- Primary Subject: Xbox 360 (Microsoft's Seventh-Generation Gaming Console)
- Key Update: The Xbox 360 is established as Microsoft's definitive console, outperforming its successors through a superior exclusive library, pioneering social multiplayer, and industry-leading controller ergonomics.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: January 20, 2026
- Quick Answer: The Xbox 360 is hailed as Microsoft’s best console because of its iconic games, social multiplayer innovation, ergonomic controller, and user-friendly home entertainment dashboard.
On November 15, 2001, Microsoft took its first step into the video game console market with the original Xbox. While it wasn't as popular as Sony's PlayStation 2, the attention and success it managed to gain show that it could become a powerful contender. Its sequel, the Xbox 360, definitely proved that, selling over 84 million units throughout its lifespan and remaining a beloved system by many to this day.
Since then, Microsoft has tried to replicate that success with follow-ups like the Xbox One and the Xbox Series X and S, but to no avail. Looking back, I believe that the Xbox 360 represents the company's finest work, and that its other consoles aren't even close to the level of polish and care that went into it.
One of the main reasons it was so amazing is that it presented us with quality exclusive titles that are still fondly remembered and even enjoyed to this day. The Halo series of games released during the time of the Xbox 360 already makes for a prime example. However, if you need more, then names like Gears of War, Fable II, and the original Dead Rising should convince you how great its library was.
They pushed the system to its limit with stellar graphics and gameplay, turning many into fans and even attracting people from their competitors, which was not an easy feat in its generation. If not exclusives, it also offered a huge number of third-party titles, ensuring there was always something to play for both the hardcore and casual gamer. While the modern generation of Microsoft consoles offers a multitude of titles, their libraries have no standouts and are of lesser quality than their seventh-generation sibling.
Another reason why the Xbox 360 was Microsoft's definitive system was its online multiplayer. While the original Xbox can be seen as pioneering online play for consoles, its sequel expanded on that and went above and beyond. With Xbox Live and the new high-speed internet features, people had a much better time connecting with others and playing with and or against each other.
This resulted in a fun social experience, one that involved actively sending friend requests, interacting via voice chat, and forming bonds with people from around the globe. It created a community that, for the most part, was enjoyable to be around and has not been replicated with Microsoft's modern-day consoles, even with their new features. Although it had its issues, especially regarding online toxicity, it still created many memories that people look back on fondly to this day, making the Xbox 360 an amazing multiplayer console that surpasses the others.
Next on the list of reasons that made the Xbox 360 so special is an aspect that may surprise some: its controller. To this day, it is widely regarded as one of the best to ever be created, even when compared to other systems. This is due to its ergonomic design, comfortable layout, PC compatibility, and durability, making it a top choice even after so many years.
Using it to play any Xbox 360 games felt intuitive, as every button was easily accessible with your fingers, and it felt right. It enhanced the gaming experience that Nintendo and Sony controllers just couldn't do, which was another significant advantage for Microsoft's system, as it likely attracted more people to it rather than its competitors. While the Xbox One and the Xbox Series S and X controllers made some improvements over their long-standing predecessor, they still don't quite match it somehow, which is a testament to the thought put into the Xbox 360.
The final reason why the seventh-generation console is far superior and should be the only one that matters is that it felt like the perfect blend of gaming console and home entertainment system. Its dashboards were easy to navigate, allowing you to choose between watching a video and playing a video game in the easiest manner possible.
It also helped that it was backward compatible with games from the original Xbox and that you could pop in a DVD or USB to watch whatever you wanted, making it a system with numerous options. The straightforwardness of how it presents itself in terms of what it could let you do with it as soon as it's bought made it such an attractive system, something that's unfortunately lost with Microsoft's current sytems.
The Xbox 360 can be considered a timeless classic that still holds up even with today's standards, which is why it's the best of Microsoft's efforts in the console market. The next Xbox that's coming could change that, but given the things its predecessor has been able to establish, it may not be able to do so and become yet another shadow in the light of what came before.
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