Hey there guys. I realize there've been a couple 360 topics within the past couple months, but they weren't very helpful to me so I decided on a new one!

I'm considering (i.e. probably am) getting a Xbox 360 and whatnots sometime around the summer, hopefully before. Please remember in your comments that price is an object; I'm not rich! Here is a list of things I'm considering:

Hardware:

-Xbox 360 pro bundle (comes with a wireless controller,a headset, 20 GB hard drive, and two games. These are Marvel Alliance (I'll sell it) and Forbox or some racing game (is it good?). Honestly I'd prefer a cheaper bundle, less than $350. I'd rather not have the games! Any thoughts?)
-Wireless adapter (I'm not dealing with Ethernet or link sys or cables or stuff.)
-Another wireless controller for multiplayer, etc.
-a Quick Charge Station that can charge 2 rechargeable batteries in 2-4 hours, and it also comes with an extra battery.

Games:

-Gears of War (I like it, and it's got fun co-op and multiplayer.)
-Bioshock (I love this game. I dream of playing it.)
-Mass Effect (It seems like a great game; I like customization and a big game.)
-The Orange Box (Half-Life is something new to me, and bundled with Portal and Team Fortress 2 it looks like a deal. I'm not sure if it's a necessity, though.)
-Assassin's Creed (I'm on the fence about buy vs. rent? What do you think? I don't really rent games, and my friend has this so borrow is an option probably. I'm not sure... Bioshock has great replay because of experimenting and such but does this?)
-Halo 3 (This seems like a no-brainer but apparently campaign is terrible? But multiplayer is fun? I dunno, I'm not great with Halo but the multiplayer apparently has a huge fanbase and followers and stuf so it looks like it could be a blast to have fun with. I'm on the fence with this one, leaning towards yes. But, again, the price.)

Okay so thats the plan. It'd run me around $700 probably, unless I take out Assassin's Creed and/or Halo 3. I'd be getting this around spring/summer so hopefully some of the prices will be lowered, etc. What do you think about it? Also $700 is too much for a laid back gamer like me anyway.

So... is this the right Xbox 360 console bundle whatever? I'd prefer a cheaper one, honestly, do you know if there's one that has no extra games or something? Any thoughts on the hardware/software? Stuff I should know? What about the whole breaking down/overheating/red ring deal? Is that serious? And also my TV is not HD or even that good, so is that a problem? Does it only play on HD, or something?

Also whats the difference between silver / gold Xbox live? What's the deal with that stuff? Can you play online matches, etc, with silver? I'd rather NOT pay $50 for an online membership.

So, thanks for answering my questions and stuff. This'll help me out a lot! Thanks guys! (Also if there's anything I forgot...?)

If money is an option I'd try to grab some of the games used. I just recently saw Gears of War in a pawn shop for $30, so it's a good indication the prices are dropping/will drop by the time you buy a 360.

And yes, the Gold membership is needed to play online. Bust out that wallet!

•Orange Box is a bargain because it's more like buying a bunch of cheap games instead of one expensive game. I've already clocked around 40 hours with TF2, and haven't even touched the other stuff yet.
•Mass Effect seems like a good game according to the topic we have about it.
•Bioshock was a great game... but something about it didn't make it memorable. I don't know what it is; I didn't hate the game, but it's been sitting on my shelf since I beat it the day I bought it.
•Assassin's Creed seemed like a sandbox game from what I played; lots of collectibles and exploring to supplement the main storyline. If that's you thing I'd at least rent it.

I'd say just get Mass Effect and Orange Box, they'll give you the most playtime for your money imo.

Orange Box is a terrific buy with 5 games (HL2 HL2: Episode 1/2 Portal, TF2) well worht the $60

Call of Duty 4 is another suggestion with a good single player game, and excellent Multiplayer.

Alright, thanks guys! Apparently from my friend, there are several I shouldn't get and even more I should. This is turning into a hassle and chances are i'll just go to my friend's house to play this stuff! Thank you anyway!

Also mods... Lock if you want, otherwise this could be the 360 topic or something? I dunno.

I'm gonna do my best to help out here, so here it goes. First I'll start of with games.

Don't buy assassin's creed. Rent or borrow it, and beat it in a day or two. It has no replay value whatsoever (oh sure you can run around and collect flags, but is that fun? no.) Don't buy Halo unless you are really into the halo universe, and will get Xbox live GOLD (I will go into that later). You can beat the campaign of halo in a day, easy. It's only good for online multiplayer. Don't buy Bioshock. You can beat this game in a day as well if you really tried, and it has no replay value. Keep in mind, these all are nice games to own, but for a casual gamer who doesn't care about his game library, not worth buying, at all.

Xbox Live Silver is basically just online ranking, and I think basic community shit. Xbox Live Gold is online multiplayer. I honestly don't even believe 360 is worth it that much if you don't get live, that's where everything is. So definitely shell out the 50 bucks for a year, it's worth it, far more so than any one of the games you listed.

Also the games that comes with the bundle seems like garbage mostly, but the extras seem like it may be worth it. Also I'd make sure that all your controllers have rechargable batteries, it makes things so much easier.

I posted this earlier, and it didnt actual post, copied and pasted, but apparently didnt get all of it. If you need me to elaborate then just ask.


Games I would recommend:

Call of Duty 4
Mass Effect
Crackdown (used, it's really cheap)

Add Dead Rising to your list and Saints Row...

Saints Row is a pretty sweet game if you're into GTA. Better than Crackdown. But the story sucks!

I don't know man.  I'm into GTA but Saint's Row kinda bothered me because it REALLY WISHED it was GTA and even though it's technically like GTA it completely failed to capture the... feeling, I guess, that GTA gives you.  That's not really the best way to put it but basically I couldn't play Saint's Row because it wasn't GTA but it thought it was. 

I haven't played Crackdown but from what I can tell it's similar to GTA in that it's a sandbox game but there are aspects of it that differentiate it enough from GTA so that it is its own game.  I guess.  I don't know.

edit: GTA GTA GTA GTA this post now has a 13 uses of the acronym GTA

Saints Row kicks the shit outta GTA. Okay, it isn't as funny (it just isn't funny at all) but the controls are way better and you can actually AIM AT PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO KILL YOU!

Saints Row kicks the shit outta GTA. Okay, it isn't as funny (it just isn't funny at all) but the controls are way better and you can actually AIM AT PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO KILL YOU!

I don't know man, this'll probably make me sound like a douche but GTA has heart whereas Saint's Row is just a bland clone with BETTER AIMING.  Like, that's the only real advantage it has over GTA that I can think of.  If you ask me I'd rather play a game that has personality and is still really good than a game that has no personality whatsoever BUT LOOK AT ALL THE PLACES I CAN POINT MY GUN

It is funny in Saint Row, have you ever beaten up the guy in the soda costume with your gang it's very hilarious...It might be a GTA clone but an enhanced one, there is character customization which wasn't in GTA till san andreas, theres car tuning and what else could be more fun than controlling your own gang theres limitations of course, better controls and the missions are a bit better, well to me they are. Theres also a few other things you can do which you can't do in GTA like rob places for money and etc.

I got my Xbox 360 for $200(Refurbished).

Then again I had to buy the hard drive for it which cost around $60.
So $260 ain't half bad a deal if you're looking for something in your price range.

As far as games go I'd get them used and buy a $20 Xbox gold membership card for Xbox live.
Online gameplay is where all the fun is.....