Fanpoll: will you use the Xbox Originals service?
by Richard Mitchell 
{ Nov 13th 2007 at 6:00PM }
So, now that Microsoft has official revealed that they will begin offering downloads of original Xbox games through Xbox Live Marketplace, we're curious to see what our community thinks about it. Is the "Xbox Originals" service something your interested in using? We've already been reading some opinions on the matter in our comments, but we crave easily categorized statistical data. As such, we've composed a new Fanpoll. The subject? You guessed it: Xbox Originals. Find the poll after the break.
We've included a pair of extra choices aside from the garden variety yes and no. These were based off of some of the comments we've seen. Whatever answer you choose, please explain your vote in the comments. We'll discuss the results next week (at which point all of our questions might be answered anyway).
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
TORO @ Nov 13th 2007 5:24PM
Personally, older games are not as fun as the newer ones. Why would I pay 1200 MS points? Maybe if there were achievements for you cheevo whores lol
= @ Nov 13th 2007 5:58PM
Fucking right I am....
Blood Gultch IS BAAAACCCK
SadisticHam @ Nov 13th 2007 5:25PM
Only if they was improved. Perhaps if they lowered the price i might consider unchanged ones but currently i can buy originals for much cheaper elsewhere.
Darayz @ Nov 13th 2007 5:28PM
I voted for "Only if the games are enhanced." Although I applaud Microsoft for this, it really depends on the games being offered. I'd jump at a potentially enhanced Halo 1 with online co-op and matchmaking.
Mark C. @ Nov 13th 2007 6:00PM
Only if they added Achievement points. Otherwise I would rather put that $15 towards a new game.
DXL540 @ Nov 13th 2007 6:10PM
I've already reserved the points to buy Psychonauts. (Clearing off enough HD space is another matter. I hope Windows Home Server integration fixes that problem!)
Fred @ Nov 13th 2007 6:11PM
I'm in it only if they add achievement points to it. But if they do add achievement points, I wonder if you would be able to just pop in a disc(for a game they gave achievements) and the achievements will be there(via update) or would they only be there if you download it? I already got old Xbox games that I like and I can't think of anymore that I would get.
pbalcombe @ Nov 13th 2007 6:11PM
Halo: CE with LIVE and we're in business. Boarding Action and Hang Em High are calling...
TonyRockyHorror @ Nov 13th 2007 6:11PM
hella yeah. i'm all over Crimson Skies.
CharmedPower @ Nov 13th 2007 6:12PM
Hell ya only if its in HD, Access to LIVE and able to get Achievements!! :D
VOS @ Nov 13th 2007 6:12PM
If they keep adding more games, achievements, and update them with HD makeovers, then yes.
bigd7387 @ Nov 13th 2007 6:13PM
I love my 360 but I'm on my 4th unit. First 3 went dead after repairs so I just bought a new Arcade system, I already had the 120gb hard drive. But I voted NO unless MS ties the DRM to your hard drive and not the system. I'm out $200 of download purchases unless I play online, so if my internet goes down, and it has then I'm screwed since you I can't play offline now. MS fixes this issue then I would but otherwise, I don't think anyone should.
Will @ Nov 13th 2007 6:13PM
15 bucks? Psh! Only if I get achievement points.
Andre @ Nov 13th 2007 6:14PM
Lower the price, add achievements and I'd consider Halo and/or GTA San Andreas. Anything else, no.
BoxNut @ Nov 13th 2007 7:20PM
KOTOR baby!
Frank @ Nov 13th 2007 6:17PM
Not for 15 dollars a game, especially when almost all of them can be found used online/gamestop for under 10.
Brian Arnold @ Nov 13th 2007 6:24PM
As someone who's struggled to find a copy of Psychonauts recently, I'd love the chance to snag a copy for only $15. Woo!
That being said, I'd like at least marginal improvements. Let me access my friends list and such while playing, maybe some achievements would be nice, etc.
However, it may wind up just like the Wii's virtual console, and pretty much offer no improvements aside from being able to play without having to have another piece of hardware hooked up (although I guess that's not so much the case since the 360 has at least some form of backwards compatibility).
Not having to deal with the media would be nice. I love being able to just fire up the Xbox and play a multitude of XBLA games without having to change the disk out. Yeah, it's lazy, but it's wonderful.
Triforceowner @ Nov 13th 2007 6:26PM
The price is kind of annoying. It will cost Microsoft nothing but bandwidth (that's the internet term, right?) to get these games to consumers. Why not make the price 400 MS Points? Yet another example of what a douche Microsoft is... why must the 360 be so enjoyable?
Jeff @ Nov 13th 2007 6:26PM
If i have crimson skies now, and someone else downloads it. Can we play each other on Live?
xenocidic @ Nov 13th 2007 6:27PM
Again, only if there's cheevos.
Ciaran Gallagher @ Nov 13th 2007 6:28PM
No, what's the point when I can already get the downloadable games on disc for a lot cheaper bought from ebay or somewhere.
Plus, it uses up space on the limited 20gb hard drive, the 120gb hard drive is too expensive and it would take many hours to download, even with a fast connection.
Wilson @ Nov 13th 2007 6:35PM
Throw in some achievements, add Live multiplayer and bring the games to the HD age and we'll be in business.
violenceinhd @ Nov 13th 2007 6:37PM
look at all these achievementfags, you guys are ruining gaming.
anywho, all backwards-compatible Xbox games are already emulated in 720p, so there's your HD Xbox games. lol.
KilgoreTrout XL @ Nov 13th 2007 6:39PM
They could make $60 off me with this service if they made the original halo XBL enabled. That'll never happen, of course, which is a shame.
Zack @ Nov 13th 2007 6:40PM
I've never played Psychonauts, and I hear a lot of good things about it.
I might buy it if they upgrade it to HD.
KilgoreTrout XL @ Nov 13th 2007 6:41PM
Hey violenceinhd: It's cool to have an opinion, just try not to be such a dick when you express it, ok?
Thanks.
jack durden @ Nov 13th 2007 6:46PM
Pros:
- Games are easy to find
- Achievements
Cons:
- Good chance you could get most games offered for much cheaper if bought used at EB Games
I think big games like Halo won't do well, anyone who's owned a 360/original has that game in some format or another
pwarren4 @ Nov 13th 2007 6:46PM
HD and achievements are a must - but not enough, there will at least have to be some kind of variable pricing. I guess $15 for Halo CE is OK (although I don't know who would buy it, who is on Live that doesn't already own it?) but not for the first Fusion Frenzy or Outlaw Golf (Ok, maybe outlaw Golf) ;)
Token White Guy @ Nov 13th 2007 6:47PM
Lower the price, and enhance them.
Jon @ Nov 13th 2007 6:51PM
maybe for jet set radio that game was great stuff.
other than that probably not more than once
djadam12 @ Nov 13th 2007 7:24PM
i still have my xbox with all the games i liked - they don't get any play now, don't see why id go back even if they were enhanced...
xenocidic @ Nov 13th 2007 6:51PM
@jack achievements have not been confirmed yet for these games.
Jonah Falcon @ Nov 13th 2007 6:53PM
Crimson Skies MP FTW.
Oolon Coluphid @ Nov 13th 2007 6:54PM
Maybe for Psychonauts
mike @ Nov 13th 2007 6:58PM
ABSOLUTLY NEED ENHANCMENTS. virtual console is lame and this service is even lamer if their just direct ports since xbox 1 games are backwards compatible (at least the ones being released here are). Why pay $15 (more here in canada) when I can buy the real disc for $5 off ebay?
Now bring halo PC to the service (halo 1 with the 6 new maps and online play) and not only will I pay for the game, Ill give my copy of halo 3 away too.
These games need live addition if not enabled and achievements if they want to sell. Otherwise its a waste.
Megias @ Nov 13th 2007 6:59PM
I wouldn't wanna pay 1200 ms points buttt... If there achievments and live.. I would without A doubt
rockeranimefreak @ Nov 13th 2007 7:05PM
i want to try psychonauts! and what is this crimson skies everyone's talking about?maybe ms should make C.S.2? no wait BLINX 2 muhahahaha!
xenocidic @ Nov 13th 2007 7:08PM
Crimson Skies was one of the most popular Xbox Live games for OXB.
unfortunately with the recent gutting of FASA Studio the sequel possibility is up in the air.
Van Faulk @ Nov 13th 2007 7:11PM
It depends on the game. I alreayd own Halo so there is no point. get blood wake working proper and I'll go nuts.
Does anyone else find it funny that past gen games as downloadables is yet another things sony promised that MS has delivered on first. how many of those have there been...like 5?
Jair Mendes @ Nov 13th 2007 7:12PM
I will purchase HALO 1 if it offers the ability to play online through XBOX Live. I will never even touch any other game if this was to happen. HALO 1 is the best game of all time. BRING BACK THE PISTOL please.
Scott @ Nov 13th 2007 7:12PM
Just too pricey. Maybe if Xbox had some RPGs that lasted 50 hours or something (other than Morrowind since I have that), I could spend $15 for that kind of return. Otherwise, having the actual disc for less than $15 is my preference. Not too mention I have the smaller harddrive and would have a hard time giving up gigs of it when I need to crank through 360 demos.
Tim @ Nov 13th 2007 7:12PM
I'm with the crowd on this one. Upscale them to HD and add achievements and I might get a few, like Crimson Skies. But hard drive space will definately become an issue.
h0mi @ Nov 13th 2007 7:12PM
Achievements. Got achievements, I will buy.
Will this mean games that are otherwise incompatible will be compatible only with a download?
How big are these things gonna be? I have 7gb free on my HD, and this would push me to upgrade to an elite/120gb drive.
Jayson Hill @ Nov 13th 2007 7:16PM
In 26 years of owning consoles, I have yet to get rid of one. (Yeah, major storage issues.) Not real interested in rebuying games I already own. Give me new and original XBLA games.
ccc @ Nov 13th 2007 7:16PM
Yes, Church them up like the other arcade classic games meaning online play for the games that would benefit from it, enhanced visuals, and achievements with a 500 gamer score per xbox original game makes all the sense in the world. MS will do what makes sense I hope. Well know soon enough.
KOTAR FTW!
un1qu3 n3wy0rk @ Nov 13th 2007 7:17PM
Im definitely going to get Halo: CE, but it would be nice if it had LIVE and Achievements.
NoK610 @ Nov 13th 2007 7:20PM
I still own my old Xbox so I doubt I will download to my mesely 20GB HDD. It'll probably be cheaper to buy it used.
felix @ Nov 13th 2007 7:31PM
How about focusing more on Backwards compatibility? Half of my Xbox library still isn't playable on the 360. Microsoft is nuts if they think I'm willing to pay $15 to play I game I bought 3 years ago just because they don't want to invest in the effort of backwards compatibility.
Klink258 @ Nov 13th 2007 7:31PM
@=
Seconded.
Halo 1 with live? Fuck. Yes.
cg @ Nov 13th 2007 7:37PM
Interesting idea but I can pick up all these games much cheaper and have the actual disk and game box and there is not much room on a 20gig hd and i dont want to get a bigger drive coz i would have to buy the xbox360 overpriced one and have to be connected to live to access my DLC and XBLA games so no, interested but not buying. got all the xbox 1 games worth having anyway.
It would be great for someone with a 120 gig hd who didnt have some of the games and didnt live near a shop that sells them pre owned for £2.