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[Speevy]

I have an Xbox from November 2002 (JSRF/Sega GT Combo) and it has served me well. Recently however, some non-taxing games have been giving me problems. The cutscenes in Blinx 2 were like slide shows, and I haven't once been able to load the intro to Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy. Gameplay for both of these games is fine for the most parts, with slight skips here and there that don't always occur within a given play session. Of course, there's the occasional and annoying DDE.

Anyway, I have a Thompson Xbox. It's clear to me that this thing isn't going to last a great deal longer in a condition that I'm comfortable with. Having out of sync cutscenes absolutely destroys the presentation in some games. Two games that gave me no problems whatsoever were Ninja Gaiden and Halo 2. I don't know what it is.

Anyway, I'm about to buy Jade Empire, but I'm also thinking about getting a new Xbox, or perhaps even a PS2. I don't have a ton of money to spend. How much are cheap used/refurbished Xboxes? How much would I get for this one? I love my Xbox, and I absolutely despise the idea of trading in systems, but I also want a system that will last me a little longer.

Also, can someone tell me if Jade Empire is likely to cause problems with my current system if I just choose to buy it? Maybe I'm just being over-sensitive to something that's been happening since I got the system with games like Morrowind and KOTOR, but I didn't think it should happen in a platforming game. :/

 

[Musashi Wins!]

It's all about the disc it's pressed on. My Thompson would begin to grind like a coffee bean machine. Luckily at the time, it played well enough to fool the yokels and I was able to trade it in on a special deal for a Halo LE Xbox. Given the consoles shortage, I would try the same. You'll likely receive a decent amount for it and they don't check them very well at most establishments.

 

[Brandon F]

My Thompson isn't a happy camper these days either. Spikeout crashed constantly, Splinter Cell 3 gets all sorts of audio sync issues now and again and also crashes occasionally.

Phantom Dust and Halo 2 are pretty flawless on it though. I'd rather not replace it, but am considering just upgrading to the Xbox 2 later this year.

 

[Speevy]

I think I'll just save money and get Jade Empire.

If the Xbox fails down the road, I still have the most perfectly running system: the Gamecube. Not to mention that Xboxes ought to be pretty cheap by the end of next year.

 

[DarkCloud]

Why not just replace the drive? I've seen hacked Samsungs on ebay in the past for around 50-80. Course I'm not sure if your system must be modified in anyway to run the replacement DVD rom.

 

[Dyne]

My November 2001 Xbox Thomson is still chugging along. I must be the only one by now.

 

[Speevy]

I just ran the Fable demo disk.

PGR2
Crimson Skies
Top Spin
Sudeki
Rallisport Challenge 2
NHL Rivals
Amped 2

All run flawlessly.