Two decades have passed since the unveiling of the Xbox 360, encapsulating an era when Elijah Wood wandered freely, MTV retained its cool factor, and huge tech corporations enlisted Pimp My Ride for troubled console customizations.
Rewritten Article
2025 games: Reflecting on the 20th Anniversary of Xbox 360's Reveal
The nostalgia train rolled back this week to take us back seventeen years, as we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Xbox 360's reveal. Now, if you were around during those days, the memories are fresh - and if not, well, buckle up as we dive into the pop culture spectacle that was the unveiling of this iconic gaming console.
In the heart of 2005, an MTV special event played host to the reveal of the Xbox 360. This high-profile event illustrates the gaming and pop culture blend that defined the mid-2000s. Celebrities such as Elijah Wood (Frodo himself!) and The Killers cranked up the hype for this new console, which was further amped up by references to hit TV shows like Pimp My Ride.
The Big Reveal itself was quite the spectacle! A stylish blonde woman fashionably strolled onstage, nursing a messenger bag, and, in a dramatic move that encapsulated the era, she placed the Xbox 360 on an illuminated podium. As our US EIC Tyler Wilde put it, "A cheap grey nylon messenger bag wasn't usually the way to express 'cutting edge new tech inside,' but in 2005, it worked."
Then the console lit up, all by itself (no need for plugs back then). The name plastered across the screen, followed by a mind-blowing performance by The Killers and the catchy beat of Mr. Brightside.
When rapper Lil Jon was asked about his excitement for the new console, he responded with, "Yeah, I'm looking forward to getting a free one tonight." Unbeatable, right?
Tony Hawk jumped in to promote Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, while we got a brief sneak peek at Need for Speed and Madden. A moment straight out of the '00s came when rapper and presenter Sway introduced Ryan and Mad Mike from Pimp My Ride. This segment saw the OG Xbox undergo an even more hideous makeover, but it also shed light on some genuine moments of interest, as we got to see prototypes of the Xbox 360's chassis in the Microsoft HQ (timestamp).
A light ring on the console became the center of attention, inducing Schadenfreude-filled laughter. Xbox's J Allard was then introduced with a humorous title: "Lord of the Ring."
Despite the humor, the section offered a glimpse into the forward-thinking vision of the Xbox design team. Allard took Sway on a tour of the console's capabilities, showcasing the marketplace, digital downloads, DLC, and customizable avatars. This was the first step towards the direction all consoles ultimately took - online functionality, marketplaces, and friends ecosystems.
A behind-the-scenes documentary on Perfect Dark Zero followed, wrapping up the event with a performance by The Killers playing Smile Like You Mean It - and tada! That pretty much covered everything on the 2005 bingo card. The '00s vibe was on full display, and let's admit it, it almost made us feel 20 years young again (or maybe that's just the nostalgia talking).
As the years have passed, the Xbox 360 has left its mark on the gaming industry, marking the start of the seventh generation of consoles. So, let's raise a virtual toast to the Xbox 360 on its 20th anniversary, a testament to the power of gaming, innovation, and pop culture.
Oh, and stay tuned for some of the best games this year has in store! 🕹️🚀🎮👾
Meet the Author
Rich Stanton is a highly experienced games journalist who has gotten a taste of various outlets – he's worked for Edge magazine, Ars Technica, Eurogamer, GamesRadar+, Gamespot, the Guardian, IGN, the New Statesman, Polygon, and Vice, to name a few. He was the editor of Kotaku UK and is the author of "A Brief History of Video Games," a comprehensive history guide for video game lovers.
- As the Xbox 360 marked its 20th anniversary, gamers are considering placing bets on the standout games this season, a nod to the technology's influence on the gaming industry.
- During the hype surrounding the Xbox 360's reveal, gadget enthusiasts sported their latest tech gadgets, including the famed PlayStation Portable (PSP), an emblem of the mid-2000s pop culture.
- Winning over the crowd with his charm, Lil Jon expressed his excitement for the new console, hinting at the possibility of being handed a free Xbox 360 straight from the tech giant's vault.
