Xbox

An Xbox.

The Microsoft Xbox is a sixth generation era video game console first released on November 15, 2001 in North America, then released on February 22, 2002 in Japan, and on March 14, 2002 in Europe. The Xbox was Microsoft's first independent venture into the video game console arena, after having developed the operating system and development tools for the MSX, and having collaborated with Sega in porting Windows CE to the Sega Dreamcast console.

Notable launch titles for the console include Halo: Combat Evolved, Amped, Dead or Alive 3, and Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee. Halo 2 wasn't a launch title, but was a massive success. Most of Xbox games are compatible with Xbox 360.

The Xbox was the second highest selling console of last generation, having sold 24 million copies world wide. First place was the PS2, which sold 120 million(!) copies. In third was Gamecube at 21 million, and in dead last the Dreamcast, which sold a paltry 9 million copies worldwide.

The best selling Xbox game was Halo: Combat Evolved, which sold 8 million copies, and in second Halo 2 which sold 5 million. The most highly rated Xbox game was Halo: Combat Evolved, with an average meta-score of 97 out of 100. Second was the GTA Triple Pack which achieved an average meta-score of 96 out of 100. Halo 2 pulled into third with an amazing 95 out of 100.

The vastly popular Xbox Live gaming service has launched the Xbox into fame. The legacy of the Xbox has been continued with the launch of the Xbox 360. Another popular feature of the Xbox is the ability to create a System link of multiple Xboxes wired together, allowing multiplayer games to take place with more than four players.

Specifications (reference: Guinness Gamers Edition 2008)

• Processor
  • 733MHz Intel P3
  • 32KB L1 cache
  • 128KB L2 cache
  • Bandwidth: 6.4GB/sec
• Graphics
  • 250MHz NV2X (nVidia)
  • Bandwidth: 7.3GB/sec
• Memory
  • 64MB RAM @ 400MHz
  • Mem Bandwidth: 6.4GB/sec
• Stereo, Dolby Surround, 5.1, DTS
• 64 audio channels/256 channels in stereo
• 116 million polygons/sec
• Media:
  • Xbox DVD-ROM 8.5GB
  • DVD-ROM,DVD
  • CD-ROM,CD-R,CD-RW
• AV Output: 480i/p, 720p
• Storage
  • 8GB HDD
  • 8MB Memory Unit
• Connections:
  • 4x Xbox USB ports
  • 1x Multi-type Xbox AV connector
  • 1x ethernet port