If I just want an Xbox360 to play games, and no (or limited) online ability, is the arcade version a good choice?

No online without a hard drive and the Arcade version has no hard drive. Plus, some of the game saves are huge and without a HDD you will need to stock up on memory cards. The HDD versions also have other great abilities that some day you will wonder how you did without. :)

yes, I think the Arcade version would do you fine. You won't have access to backwards compatible Xbox games (requires a harddrive) but nothing else does at this time.

The Arcade pack comes with a 256 meg mem card so you'll have room for game saves. You want have room to download game demos or movies/tv shows of Video market place.

Later....if you are enjoying it all and want to do more....you can buy the 20gig or 120gig HD to complete the system.

Online, Game saves, a few XBL Arcade games.....you will be limited with only 256meg but to "just play games" it'll work.

Will the 256 meg be enough for game saves?

It depends though remember that the original 'Core' model needed a mem card (or hd) and the only mem card originally offered was only 64meg.. The more games you play the more space you need for all the different games saves. If those games have downloadable content and you want that....more space.

You can always add a harddrive later though it will cost you more overall than buying one that comes with the Harddrive already.

Arcade ($279) + 20 gig ($89) = $368

Premium ($349) = Arcade + HD + hi-def cables + headset

So buying the bigger packages is cheaper "overall" but you can get the Arcade and if you start to really get into the game playing and want to expand the system....you can.

Will the 256 meg be enough for game saves?

Only you can decide that. Different games have different save sizes. Mass Effect uses 4MB. Bioshock 15MB. Some games use as little as 100KB.

In other words, it depends on what you're planning on playing and how you manage your saves. I have a shelf of games, and I don't like to have to think about managing space. 256MB wouldn't be enough for me.

Most games list their save size on the back of the packages.

No online without a hard drive

You can go online with an Arcade unit.

Do you have an HDMI enabled TV? For HD you need to buy an HDMI cable ($10 online) or component/VGA cables ($40+).

You can save a LOT of games on 256M. Other than Obvlivion saves which are over a meg I have not seen any HUGE ones that would fill a 256M card.

Oblivion is 8MB. Newer games tend to have large saves.

Oblivion is 8MB. Newer games tend to have large saves.


On my HDD:

Oblivion 2M
PGR4 396K
GHIII 60K
CoD4 576K
AC 356K
VF 552K

Most of my new games are under 1M. YMMV

On my HDD:

Oblivion 2M
PGR4 396K
GHIII 60K
CoD4 576K
AC 356K
VF 552K

Most of my new games are under 1M. YMMV

So the Arcade may be just fine if I am playing 1 or 2 games at a time. I have an HDTV, do I need to buy an HD kit or does it come with it?

You would need to buy the component cable adapter or an HDMI cable (make sure your box says 'HDMI' on it).

The MS cables are around $50.....so if you want component then the regular Premium might be a better choice (cables included). Plus the 'holiday pack' for the Premium includes two games (Forza 2 and Marvel Alliance). And of course you'd get the 20gig HD with the premium...and the headset (for online gaming).

You can go online with an Arcade unit.

Great, it's got an internet connector. Where do you store all the LIVE updates ? Game updates ? DLC ? Halo 3 even says optimized for HDD right on the box. Backward compatability is dependant on the HDD. What if you want more Arcade games ? The HDD packed in with two games, a headset and component cables is a deal compared to multiple memory units. Not to mention you can download HD movies and TV shows off of LIVE and soon original XBox games. Call me a gaming snob but having a 360 without a HDD is just goofy. :)

If you're gonna be doing anything online just spring the extra money for the premium, you'll thank yourself later.

If I just want an Xbox360 to play games, and no (or limited) online ability, is the arcade version a good choice?

Yes, it will be enough to play games.
Not many at a time but it will work fine.
The HDD is a *very* good idea but not mandatory.

However, try doing a run through the K-Marts in your area.
They're doing *something* with the 20GB drives and a lot of folks (me included) are seeing them as low as $25.
If you intend to use HDMI to hook up the Arcade you can get a decent cable from Monoprice for $5 so you'd be in business with an Arcade and a 20GB HDD for around $310.
That said, the Pro Holiday bundle includes two very good full games (Forza 2 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance) so if those games are to your taste there is a *lot* of value in the extra $70.

Your money, your call.
Have fun, either way. :)