How Much Was the Original Xbox?
The original Xbox, released in 2001, was a groundbreaking console that revolutionized the gaming industry. But how much did it cost when it first hit the market? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the pricing of the original Xbox and its variants.
The Launch Price of the Original Xbox
The original Xbox was launched in North America on November 15, 2001, with a price tag of $299.99. This was a competitive price point for a console at the time, considering the PlayStation 2 (PS2) was priced at $299 and the Nintendo GameCube was priced at $199.
Variants and Price Changes
Over the course of its lifespan, the original Xbox underwent several price changes and received several variants. Here’s a breakdown of the different versions and their corresponding prices:
- Xbox (2001): $299.99
- Xbox Holiday Bundle (2001): $399.99 (included a copy of Halo: Combat Evolved and a controller)
- Xbox Value Bundle (2002): $249.99 (included a copy of Halo: Combat Evolved and a controller)
- Xbox Premium Bundle (2002): $349.99 (included a copy of Halo: Combat Evolved, a controller, and a memory card)
- Xbox XSN Bundle (2002): $299.99 (included a copy of XSN Sports and a controller)
- Xbox with Enthusiast Pack (2003): $399.99 (included a copy of Halo 2, a controller, and a memory card)
Price Comparison with Competitors
Here’s a comparison of the original Xbox’s price with its competitors at the time:
| Console | Launch Price | Price at Launch (Adjusted for Inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox | $299.99 | $449.99 (adjusted for inflation) |
| PlayStation 2 | $299 | $434.99 (adjusted for inflation) |
| Nintendo GameCube | $199 | $299.99 (adjusted for inflation) |
As you can see, the original Xbox was priced competitively with its competitors, with a slight edge over the PlayStation 2. However, the GameCube was priced lower, making it a more attractive option for budget-conscious gamers.
What You Got for Your Money
For its launch price, the original Xbox came with a range of features, including:
- A 733 MHz Intel Pentium III processor
- 64 MB of RAM
- 4 MB of video RAM
- A 8 GB hard drive
- Support for online gaming through Xbox Live
- A controller with a built-in memory card slot
- A copy of Halo: Combat Evolved, a critically acclaimed first-person shooter
Conclusion
The original Xbox was a groundbreaking console that offered a range of features and games at a competitive price point. While its launch price was $299.99, it underwent several price changes and received several variants over the course of its lifespan. When adjusted for inflation, the original Xbox’s launch price would be equivalent to around $449.99 today.
Here’s a summary of the article in bullet points:
- The original Xbox launched in 2001 with a price tag of $299.99
- The console underwent several price changes and received several variants over its lifespan
- The Xbox was priced competitively with its competitors, with a slight edge over the PlayStation 2
- For its launch price, the Xbox came with a range of features, including a processor, RAM, video RAM, a hard drive, and support for online gaming
- The Xbox was a groundbreaking console that offered a range of features and games at a competitive price point
Table: Original Xbox Prices
| Version | Price |
|---|---|
| Xbox | $299.99 |
| Xbox Holiday Bundle | $399.99 |
| Xbox Value Bundle | $249.99 |
| Xbox Premium Bundle | $349.99 |
| Xbox XSN Bundle | $299.99 |
| Xbox with Enthusiast Pack | $399.99 |
I hope this article has provided a comprehensive answer to the question of how much the original Xbox cost.