"From what I can find this is the cheapest cost per month option available for a live gold subscription. $3.3325 per month. What I don't get is why this credit card sized subscription card comes in such wasteful packaging. It comes in a rather large plastic packaging, which requires it to be shipped in a box. You get free shipping, but how wasteful. Why doesn't amazon just offer the code online and not eat the cost of shipping and at the same time be a little greener?" - S.T.

"To start off, I'd like to say that XBox Live is amazing and worth every penny. Online gaming is incredibly fun and a quite good way to pass time. That aside, there are downsides to XBox Live that can be avoided through prepaid cards. Number one, you always run the risk that unwarranted transactions will be made if your credit card information is stored on your XBox 360 system. It may not happen all that often, but it's best to avoid it all together. The biggest reason to buy prepaid Xbox Live card is the renewal process that happens when you don't use one. If you order XBox Live through your system, it'll renew everytime your subscription runs out. This wouldn't be a problem except that it's not that easy to cancel. Instead of cancelling through your system, you have to go through the hassle of actually calling XBox Live support. Even then, depending on the representative you get, you may be hassled to keep your subscription because they really don't want you to cancel it. I'm guessing that's part of their job to convince you to keep it, but it still is frustrating to the person that is trying to cancel it. You'll have to go through this process everytime you want to cancel if you don't use a prepaid card. Is that hassle really worth it? I don't think so. Therefore, avoid all of the problems by simply buying a prepaid card. You won't be sorry." - J.G.

What the Xbox 360 isn't known for is reliability. Simply put, the console is considered as a cursed system that is riddled with a variety of Xbox 360 glitches.

If it weren't for these Xbox 360 glitches, the console would be dominating the sales charts on a consistent basis. But because of these Xbox 360 glitches, people doubt whether or not the console is a good investment. The Xbox 360 isn't cheap, by any means, and people don't want to spend their hard earned cash on something that has a 16% chance (according to Microsoft, but third party estimates climb as high as 65%) of breaking down within the first 2 years.

Some of these Xbox 360 glitches require simple fixes, however. Below is a list of the common Xbox 360 glitches and ways on how to remedy them.

1. 1 red light. This error code can either mean a DVD reading error or a dashboard update error. Fixing either of these Xbox 360 glitches can be easy, or it can be very difficult. Try to reinstall any dashboard update, first and foremost. If such Xbox 360 glitches persist, try loading up a new disc. If still, problem persists, the most probable culprit is a broken DVD reader which may need a replacement.

2. 2 red lights. This error code pertains to overheating problems, the most common of the Xbox 360 glitches. Allow your console unit to rest for a few hours. Remember, a FEW HOURS and not a matter of minutes. Before playing again, ensure that the system is receiving enough ventilation to prevent heat from being stuck inside its frame.

3. 3 red lights. This is the most dreaded of error codes, and the most dreaded of the Xbox 360 glitches. The 3 red lights of doom, infamously abbreviated as 3RL or 3RLOD, indicate a general hardware failure, which basically means that your unit is screwed. There are methods that can fix the 3RL problem, like the fan shroud modification and the x-clamp replacement approach and the penny trick method, but none of them can guarantee that the 3RL error code won't happen again. There is also a "fake 3RL" which appears when there is a power fluctuation. This "fake 3RL" is the most harmless of the Xbox 360 glitches, as merely resetting the console will take care of the problem.

4. 4 red lights. AV cable is just loose. Secure the connection and Xbox 360 glitches like these won't bother you again.

Let's face it, these gaming consoles don't come cheap. And in the face of a global recession, we will want the best value for our money. So, which console will be worth our hard earned cash? The Xbox360 or the PS3?

Alas, the answer to that question depends on 5 key points that every avid gamer is concerned about.

1. Which console has a deeper game library? Games define game machines, not the other way around. Quality, of course, is more important than quantity, but a console that has 100 games has better chances of getting more quality games than a console which has 50 games. When it comes to the depth of the game library, the Xbox360 is the runaway winner. Having been released a year before the PS3, the Xbox360 has managed to amass quite a number of exclusive titles. WINNER: Xbox360.

2. Which console offers a better online experience? Basically, this is a battle between Xbox Live and the Playstation Network. The difference between them is like night and day. Xbox Live provides a smooth, optimized multiplayer experience. The Playstation Network is laggy. Xbox Live hosts more demos and freebies than its counterpart. Though the Playstation Network has released a Second Life-like social networking, avatar-based game called Home, the Xbox Live has secured partnerships with a slew of digital distributors that will stream content for Xbox360 owners. WINNER: Xbox360.

3. Which console is more reliable? The PS3 is known as a very durable machine. There are even rumors that the Japanese engineers who test drove the PS3 had it play continuously inside a sauna bath... and the unit fared very, very well. The Xbox360 is plagues by numerous (way too numerous) reports of error codes involving 3 red lights - infamously known as 3RL - which indicate general hardware failure that will render the console unplayable. Though Microsoft has tried to remedy the situation by extending the Xbox 360's warranty to an unprecedented 3 years, the PS3 is the current console that provides interrupted gaming enjoyment. If you want to play with confidence about your console, go for the PS3. WINNER: Playstation 3.

4. Which console is more affordable? As of this writing, the Xbox360 Arcade package costs $199, and the basic package costs $299. The Playstation 3 80GB costs $399 and Sony refuses to implement a price drop, claiming that they already lose $307 for every unit sold since production of the PS3 is quite expensive. WINNER: Xbox360.

Based on the four areas of concern discussed above, the Xbox360 is the clear cut winner.

But the more important question is: is the Xbox360 the clear cut winner for you as well?

So what's stopping some people from buying an Xbox 360?

Well, just like any other console in the history of video gaming, the console has its share of Xbox 360 problems. However, the biggest of these Xbox 360 problems is, without a doubt, the reason why people are hesitant to invest on an Xbox 360.

What is this particular problem?

It's called the 3 red light. In many circles, it is simply called 3RL. Some even label it the RLOD, the "red lights of death". Morose but accurate, considering that once those 3 red lights flash on the outer rim of the Xbox 360's power button, the console will stop working.

Of all the Xbox 360 problems, the 3RL is the most serious. It is an error code that indicates general hardware failure. What kind of hardware failure? Gamers can only guess, as Microsoft itself has not released an official statement on the matter which led many people to think that the giant company itself doesn't know what causes 3RL, exactly.

When a system is hit by the dreaded 3RL, Microsoft advises owners to send over their affected consoles and the company will replace them with new ones. Microsoft has extended the warranty of the Xbox 360 for this purpose. It now stands at an unprecedented period of 3 years.

Just like other Xbox 360 problems, the 3RL can be prevented: or so many avid gamers believe. Below are some tips on how to avoid getting the biggest of the Xbox 360 problems to date.

• Do not play your Xbox 360 for more than 3 straight hours.
• Do not play your Xbox 360 for more than 8 hours a day.
• As much as possible, keep the Xbox 360 in a well ventilated area.
• Place some even elevations on the four corners beneath the Xbox 360. This will allow the exhaust fan underneath the unit to accomplish its purpose of cooling down the interiors of the console.
• Keep the right side (the side opposite the side where the hard disk is attached) unimpeded at all times.
• Keep the back side of the Xbox 360 open so that the exhaust fan on this side of the console can also do its job.
• When you exit a game, let the system park on the dashboard. This will allow the Xbox 360 to gradually cool down before shutoff.

Many Xbox 360 owners swear to these tips. They claim that these guidelines have helped them avoid a variety of Xbox 360 problems, the 3RL issue among them.

Most Xbox 360 games have Xbox 360 cheats. A majority of them were deliberately implemented by the designers themselves to give gamers the option to take the easier, albeit less rewarding, way. Actually, these so-called "Xbox 360 cheats" were placed in games to help developers test out the title during development. It will be quite difficult looking for bugs while juggling 3 lives and no 1ups, after all. Infinite lives may be better. God mode would simply own.

There are many places on the internet where you can find Xbox 360 cheats for the titles you own. Here are 4 of the more popular websites dedicated to hosting Xbox 360 cheats:

1. GameFaqs.com. If people want cheats and codes (including Xbox 360 cheats and codes) they to GameFaqs.com. GameFaqs is a subsidiary of the highly popular video gaming website, GameSpot.com. It is a place where gamers themselves can submit FAQs and Walkthroughs of their favorite games. Some of these documents are very, very comprehensive and masterfully made. Xbox cheats and codes are also accepted, and are hosted in a special category within the website.

2. CheatCC.com. CheatCC is the second most popular destination for people who are looking for Xbox 360 cheats. Its database is just as comprehensive as GameFaqs. However, what makes CheatCC a second placer in many books is its lack of a sense of community amongst its members, something which GameFaqs has tried to build (successfully at that) throughout the years.

3. Gamewinners.com. The same gamers who make guides for various titles often submit their works to either GameFaqs, CheatCC, Gamewinners, or all 3 of them. So it shouldn't be surprising to find the same level of comprehensiveness in all 3 websites when it comes to Xbox 360 cheats.

4. Cheats.IGN.com. IGN.com is one of the web's biggest video gaming website. In fact, throughout the years, IGN has become an authority site, quoted by many outlets instead of quoting from many sources. IGN.com has dozens of categories in its pages, among them is a cheats department, and within this department is an area exclusively dedicated to Xbox 360 cheats.

It will be interesting to see if this is reality, or just hype. The new enhanced Wii controllers are coming out right now...could be Microsoft trying to steal a few headlines away from the Wii? I've seen these visual control schemes before, using a computer to do image processing in real time, but they have historically been unwieldy and sensitive to room lighting, what clothing the person is wearing, and so on. They also take a LOT of processor capacity...will this new device have it's own processor hardware to assist? If not, will the Xbox 360 have enough spare capacity to do this and play decent games?

There's a lot of questions, and I guess we won't know the reality of it all until the development kits get out and game companies actually start trying to develop titles that work with this new hardware device.

The three red lights (morosely labeled as the three red lights of death by some gamers) is an error code that points to a general hardware failure of the Xbox 360. It renders the console unplayable, and Microsoft has asked Xbox 360 owners to send over their 3RL'd units so that they can be replaced by new ones. Also, Microsoft has extended the warranty of Xbox 360 consoles to 3 years. These are considered as a direct admission of the problem that, according to Microsoft, affects 16% of the units sold though outside accounts say that 3RL affects close to 60% of Xbox 360 consoles within the first 2 years of ownership.

So, the question for any prospective buyer is this: is the Xbox 360 worth the purchase given the fact that there is a high likelihood that it will succumb to the 3RL which will render it useless?

The answer is yes.

Take a look at 5 reasons why the Xbox 360 will rock your world despite widespread fears of 3RL:

1. The warranty has you covered. As mentioned earlier, Microsoft has acknowledged the problem and has since extended the Xbox 360's warranty to 3 years -- a very long time in gaming. The greatest complaint about the Xbox 360 is that gamers can't seem to play with peace of mind, as the unit may flash those 3 red lights at any time. Well, it may be inconvenient, yes, but unless your Xbox 360's warranty has been voided (as is the case with modding to play illegal copies of games), you can send it back and Microsoft will give you a brand new console in just a couple of weeks.

2. A very deep game library. Having a one year head start over the Sony Playstation 3, the Xbox 360 has amassed a game library that's pretty hard to beat. It currently outnumbers Playstation 3 titles almost on a ratio of 3:1.

3. Home to amazing exclusives. Only on the Xbox 360 will you be able to play hardcore games like Halo 3, Halo 3 ODST, Fable II, Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, Gears of War 2, Star Ocean: Til The End of Time, and Halo Wars, among others.

4. Xbox Live. The Xbox 360's online mechanics is powered by Xbox Live, the best online connectivity for any console to date. The Playstation Network is ages behind the Xbox 360 when it comes to infrastructure. The Xbox Live provides a smooth and comprehensive multiplayer experience for Xbox 360 owners who own games that can be played online.

5. Achievements. The Xbox 360 pioneered the use of achievements: vanity rewards that players can unlock with the games they play. Achievements have changed the face of video games, so much so that MMORPG giant, the World of Warcraft, has directly copied the implementation of such achievements in their own game. Even the Sony Playstation 3 has implemented its own set of rewards (called Trophies) for the system, albeit years after the Xbox 360's fantastic innovation.

Furthermore, with the release of newer Xbox 360s using the Jasper chipset, Microsoft is confident that the occurrence of 3RL errors will be minimized, if not totally eliminated.

But not if the 5 Xbox 360 games we will discuss below can help the console's sales. These Xbox 360 games will be released towards the latter half of 2009. Whether or not the PS3 will be able to narrow down the Microsoft's lead will greatly depend on how well these Xbox 360 games will fare in the market and how well they will convince people to buy an Xbox 360 console.

What are these 5 games?

1. Alan Wake. In a year where there is a dearth of exclusive Xbox 360 games, Alan Wake is indeed a breath of fresh air. Anticipation for this game has been building up for more than 2 years now. This action/adventure title is a small town thriller with Hollywood-like special effects. The quality is apparent and it has the word 'hit' written all over it. This is the second biggest release for the Xbox 360 in 2009. What's the first biggest release?

2. Halo 3: ODST. Halo is to Microsoft what Mario is to Nintendo. Halo 3: ODST is a Halo game that is designed by Bungie, the team responsible for the first 3 Halo games and the team that fans thought will never create another Xbox 360 title again. Halo 3: ODST will not feature Master Chief. Instead, it will follow the adventures of 2 characters: an Orbital Drop Ship Trooper who is out to rescue a squad mate; and the said squad mate in cleverly integrated flashback scenes.

3. Bioshock 2. Bioshock 2 is one of the most anticipated Xbox 360 games. However, it is not an exclusive title, whereas its predecessor was a timed exclusive for the Xbox 360. The sales chart for Bioshock 2 will be very interesting as we will know which gaming system will garner more sales for the same title.

4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. If Halo 3: ODST is the biggest exclusive title for the Xbox 360, then Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is the biggest release of 2009 for all existing consoles, period. The publication of an Infinity Ward-created Call of Duty game is always an event, and for this year, the Xbox 360 and the PS3 will compete for people's gaming dollars with this title serving as the bone of contention.

5. Final Fantasy XIII. Getting this highly anticipated Square-Enix release is a coup for the Xbox 360. Now we'll be able to see if the Xbox 360 can steal a market that has always associated the franchise with Sony's system.

Will these Xbox 360 games catapult the system to a higher level of success? Or will these Xbox 360 games sink console sales to a depth it has never experienced before?