Ok so I've been a hard core PC gamer for years, it helps when your step dad has his own small Computer Store and you get upgrades at cost... but even with that the price to upgrade can be daunting. Add to the fact that there are very few story based RPGs and that I can't make gaming use of the 50" HD tv... last night I took the plunge.

After reading this site for a few months and seeing the industry kick out some really funky games that seem to be console only (or at least waiting 6 months for a PC release, read AC) like Mass Effect, Eternal S, etc, as well as knowing the system will be alive and well for at least another 4 years, I figured it was a good purchase.

I traded in about 15 PS2 and 7 PC games that were collecting dust in the basement and got a 360 Pro, Assasin's Creed and Eternal Sonata as well the battery charger for half the price by exploiting a few EB Games promotions (bought and traded back games to have a 4 fold increase in other trade in values, I love working the system LOL).

So the big questions, how required is Xbox Live Gold? It almost seems like it's a staple for having a 360, and if I have to choose between Halo 3 and COD4, which should win out? Finally, what good Multiplayer/COOP games are out there for Xbox? As I'm a PC fan, it might be hard to get over not being online with most games.

Any other advice to give a 360 newbie?

congrats....

xbox live adds a whole new dimensions to the games you play if they have online. halo and cod4 well... it would depend who you ask. i would say halo because i dont like cod4. but thats me. and congrats on the xbox

congrats on the new system, xbox live gold.... how much will you use it? is the big question, small time user could easily survive on silver :eek:. i myself could not live with out gold :D.
As for Halo 3 vs COD 4 - COD 4 no contest, for a co-op game my favorite is still Rainbow Six Vegas, play co-op online work as a team in story mode, meet some good people, chat, kill things can't get better than that

halo 3 over cod4 -- custom games/saved films/co-op its the better multiplayer experience on the system.

God... I'm trying to decide between either of them but after reading the crazy posts going on with these two, I might just have to get them both. I've never seen so much of a split in preferences with such passion.

I'm also getting Mass Effect today, hoping that'll work for a while as well. Eek, too many games this season.

You seem to prefer RPGs so I can't be of much help (I loathe them, the only games I play are shooters, fighting, or stratigy) but in the CoD4 vs Halo 3, I would go Halo 3. It's just more fun, and while the MP is slightly broken (the melee is impossably overpowered) it's still an incredable game.

halo 3 over cod4 -- custom games/saved films/co-op its the better multiplayer experience on the system.

COD4 over Halo3-- The comprehensive and rewarding leveling system, lack of WTF WHY DIDN"T HE DIE!?!?!?!? moments, variety of fun, choosable game modes, equal party system, and better clan system makes it the better multiplayer experience.

COD4 over Halo3-- Lets handle this piece by piece shall we?

The comprehensive and rewarding leveling system-You'd rather have to work for stuff rather than have it all instantly? Unlockables work well for single player, but working unbalance dirrectly into the workings of the game is just laughable! This is the singular reason I refuse to buy CoD4.

lack of WTF WHY DIDN"T HE DIE!?!?!?!? moments- Okay, this is valid. Halo 3 is very buggy, but will undoubtably be patched eventually. Halo 2 had a lot of the same problems.

variety of fun-Against the game with more custom game options than any shooter ever? Hah!

choosable game modes - Again, Halo 3 is rediculously more customizable than CoD4.

equal party system - Name one game where you had uneven teams by more than one man in Halo 3. Just one.

better clan system - Are you too good for a friends list?

I'm not starting this again. You've heard my opinion. I'm not defending it. I another Halo fanboy wants to make himself look like a retard by judging a game that he neither owns nor plays, thats fine with me.

I say we make a giant pool on when his xbox get's the red ring of death. Congrats though I hope you enjoy the system.

Woah thats weird, because i just got a 360 for the same exact reasons, listening to the podcasts and reading all the articles and forrums! I wait till the forza thing came out. I think i might get Assisans Creed, any one have areviewe on it? I dont feel like looking for one.

If you get a 360 you need live, I had it without for a month. Battlefield online is god for compared to single player.

Assasin's Creed is good. I can see where some folks have a problem with the repeativeness of some of the tasks, but it's still a solid BUY. Mass Effect looks promising too, I'm only in it a bit so far but I can easily see myself trucking through the whole thing (30+ hours). I'm also enjoying the artistic japanamation design of Eternal Sonata; it's a little slow and dry, but god it's got beautiful concept.

And for the RRoD... I'm thinking I've got at least 18 months out of it before it dies. I have a feeling it'll be a bit, if at all.

All of the games on this list should be considered rents at least. I don't know your taste in games and you may not enjoy them as much as I do.

Oblivion: GOTY
Blue Dragon
Bioshock
Crackdown
Mass Effect
Dead Rising

There are a ton of 360 games out there and a lot of Xbox backwards compatible games so consider a subscription to GameFly.

xbox live adds a whole new dimensions to the games you play if they have online. halo and cod4 well... it would depend who you ask. i would say halo because i dont like cod4. but thats me. and congrats on the xbox

lol that kind of dimension has been existing for the last 10 years on the pc lol and for free mos of the time though live is the best as for the consoles

you need gold. Get call of duty 4. You will love it. Also online co-op gears of war is money. Check that out.

xbox live adds a whole new dimensions to the games you play if they have online. halo and cod4 well... it would depend who you ask. i would say halo because i dont like cod4. but thats me. and congrats on the xbox

cough cough JEFF BELL cough cough. Is that you? What are you doing here?