The upcoming firmware update for the Xbox 360, dubbed the “New Xbox Experience” or “NXE,” is supposed to fix all that is wrong with the blade-based user interface the system shipped with. Microsoft isn’t just promising a refresh, but a whole new look and feel for the system—it’s almost like a relaunch of the user experience. With the cheapest Xbox 360 retailing for only $200 and an inexpensive hard drive option available, this could be just the thing to give 360 sales a kick in the pants.

And we have the NXE right now, on our systems.

The problem is we can’t talk about the update, or provide any detail beyond its existence, until October 29. Luckily, that’s not far away, and we’ll be able to give you a full report on what the update does and doesn’t do well before it launches for everyone on November 19. So, I have a simple question for you before I start my testing in-depth: what would you like to know about NXE? What didn’t you like about the blades, what do you hope is fixed, what do you hope they kept the same? What would you like me to try?

Everyone uses system-wide interfaces in different ways, and to accomplish different things, so I would love to get your feedback about what you’re concerned about or interested in. If nothing else, this will give me some guidance about what features to try that I don’t normal use.

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Sony vs Microsoft…who would win? Who knows since they are both large businesses and they both sell a ton of different products. However, if you put it as Playstation vs Xbox there is a clear current winner in the race. According to NPD (who by the way is the most legitimate and trustworthy marketing source out there) as of February here are the results in the ongoing console war:

Top Consoles purchased:

So as you can plainly see PS3 is indeed beating out the Microsoft Xbox 360 by a little less than 30,000 units. As another little tidbit of information the PS2 is stomping them both by about 80,000 units and the original Xbox didn’t even make the list! This information will of course piss off many Xbox fans, and spark even more forum trash talk throughout the internet. Why gamers feel they need to take a side instead of enjoy the technology of both is beyond me. But who am I to stop a 12 year old from battling for his/her passion? Anyway, lets take a look at the top selling games of the year so far.

Top-Selling Games:

1. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Xbox 360) - 296,200
   
2. Devil May Cry 4: (Xbox 360) - 295,200
3. Wii Play - 289,700
   
4. Devil May Cry 4 (PS3) - 233,500
5. Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock (Wii) - 222,900

In case you looked at those numbers like “uhh what am I looking for?”, take a look at the top 2 games. They are both Xbox 360 games, and they sold more than the actual console itself. So Xbox 360 does have the top 2 selling games at the moment, but they are losing their flare on console sales. Just to take a stab at you either way…whether or not you are PS3 fan, Xbox 360 fan, or both…Nintendo is really stomping them both by over 500,000+ console sales. Yes…those kiddie graphics, novelty based gameplay, and games like Ninjabread Man are defeating two systems that come closest to PC gaming. Wtf?!

According to Evan Wilson who is an analyst of Pacific Crest Securities, Nintendo & Microsoft should be unveiling their next-gen consoles in 2010. That means we only have 2 more years until we can put our hands on some brand new top of the line technology. I am sure both the Nintendo Wii II and the new Xbox (whatever they call it…maybe the Xbox 720?) will both be a hit among gaming fans. However, I am hoping that Nintendo will decide to leave the “party machine” console behind and focus more on graphics and gameplay…rather than just basic games with new virtual reality type controls. The Wii’s novelty has just worn off for me so I am not wanting a part II that is just a remake of the same thing. I guess we will just have to wait and see what both developers have in store for us in the future. Also, with Nintendo and Microsoft planning releases in the next two years we can assume Playstation 4 won’t be far behind them. I for one am excited about the possibility of these new next-gen console arrivals. Let’s hope we hear some more solid news soon.