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[Dilbert]

I bought my brother an Xbox last year for Christmas, and I'm getting him some more stuff for it this year. A couple of quick questions:

1) When you buy an Xbox Live package, what is included? How much is the monthly service, and how many free months are included when you buy the startup package? Is there a way to prepay months for someone else's account?

2) What's the best way of getting an Xbox talking to a wireless router? Is there a USB port on the unit so that he could reuse a USB-to-wireless adapter that he already has, or will he need another kind of widget to hook into the wireless network?

3) My sister is getting him KOTOR 2, my GF is getting him Halo 2, and I'm considering getting him another game. He recently bought Call of Duty (and likes it a lot). I'm debating between Riddick, Burnout 3, and...well, give me some more options. Which of the above also have online play? He doesn't like sports games, and although he liked Soul Calibur 2, he's not much of a fighting game fan.

Thanks for your quick feedback...I'm gonna hit the malls in about 30 minutes, so I'll take whatever info you have at that time and check back tonight for round 2 of shopping tomorrow.

 

[Catchpenny]

I think the latest Live kit comes with Crimson Skies, the headset and a 12 month subscription. Most if not all Live-enabled games come with a free two month trial to Live for new users. You can renew monthly for $6 a month or get a year for $50.

Riddick and Burnout 3 are good choices. Burnout 3 is online, Riddick is not. Other games you may want to consider:

Rallisport 2 (online)
Otogi 1/2
Return to Castle Wolfenstein (online and cheap, dunno if anyone still plays it though)

 

[IJoel]

I bought my brother an Xbox last year for Christmas, and I'm getting him some more stuff for it this year. A couple of quick questions:

1) When you buy an Xbox Live package, what is included? How much is the monthly service, and how many free months are included when you buy the startup package? Is there a way to prepay months for someone else's account?

2) What's the best way of getting an Xbox talking to a wireless router? Is there a USB port on the unit so that he could reuse a USB-to-wireless adapter that he already has, or will he need another kind of widget to hook into the wireless network?

3) My sister is getting him KOTOR 2, my GF is getting him Halo 2, and I'm considering getting him another game. He recently bought Call of Duty (and likes it a lot). I'm debating between Riddick, Burnout 3, and...well, give me some more options. Which of the above also have online play? He doesn't like sports games, and although he liked Soul Calibur 2, he's not much of a fighting game fan.

Thanks for your quick feedback...I'm gonna hit the malls in about 30 minutes, so I'll take whatever info you have at that time and check back tonight for round 2 of shopping tomorrow.

1. 2 Options:
A) 3 Month Starter Kit: Headset, demo versions of Mech Assault and Moto GP, 3 month subscription ($39.99)
B) Regular Starter Kit: Headset, full version of Crimson Skies, 12 month subscription ($69.99)
Whatever you decide to do, tell him to first use the 2 month trial that comes with the Live Enabled games, so that he gets 2 free months before using the kits. He can then enter the key codes from the kit and it'll be extended a year/3months after the 2 months are through.


2. The only thing the Xbox has is a RJ-45 connector to plug in the broadband service. You can certainly hook up a wireless receiver to it and it should work.

3. KotOR2 and Halo 2 are amazing games. Riddick is also very good, can be found cheap ($15-$20), but it's not online. Burnout 3 rocks and it includes online play. Other great Xbox games include Ninja Gaiden (not for the weaksauce gamer ; also not online, but includes downloadable content,) Fable (not online,) PGR2 (incredible online racer, cheap $19.99,) Dead or Alive Ultimate (online fighting game,) and RSC2 (another fantastic online rally racer, cheap $19.99.)

Good luck!

 

[Sysgen]

He should play KOTOR 1 before 2. There are too many references to the first game.

 

[Azih]

Yeah get him KOTOR 1 and Halo 1. That way he has two amazing games to play and he can play the sequel right afterwards he finishes (and not have to wait years). It's less tempting to go backwards in the series than forwards and missing out on those two games would be bad.


Edit: If you want new stuff then I'd go with Riddick. Anybody who likes Call of Duty should like Riddick.

 

[Dilbert]

Thanks for all the advice. IJoel -- the tip on the 12 month + Crimson Skies was especially ace...thanks!

He has already played and beaten Halo 1 and KOTOR 1...which is why the sequels were a no-brainer. I picked up Burnout 3 over Riddick since he has a lot of FPS games...something different might be nice.

Thanks for the info, guys!

 

[GDJustin]

Alright I was gonna make my own thread, but I'll put this question here.

I'm using a 2 month free XBL trial card right now, and I'm getting a 3 month XBL starter kit for xmas. Can I tack those 3 months onto my current XBL account? I mean, they're paid for... its not another free trial card, but I have the sneaking suspiscion you can't do that....

Edit: I'll be very upset if I can't, because I'm not about to waste those three months but I don't want to have to register a new gamertag to use them...

 

[fse]

Yes, I had a 2 mnth one.. and added a 12mnth to it... so I don't see why.

 

[Rhindle]

Yes, you can add the three months. IIRC, you just go to the online account screen and enter the code. You should do it before your trial period expires though, otherwise you will probably get charged for a 12-month renewal.

 

[GDJustin]

Good. Thanks for the heads up. Another 3 months to decide if I wanna pay for the service or not (I'm mostly getting the kit for the headset)

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

I'd just head to Gamestop or some place and get him 5 or 6 games between 15-20 bucks.

That's what I do every year for my brother and friends.