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Iwasn’t very invested in the Xbox when it was first announced. Yes, I knew it was coming, but I also knew that Microsoft specialised in PC games and I simply didn’t care about the vast majority of them. Three weeks after the console’s launch I played a few games at the Video Game Centre (rest in peace) and was absolutely blown away. I still maintain that it has one of the best launches of recent memory when it comes to sheer quality and breadth of available games, and it quickly become obvious to me that Microsoft was serious about taking Sony’s crown.

Even today the likes of Dead Or Alive 3, Halo: Combat Evolved, Project Gotham Racing, Rallisport Challenge and Amped: Freestyle Snowboarding hold up exceptionally well. Graphically and mechanically they show their age, but playing through Halo co-op with my cousin last year highlighted the sheer scope and ambition of Bungie’s game, an ambition and experience that’s rarely been matched since. The Xbox is also the last console I can remember that genuinely felt like it was the most powerful gaming device on the planet. Even the PCS of the time seemed to pale in comparison to its grunt, while the ability to play your own music in games led to many enjoyable hours on Amped’s slopes. As a jaded 29-year-old the Xbox reignited my love for games, particularly with the introduction of Xbox Live and it led to me applying for a job on XBM. I didn’t get it, but I did get offered news editor on games™ , which had a section about retro games, another passion of mine.

Enjoy the magazine!