It is going to be a long blog entry so hold tight, grab on to your seat and experience the lesser known of the 6th generation consoles.
Well, hopefully I shouldn't be able to explain since many might have a fair idea already however just in case. The Xbox was a console made by Microsoft, it was their first attempt at a console themselves (before there was the MSX and they helped Sega during the Dreamcast to the point where the Xbox feels like a Dreamcast 2 in some ways), was launched in 2001 in the US, 2002 elsewhere and carried on until 2006 in Europe, later in the US due to MS released the 360 [this was because the original Xbox lost MS lots of money] and the story goes... While it wasn't popular compared to the PS2, it still managed to beat the Gamecube in sales however the tides have turned and the Xbox just become forgotten over time. It flopped big time in Japan and they were put off by future Xbox consoles. Doesn't help that Microsoft called their 3rd console Xbox One and some people just call the 360, the Xbox (annoying though) so what do people call the console now? Either original Xbox [MS term] or OG Xbox.
Now let's get a misconception out of the way. First of all, it isn't just a Halo machine even if the game made the console popular and the sequel skyrocketed the popularity of online gameplay on consoles. Rather it is machine designed for a player who likes Western games since the types of games were shooters of both the FPS and the TPS kind, racing, open world and sports similar to how the PS4/Xbox One are like at the moment (concidence that both the original Xbox and these have little platfomers and RPGs, the latter will change when Square-Enix, NIS and Atlus will come to the table for the PS4 though).
![Posted Image]()
Sorry about that, couldn't resist. Anyway let's talk about the good and the bad things about this console.
Advantages to the Xbox:
+ Was the most powerful console of the 6th generation era so as a result, in general the multiplatform games look better whether it is clearer textures, more effects, better draw distance, better sound (Dolby Digital support) and a better more consistant frame rate on games with less slowdown. Some like Splinter Cell are more closer to the PC releases rather than the competition (even though I do think the Gamecube release could have done better) and makes it look like a mini generation leap by comparison. There are a few exceptions however where the PS2 version or the Gamecube version is better though or minimal work done such as Call of Duty: Finest Hour.
+ The first console to have a hard drive, all home consoles after this have some on board storage. This means that you won't be needing memory cards or worrying about lack of space since 8GB can save a fair amount of games. There is also a memory card that you can buy to save to the controller ala the Dreamcast however many developers only allow saves to the HDD, also handy for the Splinter Cell Mod.
+ Custom soundtracks (if game supports it), like the hard drive was more featured in the 360/PS3 era. It technically wasn't the first to do so since Ridge Racer on the PS1, you could change your disc to change the music since the entire game stored to the memory however it is safer. Say you are fed up of Gravity Bounce on Project Gotham Racing or want to your favourite song on GTA 3/Vice City/San Andreas? No problem, just select it.
+ 720p. That's right, the Xbox was the first HD console that could support HD resolutions even though most people back then only had 480p/480i/575i support on their TVs. The PAL systems don't have it by default and is restricted to a few games with the big one being Soul Calibur II but it is a nice thing to have for a console this old.
+ Quick to load the games in most cases apart from a few games. Some like Halo and Everything or Nothing have no load times after the level is loaded so when you die or in the case of Halo continuing from the last checkpoint from a fresh load, it is pretty much instant. I don't know whether the Gamecube is faster or slower than the Xbox for loading (personally put it around the same ball park depending on game) but having a game to load 30 seconds max generally is better than a minute or so. Some multiplatform games like Crash Bandicoot 4 or the Max Payne series while do have loading times are much faster than the PS2 releases of these games even though the former got a loading fixed Platinum/Greatest Hits release.
Previous advantages:
+ Was the first console to take online multiplayer seriously. While playing online can go as far back as the Xband or the few supported Saturn and Dreamcast games, the Xbox took it to the next level by having an ethernet socket as well as no extras needed like the PS2 or the Gamecube. Plus in terms of Europe, it was the first console to actually have online multiplayer on more than just a few games (technically the Dreamcast WAS the first however many games removed the online features for the PAL versions such as Daytona USA 2001 or weren't released such as Bomberman Online). Reason why it is previous? The online servers have been switched off for 5 years.
+ Relating to that, it also had DLC on some games. Like the online bit, wasn't the first to do it but many games did take advantage by offering more maps, more levels and more music for free. The sad part is that much of this DLC is lost... Some like the Halo 2 maps had their own disc for retail, some like Splinter Cell had an extra disc for the budget release for that level. Some of these might have also made to demo discs but good luck finding the one that you want. This problem might repeat itself when the PS3/360 switch off their online servers in the future. The Xbox would have also would have been the first to have downloadable games but didn't happen until the 360.
Disadvantages to the Xbox (keeping neutral):
- No released English translated JRPGs on the system so anyone who loves them, stick to the PS2 of the 6th generation era or a different console (e.g. 3DS/Vita/PS3/360). The only RPGs are Shin Megumi Tensei Nine and Rent a Hero no. 1 released only in Japan, the latter did have a prototype English translated version though.
- Relating to that, less Japanese developed games. While it isn't as big issue today due to the rise and more popularity of Western developers however back in this era, the Xbox got the scraps while the PS2 and to a much smaller extent the Gamecube (only because of Nintendo themselves) got the cream of the crop. Should be considered lucky that Sega and Tecmo were huge supporters of the system with Capcom, Koei, SNK and Konami having some of their better games on it, even Namco had an exclusive or two and Namco was really close to Sony to the point where Sony published most of Namco's games in Europe until the late 00s. Due to this it is also missing some big series on the console such as Resident Evil, Viewtiful Joe, Mega Man (except an US only compliation), Tekken, Ace Combat, Ridge Racer, Final Fantasy (no Square), Bomberman (no Hudson) with many took until the 360 before these series appeared on a Microsoft console.
- The console itself is as big as an American stereotype, then again it was a consolised PC and having computer parts in consoles in a smaller form wasn't possible unlike now.
- The Thomson drive consoles. You see early Xbox systems had Thomson drives that weren't reliable that meant the lasers were poor and from my experience (have two Xbox systems) couldn't read dual layer discs at all like Ninja Gaiden, Dead or Alive 2 Ultimate (not even a single scratch on the disc!) or GTA 3 while the Samsung one read them just fine. Microsoft replaced them two years later with better ones but still possible to find them. Easiest way of looking is by the tray, covering most of the tray? Thomson. Having circluar holes? Samsung.
- There is no perfect controller on the system. The original aka the DUKE is big, has an iffy D-pad but the layout is similar to the older Sega controllers as in the 6 button layout. The Controller S is smaller and a better fit with a better D-Pad however the layout got shuffled making the black and white buttons below the A button as well as shifting Start and Back to the lower left below the left analog stick, not ideal if the games are tailored for the older layout.
This was the best time to get the console; I started this two years ago out of curiousity since when I was younger the console didn't exist and ending up getting a bundle with 10 games [Sonic Heroes, F1 2002, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, Burnout 3: Takedown, Burnout Revenge that ended up failing, The Simpsons Hit and Run, MotoGP 1, Mad Dash Racing, Colin McRae Rally 3 and Rocky] so already got my monies worth. Then first thing I did was went to the various Computer Exchanges, Cash Converters, car boot sales, even Game for Pro Evolution Soccer 5 and got plenty of games on the cheap. Of course some of these I took back since they didn't work or in the case of car boots got replacements further down the line. To top it off, went to Amazon to buy some of the remaining games, the harder to find ones. Now apart from a perhaps a few non-essential games, I have all the games that I want on the system, about 160 games. This year though, I did notice that I got them at the right time since said stores are really downsize their stock and lucky to get the common games now as well as car boot sales being really poor for games in general lately, it will be a matter of time before the stores will stop selling them and end up like various retro consoles with the price of the games shooting right up.
Personal story aside, it still is the best time to get the console since when compared to the Gamecube, Dreamcast and many PS2 games, the games are much cheaper to buy. To be honest right now, PS3 and Wii games (plus 360) have dropped in price a lot with some even being cheaper than Xbox games in 2015 so start buying those while you can! However it is cheaper to buy the Splinter Cell games on the Xbox rather than the PS3 trilogy due to having access to all 4 games, no performance problems and an extra level in the first game. I'll predict that by 2016, the games will be worth more at least for certain titles and even some might double their value or more (e.g. RalliSport Challenge 2, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, OutRun 2, Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay).
Right so you have looked at all the points and why it is the best time to get one but what about the games and for a first time buyer?
First thing you want to do is buy the console and make sure that it works. It is up to you whether you want to go regular black or Crystal colour. When buying a system, make sure that it doesn't have a Thomson drive since they have problems reading discs even though ironically are better at reading copies than genuine games. Go with Samsung or for an August 2005 console, Hitachi. At the bottom of the console, there is a serial code. If it is before 1.6 then your capacitator might want replacing however 1.6 has a weaker video encoder and might have problems displaying certain games. Your console might have a mod chip so it can play copies, imports (but if you are in the US, you are in the best region for this console or not really needed) and for EU systems, display in 720p. Some have even modded their console with larger HDDs to store games and stuff. Now there is something that you can do on a system, I haven't done it or have the skills to do it but it is the Splinter Cell mod. When buying it is also best to get a bundle, that way you have a few games to play on.
So follow my advice afterwards, go to a store or online and start with the cheap games or as many as you can find that you will like (I started getting around 8 or 10 games at a time, at the end dropped to the odd one). The common games, even if it is that a 50c sports game (to your tests that is), a game from EA or a game that you are unsure about (there is a guide below on some recommendations) start with. Then work your way though waiting until you find a good price or the game that you are looking for or both. Most importantly unless you are a hardcore collector, just go for games that you'll like, like I did. You would save some money and get to enjoy the system.
What is the Splinter Cell mod?
This is softmod that can do what a mod chip does. All you need is a copy of Splinter Cell and the game easy to find so no problems there (this mod also works on certain print runs of Agent Under Fire and MechWarrior), a memory card and a USB to Xbox cable (or an Action Replay or an Xploder) and a save of Splinter Cell with your region. Put the save to the memory card, load Splinter Cell, load the Linux save and there you go. A softmodded console.
Best picture connection?
Get component cables straight away after buying your system (unless they come with it). It is the best that the Xbox can get and would work whether you have a CRT [with them on] or a LCD tv. On Modern TVs, SCART (considered the best for some old consoles) doesn't make the picture look good on the system. It makes them like a really blurry dull vaseline look and adds extra lag making the games feel slower than they are. With component, they are sharper, cleaner, easier to make out the graphics but have a slight blur like an unintended anti analysing hiding some of the imperfections (good thing). If you have an older TV (pre 2000s), then SCART/Composite have to be the way to go.
So when are we going to get to the games?
Now. The ones written in Xbox green are exclusive to the console and are my pick of recommendations (* - one of my favourites). The console had about 700 games plus (estimated 999 games in total for all regions), not bad for a system that was 4 years in its peak however there are more games out there than listed, just unsure of their quality. Plus this doesn't list JP imports such as Metal Wolf Chaos, Double Steal: The Second Clash [Wreckless 2], NUDE, SMT Nine, Dinosaur Hunting or any of those due to not only lack of availablity (+ high demand on Metal Wolf Chaos) but also most importantly the language barrier.
Speaking of which most Xbox games are region locked however there are a few that aren't such as Taito Legends 2, one version of RalliSport Challenge 2 and going from memory OutRun 2006.
FPS
007: Nightfire
Call of Duty 2: Big Red One
Call of Duty 3
Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
Counter-Strike
Far Cry Instincts/Instincts Evolution (altered versions of the first game, both are similar and have the same story but have different missions in single player)
Halo
Halo 2
Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter
Medal of Honor: European Assault
Medal of Honor: Frontline
Project Snowblind (got it cheap)
Return to Castle Wolfenstein
TimeSplitters 2
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect
Unreal Championship
XIII
Racing
Burnout 3: Takedown*
Burnout Revenge
Colin McRae Rally 2005
Forza Motorsport
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
Project Gotham Racing
Project Gotham Racing 2
Quantum Redshift
Racing Evoluzione / Apex
RalliSport Challenge 2
Richard Burns Rally (most hardcore rally game ever made)
Sega GT Online (Sega GT 2002 with extra races and more events)
Sonic Riders (sadly the best Sonic game that isn't Mega Collection Plus on the system)
The Italian Job: LA Heist
TOCA Race Driver 2 (Race Driver 1 Live if you want a story, 2 for gameplay)
Wreckless: The Yakuza Missions (PS2 and Gamecube versions are really cutdown)
XGRA: Xtreme G Racing Association (very hard though)
(Noticed a pattern?)
Third Person Shooter/Action game
Dead to Rights (part exclusive, original version of the game)
Everything or Nothing
From Russia with Love
Freedom Fighters
Max Payne*
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne*
Tactical shooter
Conflict Desert Storm 1 & 2 (very cheap)
Full Spectrum Warrior (ditto)
Ghost Recon 2/Summit Strike (remember when companies released expansion packs retail?)
Rainbow Six 3/Black Arrow
Star Wars Battlefront
Star Wars: Republic Commando
Unable to source Operation Flashpoint and that is apparently one of the best tactical shooters on the system
Other action games
Ailen Hominid
Beyond Good and Evil (have it on the PS3 though)
Breakdown
Dynasty Warriors 5
Fable: The Lost Chapters
Genma Onimusha (part exclusive)
Gunvalkyrie
Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb
Jade Empire
Jet Set Radio Future
Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Mercenaries
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath (have it on the Vita)
Ninja Gaiden / Ninja Gaiden Black (up to you, have both since they have their differences)
Panzer Dragoon Orta
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time*
Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy
Samurai Warriors
SpikeOut: Battlestreet
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (the others are also worth picking up too and Double Agent is better than the HD version)
SpyHunter
Star Wars Jedi Knight 2
Star Wars Jedi Academy
The Warriors
While Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance is a good game, there are better versions on the PS3/360 and only got it because it was cheap. Headhunter: Redemption got a bad reputation but if you find it cheap it is worth a try. At least it has a good soundtrack. Also there's Starsky and Hutch if you want an arcade style game, sort of like Special Criminal Investigation and I think there's also a Lucky and Wild mode where one controls the car and the other controls the gun.
Fighting (non-arcade)
Dead or Alive 3
Dead or Alive Ultimate (Saturn version of the original, remake of Dead or Alive 2)
Platformers (warning: not many)
Blinx: The Time Sweeper (from the creator of Sonic) and its sequel
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex
Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc
ToeJam and Earl 3 (considered a disappointment at the time when compared to the others in the series, on its own grounds it is actually a decent game)
Apparently Crash Twinsanity is a good one and the Ty series seem decent however unable to get them (my Ty 2 disc didn't work at all, took it back for a refund and unable to source another copy at the moment).
Open World (whether it is action or racing)
Grand Theft Auto Double Pack (GTA 3 and Vice City*)
The Godfather*
Mafia
Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition Remix (Midnight Club II is also decent)
Midtown Madness 3
Need for Speed: Most Wanted / Need for Speed Carbon
Simpsons Hit and Run
Spider-Man 2
True Crime: Streets of LA
Apparently The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction is a very good game but unable to personally recommend it due to not having it.
Flying (ala Ace Combat)
Crimson Skies
Deadly Skies / AirForce Delta Storm
Yager
Sports
American BIG TIME Football - NFL 2K5 (apparently is the best one, not into the sport or have it but seems to be the general opinion)
Basketball - NBA Street Vol. 2
Boxing - Fight Night 1, 2 or 3, Rocky
Football/Soccer - Pro Evolution Soccer 5/Winning Eleven 9 [KING OF ALL FOOTBALL GAMES]
Golf - Links
Tennis - Top Spin (only option really)
Skateboarding - Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2x (US only), 3 and 4
Snowboarding - SSX Tricky, SSX 3
Volleyball - Only one option but it is too embarrassing to say it...
Not sure regarding baseball though. The only one released in Europe was All-Star Baseball 2003 however the US also had sequels and World Series Baseball.
Arcade Ports/Emulation
Arctic Thunder
Capcom vs. SNK 2 EO
Crazy Taxi 3 (now was this first on the Xbox or the arcade?)
Gauntlet Dark Legacy
House of the Dead 3 [with 2 as an unlockable]
Metal Slug 3
Midway Arcade Treasures 3
OutRun 2 [with OutRun as an unlockable]
OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast**
Silent Scope Complete
Smashing Drive (US only)
Soul Calibur II
Street Fighter Anniversary Collection (Hyper Street Fighter II and Street Fighter III Third Strike)
Taito Legends 2 (EU only)
The Rest
Commandos 2: Men of Courage
Super Monkey Ball Deluxe
Ultimate Pro Pinball
Also there are Conker, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 1 & 2, Battlefront 2 and Shenmue II however for the Star Wars ones, it is cheaper elsewhere (PC, PSP) plus KOTOR also have mods especially the 2nd with its mod to expand the game due to being rushed out of the door and the other two are pricey.
If anyone is curiousity, these are the availablity of the games. Please note that this is from my personal experience and may not completely reflect the rarity of a game even though it is a good try (spoilered due to length):
Lastly is there an emulator of the system?
Sadly no and from the looks of things, there isn't going to be one for a LONG time. There have been a couple of attempts however they are lucky if they boot up one game. The closest thing to an emulator is the 360 where it can run some Xbox games but they have problems with Panzer Dragoon Orta crashing by Stage 3 or missing graphical effects or slowdown (Jet Set Radio Future). Only hope is if MAME gets OutRun 2 fully working, then the work on MESS can start on the Xbox since the arcade Chirhiro system is based on the Xbox.
Why?
At first glance, the Xbox is a consolised PC but going deeper and it doesn't turn out that way. The major hurdle is actually the graphics card used on the system. While it is based on the GeoForce series, it isn't quite compatible and documentation of it is lost. Meaning that it would require someone really skilled, lots of guess work and lots of time to reverse engineer the graphics card. Another is that it uses X86 rather like a computer or the PS4/Xbox One and there are a lot of instructions (unknown how many the system actually uses), some of them not documented and some really tied to MS so in order to emulate the console, it will be like emulating a computer and it is harder than it looks. Maybe also copyright restrictions since it uses DirectX (hence the Xbox name).
Another thing also is lack of interest. With Nintendo consoles, there is usually a hook whether it is a Mario or a Zelda game to get motivation to emulate a system and the first working game is usually between the two (like there is a new 3DS emulator that can emulator Ocarina of Time and only just started). With Sony consoles, there are the RPGs and certain series even though weirdly the PS3 emulator so far is only able to emulate simple puzzle games on PSN and very early days. With Microsoft consoles there isn't either or a strong enough title to start. if there is going to be a MS console emulator, it is most likely going to be the 360. With the popularity of FROM Software (Metal Wolf Chaos) and Atlus (SMT Nine), there might be a small chance of someone finding motivation to play these games.
So there you go, a rough guide to the Xbox and hope that it can help you if you ever decide to try it out.
Well, hopefully I shouldn't be able to explain since many might have a fair idea already however just in case. The Xbox was a console made by Microsoft, it was their first attempt at a console themselves (before there was the MSX and they helped Sega during the Dreamcast to the point where the Xbox feels like a Dreamcast 2 in some ways), was launched in 2001 in the US, 2002 elsewhere and carried on until 2006 in Europe, later in the US due to MS released the 360 [this was because the original Xbox lost MS lots of money] and the story goes... While it wasn't popular compared to the PS2, it still managed to beat the Gamecube in sales however the tides have turned and the Xbox just become forgotten over time. It flopped big time in Japan and they were put off by future Xbox consoles. Doesn't help that Microsoft called their 3rd console Xbox One and some people just call the 360, the Xbox (annoying though) so what do people call the console now? Either original Xbox [MS term] or OG Xbox.
Now let's get a misconception out of the way. First of all, it isn't just a Halo machine even if the game made the console popular and the sequel skyrocketed the popularity of online gameplay on consoles. Rather it is machine designed for a player who likes Western games since the types of games were shooters of both the FPS and the TPS kind, racing, open world and sports similar to how the PS4/Xbox One are like at the moment (concidence that both the original Xbox and these have little platfomers and RPGs, the latter will change when Square-Enix, NIS and Atlus will come to the table for the PS4 though).
Sorry about that, couldn't resist. Anyway let's talk about the good and the bad things about this console.
Advantages to the Xbox:
+ Was the most powerful console of the 6th generation era so as a result, in general the multiplatform games look better whether it is clearer textures, more effects, better draw distance, better sound (Dolby Digital support) and a better more consistant frame rate on games with less slowdown. Some like Splinter Cell are more closer to the PC releases rather than the competition (even though I do think the Gamecube release could have done better) and makes it look like a mini generation leap by comparison. There are a few exceptions however where the PS2 version or the Gamecube version is better though or minimal work done such as Call of Duty: Finest Hour.
+ The first console to have a hard drive, all home consoles after this have some on board storage. This means that you won't be needing memory cards or worrying about lack of space since 8GB can save a fair amount of games. There is also a memory card that you can buy to save to the controller ala the Dreamcast however many developers only allow saves to the HDD, also handy for the Splinter Cell Mod.
+ Custom soundtracks (if game supports it), like the hard drive was more featured in the 360/PS3 era. It technically wasn't the first to do so since Ridge Racer on the PS1, you could change your disc to change the music since the entire game stored to the memory however it is safer. Say you are fed up of Gravity Bounce on Project Gotham Racing or want to your favourite song on GTA 3/Vice City/San Andreas? No problem, just select it.
+ 720p. That's right, the Xbox was the first HD console that could support HD resolutions even though most people back then only had 480p/480i/575i support on their TVs. The PAL systems don't have it by default and is restricted to a few games with the big one being Soul Calibur II but it is a nice thing to have for a console this old.
+ Quick to load the games in most cases apart from a few games. Some like Halo and Everything or Nothing have no load times after the level is loaded so when you die or in the case of Halo continuing from the last checkpoint from a fresh load, it is pretty much instant. I don't know whether the Gamecube is faster or slower than the Xbox for loading (personally put it around the same ball park depending on game) but having a game to load 30 seconds max generally is better than a minute or so. Some multiplatform games like Crash Bandicoot 4 or the Max Payne series while do have loading times are much faster than the PS2 releases of these games even though the former got a loading fixed Platinum/Greatest Hits release.
Previous advantages:
+ Was the first console to take online multiplayer seriously. While playing online can go as far back as the Xband or the few supported Saturn and Dreamcast games, the Xbox took it to the next level by having an ethernet socket as well as no extras needed like the PS2 or the Gamecube. Plus in terms of Europe, it was the first console to actually have online multiplayer on more than just a few games (technically the Dreamcast WAS the first however many games removed the online features for the PAL versions such as Daytona USA 2001 or weren't released such as Bomberman Online). Reason why it is previous? The online servers have been switched off for 5 years.
+ Relating to that, it also had DLC on some games. Like the online bit, wasn't the first to do it but many games did take advantage by offering more maps, more levels and more music for free. The sad part is that much of this DLC is lost... Some like the Halo 2 maps had their own disc for retail, some like Splinter Cell had an extra disc for the budget release for that level. Some of these might have also made to demo discs but good luck finding the one that you want. This problem might repeat itself when the PS3/360 switch off their online servers in the future. The Xbox would have also would have been the first to have downloadable games but didn't happen until the 360.
Disadvantages to the Xbox (keeping neutral):
- No released English translated JRPGs on the system so anyone who loves them, stick to the PS2 of the 6th generation era or a different console (e.g. 3DS/Vita/PS3/360). The only RPGs are Shin Megumi Tensei Nine and Rent a Hero no. 1 released only in Japan, the latter did have a prototype English translated version though.
- Relating to that, less Japanese developed games. While it isn't as big issue today due to the rise and more popularity of Western developers however back in this era, the Xbox got the scraps while the PS2 and to a much smaller extent the Gamecube (only because of Nintendo themselves) got the cream of the crop. Should be considered lucky that Sega and Tecmo were huge supporters of the system with Capcom, Koei, SNK and Konami having some of their better games on it, even Namco had an exclusive or two and Namco was really close to Sony to the point where Sony published most of Namco's games in Europe until the late 00s. Due to this it is also missing some big series on the console such as Resident Evil, Viewtiful Joe, Mega Man (except an US only compliation), Tekken, Ace Combat, Ridge Racer, Final Fantasy (no Square), Bomberman (no Hudson) with many took until the 360 before these series appeared on a Microsoft console.
- The console itself is as big as an American stereotype, then again it was a consolised PC and having computer parts in consoles in a smaller form wasn't possible unlike now.
- The Thomson drive consoles. You see early Xbox systems had Thomson drives that weren't reliable that meant the lasers were poor and from my experience (have two Xbox systems) couldn't read dual layer discs at all like Ninja Gaiden, Dead or Alive 2 Ultimate (not even a single scratch on the disc!) or GTA 3 while the Samsung one read them just fine. Microsoft replaced them two years later with better ones but still possible to find them. Easiest way of looking is by the tray, covering most of the tray? Thomson. Having circluar holes? Samsung.
- There is no perfect controller on the system. The original aka the DUKE is big, has an iffy D-pad but the layout is similar to the older Sega controllers as in the 6 button layout. The Controller S is smaller and a better fit with a better D-Pad however the layout got shuffled making the black and white buttons below the A button as well as shifting Start and Back to the lower left below the left analog stick, not ideal if the games are tailored for the older layout.
This was the best time to get the console; I started this two years ago out of curiousity since when I was younger the console didn't exist and ending up getting a bundle with 10 games [Sonic Heroes, F1 2002, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, Burnout 3: Takedown, Burnout Revenge that ended up failing, The Simpsons Hit and Run, MotoGP 1, Mad Dash Racing, Colin McRae Rally 3 and Rocky] so already got my monies worth. Then first thing I did was went to the various Computer Exchanges, Cash Converters, car boot sales, even Game for Pro Evolution Soccer 5 and got plenty of games on the cheap. Of course some of these I took back since they didn't work or in the case of car boots got replacements further down the line. To top it off, went to Amazon to buy some of the remaining games, the harder to find ones. Now apart from a perhaps a few non-essential games, I have all the games that I want on the system, about 160 games. This year though, I did notice that I got them at the right time since said stores are really downsize their stock and lucky to get the common games now as well as car boot sales being really poor for games in general lately, it will be a matter of time before the stores will stop selling them and end up like various retro consoles with the price of the games shooting right up.
Personal story aside, it still is the best time to get the console since when compared to the Gamecube, Dreamcast and many PS2 games, the games are much cheaper to buy. To be honest right now, PS3 and Wii games (plus 360) have dropped in price a lot with some even being cheaper than Xbox games in 2015 so start buying those while you can! However it is cheaper to buy the Splinter Cell games on the Xbox rather than the PS3 trilogy due to having access to all 4 games, no performance problems and an extra level in the first game. I'll predict that by 2016, the games will be worth more at least for certain titles and even some might double their value or more (e.g. RalliSport Challenge 2, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, OutRun 2, Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay).
Right so you have looked at all the points and why it is the best time to get one but what about the games and for a first time buyer?
First thing you want to do is buy the console and make sure that it works. It is up to you whether you want to go regular black or Crystal colour. When buying a system, make sure that it doesn't have a Thomson drive since they have problems reading discs even though ironically are better at reading copies than genuine games. Go with Samsung or for an August 2005 console, Hitachi. At the bottom of the console, there is a serial code. If it is before 1.6 then your capacitator might want replacing however 1.6 has a weaker video encoder and might have problems displaying certain games. Your console might have a mod chip so it can play copies, imports (but if you are in the US, you are in the best region for this console or not really needed) and for EU systems, display in 720p. Some have even modded their console with larger HDDs to store games and stuff. Now there is something that you can do on a system, I haven't done it or have the skills to do it but it is the Splinter Cell mod. When buying it is also best to get a bundle, that way you have a few games to play on.
So follow my advice afterwards, go to a store or online and start with the cheap games or as many as you can find that you will like (I started getting around 8 or 10 games at a time, at the end dropped to the odd one). The common games, even if it is that a 50c sports game (to your tests that is), a game from EA or a game that you are unsure about (there is a guide below on some recommendations) start with. Then work your way though waiting until you find a good price or the game that you are looking for or both. Most importantly unless you are a hardcore collector, just go for games that you'll like, like I did. You would save some money and get to enjoy the system.
What is the Splinter Cell mod?
This is softmod that can do what a mod chip does. All you need is a copy of Splinter Cell and the game easy to find so no problems there (this mod also works on certain print runs of Agent Under Fire and MechWarrior), a memory card and a USB to Xbox cable (or an Action Replay or an Xploder) and a save of Splinter Cell with your region. Put the save to the memory card, load Splinter Cell, load the Linux save and there you go. A softmodded console.
Best picture connection?
Get component cables straight away after buying your system (unless they come with it). It is the best that the Xbox can get and would work whether you have a CRT [with them on] or a LCD tv. On Modern TVs, SCART (considered the best for some old consoles) doesn't make the picture look good on the system. It makes them like a really blurry dull vaseline look and adds extra lag making the games feel slower than they are. With component, they are sharper, cleaner, easier to make out the graphics but have a slight blur like an unintended anti analysing hiding some of the imperfections (good thing). If you have an older TV (pre 2000s), then SCART/Composite have to be the way to go.
So when are we going to get to the games?
Now. The ones written in Xbox green are exclusive to the console and are my pick of recommendations (* - one of my favourites). The console had about 700 games plus (estimated 999 games in total for all regions), not bad for a system that was 4 years in its peak however there are more games out there than listed, just unsure of their quality. Plus this doesn't list JP imports such as Metal Wolf Chaos, Double Steal: The Second Clash [Wreckless 2], NUDE, SMT Nine, Dinosaur Hunting or any of those due to not only lack of availablity (+ high demand on Metal Wolf Chaos) but also most importantly the language barrier.
Speaking of which most Xbox games are region locked however there are a few that aren't such as Taito Legends 2, one version of RalliSport Challenge 2 and going from memory OutRun 2006.
FPS
007: Nightfire
Call of Duty 2: Big Red One
Call of Duty 3
Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
Counter-Strike
Far Cry Instincts/Instincts Evolution (altered versions of the first game, both are similar and have the same story but have different missions in single player)
Halo
Halo 2
Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter
Medal of Honor: European Assault
Medal of Honor: Frontline
Project Snowblind (got it cheap)
Return to Castle Wolfenstein
TimeSplitters 2
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect
Unreal Championship
XIII
Racing
Burnout 3: Takedown*
Burnout Revenge
Colin McRae Rally 2005
Forza Motorsport
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
Project Gotham Racing
Project Gotham Racing 2
Quantum Redshift
Racing Evoluzione / Apex
RalliSport Challenge 2
Richard Burns Rally (most hardcore rally game ever made)
Sega GT Online (Sega GT 2002 with extra races and more events)
Sonic Riders (sadly the best Sonic game that isn't Mega Collection Plus on the system)
The Italian Job: LA Heist
TOCA Race Driver 2 (Race Driver 1 Live if you want a story, 2 for gameplay)
Wreckless: The Yakuza Missions (PS2 and Gamecube versions are really cutdown)
XGRA: Xtreme G Racing Association (very hard though)
(Noticed a pattern?)
Third Person Shooter/Action game
Dead to Rights (part exclusive, original version of the game)
Everything or Nothing
From Russia with Love
Freedom Fighters
Max Payne*
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne*
Tactical shooter
Conflict Desert Storm 1 & 2 (very cheap)
Full Spectrum Warrior (ditto)
Ghost Recon 2/Summit Strike (remember when companies released expansion packs retail?)
Rainbow Six 3/Black Arrow
Star Wars Battlefront
Star Wars: Republic Commando
Unable to source Operation Flashpoint and that is apparently one of the best tactical shooters on the system
Other action games
Ailen Hominid
Beyond Good and Evil (have it on the PS3 though)
Breakdown
Dynasty Warriors 5
Fable: The Lost Chapters
Genma Onimusha (part exclusive)
Gunvalkyrie
Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb
Jade Empire
Jet Set Radio Future
Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Mercenaries
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath (have it on the Vita)
Ninja Gaiden / Ninja Gaiden Black (up to you, have both since they have their differences)
Panzer Dragoon Orta
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time*
Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy
Samurai Warriors
SpikeOut: Battlestreet
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (the others are also worth picking up too and Double Agent is better than the HD version)
SpyHunter
Star Wars Jedi Knight 2
Star Wars Jedi Academy
The Warriors
While Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance is a good game, there are better versions on the PS3/360 and only got it because it was cheap. Headhunter: Redemption got a bad reputation but if you find it cheap it is worth a try. At least it has a good soundtrack. Also there's Starsky and Hutch if you want an arcade style game, sort of like Special Criminal Investigation and I think there's also a Lucky and Wild mode where one controls the car and the other controls the gun.
Fighting (non-arcade)
Dead or Alive 3
Dead or Alive Ultimate (Saturn version of the original, remake of Dead or Alive 2)
Platformers (warning: not many)
Blinx: The Time Sweeper (from the creator of Sonic) and its sequel
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex
Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc
ToeJam and Earl 3 (considered a disappointment at the time when compared to the others in the series, on its own grounds it is actually a decent game)
Apparently Crash Twinsanity is a good one and the Ty series seem decent however unable to get them (my Ty 2 disc didn't work at all, took it back for a refund and unable to source another copy at the moment).
Open World (whether it is action or racing)
Grand Theft Auto Double Pack (GTA 3 and Vice City*)
The Godfather*
Mafia
Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition Remix (Midnight Club II is also decent)
Midtown Madness 3
Need for Speed: Most Wanted / Need for Speed Carbon
Simpsons Hit and Run
Spider-Man 2
True Crime: Streets of LA
Apparently The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction is a very good game but unable to personally recommend it due to not having it.
Flying (ala Ace Combat)
Crimson Skies
Deadly Skies / AirForce Delta Storm
Yager
Sports
American BIG TIME Football - NFL 2K5 (apparently is the best one, not into the sport or have it but seems to be the general opinion)
Basketball - NBA Street Vol. 2
Boxing - Fight Night 1, 2 or 3, Rocky
Football/Soccer - Pro Evolution Soccer 5/Winning Eleven 9 [KING OF ALL FOOTBALL GAMES]
Golf - Links
Tennis - Top Spin (only option really)
Skateboarding - Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2x (US only), 3 and 4
Snowboarding - SSX Tricky, SSX 3
Volleyball - Only one option but it is too embarrassing to say it...
Not sure regarding baseball though. The only one released in Europe was All-Star Baseball 2003 however the US also had sequels and World Series Baseball.
Arcade Ports/Emulation
Arctic Thunder
Capcom vs. SNK 2 EO
Crazy Taxi 3 (now was this first on the Xbox or the arcade?)
Gauntlet Dark Legacy
House of the Dead 3 [with 2 as an unlockable]
Metal Slug 3
Midway Arcade Treasures 3
OutRun 2 [with OutRun as an unlockable]
OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast**
Silent Scope Complete
Smashing Drive (US only)
Soul Calibur II
Street Fighter Anniversary Collection (Hyper Street Fighter II and Street Fighter III Third Strike)
Taito Legends 2 (EU only)
The Rest
Commandos 2: Men of Courage
Super Monkey Ball Deluxe
Ultimate Pro Pinball
Also there are Conker, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 1 & 2, Battlefront 2 and Shenmue II however for the Star Wars ones, it is cheaper elsewhere (PC, PSP) plus KOTOR also have mods especially the 2nd with its mod to expand the game due to being rushed out of the door and the other two are pricey.
If anyone is curiousity, these are the availablity of the games. Please note that this is from my personal experience and may not completely reflect the rarity of a game even though it is a good try (spoilered due to length):
Spoiler
Lastly is there an emulator of the system?
Sadly no and from the looks of things, there isn't going to be one for a LONG time. There have been a couple of attempts however they are lucky if they boot up one game. The closest thing to an emulator is the 360 where it can run some Xbox games but they have problems with Panzer Dragoon Orta crashing by Stage 3 or missing graphical effects or slowdown (Jet Set Radio Future). Only hope is if MAME gets OutRun 2 fully working, then the work on MESS can start on the Xbox since the arcade Chirhiro system is based on the Xbox.
Why?
At first glance, the Xbox is a consolised PC but going deeper and it doesn't turn out that way. The major hurdle is actually the graphics card used on the system. While it is based on the GeoForce series, it isn't quite compatible and documentation of it is lost. Meaning that it would require someone really skilled, lots of guess work and lots of time to reverse engineer the graphics card. Another is that it uses X86 rather like a computer or the PS4/Xbox One and there are a lot of instructions (unknown how many the system actually uses), some of them not documented and some really tied to MS so in order to emulate the console, it will be like emulating a computer and it is harder than it looks. Maybe also copyright restrictions since it uses DirectX (hence the Xbox name).
Another thing also is lack of interest. With Nintendo consoles, there is usually a hook whether it is a Mario or a Zelda game to get motivation to emulate a system and the first working game is usually between the two (like there is a new 3DS emulator that can emulator Ocarina of Time and only just started). With Sony consoles, there are the RPGs and certain series even though weirdly the PS3 emulator so far is only able to emulate simple puzzle games on PSN and very early days. With Microsoft consoles there isn't either or a strong enough title to start. if there is going to be a MS console emulator, it is most likely going to be the 360. With the popularity of FROM Software (Metal Wolf Chaos) and Atlus (SMT Nine), there might be a small chance of someone finding motivation to play these games.
So there you go, a rough guide to the Xbox and hope that it can help you if you ever decide to try it out.