The original Xbox, released in 2001, was Microsoft’s first foray into the world of console gaming. It was a bold move, considering the dominance of Sony’s PlayStation and Nintendo’s consoles in the market. The Xbox was a beast in terms of hardware, boasting a 733 MHz Intel Pentium III processor, a custom 3D graphics processor that ran at 233 MHz, 64 MB of DDR SDRAM, and an 8 or 10 GB internal hard drive. This made it one of the most powerful consoles of its time, capable of delivering stunning graphics and smooth gameplay that were unheard of in the console market. The Xbox was also the first console to include a built-in hard disk drive, which was used for storing games and content downloaded from Xbox Live, an online gaming service launched by Microsoft. This was a game-changer in the industry, as it allowed for much larger and more complex games to be developed, and also paved the way for digital distribution of games. The Xbox controller, known for its large size and button layout, was also a departure from the norm, but it was later refined with the Controller S, a smaller design that became the standard for the Xbox.

The Xbox had a strong lineup of games, including the now-iconic Halo: Combat Evolved. This first-person shooter was a killer app for the Xbox, showcasing the console’s impressive graphical capabilities and offering a compelling multiplayer experience. Other notable games included Project Gotham Racing, a critically acclaimed racing game, and Fable, a role-playing game that offered players a vast, open world to explore. Despite its strengths, the Xbox faced stiff competition from Sony’s PlayStation 2, which had a larger library of games and was also capable of playing DVDs out of the box. However, the Xbox carved out a niche for itself with its powerful hardware, innovative features, and strong lineup of games. It laid the groundwork for the Xbox 360, which would go on to become one of the best-selling consoles of all time.