Xbox Solution:

Xbox 360: Evolution of Family Entertainment!

Xbox 360™ is about to arrive on retail shelves across the world and its arrival will bring the gaming community into a new generation of games, on-line experiences, and technology. There is no question about the supremacy of the hardware in Xbox 360, or the successful past and increasingly promising future of the Xbox Live® service.

Xbox 360 is a leap forward in gaming evolution, and will put consoles in the forefront of gaming, perhaps surpassing what personal computer games are able to produce for years to come. When all is said and done, it's really about the games and the experience.

Kameo is a game parents and kids can enjoy together.

The upcoming wave of games is going to be like nothing we've ever seen on a console, dazzling us with graphics, lighting, and particle effects that we could have only hope for in the past. The way a game looks is one thing, but the way it plays is another.

The new console is improved in so many ways its hard to tackle all of the improvements in one article, and we don't intend to, but we do want to touch on some of the key features and enhancements for parents, and round it out with a stellar list of titles to look for.

Hardware and Software
The original Xbox® was developed with casual gamers, hardcore gamers, parents, and children in mind. When it was released, it was the most powerful console available, and to this day, right up until the Xbox 360 is officially live, that statement remains true. The development of Xbox 360 follows the same path, and adds to every aspect gamers and parents are looking for, in one tightly wrapped bundle.

Sure games like Halo 3, GUN™, Gears of War™, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter™, The Elder Scrolls®: Oblivion™, and other high-profile games are going to benefit from the new hardware, but so is the overall value of the console. For beginners, the Xbox 360 dashboard has been given a complete overhaul to make it more intuitive, much like the new wireless controller. Below that shiny veneer comes the technology to personalize, monitor, and limit what you and your child see, play, and access through the Family Settings.

Racing fans of all ages will love PGR 3.

Look for a full write-up from Xbox Solution on Family Settings once we've had more alone time with our Xbox 360. In the meantime, we will mention that the new feature is much like the Parental Controls on Xbox, allowing you to filter games, DVD movies, and on-line content.

Added to the mix is the option to allow or disallow user created content via Xbox Live® Marketplace, and limit or bar the use of Xbox Live altogether. With Xbox 360, you are in complete control of what your child plays and sees. More information on Xbox 360 Family Settings can be found here.

Xbox 360 Games for Parents and Children!
So many games and so little time, that's generally the scheme of things. The following is a list of games that we think parents might want to consider when choosing a game for their children. Keep in mind, the list doesn't stop here; in addition to the games below, most of the downloadable games in the Xbox Live Arcade are appropriate for gamers of all ages, so be sure to check those out as well.

Of course, Xbox Solution will be here every couple of weeks with new recommendations and features. Another great resource for parents is the Game Ratings page for more help determining if a game is appropriate for your kids.

Games Out on Launch Day

• Kameo™: Elements of Power™ (Rated 'T' for Teen): The future of the world depends on Kameo, who must master her new ability to transform into various warriors and harness their elemental powers to save her family from Thorn, the evil troll king. Possibly the best pick on launch day, Kameo not only looks great and boast imaginative worlds, it will also challenge your child's mind.
• Madden NFL 06 (Rated 'E10+' for Everyone): The new Madden for Xbox 360 has been built from the ground up to deliver the most incredibly lifelike and best looking football experience ever created. It's the perfect choice for fans of the sport on the next generation console.
• Project Gotham Racing® 3 (Rated 'E10+' for Everyone): This racing game creates the ultimate roster of the hottest super cars in existence, introduces them to the high-definition era, and drops them into a completely new gaming world, where style rules the road. PGR™ 3 is the racer of choice for many gamers on Xbox 360, but keep in mind that it does employ some fairly detailed "simulation" style physics and mechanics.
  

Dad may enjoy Tiger Woods 06 after the kids are in bed.

• Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 06 (Rated 'E' for Everyone): With new mini-games, 19 licensed golfers, and 12 authentic PGA TOUR courses, Tiger Woods 06 challenges you to call out your rivals and prove yourself as the greatest golfer ever. Golf can be just as satisfying onscreen as it is on the course, and offers fun for a wide range of age groups.
• Tony Hawk's American Wasteland (Rated 'T' for Teen): The freedom to skate, or bike, throughout a rich, expansive open environment. While skateboarding is considered an extreme sport by many, it may just suit your tastes, just be sure to check the label to make the final decision if it's appropriate for your child.
• Call of Duty® 2 (Rated 'T' for Teen): Call of Duty 2 offers more immense, more intense, more realistic battles than ever before. Due to the nature of shooters they do contain violence, so this title might not be for everyone; for those gamers it is right for, they are in for a treat. As always, check the label and game page to see if this one hits your marks.
• Amped® 3 (Rated 'T' for Teen): Amped 3 is the next in a line of quality snowboarding titles in the Amped series, where players race and trick their way down mountainous slopes. The title does have some crude humor in it but is a great pick up and play choice.
• NBA 2K6 (Rated 'T' for Teen): Achieve NBA superstar status with the new 24/7 mode in NBA 2K6, where created players partake in training camps, competitions, and even land endorsement deals. If basketball is in your child's dreams, then NBA 2K6 will be a slam dunk on launch day.

Beyond the Game List
We've only touched on a few of the titles available and kept our list to titles you can pick up when Xbox 360 first hits the street. In upcoming articles, we'll detail more information on the Family Settings, as well as delving deeper into the games we are certain will be a hit with you and your children, including specific Xbox Live Arcade games.

Be sure to check back for Xbox Solution's latest write-ups here at Xbox.com as we drill even deeper into the Xbox 360 console, its features, and the games that make us love it so much!

Article by Christina Mariannino