Well, the dashboard update is upon us. It looks a bit disappointing in the features department though. No background downloading, which was very much anticipated. I hate not being able play a game while my console is downloading several hundred megs of demo. Surely this feature will come soon enough.

What was fixed on this update:

• Improvements to the Xbox Guide.
• Option to retain your saved games when you delete a profile.
• Increased accuracy of “last time played.”
• Network configuration improvements for Xbox Live® members in the Netherlands.
• More detailed messaging for unreadable disk or region errors.

Some have reported no crashes when going to the dashboard from a game, let’s hope they squashed them all.

Just sign into live and the update should start automagically.

Details at xbox.com - Source - Gaming 360

I have recently jumped into Project Gotham Racing, and it is a blast. Here are some of the top reviews of this racing masterpiece.

Next Level Gaming - 95
You can argue that some of the other Xbox 360 launch titles may not be truly next-generation, or just the same game wrapped up in a graphics update. Project Gotham Racing 3 is not that game. Next generation doesn’t always have to be about the graphics engine, but about features and what you’re bringing to the table that you can’t do on an original Xbox unit. There is a lot to this game from inside and out. This is a game that you go into Walmart or Target (because you won’t be able to get it at a game store) and buy the Xbox 360 to play. This is what I would consider a true system seller.
Review

1Up - 10
Is PGR3 without fault? Pretty much. Sure, I’d love the ability to completely remove the HUD for a more immersive experience. I wish I could drive through the streets of the game’s cities freely, without track markers dictating my path. This would give the player a better chance to appreciate the work that’s gone into recreating the environments; though the included photo mode (which can be accessed at any time from the pause menu) does allow gamers to stop, stare and wander the tracks to their heart’s content. And God, what I wouldn’t give to be able to plug my Driving Force Pro steering wheel into my Xbox 360; it’s USB, Microsoft… Hook us up with some drivers! But aside from this sort of general nitpicking, there’s very little to complain about in PGR3. It’s more immersive than any other racer out there. It’s more fun, too. And finally, those urges I have about wanting to reclaim my former vehicle can be put to rest. Who needs a lemon when you can drive a Ferrari at home? Review

GameSpy - 4.5/5
Already there’s a ripe online community blasting through the circuits of Project Gotham 3. If you’re looking for a deep racing Sim with a community of opponents ready to go 24 hours a day, this is your game. It’s easy on the eyes and a blast to play — Gotham is among the best that the new 360 platform has to offer. Review

Xbox Solution - 9.0
The game is a mix of arcade and sim-style racing and the emphasis is on taking the turns the right way to score the big points. It may take some that are used to arcade only racing to adjust but the time will be well spent. To enjoy PGR 3 you just need to adjust your mind set. It offers plenty. It really offers a challenge and can be enjoyed by everyone and is a blast to play online! Review

GamingAge - 4.5/5
If you have an Xbox 360, Project Gotham Racing 3 is a must own title, whether you are a big racing fan or not. The Xbox Live functionality and the next-gen visuals are what will appeal to most hardcore gamers, while the exotic stable of cars and easy to get into gameplay will hook the casuals. The single player experience is a bit shorter than expected, but the unlockables, additional modes, and Xbox Live functionality almost make up for it. Either way it’s worth your hard-earned $50, especially if you own an HDTV. Review

Rent PGR3 online at GameFly - free trial.

Or check out these merchants:

James at joystiq fixed his own 360 that was flashing three red lights, which indicates an internal error.

If you have this problem try to fix it yourself before sending the unit in.

1) Remove your hard drive and/or memory units.

2) Run “Initial Setup” under the system blade.

3) Decline inserting HDD or memory unit when prompted.

4) Sync your controller and pop in a game.

It might save your xbox 360 a repair return.

*** UPDATE *** Microsoft has a new free warranty of 3 years for the 3 red light error. If you have this problem, send your console in for free repair.

More details here:

Microsoft Extending Xbox 360 Console Warranty

Do-it-yourself repair - Joystiq

I sure love leaked insider documents, and this is no exception.

A scanned game release date sheet from GameStop shows the expected dates for upcoming games. Over the next 2 or so months, through the end of March, I see some awesome titles coming out that just make my eyes bulge. I just can’t wait for several of these:

Release Date — Title
—————————————————————–
2/14 — Full Auto
2/20 — Fight Night Round 3
2/21 — College Hoops 2K6
3/?? — Moto GP 2006 (March? Could they be less specific?)
3/07 — Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII
3/07 — Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter
3/13 — The Outfit
3/14 — Over G Fighters
3/14 — Battlefield 2: Modern Combat
3/14 — Burnout Revenge
3/14 — Far Cry: Instincts Predator
3/20 — Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and Oblivion Collector’s Edition
3/21 — Timeshift
3/28 — Rumble Roses XX

Wow, that is quite the lineup! I can get excited about almost every one of those games. Most notable are Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. There are several potential blockbuster hits though, I am looking forward to all of these.

Look at March 14th. If these dates hold true, and I’m sure at least a couple will get pushed back, we could get the Next-Gen burnout, Far Cry, and Battlefield 2, with a flight sim to boot. Followed by Oblivion the next week. Hmmm, I may need to schedule some time off around mid to late March…

Source

Marble Blast Ultra has just been released on the Xbox Live marketplace.

This game release has been highly anticipated, and actually came out a bit early. The gameplay goes like this:

Race your marbles through a futuristic Astrolabe Arena of moving platforms and perilous obstacles. Collect rare gems and valuable power-ups to increase your speed, jumping ability or flight power.

Source - Gaming 360

During my post-holiday catch-up, I came across some cool battlefield 2 screens:

Source

Geometry wars is a blast, but can be difficult to master. No better way to learn than to watch others who know how to do their thing.

Case in point: xTHeDoGgx has a video up of scoring over 4 million points, watch and learn:

Download the video here.

Source

Microsoft is due to update the dashboard in the very near future. I’ve read this at a few sources, but Xboxic notes a couple of confirmations.

Expected improvements are less lockups/freezing due to bug fixes, inability to get achievement bug fixes, support for the new and yet unnannounced video camera, and hopefully being able to download demos and other marketplace items in the background while you do other things.

Xboxic

There are some live players that figured out how to use a glitch to get COD2 working much better on xbox live. You can select the match specifics, and lag is much improved.

Here are the directions:

First you need two people with COD2, xbox live, and an xbox 360 each.

Player one needs to go to COD2 system link and create a game (pick the level and set the times (30, 45, or 60mins) now just stay at the screen don’t start the game yet.

Player two starts a different game, maybe an arcade game so you don’t have to change disks, and then player two invites player one to his arcade game.

Player one accepts the invite but when it warns that you will log out of COD2, click no.

Now you should be the host of the game and it will be set to the specifics you had set.

Xbox.com Forum Thread
A video to help you understand what to do.

If you are a serious DOA4 player, you need this arcade stick to really get the arcade feel.

This limited edition controller is officially licensed by Tecmo and endorsed by Team Ninja.

Get your game on in arcade style and pummel your buds: