Now let us take a look at Microsoft’s first attempt at a true home gaming console, the Xbox.
Brief History
In response to the growing video game market, Microsoft unveiled the Xbox at CES in 2001, later released that same year on November 15 in North America. Although Microsoft had dabbled in the video game hardware market in the past (the MSX console-computer hybrid and the Windows CE compatible Dreamcast), the Xbox was the first pure home console released by Microsoft. It’s premiere launch title, Halo: Combat Evolved, would be the console’s most popular game until its sequel, Halo 2.
Similarly to the Playstation 2, the Xbox used DVDs for games. However, a remote would have to be purchased to use the console as a DVD player. A significant component of the Xbox was its built-in 8GB hard drive, making it the first home console to feature an internal hard drive. Game saves and music could be stored on the hard drive.
The Xbox launched with the following titles in North America, listed alphabetically:
Air Force Delta Storm
Arctic Thunder
Cel Damage
Dead Or Alive 3
Fuzion Frenzy
Halo: Combat Evolved
Mad Dash Racing
NFL Fever 2002
Oddworld: Munch’s Odyssee
Project Gotham Racing
Early Games
The Xbox started off strong with a staunch line-up of launch titles in Dead or Alive 3, Fuzion Frenzy, Oddworld Munch’s Odyssee, Project Gotham Racing and most notably, Halo: Combat Evolved. Instantly considered a killer-app by critics for its advancements in the first-person shooter genre, Halo quickly became the reason to own an Xbox. It was one of the few Xbox games to support a LAN feature, in which four Xbox consoles could be connected via link cable, giving each player his or her own TV monitor. It set a standard to which all future FPS games had to follow. The game would eventually sell over 6 million units worldwide, only bested by its sequel in terms of sales. Another notable launch title, Dead or Alive 3, was the product of series creator Tomonobu Itagaki (of Ninja Gaiden fame), a huge proponent of the Xbox platform. The game would eventually sell over one million copies worldwide. One criticism the Xbox had during its launch was the fact that it launched with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2x, a remake of the first two games in the Tony Hawk series instead of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 which was already released on the PS2 and would launch with the Nintendo GameCube. THPS3 eventually released on the Xbox during the following year.
It should be noted that Sega, after its collapse following the failure of the Dreamcast, was a huge supporter of the Xbox. The first piece of evidence was with the release of Jet Set Radio Future in February of 2002, the followup to the critically acclaimed Dreamcast game Jet Grind Radio. Despite its cult following, the game was a complete failure in terms of sales. 2002 also saw the first installment of Ubisoft’s Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell, a game based around stealth. It would eventually become one of the Xbox’s best selling titles, trailing only the Halo games. Another notable Sega published title was a port of the Dreamcast game Shenmue II, released later that year. Previously unreleased in North America, the Xbox version was the only way of playing the game without importing. Many copies were bundled with a bonus DVD video which explained the story from the first game to people unfamiliar with the series. The game was an enormous failure and saw an early price-cut. Shortly afterwards, Panzer Dragoon Orta, the next installment in the Panzer Dragoon series, released in January of 2003. However, unlike the previous Panzer Dragoon games on the Sega Saturn, PDO was developed by Smilebit, the developers behind Jet Set Radio Future. Much like Sega’s previous Xbox efforts, PDO was another major sales flop, despite its critical acclaim.
Not all was doom and gloom for the Xbox in 2003, though. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, developed by the RPG specialist Bioware, was released in June to much critical acclaim and would go on to sell over a million copies. Hardly any significant titles were released for the rest of the year. However, 2004 was Xbox’s peak year with AAA releases such as Peter Molyneux’s RPG Fable, Tecmo’s Ninja Gaiden, and more significantly, Halo 2. The record-breaking launch of Halo 2 was unprecedented, with over 2 million copies being sold on the first day alone.
Controller issues
One of the main criticisms of the Xbox was its massive controller. Its bulky design along with poor button placement forced Microsoft to create a new, smaller controller model for the Japanese launch. The Japanese controller would eventually become the standard controller of the Xbox worldwide, referred to as the Controller S.
Original Xbox “Duke” controller
Microsoft Acquires Rareware
On September of 2002, Microsoft bought 51% of Rareware’s shares. Nintendo then proceeded to sell their 49% to Microsoft. Ultimately, this meant that Rareware, known for their support of the Nintendo 64 with blockbuster titles such as Banjo-Kazooie, Goldeneye, Perfect Dark and Donkey Kong 64 would exclusively develop for Microsoft consoles, though Nintendo would still keep the rights to Donkey Kong and Star Fox. However, the Rare acquisition did not pay off for the Xbox, with a half-hearted Rare game Grabbed by the Ghoulies and a remake of the N64 game Conker’s Bad Fur Day, with added censorship.
Xbox Live
Perhaps the Xbox’s biggest strength, Microsoft’s Xbox Live online gaming subscription-based service launched in November of 2002. Though it was not an overnight success, more and more games started to support the Xbox Live online service. Not only was the service ideal for online gaming, it was also a bridge for acquiring downloadable content and having voice chat support. One of the main criticisms to the service was the fact that users had to pay $50 a year to use the service, unlike the Playstation 2.
Legacy and My Own Thoughts
The Xbox would finish in second place in its generation in terms of worldwide sales, with roughly 24 million units sold worldwide. Though it wasn’t the first console to support an integrated online service, it made huge strides in the online department, eventually making it a standard to include an online component in as many games as possible. The successes of Halo and Halo 2 cannot be overlooked. Much like N64′s Goldeneye, Halo redefined what a console FPS could be, and is the benchmark for pre-release hype. Additionally, the fact that the Xbox had a built-in hard drive is the reason all current-gen consoles have some form of internal memory. Admittedly, I believe that, software-wise, the Xbox is a pretty forgettable console. I’ve never witnessed a major console being embodied by one game (two if you count Halo 2). Frankly, other than the Halo games, Sega’s efforts and Ninja Gaiden Black, I can’t think of many other compelling Xbox exclusives that are still fun to play by current standards. Let’s not forget the abomination known as the Xbox Duke Controller, the worst controller for a major console in history. The redesign was a bit better, but had an equally odd button layout (why was the start button on the side of the controller rather than the center?). Overall, I would consider the Xbox my least favorite console of the sixth generation by far.
Top 10 Xbox games
1. Ninja Gaiden Black
A re-release of sorts to the 2004 game Ninja Gaiden with a few extra features. To me, NGB is the definitive 3D action game. It’s a game that isn’t for people who like hand-holding and simplified combat. Simply put, it’s a game that rewards players for learning its deep mechanics, much like a fighting game.
2. Panzer Dragoon Orta
An on-rails air combat game, similar in style to the Star Fox games (well…the early Star Fox games anyway). The game has a beautiful art style that will never age, unlike most titles on the console. The controls take some getting used to, but is ultimately rewarding once mastered.
3. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
As a guy who normally doesn’t like Western RPGs–or Star Wars, I can confirm that KOTOR is indeed awesome. Though the game does not run perfectly in terms of technical prowess, it’s easy to forgive its flaws because of how ambitious it is. Not to sound cliche, but the story in KOTOR is engaging, with a surprising twist at the end.
4. Halo: Combat Evolved
There isn’t much to say about Halo that already hasn’t been said a million times. It was one of the first console shooters with co-op play in a campaign. The controls were mapped perfectly for an otherwise flawed Xbox controller, as if the Xbox controller was built soley for this game. Graphically, it still looks good to this day.
5. Jet Set Radio Future
An underappreciated sequel to Jet Grind Radio, the game sports beautiful cel-shaded graphics, bested only by Windwaker’s art design in the sixth generation in my opinion. The gameplay is fairly similar to its predecessor, but in a good way.
6. Conker: Live and Reloaded
One of the last major releases for the Xbox, Conker: Live and Reloaded was also one of the Xbox’s best looking games. However, the game was censored even moreso than the N64 game (which is why it went from being called Conker: Live and Uncut to Conker: Live and Reloaded). However, the platforming is still fun and the dialogue is still as humorous as ever.
7. Fable
An avalanche of broken promises, Fable still delivered in some respects, despite being extremely short. It set the ground work for its Xbox 360 sequel, Fable 2.
8. Shenmue II
Though not the best port, Shenmue II on the Xbox is still very enjoyable (and the only way to play the game in North America besides importing). The attention to detail is unparalled, though the voice-work in this installment seems rather lifeless.
9. Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay
A surprisingly good game, despite being a licensed title. The game featured a nice hybrid of first-person shooter elements as well as stealth mechanics. However, a definitive remake is being released on the 360, possibly rendering this version useless. Its quality can’t be denied, though.
10. ESPN NFL 2k5
Years later, many 2k fans are clamoring for a true sequel to ESPN NFL 2k5. The game excelled in its presentation, and sports many features that current Madden NFL games still don’t have.
