The Original Xbox: What You Should Know

A new game has not come out on the original Xbox in years, and just last year the online servers for all games were shut down. For those of you who still have an original Xbox or have found a used one but aren’t sure whether you should buy it- this article is for you. I’ll cover all the big questions you may have about the retired system.

What Do Server Shut Downs Mean for Me?

When Microsoft shut down online servers for the original Xbox, they basically turned off all online multiplayer and downloadable content across all original Xbox games. While some of the more popular Xbox games are available for other gaming systems, this does limit what a lot of Xbox games can still do.

You can still play local and system link multiplayer matches- in other words, you can still play with people who are in the same house as you. You won’t be able to access any patches or updates for games though, so any bugs they originally shipped with will still be there.

What if My Console Breaks Down?

When Microsoft shut down servers, they also closed all repair services for original Xboxes. You can find used and refurbished Xboxs for less than $100 at pawn shops and video game retailers that still sell them. There are also numerous places to find them online, including www.ebay.com and www.amazon.com.

If you don’t want to invest in a new system, a lot of the original Xbox games will play on an Xbox 360. The full list can be found here. If you do play original Xbox games on the Xbox 360, the patches and updates will download like normal. Additionally, games also tend to run faster on the newer console.

Where Can I Find Original Xbox Games?

Pawn shops and flea markets are your best bet now that retailers no longer restock them. You may find a few at Wal-Mart that have been sitting in their cases for a few years, but retailers, if they have any, will not have much of a selection.

If you’re looking for specific titles, Amazon and GameStop carry a large selection at their online shops.

Are There Advantages to Buying Xbox Versions of Games?

If you don’t mind the loss of multiplayer, the original Xbox games are usually the best-looking and fastest-running of any version of console games from their era. The Splinter Cell series, for example, had to have numerous content cuts to run on the PS2 and Gamecube consoles, making the Xbox versions far superior.

Some publishers pushed extra content onto the Xbox versions that their PlayStation 2 and Gamecube counterparts did not have. For example, Spider-Man, the game based on the movie, had several levels exclusive to the original Xbox. A number of games also let you play your own custom soundtracks during gameplay, including: Burnout 2, Burnout 3, Conlfict: Desert Storm, and True Crime: Streets of LA.

And for games you cannot find anywhere else, the original Xbox has over 100 games that are not available for any other gaming console. Most of these are first-person shooters, which makes the console perfect for shooter fans.

How Do I Prolong My Xbox’s Life?

The original Xbox is a generally-reliable system, but there are two common issues people have had with it. The first is the disc-reading laser not working. This generally happens when dust builds up on the lens of the laser and makes it difficult for it to read discs. To keep this from happening, keep your discs clean and your console free of dust. Also make sure the disc tray is closed when it is not in use.

The second problem some people encounter with the original Xbox is overheating. This usually only happens if the system is played on a carpet or other soft surface. The Xbox has vents all over it, and carpet fibers and other materials can get caught inside and disrupt the cooling system. To avoid this happening, only play the Xbox on a hard, elevated surface, away from dust, debris, and soft materials.


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