Weekend Watch: Power On Episodes 4 & 5 - Xbox 360's Triumph and Trials on Its 20th Anniversary

Today, November 22, 2025, marks the 20th anniversary of the Xbox 360 launch, the console that catapulted Microsoft from scrappy underdog to game industry leader. The 360 wasn't just a new hardware release, it was a pop-culture phenomenon, selling an estimated 84 million units worldwide, It introduced Xbox Live Arcade for indie gems, the addictive Achievement system, HD gaming en masse, and unforgettable exclusives like Gears of War, Halo 3, and Mass Effect. In my opinion, the Xbox 360 represents the absolute high point of the Xbox hardware line; a perfect storm of innovation, online revolution, and third-party support that made gaming social and accessible like never before.

To celebrate, our Weekend Watch is Episodes 4 and 5 of the stellar free docuseries Power On: The Story of Xbox on YouTube. Produced by Microsoft and dropped in 2021, this six-part series pulls back the curtain on Xbox's wild ride with insider interviews, archival footage, and untold drama. While the full playlist is binge-worthy, Ch. 4 and 5 perfectly frame the 360's origin story – from the original Xbox's game-changing Halo push to the 360's epic launch in the Mojave desert, and then the near-disastrous Red Ring of Death crisis.

You can check out both episodes with the embeds below, and if anyone still has a 360 that's working, tonight would be a great time to fire it back up and play a few games.

Power On: Chapter 4: Cool… Now What? (37 minutes)

This episode bridges the original Xbox era into the next-gen 360 launch, zeroing in on how games saved the platform. With the console struggling for traction, Bungie's Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2 redefining FPS campaigns, multiplayer, and Microsoft's console cred. You'll hear from devs on the mad dash to launch, the tech hurdles, and why Halo wasn't just a game, but Xbox's lifeline to success.

It's the setup for 360's glory: lessons learned, ambitions ramped up, and the hunger for redemption. Essential viewing for understanding why the 360 hit so hard.

Power On: Chapter 5: The Red Ring of Death (40 minutes)

The 360 launches to massive hype and demand, getting out to an early lead over its rivals. But then... the Red Ring of Death strikes. Faulty hardware bricks millions of units, sparking PR nightmares, lawsuits, and a $1B+ fix bill. Interviews with engineers, execs (including a candid Peter Moore), and affected fans reveal the chaos: frantic all-nighters, free repairs, and the three-year warranty extension that saved the day.

Yet, in the end it's triumphant too. Showing how Microsoft turned crisis into loyalty, paving the way for 360's dominance.

Where You There For the 360?

It's been awhile but I can still remember 360 launch day. I had pre-ordered a console and went with a friend to pick it up at Gamestop before work that morning. It set with me at my desk all day until quitting time, then I grabbed some dinner on the way home so I could fire it up and give it a try. Unfortunately, the Red Ring hit me early, and my launch Xbox 360 died almost immediately after tuning it on! I got on the phone with customer support and they arranged for a new box to be sent out within a couple weeks. It wasn't the best first impression.

But, over time I really grew to love the 360. It was such a leap over the previous generation, and it just did everything right. Microsoft's dedication to games as the central tenant of the device always showed through, and the library of games was just spectacular. From Halo 3, to Gears of War, the Orange Box and Left 4 Dead from Valve, and a hundred other fantastic games, there was always fun to be had.

So, Happy Birthday to the Xbox 360! Hopefully we'll see Xbox reach those heights again soon.