Xbox

Description

Xbox launched in Australia in early-2002 marking a seismic shift in the local gaming landscape, introducing a level of raw processing power previously unseen in the console market. The Xbox was a formidable piece of hardware, significantly larger and heavier than its contemporaries. It was essentially a specialised PC in a black-and-green chassis, sporting a custom 733 MHz Intel Pentium III processor and a built-in 8GB hard drive and network interface. This would in theory unlock new development approaches in comparison to the optional storage and connectivity for the PS2.

The launch day experience was defined by the sheer scale of its flagship title, Halo: Combat Evolved, which quickly became the definitive reason to own the system. Other notable launch titles included Project Gotham Racing, which showcased incredible reflections and real-world city geometry, and Dead or Alive 3, a fighting game that served as a visual showcase for the console’s Nvidia-powered graphics, featuring interactive stages and high-fidelity character models that surpassed anything available on competing platforms at the time. For myself, these sequels to Dreamcast titles, and various Sega titles that were originally destined for the Dreamcast console e.g. Jet Set Radio Future and Panzer Dragoon Orta, drew me toward the Xbox.

The launch Xbox included the “Duke” controller. This original, oversized input device was the subject of much debate among local players, as its massive footprint was often a mismatch for those with smaller hands. I immediately imported a Japanese controller, which was substantially better designed. This would later be sold in the West as the Controller S and would eventually become the standard.

The early days of the Xbox in Australia were defined by a dramatic pricing pivot. Only weeks after the initial launch, Microsoft responded to the competitive pressure of the PlayStation 2 by slashing the price from AU$649 to $399. I was sitting on the fence on launch-day, happy to wait a few months, but with the price drop I was in immediately. This console package (F23-00063) was the same as launch day. The console quickly established itself as a powerhouse for LAN gaming, something that was rare on other platforms. We played at LAN meets countless time over the years. Years later the console would really find its feet with the launch of Xbox Live. Retrospectively this first generation of Xbox was short-lived, but foundational and crucial to the long period of success that would be the Xbox 360 – arguably the zenith of Microsoft’s console gaming endeavours.