Exhibit: Xbox 360 (2005–2016)
Released: November 22, 2005 (North America) · December 2, 2005 (UK)
Manufacturer: Microsoft
Units Sold: 84 million worldwide
Status: Microsoft's greatest console achievement
The Head Start That Changed Everything
Microsoft launched the Xbox 360 a full year before Sony's PlayStation 3 — a strategic masterstroke that gave them an enormous head start in the HD gaming era. By the time PS3 arrived at a significantly higher price point, the 360 had already established itself as the console of choice for serious gamers.
Xbox Live on the 360 was the gold standard for online gaming. Achievements. Party chat. The marketplace. Microsoft built the infrastructure that defined online console gaming for a decade.
Iconic Games
- Halo 3 — the conclusion of the original trilogy, played by millions online
- Gears of War — cover-based shooting perfected, and a visual showcase
- Mass Effect — the RPG trilogy that defined a generation of storytelling
- Bioshock — atmospheric, philosophical, and extraordinary
- Red Dead Redemption — Rockstar's open-world western masterpiece
- Forza Motorsport 3 — the racing simulator that rivalled Gran Turismo
The Red Ring of Death
The 360's legacy is complicated by the Red Ring of Death — a hardware failure that affected a significant proportion of early units. Microsoft's extended warranty response cost them over a billion dollars but preserved consumer trust. It remains one of gaming's most notorious hardware failures.
Own a Piece of History
Our Xbox 360 consoles are fully tested, cleaned, and ready to play. The Slim and E models are particularly reliable and recommended.