It was bound to happen sometime, but why so soon? After almost four years in the videogame market, and performing rather well, Microsoft has begun to phase out its Xbox console despite over 20 million machines sold. That's not to say that the proverbial well's run dry since titles such as Battlefield 2: Modern Combat, Star Wars Battlefront II, and Half-Life 2 are on the horizon, but as far as first party content goes, Microsoft Game Studios clearly has other things on its mind. All of the focus as been placed on the Xbox 360, but before we take this plunge into the next generation, I ask for a moment of silence for everyone's gigantic 8 pound box.

Ah screw it. Consoles come and go all of the time, and while I've had tons-o-fun playing all of these great Xbox games, the future is upon us, it looks pretty damn tasty, and I'm gearing up for November 22. Just point me in the direction of that mysterious list of backwards compatible games and I'll be on my way. Oh, and don't call me, because most likely, I'll call you.

I'm all set to punt my Xbox (and subsequently break my right foot) onto the classic shelf but I do so with an imaginary tear in my eye. After all, Microsoft's power house has given me lots of fun memories. There was Halo, Doom 3, Panzer Dragoon Orta, and let's not forget about the official Xbox manual, which goes on and on about how to keep the console from crushing its owner. And who can forget those snazzy break-away cords? I sure as hell won't.

Since Microsoft and its third party friends managed to construct a pretty impressive Xbox library, it's only fitting that I highlight many of these phenomenal games. If you plan to skip out on the 360's launch and pick up an Xbox on the cheap, this fatty controller's for you!

The Sega Stuff

Remember the rumor that Microsoft was going to buy Sega? It seemed pretty credible at the time, especially since the Xbox was beginning to look a hell of a lot like the failed Dreamcast, not in its sales performance, but rather its imaginative software lineup. Sega wasted no time announcing sequels for many of its franchises, and us Xbox owners have benefited from a host of titles you just cannot find anywhere else. Panzer Dragoon Orta, Jet Set Radio Future, Sega GT 2002, Gunvalkyrie (it's an acquired taste, damnit), House of the Dead III, Toe Jam & Earl 3, Shenmue II, Otogi, Otogi II, and Outrun 2 (published by Microsoft) are all worth owning if you're a Sega fan, and the games developed for multiple systems, such as Super Monkey Ball Deluxe, Sega Soccer Slam, and Sonic Mega Collection Plus are also quite enjoyable. In fact, I'd give you permission to stick your tongue out at PS2 owners, except they have Shinobi, Virtua Fighter 4, and of course, Rez.

The First Person Shooters

People don't call it the Frag Box for nothing. Microsoft's baby does things to first person shooters that Sony can only day dream about, meaning publishers opted to bring their blast fests to the Xbox simply because it is in effect a mini PC. Bungie's Halo kicked things off in grand fashion, then the same developer revolutionized online play with Halo 2, which, despite having a pretty weak single player component (arbiter=corny), plays a mean game of multiplayer. But Microsoft didn't just ride the Halo wave. Other games such as Doom 3 (fabulous), Breakdown (unappreciated and overlooked), Doom 3: Resurrection of EvilStar Wars: Republic Commando are all fantastic console exclusives, while the multiplatform releases (Brothers in Arms, Area 51, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Darkwatch) all have something fun to offer. That's not to say there aren't a few clunkers out there (Dead Man's Hand isn't so hot), but by and large, the genre flourished.

The 2D Fighters

Tecmo's Dead or Alive series is probably the most talked about Xbox fighting franchise, but it's the 2D games that are the most desirable, especially since some of the other 3D excursions (Tao Feng, Fight Club, Kakuto Chojin) are crappier than a post Thanksgiving dinner grandma. Marvel Vs. Capcom 2, The King of the Fighters 02/03, Guilty Gear X2, SVC Chaos, Capcom Fighting Evolution, Capcom Vs. SNK 2: EO, and Street Fighter Anniversary Collection are much more fun to play than King of Fighters: Maximum Impact Maniax, Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, and Mortal Kombat: Deception. Soul Calibur II gets a nod...actually no it doesn't. Spawn ruins that game. Anyway, I never expected a machine with so much 3D processing power to have so many cool 2D fighting games, but I'm definitely pleased that it does.

The Super Cool Exclusive Content

The Halo and Doom games are all well and good, but the Xbox has some very sweet exclusives that you can't find on the other consoles. Capcom's Steel Battalion (and it's wicked 41 button controller) is just bad ass, Metal Slug 3 is pretty hot, Phantom Dust is solid, Raze's Hell is surprisingly delightful, Kingdom Under Fire is pretty good, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and its sequel, The Sith Lords are both amazing, and let's also not forget about Ninja Gaiden and Ninja Gaiden Black. All of these games helped define the Xbox and made it stand apart from its competition. If you want to be successful you absolutely need to have exclusive games, and there's certainly no shortage here.

The Racing Games

Sony's got Gran Turismo, and you know what, that's about all that it has. Besides, some people think Forza Motorsport is just as good if not better than Polyphony Digital's beast, and other titles, such as the Burnout games (which are just better on Xbox), the aforementioned Outrun 2 (which is exclusive), and the Project Gotham series leave Sony's PlayStation 2 in the dust.

It's obvious that I'm missing a lot of games here but I've not forgotten them. I've certainly got lots of love for Grabbed by the Ghoulies (shut the #$#% up because I like it), Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath, Crimson Sea, Voodoo Vince, and all of the Sega sports titles (which are just better on Xbox). This mini feature is just a reminder that even though the 360 looks amazing there are tons of great games you may not have played. We'll no doubt create a more comprehensive list, but for now, create a checklist and go do some budget friendly shopping. It's debatable whether or not there's a greater power than X, but all I know is Microsoft managed to create an awesome library and you should definitely experience most of it.