Xbox 360 Questions

[Johnny]

Right, so I'm considering buying a 360 to tide me over before the PS3 and Wii. I'm not a big MS fan (very happy with my PS2 and GC not to mention PSP and DS) and like I said, it will be to keep me going until the PS3.

I'm mainly buying for Ridge Racer 6 because I love that series. But I have a few questions:

1). I'll be buying this for exclusives. Any multi format titles will be bought for the PS3. I don't really keep up with 360 news but do you reckon it will have say 20 exclusive titles in a couple of years (that are worth playing)?

2). Region. I'll probably be going for a US console as a big importer who can't wait to play games and don't want to have to wait for the lengthy Japan - US - Europe torture but how does online play work this way? For example, can I buy a US console, plug it in (with stepdown etc etc of course), hook up my BT broadband connection and play with no worries, or is it a bit more complicated than that?

3). More specifically on the online topic - do I need a wireless router of any sort to get online?

Thanks guys for reading and any help would really be appreciated!

[peeveen]

(1) Don't know.

(2) I believe it would be OK ... I've played NTSC region-free online games on my PAL 360. Besides, data transmission and all that TCP/IP stuff is not region specific. You can buy a modem from the US and it would work in the UK.

(3) It doesn't have to be wireless, and you don't have to use a router. You can network it with your PC if you like.

[Crimson Day]

1) in a couple of years yes

2) yes that works fine

3) no you can simply use a ethernet from pc-pc or from the internet box to the 360

[EJG1980]

In reference to question 2, you can pretty much mix and match any regions you like as far as online play goes. I have a Japanese Xbox 360, with a UK Xbox Live account, and have played NTSC-J and region free PAL games online with no problems at all.

[Salsa Party Animal]

Apart from sport games there is no need to import a US XBOX 360. Though.

[Johnny]

Apart from sport games there is no need to import a US XBOX 360. Though.

So all games get worldwide (or US/Euro) simultaneous releases then?

[EvilBoris]

So all games get worldwide (or US/Euro) simultaneous releases then?

Pretty much, I think the longest gap in release so far has been RR6 and DOA4 which came out here about a month after the US, they were both region free though anyway.

Most things come out within 2 weeks of the US.

[Johnny]

Pretty much, I think the longest gap in release so far has been RR6 and DOA4 which came out here about a month after the US, they were both region free though anyway.

Most things come out within 2 weeks of the US.

Ah, I didn't know that. Any idea if (I'm asking because, although I do regularly check different websites for release dates, I've seen a few different ones for these games...) N3 and Dead Rising will get the same treatment?

[Giga_Death]

also remember if you have friends/family in the US tell them to send you games (which are cheaper) with a mark down value of under ?18 and as gifts. You avoid import taxes.