both the XBox 360 and wireless controllers means there's no confusion over who is using which control. Other accessories include: rechargeable battery pack, play and charge kit, wireless network adapter, universal media remote and, for multi media use, S-Video AV Cables, and VGA HD AV Cables. Headsets enable to players to chat with other online XBox 360 users, even whilst gaming. Faceplates are available to customise the look of the XBox 360.

• Extensive Choice of Games

A main advantage of the XBox 360 is the ability to try out games for free, then purchase and download them to keep on the XBox 360 by using Xbox Live Arcade. However you discover your games, there is something for you, including:

• Shoot-em-ups (like Call of Duty 2)

• Racing games (like Ridge Racer 6 and Project Gotham Racing 3)

• Fighting games (like Def Jam 3)

• Sports games (like FIFA 06 or Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06)

• Blockbuster features (like Peter Jackson's King Kong).

• Backwards Compatibility

The Xbox 360 has backwards compatibility meaning that over 200 original XBox games are playable on the XBox 360.

The XBox 360 offers the flexibility for parental controls, offering control over what games and DVDs can be played, as well as what online content can be downloaded or viewed.

To find out more about the types of games you can play on the Xbox 360, visit our Games section.

To find some great deals on the Xbox 360 and details of where you can buy one, visit our Top Sites section.

You can also find out more about the accessories available for your XBox 360 in our Accessories section.