Xbox 360 -- Impressions.

I have connected and set up my brand new Xbox 360. The console itself is gorgeous. It's sleek with nice curves and lines. If I were to describe the console in one word, that word would be class. The system is just visually classy in my opinion. I think this might be the best looking console in the history of video games, even surpassing the original SEGA Genesis. I'm laying the system down, not standing it up. The curves and concave plating really show up nice this way. The chrome disc tray plating is a nice visual flair. It catches the light. The glowing green eye is cool. It lets you know the system is on because the system itself is surprisingly quiet. Connecting the system was simple. The power supply adapter is about the size of a brick. This baby sucks down the juice. You have the great combination component and high definition audio and video cables. And you have the Ethernet cable which I just left in place from removing the Xbox and putting the Xbox 360 in its place. I didn't use the one included with the system. The controllers are godly. I'm instantly in love with it. Everything is responsive and tight. The button positioning is exceptional.  It's comfortable and feels solid and well made. Everything about the system feels solid and well made, from the console, to the controllers, to the power supply, to the connection cables. The feeling of class transfers over to the system interface. You have four panels that Microsoft are calling blades. If you sign up for Xbox Live, or transfer your current account over to the Xbox 360, the Xbox Live blade will be the default blade when starting up the system. The system will automatically sign in to the service. Here you'll have access to your friends list to see who is online. Check or send messages. Check the latest news. You can access Xbox Live Marketplace from this blade. Xbox Live Marketplace is just that, a store where you can buy skins, themes, game demos, trailers, redeem your prepaid cards or promotional codes, and check your download history. Some downloads are free, others will cost you Microsoft Points, which you can purchase. The next blade is the Games blade. Here you can check your achievements, played games, access Xbox Live Arcade, demos, and trailers. Xbox Live Arcade allows you to download small games that are stored on your hard drive. You can play these games over Xbox Live. They feature everything from newly created content to classic arcade games. You can play Joust over Xbox Live. I will say that again, you can play Joust over Xbox Live. Awesome. The next blade over is Media. Here you can access your music, pictures, and video. You can connect your Xbox Live to your PC, portable storage devices such as external drives, memory card readers, and even the PlayStation Portable. You have to download and instal Media Center on your PC to be able to link the systems. Once linked you'll have access to all the music, video, and images on your PC. Here is also where you'd create custom soundtracks. The final blade is System. Here you'll have access to all the console settings, parental controls, memory management, network settings, and computer connection settings. Each blade is color coded so you will get to know them visually. It's a slick design. The Xbox Live blade is gold. I'm assuming it would be silver, if that's the level of your Xbox Live account. Games are green. Media is blue. System is purple. Speaking of Xbox Live, transferring it over to the Xbox 360 was very simple. You just tell them you're already a Xbox Live subscriber. You'll enter your Gamertag. You'll then be asked to enter your Passport information. If you've already signed up on the official Xbox site, you'll have this information. That's all it takes. I'm impressed with the design, quality, and interface of the Xbox 360. All of it is just classy. Now for the games...