By This article originally appeared in Issue 360 of Game Informer and is now being republished online, according to game.news, in celebration of the console’s 20th anniversary.
The Xbox 360 remains, even today, one of the most influential modern gaming consoles. After 32 years of magazine issues reaching number 360, it feels only fitting to honor Microsoft’s most successful system with a dedicated retrospective. The console achieved over 85 million lifetime sales — a benchmark no later Microsoft console has surpassed. Its impact stretches across hardware innovation, online gaming, achievements, and even motion-based play.
Reinventing the Wheel
When Microsoft launched the Xbox 360 in 2005, a full year ahead of Sony and Nintendo’s next-gen hardware, the strategy paid off dramatically. The console moved away from memory cards, introducing a removable hard drive that allowed players to bring their data anywhere. Wireless controllers became standard, finally included inside the box.
The Xbox 360 also elevated the idea of a home dashboard. Instead of a simple settings page, players accessed a marketplace, a friends list, and customizable Gamer Cards. Over time, the dashboard evolved into the well-known NXE interface, complete with avatars similar to Nintendo’s Miis.
However, its early release did come with a major downside: the infamous Red Ring of Death. Three glowing red segments around the power button indicated a general hardware failure, forcing thousands of consoles into repair. While later models fixed the issue, the problem became a permanent mark on the system’s history.
A Legendary Library
According to game.news, one of the most lasting legacies of the Xbox 360 is Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA). While the original Xbox introduced the idea of downloadable games, the 360 made it mainstream. Every XBLA title included a free demo, and the accessibility of digital games helped launch iconic indie titles like Limbo, Braid, Castle Crashers, Super Meat Boy, Shadow Complex, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
Beyond indies, the 360 cemented itself with an extraordinary collection of first-party and third-party titles. Many consider Halo 3 and Halo Reach the peak of the franchise. The 360 also gave birth to Gears of War, Forza Horizon, and Crackdown, while holding exclusive rights for years to Minecraft.
From 2005 to 2013, some of gaming’s biggest hits landed on the platform:
Bioshock, Oblivion, Skyrim, Fallout 3, New Vegas, Mass Effect, Assassin’s Creed, Call of Duty, and Grand Theft Auto IV & V.
This was the era where games leaned into maturity — darker palettes, gritty storytelling, and the rise of more sophisticated multiplayer systems. DLC also transformed, with 2006’s controversial Oblivion horse armor marking a turning point for paid add-ons.
A Motion Commotion
The Xbox 360 underwent several iterations, but the most ambitious add-on was the Kinect — the motion-sensing camera released in 2010. With the tagline “You are the controller,” Kinect offered controller-free gaming and quickly sold 8 million units in just 60 days.
Despite early excitement, the momentum faded. Developers struggled to invest in Kinect-exclusive games for a smaller user base, and the novelty eventually wore off. Microsoft attempted to revive it with the Xbox One, but by 2017, Kinect was officially discontinued.
Full Circle
Even with its missteps, the Xbox 360 stands as a defining force in gaming history. Nearly eighteen years later, the console still represents a turning point for modern gaming — achievements, digital stores, integrated online systems, and a generation of unforgettable games.
And finally, thank you for supporting Game Informer for 360 issues. If you enjoyed this look back, stay tuned — in issue 2,240, we’ll be taking a long-awaited retrospective look at the Atari 2600.
The post An Xbox 360 Retrospective According to Game.News: A Higher Degree of Quality first appeared on Mediamark Digital.
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