Xbox

Microsoft's game console brand, introduced in November 2001 with the original Xbox.

Microsoft introduced the Xbox brand in the United States in November 2001 with the original Xbox console. Since then the brand has grown to four main console lines, plus streaming and online services.

The original Xbox was the first video game console from an American company after the Atari Jaguar stopped sales in 1996. It reached over 24 million units sold by May 2006.

Why it matters

Microsoft's second console, the Xbox 360, was released in 2005 and had sold 86 million units as of October 2015. The Xbox One followed in November 2013 and sold 58 million units.

Key facts

• Introduced in the United States in November 2001.
• First American console since the Atari Jaguar stopped sales in 1996.
• Over 24 million original units sold by May 2006.
• Xbox 360 released in 2005.
• Xbox One released in November 2013.

Sources

1. Wikipedia, "Xbox", en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox, accessed October 14, 2026.
2. Wikipedia, "Microsoft", en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft, background reading, accessed October 14, 2026.