Top 10 Reasons That Makes XBox 360 Better Gaming Console

Gaming is considered as one of the leading pastimes in the entertainment industry. With people making their way amongst that vast market place of consoles, one product would stand out from the others, and this would be the XBox 360. Considered as the sixth most advanced video game console, it is a creation by the Microsoft Company. As a successor to the first versions of the XBox, the brand exudes an excellence of extreme entertainment. Specifications of the XBox 360 includes the 802.11 Wi-Fi capable, the optical audio system outputs and presence of five USB ports. First version release was in 2005, and updated versions in 2010 stand to give the best application features that will make the experience to be totally new. Here are the top ten features that will certainly separate the XBox 360 from the others.

10.  Customized and Personalized Gaming Consoles

There is nothing more fun than to have the ability to make the changes you want with your gaming consoles. By doing the various versions of creating the best looks, you get to own the console as your own. Typically, this is just an aesthetic appeal, but it will certainly work to give you the appeal and use you want.

9. Upgradable Hard Drives

There are way too many games to choose from. Plus, you have the downloadable movies and TV series from the Netflix functions. For those that have way too much of these functions on the hard drive, it would be better to increase the memory capacity. Easy upgrade of the functions allows you to increase from the 250GB to a larger space and capacity.

8. Hard Drive Transfer

The XBox 360 is considered to act as almost like a computer system. For Microsoft, it is one, and this allows you to have the chance to transfer all data from one device of the XBox versions to another version you have just recently bought. As long as the consoles and the games will match, it gives you the functional feature of playing your old games to the new devices.

7. Media Capabilities with the Netflix

From the lives streaming movies and down to the old and new movies, you get to stream these on the XBox 360 from the PC. Who would not want to watch all these great movies and TV series on the large screen televisions? Well, by assuring of a clean and best connection to the PC, you now have the chance to watch these great movies on the TV screen.

6. Hulu Plus Functions

Online movies and TV series favorites are quite hard to find. The HULU Plus of the XBox will give you the chance to select and download the most popular TV series and movies from the net. Streaming videos of old and new series are simply searched and copied on the XBox 360 hard drive systems.

5. Kinect Accessory Functions

In 2010, the Microsoft Company decided to release to the market a new range of accessories that enables the gamer to play the games without the presence of the controller. By the use of the voice, the hands, and the body, the entire gaming system will be played. This is an optional function, and you can easily shift back to using those systems with the controls on them.

4.  XBox Family Settings

Some games are too graphic for young kids, and while there are those that will allow their kids this freedom, there will be those that want limitations. The family settings of the games prevent your kids from viewing those games and movies that you do not want them to see. Simply key in the password to the system, and it will set up the block you have defined.

3. XBox Live Marketplace

Demos and online games are certainly those you want to have on the consoles. With the live marketplace access, it allows you to download all the games and versions of it from the Internet. With the access of connections to the World Wide Web, you can even create a functional use to the systems that enable you to keep in touch with your friends on the social networking sites.

2.  Live Arcade Downloads

Did you ever want those old games you used to play on the video arcade stores? Well, for those that love to have these old games back, you can easily find them online through the XBox live functions. No other console gives you the chance to search for the past favorites those decades past, and the XBox live arcade is certainly a favorite for many. After all, playing those games every once in a while is a great escape from the common and modern.

1. XBox Live Functions

The XBox 360 allows this integration of the live functions of playing games online. For the new versions of the XBox, the company has crafted a free membership to the connection of the XBox Live for free. Thus, you now get to view online statistics for the games while still having a great time. While this functional feature will actually encompass all the other features stated above, it will be the distinctive advantage that no other consoles in the market will ever have. From the live chat to the streaming movies, it will be worth it.

Top 10 Best Simulation Games for the PC

Everyone loves a good simulation game. With the popularity of the simulation games on Facebook, this genre has becoming the fastest growing in the world. With so many different simulations to choose from, there is sure to be something for everyone to enjoy. Below is a list of the top 10 best simulation games available today.

10. Sim City

Sim City is the oldest game on our top 10 list. Released in 1989!!! this is still a bestselling game, over 20 years later. The objective of the game is… you’ve guessed it – to build a city. There are specific goals for the gamer to achieve and a number of scenarios to choose from. Since the original release, there have been numerous sequels and expansion packs released with the latest – Sim City Societies – being released in 2007. This game has won numerous awards over the years and was voted as the fourth best game in the world by the readers of Your Sinclair magazine.

9. Virtual Villagers

Developed by the independent gaming publisher Last Day of Work, Virtual Villagers is a series of simulation games set around a mythical island. The games center around strategy and puzzles and the gamer must create and develop a village with the goal of creating a ‘five skill set’ child. The game can be downloaded or bought on CD Rom and a number of sequels to the original have since been released. This is not the most taxing simulation game of all time, nor is it the most exciting, but for gamers who just want to pass a few hours this is a worthy game to purchase.

8. Ship Simulator

Ship Simulator is as the name suggests a ship simulation game. The objective is to maneuver various ships in different environments. It was developed by the Dutch company VSTEP and released in 2006. The gamer has the opportunity to captain a number of ships (including the Titanic) in varying weather conditions in three different locations. There are 40 missions to complete and gamers also have the option to design their own missions. Like many simulation games, sequels have since been released although gamers have criticized the game for being pretty mundane and slow going… even if it is educational.

7. Supreme Commander

Released in 2007, Supreme Commander is the brainchild of Chris Taylor at Gas Powered Games. The aim of the game is to command one of three nations, build a base and upgrade units to conquer opponents. There are eighteen missions to play in single player mode and objectives in each mission for the gamer to complete. The game received outstanding reviews not long after it was released and a sequel – Supreme Commander 2 – was released in 2010.

6. Zoo Tycoon

Zoo Tycoon is a business simulation, produced by Microsoft. It is similar to many of the other simulations in that the gamer must run a business to make a profit – in this case a zoo. Released in 2001, this is one of the older PC simulation games but it still has a loyal following amongst simulation gamers. A number of expansion packs have since been released, and newcomers to the Zoo Tycoon game can buy everything in the form of the Zoo Tycoon 2 – Ultimate Collection game. This has been said to be a great game for children, although many adults have criticized it for its simple game play.

5. Spore

Spore is another simulation game created by the ever popular Maxis. Released in 2008, Spore allows the gamer to create a new species and follow it through its lifecycle to become a social and intelligent creature. The game play is pretty much open ended and although this has received some criticism from gamers who found the game play too simple, it has been praised by others for this same reason. Spore looks like it is set to follow in the Sims footsteps with expansion packs following the original due out towards the end of the year.

4. Flight Simulator X

Microsoft’s Flight Simulator X is the most popular game in the company’s Flight Simulator range. Released in 2006, it enables the gamer to choose an aircraft and then attempt to complete a number of missions. Gamers can fly worldwide with this version of the game and rewards can be earned by the pilots for accomplishing certain tasks. Although more recent versions of this game have been released, Microsoft’s Flight Simulator X still continues to be a bestseller in the PC Games market.

3. Theme Park

Designed by Bullfrog, Theme Park is one of the oldest PC simulation games, originally being released in 1994. The premise is very similar to Rollercoaster Tycoon in that the gamer must build a profitable amusement park pretty much from scratch. The original game had very limited graphics, and limited scenarios but it was a huge hit in its day. Along with Theme Hospital, Theme Park can now be classed as a classic simulation game with both bringing back fond memories in the gamers of the nineties.

2. Rollercoaster Tycoon

If running a theme park sounds more like your kinda thing, Rollercoaster Tycoon may just be the simulation game for you. Produced by Hasbro, it is hard to believe that this game is now over 12 years old. Like the Sims, Hasbro have released many expansion packs to enhance the playing experience and to add new levels and coasters. The game’s premise is to build a theme park whilst adhering to the three tasks set out at the beginning of the level. Shops, rides and people can all be created by the player and the end result can be anything you could imagine.

1. The Sims

The Sims is arguably the most popular simulation game of all time. Developed by Maxis there are now dozens of variations or ‘expansion packs’ that gamers can buy to enhance their sim experience. The simulation basically revolves around sim people that you create yourself. They can have careers, they can get married, have babies etc. You can also control every little thing about them – which is why it is such a popular game. The Sims was first released in the year 2000 and has now sold over 20 million copies worldwide – this makes it the best selling PC game ever!

Top 10 GTA V Rumors

When it comes to playing one of the best PC games that has to do with gangsters, cars, women, money, and exploring cities in stolen vehicles, planes, and even tanks, there is no other video game that comes close than the Grand Theft Auto series by Rockstar Games. We have seen Vice City depicting Miami, Liberty City, which is a perfect comparison with NYC, and San Andreas combining certain locations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. Now that there has been rumors that the fifth installment of the game will come sometime soon, let us check out other hearsays and speculations that make this upcoming gangster game worth all the clamor and the wait.

10. L.A. Noire will be released together with GTAV in 2011

When the end of Fiscal Year 2010 did not have much game releases for Rockstar Games, LA Noire was decided to be circulated in the market in 2011. GTAV was projected to be out in the market by the second half of 2011 due to total estimates in revenue for the said year.

9. GTAV is found on Pre-order in an Online Swedish Retail Store

Video games, just like smartphones, make some noise even before the model is actually announced by the creator, thanks to leaks and other leads that make the existence of a soon-to-be-hit, all too real. GTAV has been located in Webhallen.com where the game has been listed for XBox360, PS3, and PC, even with a price of 599kr. What may be unconvincing about this info is the release year 2011.

8. Codename “Rush”

There has been an interactive project called “Rush”, which brought in together voice actors and people that would act out certain characters in the upcoming GTAV. Telsey & Company had done the casting, and “Rush” may actually be the codename of the latest Rockstar Games project.

7. The Ballad of Gay Tony may Set Venue in Vice City Again

When you play the expansion game of GTA IV, “The Ballad of Gay Tony”, there are some realizations that may be similar to what happened between GTAIII and GTA Vice City. Clubs have been back in the expansion, which only came out when Vice City was played. Most missions in the extra installment mentions Vice City in their exchange of messages, and Vice City FM came back in BoGT. The game development may choose BoGT as a preparation plane for the fifth game.

6. The Game is Already in Testing Stages

There have been rumors flying around that someone overheard a Rockstar game tester, which may likely be an employee that he played certain games like Red Dead Redemption and blurted that he has been playing GTAV. The said person has a name even carrying the Rockstar badge, but it could be possible that the individual is only blowing bad air for curiosity, or he may be telling the truth.

5. Rumored Characters of GTAV

With the rumor of having things set in Hollywood, most of the characters that will act as voice are taken majorly from places around or within Los Angeles. Mitch Hayes (38) is a successful FBI agent; Clyde (23) is a white trash hillbilly, Eddie (47) is a weed evangelist, Kevin de Silva (18) is an FPS player that makes racist comment while playing online. These are some of the characters, but this may be solid enough that having over 19 characters with profiles may be more than enough to keep things brewing.

4. The Game Location is set in Hollywood

This rumor may make sense as Vice City, Liberty City, and San Andreas have been inspired from real locations found in the famous cities and suburbs in the US. Hollywood may be changed into Vinewood when taken it into the game environment. However, when this comes from two people talking about GTAV while driving on the street, this may be unlikely, as they mentioned themselves that the venue is too small.

3. Multiple Playable Characters may be Present

Since there have been GTA games that offer 2-player free-roam modes, it can be possible that future games may include a gameplay where the story will not only revolve with just one character. This claim has been fortified by Kotaku, whose rumor confirmations about GTA have high probabilities of realism.

2. Game Preview will be out in November 2

Of the many rumors that are out in the net, this is the only thing that sets a real date, even very close to wait for. By November 2, we may expect a lot of GTAV fans going to YouTube, Rockstar Game sites, and other likely places just to satisfy their curiosity of what the new gangster game will look like.

1. GTAV will be Unlikely Until 2012

Since there are not much details about GTAV for 2011, the release in 2012 will be more likely as Take-Two is looking forward for making revenue in games that will cover the Fiscal Year of 2011 from April 1 to March 31 of the following year. Max Payne 3 and LA Noire, which will be out in the PCs this November, may be enough for profit generation due to fame and exposure.