Circuit City Services: XBox 360 Backwards Compatibility Monetized

A sign at a Circuit City in Newport Beach, California, reads:

Want to play your original Xbox games on your new Xbox 360? Backward compatibility on the Xbox 360 is done through software. Let Circuit City install it for you for just $28.99.

What are the benefits to playing original Xbox games on my Xbox 360 console?

• Every game will be playable in high definition.
• Every original Xbox game* will be upscaled to 720p and 1080i, and will take advantage of Xbox 360’s anti-aliasing capabilities, delivering a picture that is clear and crisper than anything available on Xbox.

At the bottom of the sign is a disclaimer: *Refer to the original Xbox games list to ensure compatibility on the Xbox 360.

Everything sounds very promising, but it may be noted that Circuit City fails to point out the fact that for someone who is playing an Xbox 360 game, an HDTV is required in order for you to actually see the difference between next-gen games and Xbox games. Another interesting bit that has also been left out is the fact that Xbox owners can easily install backwards compatibility software themselves, simply by downloading it via updates on Xbox Live, or by asking Microsoft to send it.

Is Circuit City actively trying to drain money from people who don’t know any better? To be fair to Circuit City, what they’re offering is the equivalent of hiring someone to take notes for you or clean your house; it’s something you could do well enough on your own, but is more comfortable to just plain pay for it. Perhaps what is debatable here is whether or not having to pay money for the service is worth it. What do you guys think? Would you pay for such services? Let us know via the comments!

Via Kotaku

A sign at a Circuit City in Newport Beach, California, reads:

Want to play your original Xbox games on your new Xbox 360? Backward compatibility on the Xbox 360 is done through software. Let Circuit City install it for you for just $28.99.

What are the benefits to playing original Xbox games on my Xbox 360 console?

• Every game will be playable in high definition.
• Every original Xbox game* will be upscaled to 720p and 1080i, and will take advantage of Xbox 360’s anti-aliasing capabilities, delivering a picture that is clear and crisper than anything available on Xbox.

At the bottom of the sign is a disclaimer: *Refer to the original Xbox games list to ensure compatibility on the Xbox 360.

Everything sounds very promising, but it may be noted that Circuit City fails to point out the fact that for someone who is playing an Xbox 360 game, an HDTV is required in order for you to actually see the difference between next-gen games and Xbox games. Another interesting bit that has also been left out is the fact that Xbox owners can easily install backwards compatibility software themselves, simply by downloading it via updates on Xbox Live, or by asking Microsoft to send it.

Is Circuit City actively trying to drain money from people who don’t know any better? To be fair to Circuit City, what they’re offering is the equivalent of hiring someone to take notes for you or clean your house; it’s something you could do well enough on your own, but is more comfortable to just plain pay for it. Perhaps what is debatable here is whether or not having to pay money for the service is worth it. What do you guys think? Would you pay for such services? Let us know via the comments!

Via Kotaku