Thoughts on XBox 360 hardware failures, other design flaws, and a lack of common sense.

Microsoft's video game console the Xbox 360 has hit games like Gears of War and Halo 3, It also has reported frequent hardware failures, including, but not exclusive to, the Red Rings of Death, a 3/4 ring around the switch that is indicative of a fatal hardware error. If this occurs, the system will not operate again and must be sent to repair services. Seems simple enough, but when your second 360 fails (this has happened), you have to wonder to yourself what the hell is going on? If Microsoft says they fixed the system or sent you a replacement, then why does it crap up again? Even the Elite 360s get the rings of death. I thought the XBox 360 Elite would've had this problem fixed, but I guess I was wrong.

Another thing I find agonizing is that 360 owners had their console die after the warranty expires. That means the owners would have to pay for repairs or for a replacement. The cost could be from $100 to $150. What the hell?! My Gamecube cost me $100 (without game and RF switch), my PS2 (thin unit) and my Nintendo DS (the original) cost me $150 each. Even my DS Lite, which I purchased less than a year after release, cost me $130. I bought four systems at a price range from $100 to $150 individually. A basic 360 costs $270. If it fails after warranty (which to Microsoft's credit they extended), you are screwed. You will have to pay anywhere from 37% to 55% of the basic unit's price. If the complaints from 360 owners are true and the replacement or repaired units are also crashing, who will pay such a price again and again. What the hell is going on Microsoft?

The 360's woes don't end there. The early units also scratch up discs (YouTube videos prove this). This is believed to be the result of a lack of padding around the DVD lens. Excuse me? Didn't Microsoft know this? What's up with that? Were the manufacturers drunk? This is laughable. It is truly pathetic for a rich company like Microsoft not to do anything about this before the system's initial launch in 2005. Inexcusable and unacceptable in every sense of those words. Microsoft, Peter Moore, and Bill Gates should have known better. These weren't minor scratches either. These scratches were thick, easily visible, and difficult to clean without going to a store and spending money to get it buffered. Just sad. My Gamecube and PS2 doesn't scratch discs and neither does the Wii nor the PS3. You should know damn better Microsoft.

I also have other hardware issues to take up with Microsoft. Where the hell is backwards compatability? I mean right out of the box backwards compatability. The PS3 and the Wii have backwards compatability with their past systems without the use of any on-line process. When you get your Wii or Playstation 3, as soon as you hook it up to your TV, you can put your Gamecube disc or your Playstation 2 disc in their respective systems and play right away. Why isn't it that simple Microsoft? Why can't it be?

The problems and complaints go on. Why do I have to buy extra equipment and an XBox Live subscription of $70/year while the Wii and PS3 have free online play ready out of the box? Why the hell does the richest company in the world need more money and to charge for online connectivity? What would I rather have: the ability to play Halo 3 online at a cost of $70/year or to play games like WarHawk online or online games for the Wii for free? Common sense Microsoft, please?

The Xbox 360 should be better than what it is now. It should not be scratching up discs. It should not be having hardware failures. It should be backwards compatable out of the box. It should have Wi-Fi right out of the box and for free. Had Microsoft waited a year to test the system or were not too cheap to do so, the XBox 360 would not have it's problems. I can see why Hideo Kojima won't put MGS 4 on the 360. The same goes for Square Enix with Final Fantasy XIII. Who would want to buy a game for a system that has hardware problems and design flaws? Not me.

Nintendo and Sony should be laughing at Microsoft. The PS3 has more advanced technology than the 360 and it doesn't have hardware failures (or not to the extent of the 360). It also has everything built in to the system that 360 owners will need to buy in order to take full advantage of their system. The lowering of the basic PS3's price to $400 should also be a selling point to those undecided between the 360 or the PS3. The Wii also has superiorites to the 360. The Wiimote allows for more precise aiming in FPS games than analog sticks. This is why the control and aiming in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is better than Halo 3. Also, the Wii has free on-line play and a better download service than the 360.

I was looking forward to buying an XBox 360, but the thought of the numerous hardware failures and spending lots of money for those repairs or replacements is a turn off. I can't believe that the world's richest company is cheap enough to put out a machine with costly online play, lack of built-in backwards compatability, lack of built in online equipment, lack of other hardware built-in to the PS3 and the Wii. and an overall terrible hardware design with dated technology, costing many 360 owners money and grief. My brother has an Xbox 360 since December 2005. It was a basic unit and it hasn't had any hardware problems. He is lucky, that's all I can say.

Look, I know the PS3 has (or had) a steep price. Yes, it is expensive. However, you get all the things that the 360 owners need to take full advantage of their system and it has free on-line play. It also is a reliable system. It is also designed by a company that has far more hardware and console design experience than Microsoft. What would you, as a consumer, prefer? A $270 system that is known for and prone to hardware failures (and having a crappy customer and repair service) or a $400 system that has no widespread reports of critical failures? I'd pick the latter (if it were between the PS3 and the Wii, I'd pick the Wii, but that's another story). I was looking forward to owning an XBox360. It is a damn shame that the system, with a great game line up, has numerous design flaws. Microsoft is the richest company in the world. They had the resources, but were too damn cheap to use them.

In the words of the late Edward R. Murrow: "Good night, and good luck".