My fourth Xbox died on me last night.  The ironic thing was it didn’t die when I was doing anything, like the previous three times, but it died the minute I finished watching a movie and went back to the dashboard.  Sure it’s disappointing, but I can’t say I didn’t find it shocking.  The fact that I have personally suffered the dreaded Red Ring of Death more than any other person should be reason enough for me to sink my allegiance somewhere else other than Microsoft, but for the many reasons why I should leave the 360 behind, there are other reasons why waiting for my fifth system is too tempting to pass up.

I just finished playing Fallout 3, spent nearly 30 hours in the main story before spending hours running back and finishing other quests.  I was happily gunning down Nazi Zombies in World at War, fending off dozens of deranged undead as my team struggled to stay alive.   I re-booted up Mass Effect to “Bring Down the Sky” and enjoyed every minute of it. Frankly put, the library of the 360 is simply too engaging and good to pass up.  Even with the fact that many of these games are available on the PS3, the fact that I am too broke to buy a PS3 and am receiving a free repair has some factors on my decision. I never thought that I would remain so loyal to the 360 even after this incident, but here I am anxiously waiting for my next refurbished system to arrive back from the warehouse.

But then again, part of me is angered at the fact of how unreliable the 360s really are.  I bought my PS2 in 2003, played it nonstop for years.  A little more than three years ago my PS2 caught fire while I was fixing some wiring inside it.  Despite the fire, it still works as good as the day I bought it.  Last year while I was moving, I accidentally dropped the system out of a two story window I was resting it on.  Again, the system still works as good as the day I bought it.  Yet, the Xbox 360 does nothing but sit on my bookcase and breaks down constantly.

The fact that Microsoft recently said that the new “Jasper” systems were finally released which allows a softer, cooler hardware to help ease the tensions of overheating is comforting to some, but it can’t help but overshadow the high percentage of systems that still constantly fail.  80% of 360 owners I have talked to, whether online or in person, have stated that they have suffered the Red Ring of Death and have had to send their system in.  Of about the thirty people I talked to, only about three said they had to send theirs in more than two times.  Why do those three people, and myself, continually to stick around and remain petulant to Microsoft that they will finally fix this problem once and for all?

I told myself after I got my fourth Xbox back last year that I would buy a PS3 if I got the Red Ring of Death again.  Despite my previous remark, I have to say I am not at all mad this happened.  Sure I won’t be able to play Fallout 3 for a while (although the DLC should be waiting for me when I return), and games that I just recently got my hands on, such as Prince of Persia and Left 4 Dead will have to wait.  The idea that I am simply undeterred by this latest breakdown is somewhat shocking, even to myself, but the library of the 360, and its stellar online play, are just too good to pass up, and I will remain with high hopes that I can somehow manage to keep my next 360 long enough to see 2010.

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About This Author: Josh Schwartzman

Been into gaming for as long as I can remember and have enjoyed every minute of it. I enjoy playing with everyone and anyone online and I am an avid PS3 and Xbox 360 player.

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