Gaming's last stands

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What happens when games machines die

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

Justin Towell
Justin Towell

Justin was a GamesRadar staffer for 10 years but is now a freelancer, musician and videographer. He's big on retro, Sega and racing games (especially retro Sega racing games) and currently also writes for Play Magazine, Traxion.gg, PC Gamer and TopTenReviews, as well as running his own YouTube channel. Having learned to love all platforms equally after Sega left the hardware industry (sniff), his favourite games include Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams, Zelda BotW, Sea of Thieves, Sega Rally Championship and Treasure Island Dizzy.