The last stand of: Xbox
Last official UK release: Open Season (Oct 6, 2006)
Last official US release: Madden 08 (Aug 14, 2007)
EA supported Xbox well, most probably due to the fact its last-gen games always looked better thanks to the processing power Microsoft's black box could offer compared to PS2 and Gamecube. And the last Madden was of a decent quality, if simplified slightly for more mass-market acceptance. Open Season was a forgettable platformer, although it wasn't scheduled to be the last. Pirate-themed Black Buccaneer was slated for an Xbox release, but has since been dropped from the platform, now headed for PS2 and PC only.
Last hurrah: Call of Duty 3
There's a lot to be said for a solid online multiplayer shooter and Call of Duty 3 was just that. Looking sweet, if decidedly low-res compared to its Xbox 360 brother, this was a decent last hurrah for the console before it was unceremoniously dropped by Microsoft. Understandable considering the company lost $4billion selling the system. Just goes to show how much the videogame market is worth - spending that much to get a foothold is more than a modest investment.
There were some other good games in the Xbox's last year. FIFA 07 was a very solid kickabout and Black was good too, offering more shooting action and destructible scenery than anyone knew what to do with. Except shoot some more, obviously.
Above: Xbox Live epitomised by one game. Xbox 360 picked up the baton and ran with it
Above: Xbox Live epitomised by one game. Xbox 360 picked up the baton and ran with it
