I'm giving Ninja Gaiden II another run, looking for the last couple of skulls that I missed on my first playthrough. Yesterday, I got a hold of all 30 of them. Pleased with the progress, I turn off my 360. Today it refuses to boot up, giving me the three red fingers.

I thought Elite models were supposed to be more reliable. That may be, but it doesn't take away the fact that my fourth 360 just died on me. A bit of a bummer, as I had just caught on to Itagaki's swan song. A bit disoriented, I turned to Ninja Gaiden Black on my old Xbox that is not filled with cheap components and therefore is as reliable as ever. *sigh* Black is a fine game, but coming hot off Ninja Gaiden II, it feels slow.

FACT: Ninja Gaiden II is too hot for the 360 to handle.