NHL 2K6

NHL 2K6 looks like another game that stands out only in high-resolution mode. Playing in 720p will give you sharp player models, high-resolution textures, and great-looking ice, but switching over to 480p gives you disappointing graphics that could be mistaken for the Xbox version.

We had a difficult time telling the difference between the 360 and Xbox 480p in-game screenshots since the player models looked the same. However, we did notice that the on-ice NHL and 2K Games logos had a higher resolution in the 360 version.

Xbox vs. Xbox 360 - Mouse over image to compare the difference!

NBA 2K6

See above.

Xbox vs. Xbox 360 - Mouse over image to compare the difference!

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 is another EA Box 360 game that features upgraded graphics, but, like other EA sports games, it's also missing game content available on older platforms. You can play only six courses in the Xbox 360 game--the PS2 and Xbox versions both have 14 courses, but the six courses available in the 360 version are so beautiful that you'll forget about the others.

Tiger has never looked so good on the console. He has an impressive player model with lifelike facial features and realistic clothing. You can now see self-shadowing on the player models, and the course environments look absolutely stunning with new textures and detailed course designs. The 360 shot looks washed out in comparison to the Xbox's color saturation, but we can assure you that the 360 game looks fine on its own.

Xbox vs. Xbox 360 - Mouse over image to compare the difference!

The Take-Home

After taking a look at nine Xbox 360 launch games and comparing them side by side against their Xbox counterparts, it's clear that we can't automatically assume that the Xbox 360 version of a game will be significantly better than the Xbox version, especially if you don't have an HDTV.

If you only can play at standard resolution, games like Gun, NHL 2K6, and Tony Hawk's American Wasteland are only marginal ports that offer very little over the Xbox versions of the same game. At the very least, you can expect to see higher resolution textures, and some will give you a new widescreen look, complete with a stretched-out UI overlay. Not all games were disappointing--many provided jaw-dropping graphics available only on the 360. Need for Speed Most Wanted, King Kong, and all of EA's sports games feature graphics upgrades that scream next-gen, just oozing with high-resolution textures and new lighting systems. The Xbox 360 is best enjoyed at HD resolutions, but there are plenty of launch games that still look great on normal televisions.