Xbox

The Xbox was big before it even hit the shelves. Microsoft had allotted a $500 million just for the promotions. Secrecy and rumors surrounded the stand alone console designed to win the hearts and minds of gamers everywhere. They succeeded in their efforts.

Microsoft aimed to create a system to offer more power and new, unforeseen gaming experiences than they’ve ever seen on a home console. That is just what they did. Even the design had to be perfect for the Xbox. Microsoft felt that gamers developed a respect and insight into the gaming system based on how it looked.

Xbox competed with Playstation 2 and Nintendo Game cube when it produced its 6^th generation video game console. Extensive use of Direct X was built into the system. Until the production of the Xbox, Microsoft had relied heavily on software. The release of the console was a risk, given the current market, but initially did well in sales.

The Xbox console ceased production, but the console, and of course, the games are still available. The price of the Xbox made it attractive, and the pricing wars between the gaming companies brought down the price even more.

Games for the Xbox number in the hundreds, with such titles as:

• Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban
• Halo (1-3)
• The Sims
• CSI
• ESPN NFL Football
• Need for Speed
• Hitman Blood Money
• Midnight Club
• Madden NFL
• Mortal Kombat
• NASCAR
• NBA 2K
• NBA Live
• Ninja Gaiden
• Pac Man
• Star Wars
• Tiger Woods Golf
• Tony Hawks
• True Crime
• WWE

The list is nearly endless, and people are still trying to collect the entire set of games, even though Xbox ceased production of its original console. With memory cards, saving and replaying games was simple, with the only drawback being certain games only loading properly on certain systems. Each box had its own signature, so the memory cards would only work on those systems on which the game was saved. Again, this was not with all games, only a few.

A variety of controllers hit the market as well, aimed at making game playing more enjoyable for the gamers. The original controller for the Xbox was big, and bulky, but later slimmer and sleeker models began to be packaged with the consoles.

Xbox was the inception of a new generation of gaming systems which prompted the release of Xbox 360. Stiff competition and gamers expectations raise the bar for console developers and game developers alike, but the Xbox original is still found in many homes. Not only that, the Xbox original is still being enjoyed in many homes. Xbox is perfect for those who want a newer generation of gaming systems, but do not want to, or cannot get the leading edge systems. The Xbox has proved itself worthy of being around for quite some time to come. Enjoy!