The original Xbox

When Microsoft decided to enter into the home video game console market, other video game makers, and the entire gaming community, stood up and took notice. That's because when the world's leading computer technology companies, and for that matter, one of the most successful companies in the history of the world, announces that it's entering a highly competitive and advanced market, well, that's cause for news.

Microsoft's entry was called the Xbox, and it was an immediate hit and sensation. Video game stores and retailers quickly sold out of the console as eager video game fans lined up to get their hands on the newest and most advanced home video game system ever designed and released. And, for many gamers and gaming fans, it was worth the wait - along with the $300 that it cost to get their hands on it.

The Xbox had many features and advances that other video game systems simply did not have. With the original Xbox, gamers could play the most advanced video games ever designed and released in high-definition. And then, a year after the release of the Microsoft Xbox, the Xbox Live program was released, where video game players could play against one another via the online conduit. These were advances that many other video game companies tried to implement, but couldn't successfully develop - until Microsoft came along.