Microsoft Xbox DVD (2001 - 2005) | Museum of Obsolete Media (original) (raw)
The Xbox was a sixth-generation video game console introduced 2001 and was the first video game console introduced by Microsoft. The Xbox was build from standard PC components which meant it was rather heavy and bulky, but it did incorporate an internal 3.5-inch hard disk drive for storing downloaded games.
The Xbox used DVD-ROM as its game media but to play DVD-Video required the purchase of the Xbox DVD Playback Kit, whereas rival the Sony PlayStation 2 launched the previous year could play DVD-Video out of the box.
On online service, Xbox Live, was launched in late 2002 and allowed users to play with other people online, or to download games to the hard disk drive. A separate Xbox memory card allowed the sharing of game saves or Xbox Live account details.
The Xbox competed with the Sony PlayStation 2 and the Nintendo GameCube. The Xbox sold well in North America and Europe and over 24 million units were sold but it was less successful in Japan. The Xbox was discontinued in 2005 and replaced by the Xbox 360 and the last game title for the original Xbox was released in 2008.