Buying a 360/Wii in USA, good idea?

[Distant Cousin]

I'm going over to America in the summer and I've been toying with the idea of buying one of these whilst I'm there. Would it be a good idea? Only thing I'm worried about is if it broke, I'd be screwed (especially with the 360).

[Keith]

There doesn't seem to be any real reason to opt for an American 360, given Microsoft's attitude to Europe (i.e. they seem to know that we exist!). Not only are the release dates normally very close to the US ones, but the "HD era" has pretty much done away with sloppy conversions. However, if you do opt for a US 360, by all accounts MS will help you replace it with another US console if it breaks.

Definitely go for a US Wii though. While the current Wii lineup is...well, rubbish, there's no reason to be buying a PAL Nintendo console. It's highly unlikely that it'll break, and Nintendo have never heard of Europe. When's the PAL release of Super Paper Mario schedhuled for again?

[Distant Cousin]

Hmm, I'd rather have a 360 to be honest, but I heard that if you bought a US one but don't have a US address they don't replace it if it breaks?

[Lyris]

Apparently Microsoft are extremely accommodating not only to people who buy European consoles, but also to those who need their US ones fixed.

As long as territorial lockouts exist, then so does my 5-year-old self-ban on buying European consoles. Yes, it might break and yes, the 360 has a higher than average fail rate, but I'm not about to miss out on the benefits of a US machine (even in the 360's case) just out of fear.

[Pavey]

The only problem with buying a US Wii though is there are no good games yet

(tee hee )

Its fine getting a US 360 fixed though as they didn't give a **** towards mine, just wanted the ?80 as if it were a PAL machine.

[Distant Cousin]

So, if I get a 360 in America and it breaks when I'm back over here, I can DEFINATELY get it fixed by MS?

[Pavey]

Yes mate. Give them a call first, but they really couldn't give two hoots where it's from. You can borrow my serial number if you like.

Mine is out of warranty now so i'm just going with a local store for ?20, MS wanted ?80, but they said it's irrelevant of the region.

[Distant Cousin]

Ooh, this is a very tempting idea =)

I'll get in touch to make 100% sure. I must have been thinking of someone else when i thought I hd to have a US address, maybe Sony?

[Pavey]

Think that you only need a US address when seting up a US Live account.

Think. As in may not even need one for that.

[Distant Cousin]

Hmm, can I set up a UK account? Or will MS think it's a fake account and delete it? Sorry to ask all these questions, but if I can get one in America cheaper, and it can get fixed if it breaks then I'll go for it.

Sneaking it through customs will be a laugh though

[Pavey]

Uk account no problem at all. Customs even easier. I do it every time i travel.

A week before xmas i came home with 3 PS3's, 2 wii's and a digital camera, didn't even get a smack on the bum.

You have to be really really unlucky to get stopped.

[Distant Cousin]

Aye, I came through with a PSP in 2005, completely forgot about it until we'd left the airport! But I suppose it's easier to conceal one of those

[Distant Cousin]

Now, which would be cheaper, buying a UK PSU off eBay or here or somewhere, or getting the right stepdown?

If it's the stepdown can people recommend any? Got no idea about them tbh.

[Pavey]

I would say UK psu. The 200w stepdown you need is about ?50.

[Distant Cousin]

Cripes, how much do PSUs go for? Last time I checked they were about £60-£70.