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2001Xbox console familyConsole family

Xbox · Console family

Xbox

Microsoft entered the living room with a hard drive, powerful hardware, and online ambition.

Documented hardware recordA separately reviewed, source-backed history appears below.

The original Xbox brought PC-like architecture and a built-in hard drive to consoles. Halo supplied the identity; Xbox Live later supplied a unified model for friends, voice chat, and online play.

Released
2001 · Exact day not documented
Platform / family
Sixth generation
Format / type
DVD-ROM
Region
Worldwide
Hardware source ↗Suggest a correction ↗

Curated archive history

Why this release matters

Source-backed

Microsoft released the original Xbox in North America on November 15, 2001, followed by Japan, Europe and Australia in 2002. A built-in hard drive, Ethernet port and four controller ports distinguished it from its contemporaries. Halo: Combat Evolved became its defining launch game, and Xbox Live followed in 2002.

Hardware design
Microsoft Xbox team
Manufacturer
Microsoft
Editorial review
2026-08-05
01

Release context

Xbox was Microsoft's first dedicated game console. Its PC-derived architecture and DirectX development environment gave the company a route into living-room games during the PlayStation 2, GameCube and Dreamcast generation.

02

Regional differences

NTSC-U/C, NTSC-J and PAL hardware and games are region-coded. Launch bundles, power requirements, video standards and the availability of the original large “Duke” controller versus the smaller Controller S differ by territory.

03

Physical packaging

Retail games normally use green DVD cases with a disc, manual and case artwork. Platinum Hits, Classics and Best of Platinum reissues use different branding; bundle and not-for-resale copies should be matched to their original console packages.

04

Editions and revisions

The black launch console was joined by translucent green, Crystal and numerous regional special editions. Hardware revisions changed internal components, and themed bundles combine a specific console revision, controller and software.

Research sources

  1. Xbox Wire — celebrating 15 years of Xbox ↗
  2. Xbox Wire — celebrating 20 years of Xbox ↗
  3. Wikipedia — Xbox ↗