Diff: Xbox 360
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The '''Xbox 360''' is a home video game console developed and produced by [[Microsoft]]. It was released on November 22, 2005, in [[North America]] and December 2, 2005, in [[Europe]], and later in [[Japan]]. It was the successor to the original Xbox and competed with Sony's [[PlayStation 3]] and Nintendo's [[Nintendo Wii|Wii]] as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles. |
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'''Xbox 360''' is a home video game console developed by Microsoft. It launched in North America in November 2005 and became Microsoft's second console after the original Xbox. |
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== Design and Features == |
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The Xbox 360 was available in several configurations, including an Arcade version, a Pro version, and an Elite version. The console featured a wireless controller, a hard drive for storing games and media, and various connectivity options such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, HDMI, and USB ports. It also introduced the Xbox Live online service for multiplayer gaming and digital content distribution. |
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The console competed mainly with Sony's [[PlayStation_3]] and Nintendo's Wii during the seventh generation of video game consoles. It helped make online console gaming, downloadable arcade games, achievements, party chat, and digital storefronts more central to mainstream console use. |
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== Specifications == |
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== Launch == |
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Microsoft announced the Xbox 360 in 2005 and released it first in North America. Launch coverage focused on high-definition graphics, Xbox Live integration, wireless controllers, removable storage, and a stronger online identity than the original Xbox. |
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* CPU: Custom 3.2 GHz PowerPC Tri-Core Xenon |
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* GPU: Custom ATI Xenos (based on ATI's Xenos architecture) |
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* Memory: 512 MB GDDR3 RAM |
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* Storage: Varies from 4 GB to 250 GB (with optional hard drive) |
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* Connectivity: Ethernet, Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n), HDMI, USB 2.0, Memory Unit (MU) slots |
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* Controllers: Xbox 360 Wireless Controller |
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The console launched with different packages. Early models included the Core system and a version with a hard drive. Later revisions included the Xbox 360 Elite, Xbox 360 S, and Xbox 360 E. |
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== Games and Content == |
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The Xbox 360 had an extensive library of games, including both physical discs and downloadable titles from Xbox Live Arcade. Notable exclusives include "Halo 3," "Gears of War," "Forza Motorsport," and "Fable." |
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== Hardware == |
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The Xbox 360 used a custom IBM PowerPC-based CPU and ATI graphics hardware. It used DVD media rather than Blu-ray. Storage options changed over the console's life, from memory units and small hard drives to larger detachable drives and internal storage on later models. |
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The controller design became one of the console's most lasting hardware contributions. Its analogue stick layout, triggers, guide button, and wireless model influenced later Xbox controllers and many PC gamepads. |
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== Xbox Live == |
== Xbox Live == |
Xbox Live was a key feature of the Xbox 360, allowing players to connect online for multiplayer gaming, digital content downloads, and social interaction. The service also introduced the concept of Gamerscore, a measure of a player's achievements across all Xbox Live-enabled games. |
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Xbox Live was central to the system. It supported online multiplayer, friends lists, voice chat, achievements, demos, downloadable games, game add-ons, video apps, and the Xbox Live Arcade store. |
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== End of Production == |
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Microsoft discontinued production of the Xbox 360 in 2016, marking the end of its lifespan. Despite being succeeded by the Xbox One, the Xbox 360 continued to be used by many gamers for years due to its large library of games and online services. |
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Achievements and Gamerscore gave players a cross-game record of completed tasks. This system was later copied or adapted by other platforms. |
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== Legacy == |
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The Xbox 360 was a major success for Microsoft, selling over 85 million units worldwide. It left a lasting legacy, not only as a gaming console but also as a platform for online gaming and multimedia entertainment. |
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== Games == |
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Major Xbox 360 games included: |
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== Reception and Criticism == |
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The Xbox 360 was praised for its online features, robust library of games, and smooth user interface. However, it also faced criticism for reliability issues, particularly the "Red Ring of Death" hardware failure, which affected a significant number of early models. |
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* ''Halo 3'' |
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* ''Gears of War'' |
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* ''Forza Motorsport'' |
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* ''Fable II'' |
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* ''Mass Effect'' |
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* ''BioShock'' |
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* ''The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion'' |
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* ''Grand Theft Auto V'' |
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== Controversies == |
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The Xbox 360 faced various controversies, including allegations of discrimination in the Xbox Live service and lawsuits related to privacy and security breaches. |
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The system had a large library of retail and downloadable games. It also became an important console for independent and smaller digital releases through Xbox Live Arcade. |
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== Key Titles == |
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== Reliability == |
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Early Xbox 360 units became known for hardware failures, especially the "Red Ring of Death". Microsoft extended warranty cover for some faults and revised the hardware over time. The reliability issue remains one of the main criticisms of the console's early life. |
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* "Halo 3" |
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* "Gears of War" |
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* "Forza Motorsport 4" |
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* "Fable II" |
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* "Mass Effect" |
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== Later Support == |
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Microsoft stopped manufacturing new Xbox 360 consoles in 2016 but continued to support parts of the platform. The Xbox 360 Store and Xbox 360 Marketplace were retired on 29 July 2024, although Microsoft stated that previously purchased content and backwards-compatible titles would remain available through supported routes. |
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The Xbox 360 remains a beloved console for many gamers and continues to be used for gaming and multimedia entertainment. |
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== Legacy == |
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The Xbox 360 is remembered for strengthening Xbox Live, making achievements standard, expanding console digital distribution, and giving Microsoft its strongest console generation by cultural impact. It also showed the cost of hardware reliability problems when a console is produced at very large scale. |
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== See Also == |
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* [[PlayStation_2]] |
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* [[Grand_Theft_Auto_V]] |
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* [[Resident_Evil_2]] |
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* [[Microsoft_Azure]] |
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== References == |
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* [https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2005/08/17/xbox-360-details-and-prices/ Xbox Wire: Xbox 360 details and prices] |
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* [https://news.microsoft.com/source/2005/11/14/microsoft-announces-xbox-360-day-one-launch-lineup-strongest-launch-in-the-history-of-video-game-consoles/ Microsoft: Xbox 360 day-one launch line-up] |
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* [https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2016/04/20/xbox-360-celebrating-10-years/ Xbox Wire: Achievement Unlocked, 10 Years - Thank You, Xbox 360] |
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* [https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/xbox-360/store/xbox-360-marketplace-update Xbox Support: Xbox 360 Store and Marketplace FAQ] |
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* [https://news.microsoft.com/source/2008/05/14/xbox-360-first-gaming-system-to-reach-10-million-in-u-s-console-sales-this-generation/ Microsoft: Xbox 360 reaches 10 million US console sales] |
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[[Category:Video game consoles]] |
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[[Category:Microsoft]] |