Zune HD 3D games video hands-on

It took us a tick to get our Zune HD loaded up with those new 3D games that were released this morning, but we thought you might want to check out a quick hands-on. That Tegra chip is no joke -- the graphics in PGR: Ferrari Edition are easily on par with the PSP and quite possibly better, with intricate textures, high-quality reflections, and smooth framerates. The other games aren't nearly as intense, but they're just as smooth. Best of all? They're free -- although you will have to look at a Zune ad while they load. Not the worst tradeoff in the world, but we'd love to see what paid app developers could do if Microsoft would open this beast up. Check the video after the break.

[F orrest Posted Nov 11th 2009 6:54PM]

He can say PGR is 'super smooth' because PGR is, in fact, 'super smooth'. Something must be wrong with your Zune, or your visual cortex, as many people have posted here to confirm the 'super smooth'ness of PGR. 'Super smooth'.

Also, prove you're not ridley182.

Also, in response to one of your other posts - if you're complaining about the sensitivity of the accelerometer, blame that on the app. I've been toying with XNA and it's very sensitive.

'Super smooth'.

[Average White Boy Posted Nov 11th 2009 4:01PM]

What's a Zune?... An Apple-hater's iPod Touch.

[DaHarder Posted Nov 11th 2009 4:06PM]

Admittedly, I'm not a gamer, and have limited interest in playing games on my ZUNE HD, but...

I loaded up my ZUNE HD with the new games, ask my nephew (a gaming fanatic) to check them out for a while and he came away pretty darned impressed.

He then asked me how much they cost, and when I told that they were free, he said, "In That Case, They're Awesome!".

Good Job ZUNE Team

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 11th 2009 4:08PM]

Audiosurf is actually originally a Steam game. It's very very good on PC, check it out if you liked the portable version.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 11th 2009 4:09PM]

I will be honest here, I am kind of blown away by the graphics on that thing. Wow...it is nice to see that Tegra performs just like it was hyped to perform.

[Duke Posted Nov 11th 2009 4:14PM]

Just a mindless post to have a reason to troll his web address.

[Yavin1 Posted Nov 11th 2009 4:19PM]

LOL! same story different day

http://www.geek.com/articles/gadgets/first-impressions-purchase-experience-and-first-impressions-20090915/

[pax copia Posted Nov 11th 2009 4:28PM]

psp games from its 2004 launch were far superior to this "pgr: ferrari edition" (seriously compare to ridge racer on youtube) and contemporary psp games are laps and bounds better than its launch titles from way back when.

the zune looks neat but it's nowhere near as nice as a psp - the psp even has a great store with access to tons of movies videos games - like the ps3, it does everything

[pax copia Posted Nov 11th 2009 4:29PM]

edit: leaps not laps

[voodoo Posted Nov 11th 2009 4:51PM]

Yeah. I have a ZuneHD and a PSP and have to agree. PGR:FE is neat (and free!) but it's silly to say the graphics are 'quite possibly better' than PSP titles. As you say, even Ridge Racer (2004) looks better. And compare GT PSP running at 60fps to this game which appears to me to be under 20fps most of the time.

I am not really interested in tilt-racers. Its hard to control this game because the sensor only detects tilts in large jerky steps, and also the view tilts so that your FOV gets very narrow when you are trying to steer around a corner.

[F orrest Posted Nov 11th 2009 6:56PM]

How much is Sony paying you to post as multiple people on what is a tangentially related story?

Also, replying to your own posts is bad form, man. Bad form!

[SLUSHIE Posted Nov 11th 2009 4:37PM]

If your really having an issue with the ads, then you better not walk outside, or drive on the freeway or ride the bus. Ads are a part of the world, get used to it. Just close your eyes for 2 seconds when starting the game if you really can't stand it that much. The ads look like all they are doing is promoting the Zune pass, not anything like penis enlargement so I don't why anyone could recognize this as a problem.

Theres always those that say I payed for it and I don't want any ads on it. Then I guess you should rip all the ads out of your magazines, newspapers, and while your at it rip all the logos off you computer, TV and you car.

[13ghosts13 Posted Nov 11th 2009 4:50PM]

I agree. At least the ad is relevant and from Microsoft.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 11th 2009 5:00PM]

Audiosurf cut my song off at about 15 mins(Count of Tuscany -Dream Theater)... Luckily most of my music is not that long.

[SunnyInPhilly Posted Nov 11th 2009 6:12PM]

Pretty nice start. Hopefully they continue to expand on the App section of the Marketplace.

[filjosh Posted Nov 11th 2009 6:12PM]

If I want to Play at my home why I will play on ZuneHD, I will play on my TV using some gaming station(not mentioning on which). and if I'm in public then I will not play using internal speakers, I will wear headpone. many people debate on this as Ipod touch has speakers and not ZuneHD. for now it solves my poupose of listning to music and watching video while I'm in transit(using public transportation). or else car sound system is better than my bose headphone, in ear(which I have)

so enjoy free games with nice graphics and keep your headphone in pocket while in public that it.

[doobster Posted Nov 11th 2009 6:16PM]

Hell Yeah..!

[Mitchell2 Posted Nov 11th 2009 6:44PM]

That is super neat-o. I want a ZuneHD. But I have no reason to relinquish my Zune120 :(

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 11th 2009 8:57PM]

agreed. I love the capacity of my 120gb... so what if it's only 8gb full.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 11th 2009 8:54PM]

add Achievements and I'm sold.

[TheyDidItFirst Posted Nov 11th 2009 11:10PM]

Can Audiosurf play Zune Pass songs?

[LeeBongSmith Posted Nov 12th 2009 12:44AM]

I said it before and I will say it again. Add a dual stick controller attachment and sell Xbox 1 games on this thing. The original Xbox had a lot of great games on it and with multiplayer WIFI, it would be awesome.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 12th 2009 12:46AM]

I don't see why he keeps bitching about a 5 second ad before the game. Its a free game and it took about 5 to 10 sec of your life, get over it. I see more and more ppl getting pissed with ads in free content, common sense will tell you that nothing is "free". They are giving you a whole game that somebody had to work on and that somebody has to get paid somehow. Now if it was in a paid app that would be different.

[FrankJL Posted Nov 12th 2009 1:25AM]

+ 1 MILLION DOOOOOOLLARS!!

[ark2020 Posted Nov 12th 2009 8:50AM]

PSP GO KILLER --- HAHAHAHAHA FREE GAMES

Free - Free - Free

PSP GO GAMES - TOOOOOOO EXPENSIVE

ZUNE GAMES - SAME GRAPHICS - admitedly controls not as good as psp - FREEEEEEE

-

Now I am going to get this zune. Congrats MS.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 12th 2009 9:49AM]

An actual HD (720p) video showing PGR and Audiosurf here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjwQ1r8ztkc

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 12th 2009 5:58PM]

Umm.. i just got my zune hd yesterday.. i powered it on.. ive been listening to music and i havent seen any app section as shown in the video.. is this normal or not?.. if not, is there any way i can get the app option to appear??

[kenny goo Posted Nov 13th 2009 12:16AM]

I say the same thing about TV shows. Let me watch them online for free and I'll sit through all the ads you want. The fact that I get to play PGR for free is pretty cool. I'll sit an watch a little ad.

If only I had a Zune HD...

[bati555 Posted Nov 17th 2009 9:07PM]

holy crap man I was listening to Wrong em Boyo by the Clash when I was watching this review and it just so happens that London Calling is on your now playing in the vid!!!

[KennyB123 Posted Nov 14th 2009 12:56AM]

ifalldownstairs @ Nov 11th 2009 11:10PM

Can Audiosurf play Zune Pass songs?

Absolutely! Nearly ALL my tunes are Zunepass tunes - no problems. Also, if you quit Audiosurf, your tune keeps playing! That's a nice touch.

[Pyronick Posted Nov 21st 2009 8:50AM]

I'm sure it's more powerful then the PS2, but the game doesn't really look THAT better compared to Gran Turismo PSP.
Only the textures look a bit sharper.

[HTCHD2 Posted Dec 4th 2009 5:29PM]

NEED MORE...AND A BETTER CALCULATOR WITH 3D BUTTONS OR SOMETHING