The Xbox turns 15

Nick is the orange one, right?

Xbox turns 15 -> PS2 sales graph.

I traded my crystal Xbox in one of a strawberry floating dreadful deal with Game. Something like the console, 2 controllers, Halo 2, PGR2, Shenmue 2 and Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow for SSX 3, The Office season 1 and another dvd I can't remember. Not sure what I was thinking.

An OK console but clearly the worst (third best?) of that generation.

While Sony, Nintendo and Sega went for flat, minimalist branding with their 5th gen consoles, Microsoft went all out with the 90s XTREME!!!! vibe.

Kinda has more charm now it's aged.

The original Xbox was part of the 6th console generation, Nick.

A friend had bought an Xbox and said Halo was amazing. We all went round to play and it was! In the latter half of 2003 I bought myself a brand new widescreen CRT Toshiba TV 32" (It seemed so massive at the time) and an Xbox with 2 controllers. I can't remember if I bought the LIVE kit at the same time... But having first broadband connection, playing Halo 2 online, talking with friends back was so good. I also loved Knights of the Old Republic - an exemplary game!

I had to wait until the start of January 2004 (for a PS2 exclusivity deal to end) for the GTA Collection double pack to be released Last year I sold most of my games to CEX but I retained that and am looking at it now, there is something to be said for boxed games with manuals. So many great memories! I also kept hold of Galleon by Tomb Raider creator Tony Gard in the hope that I would be able to complete it on the next Xbox, sadly it wasn't compatible with the 360. Maybe one day.

The original Xbox (1) earns its place in history for being a pioneer of online console gaming. It wasn't first but it was the best in delivering a robust online gaming platform for playing with friends and making purchases for extra content and set the paradigm for the console industry. Happy Birthday Xbox!