Everything Starts And Ends At The Xbox Dashboard

If you’ve just purchased an Xbox 360 and find it hard to navigate yourself to and fro and perform a particular function, the first thing you should understand about your new gaming unit is the Xbox Dashboard. The Xbox Dashboard is what a nucleus is to an atom: it’s the brain or control center of the whole unit.

The Xbox Dashboard has four integral parts, all of which will be explained to you one by one.

Part One: Xbox Live

At this section of the Xbox Dashboard, you can view and modify your gamer profile to ensure that the performance and features of the Xbox 360 will be to your own specifications. This feature is nonetheless also accessible in the other parts of the Xbox Dashboard.

The Xbox Live is the point of interaction of your Xbox 360 as this is where you can send and receive messages from friends who have a Xbox 360 as well. Similar to the messenger list of Yahoo and other online networks, you can check, add, and delete people to your friends list. If you are playing a multiplayer game, use Xbox Live to invite other players to play with you.

Lastly, this segment is also where you can gain access to the Xbox Live Marketplace and purchase add-ons to increase the entertainment value of your Xbox 360.

Part Two: Games

The Xbox Live Marketplace can also be accessed through this section of the Xbox Dashboard but only so you can try the demos provided for the various games and add-ons being sold. You can also watch game videos from the Marketplace and through this section as well.

The Xbox Games section also allows you to check out the various games available for downloading from the Xbox Live Arcade. Lastly, the Xbox Games section will provide you with the list of games that you have already played – a great feature if you’re fond of comparing notes with other players.

Part Three: Media

The media section of your Xbox Dashboard is, as its name already suggests, the media control unit of your gaming unit. This is where you should go in order to listen to your favorite music and view photos or videos in various formats. This can be connected to a desktop’s Window Media to obtain access to other online services.


Part Four: System

Lastly, the system section of your Xbox dashboard will allow you to change, add, remove, and modify settings and controls that affect your gaming experience.

Accessorize Your XBox

Just like a car, Microsoft XBox consoles also have accessories. If you search for it online, there is an additional tax for shipping and delivery rate. You can get your Xbox accessories on www.amazon.com or even on www.ebay.com.

However, the XBox enthusiasts get theirs at toy stores. Besides, it is cheaper. Here is a list of the available accessories for the Microsoft XBox.

1. XBox Controllers

These are standard accessories, meaning they are made available when you buy the system. But some gamers tened to overuse their controller that they soon need a new one.

It is interesting to note that there is an array of XBox controllers available on the market. Like there are wireless controllers, XBox Eclipse controller, XBox Afterglow controller and so much more. It is all up to the gamer which one to get.

2. XBox Arcade Sticks

There are some games available for the XBox that can be controlled by arcade sticks for better game play. As opposed to the controller, arcade sticks can allow the gamers to flick their wrists more, therefore, there’s better control.

Best example where the XBox Arcade Sticks are compatible are the fighting games for the console.

3. XBox Steering Wheels

If there are fighting games, there are also driving games. Thanks to XBox Steering Wheels, the gamer can sit right in front of the TV set and drive away.

4. XBox Memory Cards

Memory cards aren't included when you buy an XBox console. This is because it isn't an essential accessory since the XBox has an 8 GB harddisk build-in. This can let the player save all his game information.

An XBox memory card is used when transferring a saved game from one XBox console to another. Some serious gamers also prefer that they back up their games, especially when it is a valued endeavor.

XBox memory cards are perfect for hardcore gamers. It is inserted in the console and plugged into the sockets on its two memory card slots.

5. XBox Headset with Communicator

The most successful game in the entire XBox franchise is “Halo”. Released in 2004, it is still as popular as ever. A headset with a communicator lets the gamer interact with the other players of “Halo” making it more real.