Developed in November 2005, the Xbox 360 gaming console is Microsoft`s solid answer to Sony`s play station. Having already sold 20 million units worldwide, it is still proving to be popular among gaming freaks. Designed by the Hers Experimental Design Laboratory Inc. of Japan and Astro Studios of USA, the game console is a fine product of its kind. It is available in two different types.

One is the Xbox 360 and the other is the core system. The Xbox 360 pack houses an Ethernet connectivity cable, a headset, a HD AV cable, a media remote, removable hard drive and a wireless controller whereas the core system has an AV cable and a wired controller. Being the powerful machine that it is, it has all the capacities to compete with other major brand of gaming consoles.

The Xbox 360 gaming console is a great improvisation over the original model built in 2001. As mentioned above, for people who really want to own this gaming device, to have a chance to choose from its available models according to their budget, it is a good option. There is a basic core version available which comes with wired controller and composite AV cable but you surely can move on to buy the other peripherals, as and when your budget allows. But, if you are someone who can afford to buy the whole system at once, then you can be advised to go for the model pack. The gaming console allows up to four wireless controllers to function on one console. This can provide the user with a real thrill of gaming with three other players concurrently.

The uses of the Xbox 360 gaming console are multiple in nature. It can introduce you to a fine world of digital entertainment. Armed with the capacity of enhancing your music and movies, it can magnify its sound to soft or loud. If you attach it to your TV, you can take the advantage of its high definition TV resolution to the maximum. Games that can be absolutely relished on this gaming device 360 are: `Dead or Alive 4`, `King Kong`, `Call of Duty 2` and `Need for speed Most Wanted`. These games are really considered as must haves for those who own the gaming console.

However, there is one minor disappointment in store for Xbox fans. Some games like `Madden NFL 06` and `NBA Live 06`, which run exceedingly well in the original model, do not run that amazingly in the Xbox 360 version. The audio and video effects are not up to the mark when these games are played on the latest model. Microsoft needs to pay immediate attention to this concern, which might become a potential reason of a deal breaker in future days.

Another very alluring advantage that the gaming console has to offer is the `family settings` feature. This feature has become a favorite among parents who can now protect their children from unpleasant contacts. This control feature performs two functions in the gaming console. They are allow/restrict access to offline games/movies and access to online contact and content. All said and done, the Xbox 360 has everything in it to become a favorite of gaming freaks across age groups.