XBox 360 recommendations needed
 

I need help!

I'm going to get Papa Smurf the XBox 360 for Christmas or maybe his birthday in January, but there are too many choices and I don't know what I should get him.

There are premium, core, elite, and platinum consoles.

Papa Smurf is really only interested in playing Halo 3, probably drunk, online with a friend or two. He's high-maintenance and loves to have the best and baddest gadgets, but, realistically, we're usually doing things outside, so I know he's not going to get the play time in that he thinks he is. Not if he wants any smurfalicious action anyway.

As for accessories, I believe I need: extra controller, wi-fi adapter, and headset (to talk smack).


Other than the accessories that come with each type of console package and differentiate between them, what are the functional differences, and what would you recommend?

Thank you!!!!

might I suggest this. You will still need to buy the wireless network adapter and the actual game. Or this version if you really want to do it up.

Jesus Christ. If he starts wearing a f*cking helmet to play a video game, I'm out.

besides, I think this might be a little more "his style":
http://www.zymetrical.com/images/pro...all-helmet.jpg

Wii!

lol i think the helmet is one of those small collectible ones - too small to wear.

For the console itself - don't even think about the Core or the new Arcade versions. Neither has the hard drive. Out of the rest (premium, Halo 3, or Elite), it really depends on color choice and hard drive size - all of them are shipping with HDMI ports. The Halo 3 edition is essentially a premium with a really great paintjob...if he likes Halo 3 that much, then it's probably worth the extra $50...but it does include the matching Play & Charge kit. The Elite gives you the 120GB HDD, which is nice if you plan on buying movies and such through Live.

All of them should come with the basic wired headset, so that should be covered. If you can run Ethernet to the console, I'd recommend that over wireless (it's cheaper and more reliable). But a second controller is a nice thing to have. I'd also recommend the Play & Charge kit if you don't get the Halo 3 edition.

My oldest son, sold his 360 to a guy at work for $200, then put I think $300 with that and bought the new "black" 360. He loves it. He also just bought the new Guitar Hero 3 w/wireless les paul. I like the Wii, though - so much fun. I'm almost a pro at baseball & bowling.:)

I would suggest the most basic version. It sells for 350 and it comes with a controller, headset and a smaller hard drive. If he's not going use the HD, most of the difference comes in looks and accessories.

I know if I could find the money, that's the one I'd get.

P.S. make a point of buying the cooling stand or attachment. I know microsoft fixed the problem with their new ones, but they were all overheating for a while. Might as well drop 25 bucks to keep it running.

I have the halo 3 console because I didn't realize the game wasn't part of the package (stupid me) or I would have probably purchased the other newer console that was available where they've fixed the overheating problem, and paid $100 less.

I can't complain about the console I have though. There have been no probs with it what so ever.

For cooling, be careful of some of the things out there. The Pelican fan stand is good, but it can only be used if the console is left vertical...not very practical if it's in an entertainment center. The Nyko Intercooler, OTOH, I'd stay away from. Because of the way it attaches to the console, it can cause some problems. Using it will also void the warranty.
Overheating shouldn't be much of an issue for any new console at retail, as the older 90nm chips have been phased out of production and replaced with 65nm units, which of course run cooler. MS also redesigned the cooling system internally, so hopefully, the overheating is a thing of the past.

Thank you, everyone, for your recommendations! http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/8399/thumbsup4kk.gif

Now I just need to start taking donations to help me pay for this freakin thing.