So I decided to use part of my tax return to upgrade my Xbox 360 experience. The two accessries that interest me the most are the wireless head set and the Windows messenger keypad. My question is: Can the two be used at the same time? I absolutely hate the headset that came with my X360. The cord is too short and more often than not ends up getting in the way. I've had a couple of occasions when the plug of the head set comes right out during the middle of a grueling match of slayer in Halo 3! Not cool, to say the least. I'm getting the wireless head set, but before I buy the Windows Messenger keypad, I need to know if I can use it in conjunction with the wireless headset. If I can't, and MUST use the head set that's packaged in the Messenger Kit, I probably won't buy it. Help me out, my fellow gamers!

-Ace

I've recently finished playing through Mass Effect and highly recommend this game! While it's not perfect and has a vehicle mode that seems like it was slapped on at the last minute, it's a must play for the rpg starved Xbox 360 fan base. It also has a very high replay value and achievements that can't be attained through a single time through. Once I finished playing Mass Effect, I started on BioShock. I haven't gotten very far into the game, but rest assured that I will play through it and eventually finish. The question at hand is this: What game should I play next? I'm seriously considering the Orange Box since I haven't played through Half Life 2 or any of the Episodes that follow up. Being the rpg fan that I am, I'm giving consideration to Lost Odyssey yet have found myself discouraged from it by the reviews it's gotten. Anyone played it yet? I take into consideration personal opinions as much as GameSpot's reviews. Eternal Sonata is another rpg I'm considering, but I'm interested in more than just rpg's. Anyone played Witcher? LOL, yet another rpg. Anyways, I'm in need of recommendations for my next Xbox 360 game or possibly PC game, in the mean time I shall be playing BioShock!

--Ace

Not too long ago my Xbox 360 suffered a fatal blow: the three flashing red ring lights. After contacting Microsoft with my delima, I received a box to ship it back to Microsoft with a return address label inside, effectively covering all shipping costs. I would have been a little upset if I had been forced to cover the shipping costs. Once my X360 was in the mail, I didn't hear anything from UPS or Microsoft until two days before it was to be delievered back to me. It was merely a recorded message telling me that someone needed to be at home to sign for the package, otherwise they'd try delivering it another day. Thankfully, I was home, not having to work until later that evening. To my surprise and delight, I received a brand new X360 instead of my old one! I guesssending me a new onewas cheaper than trying to fix the original. It has a manufacturing date of November 2, 2007. In comparison to my old X360, the new one is a lot quieter, runs smoother without any grinding noises and even runs cooler. Another problem I had with the old one was that my original Xbox games didn't play very smoothly, being choppy with sound distortion. After playing Knight of the Old Republic for an hour, I'm happy to report that all of those issues have been remedied. All in all, Microsoft has done right by me. I ended up with a brand new unit without having to pay a single penny. As frustrating as it was to have my system die, it was taken care of in a timely manner and without hassle.

-Ace

My Xbox 360 is scheduled to be delivered to me tomorrow. I haven't been told whether it's been repaired or simply replaced, either way I'm looking forward to it. The last game I played was Halo 3, and hile it does have a high replay value, it's time to decide what game I'll play next. I have narrowed the games down to three from which to choose and I would like some opinions from my fellow GameSpotters. The games are: Assassin's Creed, Mass Effect and BioShock. I love RPG's as well as action adventure games, so my delima is well founded. Let me know which one you like (or dislike) the most!

-Ace

The dreaded red ring of death has hit my Xbox 360! I had finished playing through Halo 3 on co-op mode with one of my friends just two days earlier before the ring started flashing red with three of the four sections of the power ring lit up. Thankfully, the person I talked to on the Xbox support line was very thorough in walking me through the steps of narrowing the problem down. I was sent a box with a return address tag on the inside, as well as everything needed to secure my Xbox 360 securely within. He also recommended writing the repair order number on the outside of the box, and tape a piece of paper to the unit itself with the same information. It should return in about four weeks. I'll give an update when I hear more about the fate of my beloved Xbox 360. They'll either repair it or replace it without a single dime charged to me! At least their customer service has improved with time.

--"Ace"