Mourning The Xbox 360

copyright: Xbox, xbox 360 are property of microsoft,

ethics and brevity: I have no affiliations with microsoft or xbox. im just a fan

Today marks the end of an era as the Xbox 360 officially reaches its final day of support. Like many gamers, I am mourning the loss of this iconic console. The Xbox 360 brought us unforgettable titles like Dead Rising and Halo, creating countless cherished memories and solidifying its place as a true champion among gaming systems.

I vividly recall my first experience with this titan of gaming. My brother had just purchased the Xbox 360, and the moment he unboxed the white and green console and booted up Halo 3, I was mesmerized. The HD graphics, the loud and bombastic sounds as our Spartans fired plasma rifles, and the tactile sensation of sticky plasma grenades created an immersive experience. Even the frustration of being spawn-camped and subsequently taunted with a tea bagging became a shared memory. Such experiences are integral to the gaming culture of our generation.

I remember my brother and his friends spending hours meticulously designing custom maps, debating the best design elements and optimal weapon choices (with the plasma sword being the clear favorite). The sounds of passionate and joyful screams when someone emerged as the leader added to the excitement. On other nights, my brother and I would stay up late playing Gears of War. Similar to our Halo sessions, we spent countless hours revving our on-screen chainsaws, fully immersed in the thrilling gameplay. The countless hours spent devising tactical game plans with my brother and his friends often culminated in completely disregarding those strategies and charging in with chainsaws revving.

I vividly remember the Christmas Eve when I received my very own Xbox 360. My brother had successfully convinced our grandmother to get one for me, along with copies of Marvel's Ultimate Alliance and the Capcom horror game Dead Rising. That night, I stayed up until the early hours, eagerly assembling my dream superhero team in Ultimate Alliance. Unfortunately, my Xbox succumbed to the dreaded Red Ring of Death, forever trapping my progress in the game.

Despite that setback, my memories of playing Dead Rising were exhilarating. As Frank West, I reveled in the thrill of saving civilians and battling hordes of zombies, all while partnering with the endearing Isabella. The ultimate triumph of defeating the final boss with a cheeky spit was particularly satisfying. It was a blast being a zombie-fighting photographer, and those memories still bring a smile to my face.

One of my fondest later Xbox 360 memories is of playing Left 4 Dead 2 with my best friend, who is now my wife. We would play until the early morning while chatting on Skype. I vividly recall the sound of the hunter attacking me and her laughing as I shouted "FUCK!" after missing the witch, requiring her to handle it. When the Cold Stream DLC was released for the console, my wife, our friend Luke, and I would spend entire nights navigating the new content, strategizing, and debating who would play which character (I was always Nick, by the way).

Staying up all night, playing with people from across the globe, disrupting my sleep schedule, and feeling tired at school was all worth it. I got to share those moments with her and with my friends. These experiences will always be a cherished memory and an integral part of the relationships I hold dear. Memories like these will keep the console alive in the hearts of fans and gamers alike. Other games we played are games like Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Resident Evil together in the early hours of the morning.

I remember the excitement when the Resident Evil remaster was released on the Xbox 360. I had missed out on playing it when it was exclusive to the GameCube, so this was my chance. My girlfriend (now my wife) was equally thrilled. I planned a perfect night for us: after work, I picked up a deep-dish pizza, Mountain Dew Code Red, and some crazy bread. We decided to race through the game to see who could beat it first. As we reached the pivotal Barry choice, our power flickered and went out briefly. In the chaos, I forgot my previous decision regarding Barry. I had to rush to catch up to her. When I finally made my choice, she laughed and insisted I had cheated, saying I had originally let Barry die. My memory told me otherwise, so I saved him this time. The playful rivalry and shared laughs made it a night to remember.

That is the beauty of memories—they allow us to revisit those cherished times, reliving the best moments without the burden of the bad ones. Yes, we can emulate the 360, and most of the games we played on it are on PC, but there’s a beauty in getting the new big console, setting it up, and discovering all the bells and whistles.