Twenty years ago, the console wars took a turn for the tasty as Microsoft entered the fray. Even as one of the richest companies in the world, its success with Xbox was not guaranteed; but over the past two decades, major innovations and memorable franchises have cemented its place in gaming history.
The original console’s hard drive and Ethernet port represented the kind of long-term thinking that helped Xbox Live pioneer online gaming, while the Xbox 360 became one of the most successful of all console generations – which saw not only the advent of HD, but also the rise of indie games via Xbox Live Arcade.
There were some disasters too – such as Kinect, not to mention the awful initial strategy of Xbox One. But it’s learned and emerged stronger, boosting its portfolio with canny acquisitions, taking its history seriously through backward compatibility, and opening the door for noobs with Game Pass.
Now join Stuff as we shine a light on some of the best exclusives and key moments in the platform’s history.
20 Ninja Gaiden
is often called the hardest, a reimagining of the classic 8-bit action side-scroller in 3D. Ultra-violent and ultra-punishing for its time… and the enhanced was a fine demonstration of how Xbox’s backward compatibility programme could bring back original titles looking almost like new releases.
