A Girlfriend's Guide to Xbox 360

Just when you want to say enough is enough and you give your boyfriend the ultimatum, "It's either me or the system," you might want to think twice.

One night, I called for my boyfriend, borgd, to come to dinner. After yelling three times I knew I was going to have to go in there and unplug the Xbox 360™. He should know better; we went through the same thing when Halo® 2 came out, and I wasn't going to eat alone while he spent time with Joanna Dark.

When I walked in the room he immediately put down the controller and went to the kitchen. I picked it up to exit the game and somehow landed myself in Marketplace where the word "shop" caught my eye. Shop? I love to shop!

I had no idea I could be hooked up to the Internet on this sucker. I mean I had heard Xbox 360 was advanced but who knew! So, I did what any skilled shopper would do, I checked out Marketplace for some sweet deals.

Marketplace is the spot for Xbox 360 game demos.

Marketplace Freebies!
So what do all shoppers love? Freebies! And Marketplace is so the place to get them. Try out multiple demo games, not just bloody, fighting ones either. I downloaded FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup® and it was actually really intense. The players showed the same emotions as the professionals, throwing their hands in the air when they missed a shot or running around the field when they scored. The demo even lets you play live against gamers across the globe.

DVR in Gamer Mode
Still though, Xbox 360 took some time to win me over. When you are at his place on a Sunday night, your plans are to watch the all-new episode of Desperate Housewives (it is, after all, a Sunday night ritual). However, he thinks going to the local pub for some macho football game is your ideal evening. Don't fret! After I saw how cool Marketplace was, I did a little research.

It turns out DVR just went into gamer mode. If you have Windows Media Center and the proper connection to your TV … bam, you have Desperate Housewives taped for when you get home. What a way to avoid an argument. Xbox.com provides you with easy steps into hooking it all up.

Get the Party Started
I am sure you all think the popular music gadget right now is the iPod. I agree, the nano is pretty cute (although, it really doesn't give you the bass you need for a true dance party). Xbox 360 can actually store your music. Hook it up to your stereo for your favorite music in surround sound. The next time you have a party, let it be the jukebox—all you have to do is pick the favorite soundtrack that you've created.

Pick music that will really get the party started.

Whether it's shopping, DVR, or music, Xbox 360 has got it all. So, the next time your boyfriend is glued to the game, why not give it a try? You know that old saying, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!"

Got something on your mind? Have words of wisdom for your fellow gamers? Submit your story to xlmail@microsoft.com. Subject: GamerSpeak.

Article by Killakaikai