Xbox

The Microsoft Xbox is a sixth generation era video game console first released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and on March 14, 2002 in Europe.

History
The Xbox was Microsoft's first independent venture into the video game console arena, after having developed the operating system and development tools for the MSX, and having collaborated with Sega in porting Windows CE to the Sega Dreamcast console. The Xbox was the second highest-selling console of the last generation, having sold 24 million copies worldwide. In first place was the Playstation 2, which sold 120 million copies, in third was the Nintendo Gamecube at 21 million, and in fourth was the Sega Dreamcast, which sold 9 million copies worldwide.

Notable launch titles for the console include Halo: Combat Evolved, Amped, Dead or Alive 3, and Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee. Most Xbox games are compatible with Xbox 360 such as Ninja Gaiden.

The best-selling Xbox game of all time was Halo: Combat Evolved, which sold 8 million copies, and in second Halo 2 which sold 5 million. The most highly rated Xbox game was Halo: Combat Evolved, with an average meta-score of 97 out of 100. Second was the GTA Triple Pack which achieved an average meta-score of 96 out of 100. Halo 2 pulled into third with 95 out of 100.

The Xbox LIVE gaming service allows for multiplayer online play, and is one of the Xbox's most acclaimed features. Another popular feature of the Xbox is the ability to create a System link of multiple Xboxes wired together, allowing multiplayer games to take place with more than four players. As of April 15, 2010, Xbox LIVE is no longer supporting the original Xbox games and consoles. This also includes original Xbox games being played on the Xbox 360.

Some of the most popular Xbox games, including Halo: Combat Evolved can be found from Xbox Live Marketplace, and they can be played on Xbox 360. These products are entitled "Xbox Originals".

Halo: Combat Evolved
On March 14, 2004, Microsoft released a special version of the Xbox in the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Around 200,000 of these Xbox consoles were produced. The special version was translucent green and came with a copy of Halo: Combat Evolved and a matching translucent green Controller S. The console case featured the Halo logo and the words "Special Edition"; the controller had a jewel that had the Halo logo in place of the normal Xbox logo.

Halo 2
On March 18, 2005, an Ice Blue Halo 2 Limited Edition Xbox was released in Canada and Asia. The console was translucent blue and retailed for approximately $249. Included with the Ice Blue console was a matching Controller S, a special Halo green headset and a copy of Halo 2. The difference between the Asian and Canadian versions can be seen in the Xbox's jewel; the Asian version has a black jewel while the Canadian version has a silver jewel.