The New Xbox Experience

Similar to the jump from XP to Vista, Microsoft's Xbox 360 interface overhaul is a combination of great new aesthetics and annoying problems. But the New Xbox Experience is worth more than its pretty looks in spite of a few niggles.

One of the most anticipated features is the inclusion of Avatars -- unarguably Microsoft's answer to Nintendo's Miis. Created by Rare, developer of Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, the Avatars are cutesy, customizable representations of Live users. It's fun to snap images of your custom character to use as a Gamerpicture, or play as him/her in A Kingdom for Keflings, but the Avatars turn the Friends list in to a useless mess-with only three of your buds lined up at a time it's a hassle to find someone you're looking for.

In fact, the new navigation is sort of sloppy in general. With the new Dashboard no longer based on the tried-and-true "blades," you'll be switching between horizontal and vertical menus that resemble the PlayStation 3's XMB. But instead of being easy to navigate, the uber-organized approach to the Video and Games Marketplace confuses with convoluted criss-crossing as you try to track down new downloads.

New Xbox Experience
New Xbox Experience

What the new iTunes-style cover-flow boxes do for the NXE, however, is detail the ins and outs of what you're looking at. Need to check out your Achievement progress in Mirror's Edge? Hop in to the recently played list in the My Xbox section and check out the card that shows off your recent unlocks-as well as cards for each of your other played games beside it. Accessing a recently played game's page with a tap of the A button allows you to see all downloadable content and general information as well, thus negating the need to explore Marketplace in search of Rock Band tracks.

The outstanding Xbox Guide is probably what you'll find to be the most useful. Your Friends list is infinitely more useful from the big ol' Guide button than the Avatar-display, as you can see Gamertags, names, mottos and games being played for five friends at a time. The Guide also allows you easy and immediate access to your system settings, media and Marketplace. You'll almost certainly find the new Guide to be the most useful new addition to the NXE.

New Xbox Experience
New Xbox Experience

Comments [43]

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slm90031

I'm glad that a 4 star addition got a 2 star review. I could care less about the new experience to be honest, but I didn't have any navigation issues and it was "interesting" to see what kind if avatar's my friends came up with. Now if I can just get an update where I can connect my Ipod touch....

JG101

Honestly I think the avatars are useless. They really don't serve a purpose other then making your dashboard more Wii like. I suppose they can be used in certain games but really in the end they are pointless. They might have potential but I think the Wii's Mii system is more thought out.
Not sound like a fanboy but PS3's Home serves the avatar idea way better. I'm completely blown away by Home. I'm loving the beta. I think it's one of the coolest ideas for video game interactivity. However i think the 360 has the best games.

GeForceX

It is a great update and really changed the way the Dash looks avatars are awesome and mine looks just like me I love it. Oh and Netflix is so awesome it even has the movies and tv shows in HD!

Gamer tag JBlaze23

gmayronne

i wish they would offer a choice to either have the updated look or go back to the original.....im not a fan of navigating the menus in the NXE. the big green boxes are an eyesore and it kinda covers up and defeats the purpose of your theme in the background. the avatars are oookay....i got mine looking "sorta" like me but come on.....whats with the "strike a pose" stance to these characters.....they stand there like they are either chicks or feminine dudes. anyone notice though......that the NXE basically feels like Sony's XMB but just flipped 90 degrees, that and its WAY busier with the overly bright colors. anyway, i dont mind this update.....i just wish it was optional to keep the blades or use this and still have the avatars and other new stuff.

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