If anyone has the Madden game, can you please tell me how it compares to the regular Xbox version? I know that the graphics are better, but I've also heard that the game doesn't have all of the features that are in the XBox version. I'm trying to decide if I should get it now or just wait until next year's version since they should also have an NCAA game by then.
It's very stripped down, but plays about as well as you would expect, and looks (of course) stunning. Really it comes down to how you play the game. I always liked importing draft classes from NCAA, and managing a team in owner mode that way. That's not possible with the 360 version this year. No owner mode (there's franchise), no mini-games for training up players, no draft importing, etc. Basically all the bells and whistles are missing, but if you want a platform to straight up play games (singleplayer or online), it's entirely solid.
Do check out the 'arcade' section. There are some exceptional and very cheap titles in there you can pick up. I need some more backgammon competition, but there's also stuff like Joust, Bejeweled, etc. My gamertag is 'Bryant', shoot me a message or friend invite sometime.
Other titles I've played, and some very brief impressions;
Need For Speed: Most Wanted -- An absolute blast. I played some of the earlier titles in this series, and while they were okay, none of them really held up for me. This is one of the better launch titles, in my opinion.
Tiger Woods -- As good as it always is, but the online integration is wonderful. Daily tournaments, pick-up online games, etc. I thought the new 'work-up' to being a true pro was good.
Gun -- A very happy surprise. I've really enjoyed this, and I normally stick to sports games. A relatively free-form Western-style game with an entertaining (enough) story line. I've liked the controls and action, although I wonder a bit about how long it's going to be. Despite taking all the detours and side missions, I'm 55-60% of the way through after only a couple days of playing.
Quake 4 -- Eh, blow up zombies and aliens. See: Quake, Quake 2, Quake 3, Doom, Doom 2, Doom 3, etc. Not knocking it. It's just not really my thing.
NBA Live 06 -- A lot of fun, about the same as it's been previous years, just ridiculously detailed and good looking.
Condemned -- Haven't really given it a chance yet.
Call of Duty 2 -- Perhaps my favorite of the bunch? I don't know, NFS:MW and Gun have both been outstanding. I played this in 720p on my home theater in Dolby Digital, and it was genuinely immersive. Outstanding depth and range, genuinely a great game even for a 'non-gamer'.
Perfect Dark Zero -- Like Condemned, I just haven't given this one any time or attention yet.
I think the only titles it didn't come with are Project Gotham Racing and King Kong? I don't know if they're coming or not. Top Spin 2 will be, but not sure about others.
For anyone wondering (and here's where you're all going to hate me, passionately I suspect), I used to write professionally within the gaming industry. Got all of the above and the loaded version of the console free without any strings or expectations. They know I haven't written anything in that arena for over five years, this was just a -- actually, I don't really know what it was. A friendly gesture, I suppose, I choose not to question it too much, since I wouldn't have one otherwise. If it makes you feel any better, I did have to pay to renew XBLive.
Just kidding, I'm very envious.