Top 50 All-time Original Xbox Games That You Must Play

The Sony PlayStation 2 definitely sold many more units compared to the original Microsoft Xbox. But it didn’t change the landscape of gaming as the Xbox did. The PS2 was essentially a much faster PS1 that could also play DVDs.

However, the original Xbox was closer to a PC than any other console of its generation. In fact, it used a custom Intel Pentium III processor and NVIDIA GeForce 3 graphics card. And its OS was just a modified version of Windows 2000, using DirectX as the graphics API.

All this overlap with off-the-shelf PC hardware meant that it was easier to port PC games onto Xbox, and vice-versa. However, the hardware itself was faster compared to Sony’s PS2. So if any game was available on both PS2 and Xbox, you could bet the Xbox version ran better.

Oh, and did I mention the fact that Microsoft revolutionized online console gaming with the Xbox? Xbox Live changed the way gamers interacted with each other, and its impact can still be felt to this day. Things we take for granted like Gamertags, matchmaking, friend lists, etc. were introduced by the original Xbox.

Today, I shall take a look at the top 50 all-time original Xbox games that you must play. Some of these titles like Forza, Halo: CE, and Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory hold up incredibly well and still look good to this day. So without further ado, let’s get started.

Halo: Combat Evolved

• Developer: Bungie
• Release Date: November 15, 2001

The original Halo title, a game that kickstarted the Xbox’s future. Combat Evolved isn’t just a flagship title designed to sell consoles, it is actually a very cleverly designed game. And as far as first-person shooters go, few manage storytelling better than Halo.

Apart from the deep lore and sociopolitical dynamics between various alien races, Halo also explores the classic themes of leadership, heroism, comradery, etc. Its gameplay feels crisp and intuitive, with each weapon having a unique purpose. The AI in this game is unusually advanced for its time and the levels are extremely large.

Fable

• Developer: Big Blue Box Studios
• Release Date: September 14, 2004

It was really hard to decide between this game and Halo for the top spot, and there can only be one winner. However, Fable occupies a proud 2^nd spot on my list of best Xbox games. It is the best role-playing game for Xbox games and is better than most RPGs released for the PS2.

Fable is one of the earliest successful Western RPGs, taking inspiration from titles like Elder Scrolls and Ultima Underworld. It has an exceptionally gigantic world with day/ night cycles and a karma system that rewards or punishes you for good and bad deeds. 

Ninja Gaiden Black

• Developer: Team Ninja
• Release Date: September 20, 2005

This one is a ninja action game with stealth elements that was developed with a Western audience in mind. It has plenty of gore and you’ll find yourself surrounded by severed limbs in each play session. Your character can wall-run, jump, swing, and unlock new abilities by progressing the game. 

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

• Developer: Rockstar North
• Release Date: June 7, 2005

Possibly one of the best open-world games ever, and to this day the best GTA game for many fans of the series. San Andreas is based on many real-life gangster conflicts that took place in 1990s Los Angeles, and its characters feel very grounded.

You have a relatable protagonist combined with a vast game world filled with unique zones that each feel different in terms of looks and culture. On top of that, there are plenty of customization options and side activities to keep you busy while you aren’t doing quests.

Halo 2

• Developer: Bungie
• Release Date: November 9, 2004

The sequel to Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2 was the most hyped video game of its generation. It sold 2.4 million copies within the first 24 hours (including over a million preorders), and broke all entertainment records. Halo 2 made over 120 million dollars for Microsoft on its first day, becoming the most profitable entertainment release ever.

Because of Halo 2’s astronomical success, the entertainment industry started to see video games in a new light. No longer was it something only nerds and introverts did, gaming was now part of mainstream culture and a rival to Hollywood’s box office. 

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Chaos Theory

• Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
• Release Date: March 28, 2005

Mechanically, this might just be the best stealth game ever. To this day, I’ve yet to see a more nuanced and intelligently designed stealth game. In a lesser stealth game, you’re either as undetectable as a ghost or lit up brighter than Shanghai on Chinese New Year.

In Chaos Theory, you have various states of light and shadow. This is shown to you by a light bar. On top of that, you’ve got ambient noise and the noise that Sam Fisher makes- both of these are represented separately in your HUD.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

• Developer: BioWare
• Release Date: July 15, 2003

Fans will tell you that this is one of the best Star Wars game ever made. And I wholeheartedly agree with them, because EA sure isn’t delivering on that Star Wars license they own. KOTOR was and still is a monumental step forward in video game storytelling.

You can choose from 3 character classes at the start, and later you can become one of 3 Jedi subtypes. You have attributes and can learn Force powers as your character levels up. The game will provide you with different narrative choices that decide whether or not you join the Dark Side. 

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

• Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
• Release Date: June 6, 2002

You’ve heard of Skyrim, right? Apparently, it’s Todd Howard’s mission in life to make sure this game is released on everything from consoles to phones and even toasters. There are more Skyrim ports than reaction channels on Youtube.

Yet, Skyrim never managed to recreate the role-playing depth of Morrowind- a game released in 2002. Sure, Morrowind looks dated and has a lot of jaggy textures. But the free-form world building and lack of emphasis on a strict central plot make this the most choice-driven RPG ever. 

Jade Empire

• Developer: BioWare
• Release Date: April 12, 2005

Imagine a fusion of Star Wars: KOTOR and Shenmue. That is Jade Empire- a role-playing game based on ancient Chinese mythology, it features magical creatures and otherworldly monsters.

The morality system from KOTOR has been lifted and dropped into this game. However, it uses a real-time combat system with martial arts-inspired fighting moves. 

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

• Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
• Release Date: November 18, 2003

You play as the character simply referred to as “Prince”, the son of a Persian emperor. An evil vizier instructs you to raid and ransack another city, and you readily agree thinking that this act will please your father. However, you accidentally discover an artifact that can change the flow of time itself.

This is the Dagger of Time, and the vizier uses it to turn the city folk into monsters who obey his command. You team up with a princess who understands the power of this dagger and fights to reverse the damage done by the vizier. This game has exceptional hack ‘n slash gameplay combined with a special feature that lets you reverse time to beat difficult platforming sessions/ enemies.

Burnout 3: Takedown

• Developer: Criterion Games
• Release Date: September 8, 2004

When Burnout was initially released, it was just another arcade racer. However, there was one major gameplay mechanic that separated it from the competition. And that was destruction- you used cars like clubs, bashing your rivals into a mangled mess of steel and rubber.

Burnout 3: Takedown builds on that basic formula, cranking everything up to 11. It is faster than its predecessors with even more outrageous takedowns. There are also new modes like Road Rage and Party Crash that further elevate the experience. 

ESPN NFL 2K5

• Developer: Visual Concepts
• Release Date: July 20, 2004

It’s another football game from the early 2000s, but one that is fondly remembered by fans to this day. When Sega released 2K5, they deliberately set the price extremely low to compete with EA’s Madden. In fact, EA was so scared by this that they paid off the Football League to make sure that Madden would be the only licensed NFL game going forward.

Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge

• Developer: FASA Studio
• Release Date: October 21, 2003

This game is part of the Crimson Skies franchise that was originally released for PC. However, High Road to Revenge is an original Xbox exclusive and features several gameplay differences compared to Crimson Skies for PC. It has a more open-ended world design, but the previous title released on PC had more plane customization. 

Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction

• Developer: Pandemic Studios
• Release Date: January 11, 2005

It may seem like a GTA knock-off on the surface, but the mission design and gameplay are very different from Grand Theft Auto. You are provided with 3 different playable character options at the start, and these characters are pretty much set in stone. There is very little room for customization and the setting focuses on the military conflict between nations instead of gang wars.

The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay

• Developer: Starbreeze Studios
• Release Date: June 1, 2004

You might have seen the Chronicles of Riddick movie starring Vin Diesel, it was quite entertaining as an action sci-fi flick. This game was developed as a tie-in to promote the movie and it also features Vin Diesel for the character design. This is a first-person stealth game with no heads-up display which was extremely rare back then (and still is now).

NCAA Football 2003

• Developer: EA Tiburon
• Release Date: July 20, 2002

The best college football game for Xbox, this was definitely played in several dorm rooms back in 2003. NCAA Football 2003 lets you create your own college team and compete with other colleges in campus challenges. It also features 3D cheerleaders and has mascot minigames.

It features Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, and Brad Nessler on narration duty to add a sense of authenticity. The music selection is comprised of more than 200 tracks and you can even build your own franchise of schools, logos, mascots, etc. 

Psychonauts

• Developer: Double Fine Productions
• Release Date: April 19, 2005

A 3D platformer with an extremely fun premise, Psychonauts follows the story of Raz who’s a kid with psychic powers. He enrolls in a summer camp for other kids like him, attempting to become a Psychonaut- spy with psychic powers. However, Raz uncovers a secret conspiracy to control these cadets and he must free his fellow students from the plans of a certain evil mastermind. 

Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow

• Developer: Ubisoft Milan, Ubisoft Shanghai
• Release Date: March 23, 2004

While it wasn’t as well-received critically as Chaos Theory, Pandora Tomorrow brings plenty of new things to the table. Once again, you play the role of Sam Fisher- a covert CIA stealth operative who infiltrates enemy bases.

In Pandora Tomorrow you’ve got a laser sight on your pistol that lets you shoot with greater accuracy even while moving. You can also open doors while hauling the body of an enemy on your shoulders, and can fire from an upside-down position.

Panzer Dragoon Orta

• Developer: Smilebit
• Release Date: January 12, 2003

This is one of the few Xbox exclusive games targeted primarily at a Japanese audience. It’s an on-rails shooter in which you control giant artificially manufactured dragons with cybernetic implants. Your dragon can switch between 3 forms, each with its own unique attacks.

You also have a Glide gauge that lets you temporarily boost movement speed. A Berserk gauge can be filled up with regular attacks. It lets you unleash a special attack that also makes your dragon invulnerable for a short time.

Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath

• Developer: Oddworld Inhabitants
• Release Date: January 25, 2005

A game about a bounty hunter called Stranger who is trying to collect cash for a life-saving surgical procedure. To make money, you must capture bounty targets. Bringing them in alive will net you more cash, but it’s also harder.

You have both 3^rd person and 1^st person camera modes in this game. The third-person view is used while traveling or platforming, and the first-person view is used for ranged combat. Bugs and other critters from the environment can be used as ammunition, and each creature will have a unique effect on the enemy.  

Fable: The Lost Chapters

• Developer: Lionhead Studios
• Release Date: October 18, 2005

The Lost Chapters is an extension of the original Fable with additional story elements and quests. You are given even more character customization options compared to the first Fable, plus there are gameplay tweaks to make the experience more enjoyable.

You also get new armor sets, spells, characters, weapons, and regions. And new monsters such as the Ice Trolls, Wraiths, Summoners, etc. 

Forza Motorsport

• Developer: Turn 10 Studios
• Release Date: May 3, 2005

Despite being the very first Forza game, Motorsport has aged extremely well. People initially thought it was a rival to PlayStation’s Gran Turismo because the graphics and track designs were so detailed. However, Forza is a bit more arcade-like despite having plenty of features you only find in driving simulators.

Motorsport features both common cars and racing cars. There are licensed vehicles from companies like Ferrari, Honda, Audi, etc. Vehicles are split into various classes, and you can upgrade each one of them to improve performance. 

Amped: Freestyle Snowboarding

• Developer: Indie Built
• Release Date: November 19, 2001

As far as snowboarding games go, the original Xbox didn’t have a whole lot of them. But I prefer quality over quantity, and that’s what Amped represents. It has a ton of character customization with a wide selection of courses and game modes.

Do you remember tricks from SSX? Amped features a similar system and is also one of the first titles to take advantage of the Xbox hard drive for faster loading. Because the environment loads so fast, the level design permits free movement instead of linear checkpoint-based progression. 

Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners Of The Earth

• Developer: Headfirst Productions
• Release Date: October 24, 2005

Call of Cthulhu is a Lovecraftian horror game with deep survival elements. You often stumble into enemies that are as creepy as they are strong. Avoiding combat is usually the route you want to take, especially because of how frail your character is and the limited ammo you get.

There is a sanity system that forces your character to hallucinate. It also makes your aim worse as you watch certain horrifying things in the game. There is no HUD or ammo counter, instead, you get an idea of your character’s health through sound and color desaturation. 

Steel Battalion

• Developer: Capcom Production Studio 4
• Release Date: November 21, 2002

One of the finest mech games ever, Steel Battalion got a lot of attention due to its special controller. The controller is massive and feels like something you’d see inside the cockpit of a WW2-era bomber aircraft. There are switches, gear levers, joysticks, buttons, and pedals.

Just learning how to start up and move your mech around is a massive undertaking, one that requires hours of practice. You’ll have to look up a lot of tutorials on Youtube for this one. Back in the day when Youtube wasn’t a thing, gamers learned through trial and error. 

Metal Wolf Chaos

• Developer: FromSoftware
• Release Date: December 22, 2004

So… you play as the President of the United States. And you’re piloting a giant robot, fighting against waves of tanks and infantry led by the Vice President who is staging a coup d’état.

Yeah, you can already tell this game is Japanese. It was in fact designed for the Japanese market, and features English audio with Japanese subtitles.  

Brothers In Arms: Road To Hill 30

• Developer: Gearbox Software
• Release Date: March 1, 2005

The early 2000s saw an outbreak of WW2 first-person shooters, one of those was Brothers In Arms. However, this is no Call of Duty. And you aren’t a one-man army mowing down hordes of interchangeable bad guys across action set pieces.

As the name indicates, you’re part of a squad. Each team consists of up to 3 soldiers and there are two types of teams- fire squad and assault squad. Depending on which team you have, you’ll be armed with different weapons.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

• Developer: Rockstar North
• Release Date: October 31, 2003

Heavily inspired by the world-building80s crime drama series, this is a game about rival mafia factions set in Miami. Cubans are fighting Haitians, Italian drug lords shooting each other at pool parties, and plenty of fast cars. Vice City is an extremely enjoyable game even today and the perfect sequel to Grand Theft Auto III.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance

• Developer: Konami
• Release Date: November 4, 2002

This is an updated version of Metal Gear Solid 2, designed for Xbox and PC. It features new thermal goggles effects and cutscenes along with several additional standalone missions. You also get the Casting Theater and Boss Survival game modes that were cut out of the original North American Metal Gear Solid 2 version. 

Jet Set Radio Future

• Developer: Smilebit
• Release Date: February 25, 2002

Jet Set Radio Future is a game about a group of futuristic skaters who go around spraying signs and doing cool tricks. It’s set in a Cyberpunk-themed version of Tokyo and uses cell-shaded graphics.

Stages are free-flowing and interconnected, plus there’s no time limit. Since this is a futuristic skating game, your board is equipped with boosters and wall-hugging implements that let you execute seemingly impossible moves. 

Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne

• Developer: Remedy Entertainment
• Release Date: November 25, 2003

It’s part noir and part action shooter. Max Payne 2 tells the story of a New York detective who was framed for the murder of his own wife and child in the first game. In this game, you run into a secret plot being hatched by a Russian mob boss.

There’s also Mona Sax, a femme fatale who’s acting as a hired gun for these mobsters. Max Payne 2 features bullet-time slow motion and a wide variety of weapons in addition to some really impressive ragdoll physics. 

Soulcalibur II

• Developer: Project Soul
• Release Date: August 27, 2003

Two things separate the Soulcalibur series from other, more popular fighting game franchises. First, its setting is in the 16^th century rather than the modern day. Second is the focus on armed combat with a variety of weapons ranging from nunchucks to swords.

Soulcalibur II is set 4 years after the first game and introduces 4 new fighters. The dodging system has also been simplified, and there are new wall-break features. 

TimeSplitters 2

• Developer: Free Radical Design
• Release Date: October 16, 2002

Released during a time when FPS games were starting to become stale, TimeSplitters 2 was a refreshing change of pace. Instead of the same boring level design, you had stages that were based on entirely different timelines. Each level has its own unique set of objectives that you must fulfill, and you are armed with a wide range of weapons.

This game has rocket launchers, SMGs, automatic rifles, crossbows, flamethrowers, and a brick. Yes, you can actually kill people by throwing bricks in TimeSplitters 2. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and the characters often crack jokes to lighten up the mood. 

Star Wars Battlefront 2

• Developer: Pandemic Studios
• Release Date: November 1, 2005

No, this isn’t the abomination released by Electronic Arts. The new Battlefront 2 is essentially a reskinned Battlefield 1 with terrible characters and a story that felt nothing like Star Wars.

However, the original Battlefront 2 is a multiplayer masterpiece with well-designed character classes and extremely engaging vehicular combat. You experience the narrative from the point of view of an Imperial Stormtrooper. 

MechAssault

• Developer: Day 1 Studios
• Release Date: November 15, 2002

It was conceived as a BattleTech game that would support online gameplay via Xbox Live. Battle Mechs are giant bipedal robots armed with everything from missiles to lasers. They are controlled by human pilots who sit in a cockpit.

There are various mech classes and each mech type has its own pros/ cons. Some have heavy armor but also move slower. Others feature extremely powerful weapons but have limited ammo capacity and weak armor. 

Doom 3

• Developer: id Software
• Release Date: April 3, 2005

With Doom 3, id Software decided to take a really big risk. Its gameplay is similar to previous DOOM titles, yet extremely different. Instead of being a fast-paced action FPS in which you take on hordes of demons like Rambo, Doom 3 feels slower and more horror-focused.

Its environments are more claustrophobic and linear. The game is darker and you will hear terrifying growls of monsters as you move through each corridor/ hallway. Doom 3 is much closer to Dead Space than the original Doom games, which is why people either love it or hate it.  

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4

• Developer: Neversoft
• Release Date: October 23, 2002

 If it isn’t broken, why fix it? However, Neversoft did change a lot of things with their 4^th Pro Skater game. Were these changes for the better?

Yeah, I feel they improved the game. Career has been replaced with a new game mode resembling Free Skate and time limits have been removed from each level. You also have a new selection of secret tricks along with “spine transfer” that lets you jump more easily across quarter pipes. 

Madden NFL 2002

• Developer: EA Tiburon
• Release Date: November 15, 2001

Back when EA actually cared about the quality of their games instead of pumping out yearly cash grabs. Madden NFL 2002 features John Madden as a commentator alongside Pat Summerall. Funnily enough, this is the first Madden game to feature the Houston Texans (and they also have the worst team score).

This game was released a year before the Houston Texans played their debut match. You have all the usual game modes like Season, Franchise, etc. along with a few new additions.

Beyond Good & Evil

• Developer: Ubisoft Pictures
• Release Date: December 2, 2003

Even though this is an action-adventure game, you spend most of your time solving puzzles while actively avoiding conflict. You have helpful assistants who are AI-controlled and these creatures have unique abilities. They help you solve puzzles or interact with machinery in ways that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.

You have a camera that can be used to take photos of the local wildlife, and these photos can be sold for money. The camera can also be used to scan the environment and get additional information. As for weapons, you have a staff (melee) and throwing disks (ranged). 

Fight Night Round 2

• Developer: EA Chicago
• Release Date: February 28, 2005

Fight Night as a series has died out but it was extremely popular back in the early to mid-2000s. The one thing that set Fight Night apart from its competition was the control scheme. Fight Night uses Total Punch Control which relies on analog sticks + triggers.

Movement, blocking, and punching are all performed with the sticks as opposed to D-pad/ buttons in other games. Fight Night Round 2 introduced the Haymaker which is a super heavy punch that can result in an instant KO. But it’s also quite hard to land. 

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six 3

• Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
• Release Date: October 28, 2003

Ah, the good old days when having Tom Clancy’s name attached to a Rainbow Six game meant you could expect deep and tactical gameplay. These days, Rainbow Six has transformed into an arcade shooter. It’s got wacky stuff like nanobots, lasers, and operators who look like they were lifted straight from a liberal arts class. 

Top Spin

• Developer: PAM Development
• Release Date: October 28, 2003

 A simple yet extremely enjoyable tennis game featuring licensed character designs based on real professional players. The move set involves 4 different swings- top spin, slice, lob, and flat.

Swing strength is determined by how long you press the action button. Your character will automatically dive and stretch their limbs depending on how you approach the ball. 

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003

• Developer: EA Redwood Shores
• Release Date: October 27, 2002

You play as Tiger Woods competing in a PGA world tour. The game features various actual pro players and 9 stages based on real-life courses. And there are 3 virtual courses designed by the developers.

Tournaments are ranging all the way from 18-hole events to 72-hole events. You’ll win various cash prizes and golfer memorabilia depending on your score. New stages and golfers are unlocked by beating tournaments. 

Need for Speed: Underground 2

• Developer: EA Black Box
• Release Date: November 15, 2004

This is a game many of us played as kids, and it introduced so many people to tuner culture. The feeling of taking a stock Mitsubishi family saloon and transforming it into a neon-bedecked nitrous drinking monster is just amazing. Also, Underground 2 featured these really neat comic-strip-themed cutscenes that I really loved. 

Half-Life 2

• Developer: Valve
• Release Date: November 15, 2005

I know, you’re wondering why the legendary Half-Life 2 is so far down on my list. It’s not because the game itself wasn’t to my liking. I feel Half-Life 2 is a masterpiece when it comes to storytelling via gameplay, and the physics engine used in this game is still amazing today.

However, the original Xbox was simply too weak for this game. That’s why many levels and environmental details had to be cut down for the Xbox port. Plus, you have a ton of framerate issues which always feels terrible if you’re playing a first-person shooter.

Need for Speed: Underground

• Developer: EA Black Box
• Release Date: November 17, 2003

The first NFS: Underground marked a shift away from scenic tracks and exotic cars to underground tuner racing at night. Instead of Ferraris and Porsches, you were driving Toyotas and Hondas. But, you have one massive addition to compensate for this lack of speed.

And that addition is vehicle customization. Not just pain and decals, but entire chassis and drivetrain swaps are possible. Spend enough money, and you can make a Dodge Neon run the quarter-mile in less than 10 seconds. 

Unreal Championship

• Developer: Epic Games
• Release Date: November 12, 2002

This is an Xbox port of the PC Unreal Tournament arena FPS. It features a significant upgrade over its PC counterpart in the form of Xbox Live support. Yeah, the PC version was multiplayer-focused too but it didn’t have the streamlined online functionality of Xbox Live.

Unreal Championship is one of the earliest eSport titles, and the first console game to receive patches in the form of DLC. It featured game modes like Death Match, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, etc. In modern shooters, these game modes are standard but Unreal Championship laid the foundation. 

Burnout Revenge

• Developer: Criterion Games
• Release Date: September 13, 2005

Make a list of every single thing you shouldn’t do while driving a car. Now imagine a game where you get rewarded for doing those things while driving cars that can hit 200mph in the blink of an eye.

Rear-ending rivals to send them crashing into a light post, tackling oncoming traffic, jumping off ramps, and T-boning crashed cars to make them explode. All these are things you can do in Burnout Revenge, and you get rewarded depending on how much mayhem you cause.

Arx Fatalis

• Developer: Arkane Studios
• Release Date: December 23, 2003

These days, you might know Arkane Studios for their Dishonored series of stealth role-playing games. However, Arx Fatalis is what really put them on the map in my opinion. It is an action RPG in the vein of Daggerfall and Ultima Underworld.

Arx Fatalis has crafting and survival systems, letting you cook food and exchange items with NPCs. Also, you must manually draw runes with your mouse to cast spells. You will unlock new runes by doing quests and these runes can be combined to create compound spells. 

Sniper Elite

• Developer: Rebellion Developments
• Release Date: October 18, 2005

The original Sniper Elite, it’s one of the finest stealth shooters of the early 2000s. While Medal of Honor and Call of Duty were more concerned with making you feel like an invincible death dealer, Sniper Elite focused on realism. Its depiction of WW2-era rifles is quite accurate, and there are plenty of assassination scenarios in which you take out Nazi officers.

Bullet drop, wind direction, breathing, heart rate, etc. are factors that can affect the trajectory of your shot. The further your shot, the more these things come into play. 

Conclusion

All things considered, the original Xbox was a technological marvel that expanded our perception of what consoles can and should be like. With its massive game library comprised of first-person shooters, RPGs, stealth games, etc. it laid the foundation for Microsoft to become a gaming giant.

The PS2 needed a networking adapter for online connectivity, whereas the Xbox came with one built-in. And Sony had nothing to rival Xbox Live, until the PS3 era when they launched PlayStation Network (it was still inferior to Xbox Live back then). Technically, the Sega Dreamcast was the first mainstream console to feature online play but it relied on dial-up internet.

In contrast, the Xbox supported high-speed broadband connections through its Ethernet port for smooth online multiplayer. Certain Xbox Live supported games offered downloadable content. Yes, the original Xbox introduced the concept of DLC and patches to console gamers.

Xbox had a hard drive so you could easily save games and load levels faster from HDD cache without the need for expensive memory cards. The Xbox also lets you rip music files to its HDD and play them in supported games, a feature that even modern consoles don’t have.

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