Well, it's going to be the hot item this Christmas, but does Microsoft's Xbox 360 meet the hype? I've had the pleasure to play around with the 360's HD next-gen experience for a little more than a week now, and the answer to that question is a firm yes!

::Design::

The first thing I noticed about the 360 was its size. The original Xbox was huge, and although the 360 remains larger than the Playstation 2, it will fit much easier into your existing entertainment system. Visually, it features a concave faceplate that can be removed and replaced with novelty ones (including wood grain if you felt so inclined). It's a high-tech piece of equipment, and it looks sufficiently advanced. I'm not the biggest fan of its matte white color, but it does bring back some fond memories of Sega's Dreamcast (of which the 360 shares many likenesses).

Another interesting thing to point out is no visible connectors on the front. There are two ports for memory cards and 2 USB ports nicely hidden under flip covers, but otherwise controllers are purely wireless. Yes, there is a PC compatible 360 controller that can plug into USB, but believe me, you'll want the wireless.

::Hardware::

One word can sum up the hardware inside the 360: powerful. 512 MB of RAM, a wicked fast IBM processor, and a custom ATI graphics engine all make for a very capable system. And although a comparable PC could be designed, the cost would be well over $1000.

Other nice features include a dual layer DVD player, 802.11x networking ability (with adapter), and a slot for a removable hard drive (20GB included with Premium bundle). However, it is at a disadvantage without having a HD DVD player--something Microsoft claims they will eventually offer.

::Controller::

This one is kind of a mixed bag. The original Xbox's smaller 'S' controller ranks among one of my favorites in terms of comfort. The 360's is very similar in shape and lay out, only things feel a bit more cramped. The biggest of my quarrels is with the added LB and RB buttons. The white and black button near the lower right of the older controller has been replaced by these two mini flippers at the top of the controller. They're easier to reach that the old black and white's, but the movement required is a bit awkward.

It is starting to grow on me, though.

::Interface::

More than any console in the past, the 360's interface is a big part of the gaming experience. Not so much a simple gaming machine, you also have the option to play movies, music, and photo albums. These can be read from either CD's and DVD's or streamed wirelessly from a PC running Windows XP. The menu screens for this are quite intuitive, and can be navigated with either the standard controller or an optional remote control.

The 360 interface also allows you to manage friends lists (via Xbox Live!), view your past gaming experiences and accomplishments, and even purchase and download extra features from a new service called Windows Marketplace. This adds a great deal to the 360's longevity, because not only can you download additional content for your games, but you can even download arcade favorites like Gauntlet for pick-up and play entertainment.

::High Definition::

Wow. To go with my 360, I purchased a 32" Sharp LCD television, and with the Premium bundle's included component cables, the image quality is nothing short of freaking fantastic. The 360 outputs at a native 720p, making crisp, resolute images. And although an HD ready TV would be preferable, the 360's graphics will still look pleasing on an older set.

::Final Thoughts::

The future is definitely now for console gaming. The Xbox 360 more than met my expectations (despite having already been spoiled by next-gen PC games) and was well worth the purchase price of $399.99.

Is it worth the thousands of dollars for it on internet auction sites? I don't think so. It's powerful, yes, and quite fun, but waiting a few more weeks to buy it retail is still your best bet. As I said above, you can get a comparable computer for about $1000 which will have a greater range of uses and be more upgradable. But, if your waiting for the Playstation 3, just be aware that you are indeed missing out.

Stay tuned for tomorrow when I rate three of the 360's more sought after games in a mini-review.

~Khyron