Just checked as of this writing and it’s not there yet, but Major Nelson says the classic side shooter Defender from Midway is coming to the Xbox Live Arcade at some point today. 400 points like the other Midway title in the arcade Robotron, I’m guessing. The Major also points out that today Xbox turns five years old, Xbox Live turns four and he wonders:

What are your first memories of the original Xbox or Xbox Live?

I was less impressed by the original Xbox then I was a year later when Xbox Live came out because it marked a solid path to take with online, cooperative and competitive gameplay. People pass out the social networking buzzword like it’s candy, but the Xbox Live is a great example of empowering a global audience (that has broadband).

The Live Arcade also has the best and most viable micropayment network around that I’ve seen and used. There are huge, untapped possibilities here that many pundits are missing which I will be writing about later in much more depth.

Also, I recall the PS2 not enforcing a stance like Microsoft on broadband being required nor a single organized platform, which would ultimately enable better voice and recently with the camera video. Playing in the global arcade became a reality and it’s no surprise that Xbox Live has grown into the online destination for console gamers. With the PS3 and Wii coming out, they both have some huge catchup to play which I think is going to be a similar uphill battle as Microsoft played with the Xbox to earn gamer cred. This is one where Gates and company hit a bullseye.

The Zune [see Zune unboxed video] faces a similar underdog battle against the iPod. Will be interesting to see what happens in 4-5 years on that front too.

[raising water glass in toast to Xbox and Xbox Live]

Here’s to another prosperous 4 and 5 years respectively.

Did this post make you go hmm?

 Loading ...

• Play Midway Arcade Treasures online in Shockwave
• Review: Big Games Midway arcade
• Xbox Live Dashboard update with 125 new features delivery has begun
• Guitar Hero II songs pricey on Xbox Live
• 200+ Xbox backwards compatible games list published
• Xbox Live reaches 6 million members ahead of schedule, all out of bubble gum