The ninth generation of home video game consoles represent the pinnacle in gaming technology; of which, the Xbox Series X reigns supreme. 10GB of SDRAM, an 8-core 3.8 GHz AMD processor and an eye watering 12.16 TFLOPS GPU make the latest iteration of Xbox console an unparalleled device to enjoy your favorite titles.

The functionality of these consoles moves way beyond the single-use gadgets they were decades ago. Obviously, they deliver an exceptional gaming experience both online and offline but you can also stream your favorite TV shows and movies and browse the web for your own specific needs – meaning you can even access your choice of casino sites and play a range of table and card games. Make sure you’re fully versed in the poker ranking hands before wagering any of your hard earned cash.

The battle for console supremacy has meant exclusives to each model are in fierce competition. We take a look through the annals of Xbox history of the best exclusives – at time of release – from the past twenty years.

Halo

It would be almost sacrilegious to mention any other franchise ahead of Halo when discussing games that defined the platform. Halo: Combat Evolved, the first in the series launched with the original Xbox in 2001 to instant critical and popular acclaim.

The titles focus on the enigmatic protagonist Master Chief who has since been inducted into gaming royalty alongside the likes of Mario, Sonic and Solid Snake. A perfectly balanced first person shooter with a plot that puts most hollywood movies to shame, Halo has amassed loyal fans in their droves, all keen to discover more about the lore of the Halo universe.

There are now eight main titles in the franchise, dozens of novels and even a popular TV show that launched this year, produced by Paramount. Halo represents the very foundations of Microsoft’s involvement in the world of video games.

Gears of War

The revolutionary third person cover shooter from Epic Games was initially released on the Xbox 360 in 2006 and was an instant hit. The multiplayer modes, including a gritty cooperative story, kicked off what would become another of Xbox’s great franchises.

The fifth installment in the series, Gears 5, launched in 2019 for Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X, this time with female protagonist Kait Diaz, and proves that the Gears of War titles haven’t lost their touch.

Geometry Wars

Originally built as a developer’s sandbox to test the limits of the first Xbox controllers’ analog stick, Geometry Wars found popularity as one of the strongest games at Xbox 360’s Live Arcade launch. Veteran gamers will consider Geometry Wars as a kind of omnipotent grandchild of the arcade classic Asteroids.

With such a simple and well executed premise, Geometry Wars has itself stood the test of time and still plays great to this day – and that’s without mentioning the fantastic soundtrack.

Fable

Fable was pretty late to the original Xbox party, releasing in 2004, when the console was already three years old. It immediately made its mark, separating itself from any other RPG on the platform with its unique art style, magic and combat mechanics, and a deep storyline that adapted depending on your actions within the game.

The open world environment combined with a freedom of choice – not without consequence – have stayed with fans of the genre ever since and are often quoted as one of the most important titles in the formative years of many now mature gamers’ careers.

Elder Scrolls

Initially a PC only game with a history that dates back to 1996, many of the Elder Scrolls installments were exclusive to Xbox at time of release. Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, released in 2002 for the original Xbox, was a commercial smash but it was the sequel, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion in 2006 that really raised the bar.

A dizzyingly immersive world complete with stellar voice acting from the likes of Patrick Stewart, Terence Stamp and Sean Bean allowed the player to choose their own path and destiny. Oblivion was the first title that assigned 24 hour routines to each of the NPCs which made the Tamriel universe feel alive.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

What will go down as one of the greatest games of all time, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic or KotOR as it’s known to fans, was the first RPG to take place in the Star Wars universe – set approximately 4000 years before the original trilogy. Your choices throughout the game determine which side of the force you will be aligned to so it’s the perfect opportunity to live out your life as a Jedi.

Microsoft already had some experience of making PC games in the 90s and made the decision to compete with Sony’s PlayStation 2 to stake their claim of a growing gaming market. We’re so glad they did since the Xbox and its successors have brought scores of unforgettable games – and memories – to gamers all across the globe.