Should I Get an Xbox?

The answer to the question "Should I get an Xbox?" is not an easy one. First off, you need to figure out whether you have space in your budget and your home. Next, you should consider how much free time you have, and how getting an Xbox will affect your lifestyle. Lastly, it's a good idea to decide if you really want to get an Xbox, or if another console would be a better fit.

Will the Xbox Fit My Budget And My Home?

Buying the Xbox itself already means laying out a nice chunk of cash. With Xbox ownership comes great responsibility, and the expenses can pile up quickly.

• Consider your available resources. Depending on where you buy your Xbox, and which version you get, you'll probably end up spending between $200 and $300 upfront. Each game will generally cost between $20 and $60 (although you can get great deals on pre-owned titles from places like GameFly or your local GameSpot). If you decide to get add-ons like the Kinect motion controller or wireless controller charging kits, that will add to the cost. And don't forget you'll probably want an HD TV (along with an HDMI cable) to take advantage of the great Xbox resolution! Don't forget that the Xbox can also save you money; subscribing to services such as Hulu and Netflix can replace some or all of your TV and movie viewing needs.
• Consider your space. Unless you get a Kinect, really all you need is a suitable screen and something to sit on. Still, you'll want to put some thought into the optimal viewing distance from your television, whether you'll want to be able to play with the charging cord plugged in, and how you want to store your Xbox and your games to keep them both accessible and protected.

Will the Xbox Fit My Lifestyle?

You might think that life will be the same after you get your Xbox as it was before, but the truth is there are a lot of things that might change.

• Consider your free time. Unless you have a ton of self control, playing games on the Xbox 360 will take up a lot of time. If you're the type of person who already has trouble doing all the things that you need to do (like, you know, eat and shower), an Xbox might not be the best idea.
• Consider your health. An Xbox can actually make you more healthy, if you pair it with a Kinect and spend some of your gaming time being active. However, your health will decline if playing on the Xbox stops you from performing your regular healthy activities.
• Consider the people you live with. Some people have very strong opinions about whether they want to listen to explosions, arcade music or racing noises all day long. Unless you're planning on gaming in your room with your headphones on, you might want to ask the people who share your space how they feel about having an Xbox in the house. Additionally, young kids and pets can be a factor to keep in mind when getting an Xbox, and when deciding how to store it.

Is an Xbox the Best Console Choice?

There are so many choices when it comes to gaming that you want to make sure you're putting your money in the right place.

If you're looking for an in-depth comparison between the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3, you'll find a great one on Buzzle.

• Consider the available games. Many games are playable on multiple consoles, but some are console-specific. For example, the Xbox 360 and the PS3 have a lot of titles in common, but the list of Wii-compatible games is very different. Are the games you want to play available on the Xbox? To get you started in your hunt for great titles, here is a list of the best Xbox adventure games.
• Consider the available controllers and accessories. Each console has its own styles of potential play that are enabled with included or add-on accessories. Some examples of add-ons include the Xbox Kinect hands-free motion controller, the PlayStation Move, and the Wii uDraw tablet.
• Consider other options. Gaming goes way beyond consoles. PC gaming is always an option: the keyboard and mouse play-style is especially effective if you prefer certain strategy, RPG, and city-building games. Handheld units such as the upcoming PlayStation Vita provide an awesome gaming experience wherever you go. Even traditionally non-gaming devices such as phones are now terrific platforms to entertain yourself with.

Hopefully, you've gotten a better idea of what's involved in getting an Xbox. Read on for some interesting polls, Xbox information, and what to do if you're thinking of giving an Xbox as a gift.

Pros:

• Entertainment value
• Improved hand-eye coordination
• Health benefits (when paired with Kinect)
• Social benefits
• Money-savings (when used as a replacement for movie-renting and cable)
• Lifestyle changes

Cons:

• Up-front costs
• Potential familial strife
• Health detriments
• Lifestyle changes

Perhaps you're considering whether to get an Xbox for someone else. I had to make this decision recently, when I ended up getting an Xbox for my boyfriend for Christmas. The factors you'll think about include what I mentioned above, but also the following:

• Is it on sale? I admit, this was the deciding factor for me. If someone you know wants an Xbox, keeping an eye on the sales will help you figure out when the best time to buy is.
• Does your recipient have money for games? Luckily, everyone I know has an Xbox, so there were a lot of great games that they were willing to loan out. In addition, I encouraged people to buy my boyfriend Xbox games as presents, and they were happy not to have to think of a good gift.
• Is this the best console choice for your recipient? The Xbox is a great overall system. However, your recipient might prefer to get a PlayStation, a Wii, or a handheld unit. A little gentle probing will help you decide which console will make the best gift.