Talking Point: Looking Back, What's Your First Memory Of The Original Xbox?

Yep! Launch day with halo and the game i bought the machine for………. JET SET RADIO FUTURE!!!! Happy days

Had just moved to London and was completely skint. Could only dream of one day owning one (Finally did when the Halo / Midtown madness bundle became available!) If I recall was £140, some way off it's original RRP!

Standing in line at Best Buy waiting to get one... Then finally getting one and realizing I can't use my brothers Best Buy discount to purchase mine so i have to pay full price. Other than that, it was playing Halo.

My then girlfriend I lived with going tits that I sold my PS2 to get an Xbox because it didn't have dance mat games. Best move I ever made.

I got my Xbox in 2003 with Marvel vs Capcom 2, Crazy Taxi 3 and Jet Set Radio Future (can you tell that I was a massive SEGA guy?) and lugged that thing home from Cardiff city centre to North Cardiff by bus and quite a bit of walking. To date it is the most physically strenuous thing I've ever done.

Playing Dead or Alive and thinking graphics couldn’t get better. 😆

Launch day or the first weekend of launch day from Game UK in shopping centre.
Original Xbox with Halo and jet set radio and Dead or alive, I think it was called that, fighting game.
But the real glory days for me was the xbox360 on launch day Curry’s UK on day of release.
Think the 360 had 4 or 5 Halo games, 4 Gears of war games, lots of Forza and Forza Horizon games, Fable, many 2nd and 3rd exclusives etc etc the list goes on.
Now with all those 23 Studios they need to bring the glory 360 days back again. And with game pass it can be even better.

I don't have any memories of the original XBox Launch because I hadn't even been conceived yet. It sounds like it was a fun time though.

Have to be honest I didn't dabble at all with the original Xbox, I was very much a playstation person back then. Xbox 360 was my first experience.

I'm lucky enough to own all 3 current gen consoles from Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo and I love all 3 equally in different ways

To be honest the first Xbox i have ever played or owned is the Series S! Since then, I have played some games through the BC.

I remember going into Game and playing Dead or Alive on their demo unit. I was blown away by the quality of the graphics and I'm genuinely still impressed by them today.

Xbox raised the consoles's techincal standards (their introduction of HDD and Xbox Live service). Also, they bridged the gap between PC and Console gaming by bringing PC hits and acclaimed PC developers to Console market. And now, Gamepass is another permanent improvement to console gaming, which eventually will be adopted by the competition.

I wasn't one of those people who got it when it launched, I was still pretty young at the time. First console I got that gen was a PS2, then I got a Gamecube the next year. I think I got the Xbox the year after or something.

Looking back the Xbox was pretty much a generation ahead of everything else and ahead of it's time with it's built-in hard drive storage, broadband online services, and (early) HD compatibility. It's also easy to forget how revolutionary of a FPS Halo was for it's time. Before I played Halo all I had really played in the way of console FPS before was Goldeneye/Perfect Dark on the N64 and Medal of Honor for the PS1, so going from those early games to Halo with it's dual stick control and sophisticated AI felt amazing.

Xbox Live was also one of those things where we didn't really know what to make of it at first, but the early days of online gaming were incredible, sort of a real wild west era in terms of communication and atmosphere, like it was very loosely controlled and people got away with things that would get them quickly banned today. In fact the whole internet back in that era was sorta like that, everything just felt very open and interesting to explore compared to today. Xbox is also the first place I saw DLC, not that many games did that back then but I remember there being a few online focused games that offered it.

I was 12 years old. Went to a friends house where they were playing halo multiplayer (blood gulch no less). I hopped in and was like “so what do you do I’m this game?” And they were like “it’s... it’s halo! ... it’s just... it’s halo! That’s what it is!” I’ll always remember this reaction and my journey with the Xbox and halo series after.

The creepy sounds when you spend too much time on the dashboard.

christmas 2001, got it with Sega GT and JSRF

Bought it very shortly after launch day.
I’d always had Nintendo’s up to that point but the moment I saw Halo I was simply amazed. I had to have it.
I brought it home and set it up and lived with a couple of other lads in there 20’s (who were PlayStation lads) and they couldn’t believe how superb Halo was.
I do recall some Micky taking about the size of the original humongous controller!
If anyone’s bought it early on they’ll know this was very quickly downsized!

@Bruvas
Omg I used to love Kung fu chaos!
I was trying to recall the name of it recently but couldn’t.
Fantastic gaming memories

Yep, waited in line and played Halo day one! It was awesome!

I got it and it introduced me to the elder scrolls what a terrific journey that was. I also remember playing island thunder over live fond memories of that time in my life.

@Lukeim64 I'd just moved to London for uni, used my first credit card (intended for food) and got Halo and I think Tony Hawk 3. Then Microsoft dropped the price months later and sent me Dead or Alive 3 as rubbish compensation.

@FraserG

Dear PureXbox - I believe I have an important perspective for you to consider for your site - particularly with regard to the Series S.

Part 1.

To be brutally honest I had some major prejudice towards Microsoft as a company back with the original console (possibly unwarranted - I cant remember what my beef was with them) but I didn't like Microsoft at all and I'd have not touched the original Xbox or the 360 with a barge-pole. Also I thought the Xbox was the most horrendous console design released so far in ANY generation (worse than the also ugly 360). I've been a professional and successful designer for decades now so I think I have some valid design sensibilities. For one I've always hated large bulky consoles, and back then the sleek PS2 was the easy choice. Also Xbox had little IP identity back then and is still working on that now. It's still somewhat perceived as a 'soldier boys' training toy' with a narrow focus on shooters - although I can see that is actually changing now. I'm predominantly a Nintendo guy but have enjoyed many Sony IPs over the years. I like a lot of genre variety, both mature and playful games and appreciate unique ideas and artistic touches. I'm also way more into an end-to end story/adventure experience than endless multiplayers.

I know it's ignorance, but for some reason the current Xbox Series consoles and the Xbox One backwards compatibility is the first time me and my circle of friends have looked at Xbox as an actual viable option. Previously for all the people I knew who enjoyed gaming, Xboxes were some barely audible noise in the gaming market. Easily ignored.

Somehow that's suddenly changed, and I think its due to the Series S.

So I bought the beautifully modest and elegantly designed Xbox Series S as my first ever Xbox, and my best gaming mate is eyeing one up also. Something about the PS5 is utterly unappealing, and so far I'm loving my first Xbox.

This is going to be a familiar story so get used to it... there is SOMETHING about Xbox now that has become appealing to all its former naysayers. I have my Switch and a Series S and I'm a happy man. Sony is going to lose this round and I'm not entirely sure why - but the PS5 is of no interest to me. It's like Sony's business model is just not appealing anymore/this time around.

This site needs to appreciate and talk about the Series S as much as the X. Its a far more important model than most people on this site and in the comments seem to realise. THIS little white console with it's modest size, price and gateway to the games the Switch can't really handle, and to Game Pass is going to dramatically increase the Xbox user-base. It's going to be many people's first Xbox - both young and old gamers. They are going to choose the white console - not the black one. Microsoft played this very smart, but I still hear many Xbox gamers question the existence of the S.... (cont. below)

Part 2.

I've always gamed, and I can tell you I couldn't give a damn about 120FPS or HDR - whereas a smooth 60fps and 1440p sounds very nice. I do have a 4K 60fps screen - and I just want to go 'wow' at some nice looking modern titles without considering the graphics in fine detail. I wanted a simple way to play the big AAA titles of recent years and going forward, and the Series S is again the prefect gateway for those who do not buy, or build, gaming PCs. So please give it equal weight in the articles.

The Series S has won me into the Xbox ecosystem and user-base NOT the Series X. The X did not get me. Maybe in the future sure - but to be clear, if Microsoft had only released the X, I would not be a Xbox owner now. I would not have bought it.

So when you do a whole article that waxes' lyrical about how well a new/optimised game runs on the X and fail to even mention the S and if it runs ok (as I've seen in too many of your articles do) know that you are not writing to your new and fledgling audience.

So that's my message - the Series S is important.

These are my first two comments on this site (come from NintendoLife). I promise not to do long ones generally.

It was either 2002 or 2003, I got mine from Toys r Us, I was 8 or 9. Also got Halo Combat Evolved, remember coming home and plugging it in. Was amazed by the graphics of the game.

Day One for me. That Halo opening tune still gives me chills.

I remember not caring at all 🤷‍♂️ I was more than happy with GBA and GameCube at the time. I think I first played Halo at a buddy's house around 2004 or so and not really digging it. All these years later I'm finally catching up on some of the games I overlooked - played a bit of Thief 3 on my OG Xbox just yesterday actually.

Project Gotham Racing. The novelty of being able to use custom music in it as well.

the original pad being massive and kinda putting me off, they made it right though

Playing it at a friend's house. I didn't care much for it then because I hate when people try to get me to do things and they would always insist I should buy an Xbox.

I never owned a original Xbox, But my first memory of the original Xbox was going at a freinds house and watching them play MVP Baseball.

I remember playing Halo (later Halo 2) and doing LAN parties with friends. Taking turns on who would host, eating junk food and playing mini-tournaments on teams was one of the best social gaming experiences I've ever had. We never did LAN parties again on any other follow up consoles, so that is certainly missed!!

@Jaxx420 Yes, exactly this. Being able to copy tracks from your CDs to make a custom Project Gotham soundtrack, was an awesome feature for an already amazing game. Not sure why, but I loved having "Borderline" by Madonna blasting out as I raced the streets of New York.

@Royalblues I think the S covers a few bases...

1) people who can't afford the X (or who just don't want to spend/rush that much money)

2) people who can't get the X, but are desperate to try gamepass

3) people who want a second Xbox (maybe have an X hooked up to their main TV and then want a S to hook up to their office/bedroom desk and monitor).

4) PS players who are curious about Xbox and/or gamepass and want a low-ish cost way to augment their PS experience.

So, the S certainly has its place and deserves coverage... But the X will always be the flagship machine to show off the best of what Xbox can do, so I understand the focus on it.

Yep, got it launch week and played through Halo CE in co-op that first weekend and loved it, even with the Duke

@Royalblues I think I've seen quite a few comments to that effect since visiting this site, and in this comment tread @belmont is saying the S is thier first Xbox too. I've seen a lot of similar statements on Youtube too, although I'm aware the X is more popular/attention grabbing of course. I think for a lot of people the idea of spending £450/500 on a console is a new concept. I certainly still think of them as something to pay around £300 for. I paid £337 to get a Series S plus extra official controller and 3 months of game pass. When you consider the bundled controller is worth £60 I think to get an SSD based console sub £250 is pretty good when it can function like a hassle free gaming PC.

And regarding the SSD - yes I wish it was bigger but I have 21 games on my S at 95% capacity including:

Doom Eternal, Gears 5, Forza Horizon 4, Fallen Order, Star Wars Squadrons, No Mans Sky, Hellblade, and many more - and only two or three are really small Indies. I have plenty to play and Quick Resume is equally amazing.

@FraserG thank you, and I appreciate PX staff engaging with the comments. And of course I get the X is were the excitement is, but I'm very happy to hear you'll consider these points. I'm still blown away by how good each game looks on this little guy. Just curious but do you personally think the S will be a somewhat significant userbase builder, or not so much?

My roommate buddy got one launch day and I remember thinking how awesome Halo CE was and we played drinking games with multiplayer with last place doing a shot. I also remember thinking the Duke was gigantic.

When I moved to my own place in 03 I picked one up.

@brunojenso The series s is my first xbox since the original, and it's hard to find performance specs for games on it outside of Digital Foundry, who understandably doesn't cover everything. If this site provided specs for both- nothing too detailed, just "x resolution at x fps" or so, I would be happy. I'm mostly pleased with my series s, except for any backwards compatible games that run in too low of a resolution. I didn't want to play a super chunky version of Nier Automata, for example.

I don't know if Xbox will really beat Sony with sales this gen, Sony's got an almost unreasonable amount of hype behind them, but they will get closer. I was all PS4 last gen and I decided I can wait on the PS5 until they make a practical slim version of it. Seems like with games being cross-gen anyway, that choice wasn't the worst one.