Redmond (WA) - Timed to correspond with the five-year anniversary of Xbox Live, Microsoft has announced it will begin adding original Xbox titles to the Xbox 360's Live Marketplace for users to download to their hard drive.

Xbox Live first burst onto the scene in 2002, a year or so after the release of the original Xbox console.  Since then it has gained around eight million users, completely dwarfing any other non-PC online gaming service.

On December 4, Microsoft will release a firmware update for the Xbox 360, which will include in part the ability to download specially chosen Xbox games from the Xbox Live Marketplace.  Confirmed titles include Crimson Skies, Fable, Psychonauts, and of course Halo.  The games will be priced at 1,200 Microsoft points ($15).

"On its fifth birthday, Xbox Live truly is the place for hanging out with friends and enjoying downloadable TV shows, movies, videos, game add-ons and now downloadable Xbox games on demand," said the Microsoft VP in charge of Xbox Live John Schappert.

It edges up the competition over digital downloads between Microsoft and Sony.  Sony's Playstation 3 online store has been noted for its inclusion of full-length, high-capacity games including the PS3 game Warhawk.  Xbox Live previously had been relegated to cheap, small casual game titles.

Microsoft will also be celebrating the five-year anniversary by awarding 500 Microsoft Points to anyone whose current Xbox Live account dates back to 2002.  Additionally, beginning tomorrow, all users in the US will be able to download Carcasonne, an Xbox Live Arcade title, for free.

Wow I'm glad Americans get free stuff

Nov 14, 2007 08:28     

I mean I'm 20 minutes to the Canada America border... I guess I can just buy it and then go to the hospital and get my free health care then. Guess I'll be the one winning when I save thousands of dollars with health care alone... YAY!!!
Andrew report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Eight Million Idiots ?

Nov 14, 2007 09:20     

Are there really eight million idiots who want to download a game to their xbox 360 hard drives ? I think not!
Johnnymoney report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Good Start

Nov 14, 2007 10:11     

Sounds like a good start, and hopefully MS will continue to be willing to 'learn' from competitors and to improve on what works, to keep themselves in the lead with online console gaming. I'm especially glad that Fable is one of those games being listed, Fable 2 is the main reason i'm considering the purchase of a 360.
Nmonk report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

wow Johnny

Nov 14, 2007 11:01     

You a hater? Why even have a hard drive if you don't plan on storing things on it?
Jeremy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Yes idiots!!!

Nov 14, 2007 11:02     

Who wants to have that space taken up on their hard drive. C'mon, idiots? I thinks so...What's the point???
screene4 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Why not d/l a game?

Nov 14, 2007 11:13     

@Johnnymoney. Why wouldn't people want to d/l games to their console? While the option to d/l full games doesn't really appeal to me it's sure to be great for some.
adrianb report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Huh?

Nov 14, 2007 11:19     

Those are almost all great games for $15, why wouldn't you want to download them, if you've never played them?
Rapajez report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Only two idiots so far.

Nov 14, 2007 11:30     

You health care isn't "free", your "sales" tax (as we call it here)is more than double most US States. You most certainly do pay for your health care, you just don't have a choice. No, there aren't eight million idiots that will download Xbox games. A fair chunk of that eight million still runs the original Xbox. They won't be able to. There are some great games on Xbox, it will be sweet to be able to download them for less than what you can buy them in the store for. The Elite has 120GB or storage, and many original Xbox games are less than 1GB. Plenty of space.

Chucky report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Stupid people

Nov 14, 2007 11:31     

Why do people comment about how dumb their health care is on a gaming article? Good for you its free, I can go see a doctor w/e I want and dont have to wait weeks...idiot...btw xbox sucks...why would you pay to have the ability to play games online...only to have to pay again to get more games...wii is free online...ps3 is free online...oh hurray you have halo...well WarHawk and MOH Heros 2 both show that free online play is just as good or better...so go enjoy or flashing red lights...Ill enjoy having fun with mario

Andrew report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Canada

Nov 14, 2007 11:38     

Right....because your taxes don't pay for healthcare?
J report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Make's sense to Gamestop..........NOT! d'oh!

Nov 14, 2007 12:40     

As Sony invests in Blu-Ray and others move away from moving parts, hard drives have become the way of the future. It is now in our DVR/TIVO, Camcorders, downloads and games. Just think of taking your Harddrive from one 360 to another and play games at a friends, or not have to worry about a scratched disc. Gamestop might not like it, but I would love a midnight launch from my couch hooked to xBox LIVE instead of inline.

sgt13echo report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

This could be really good

Nov 14, 2007 13:06     

If they add achievements and/or online play, these games could really take off. If not, Gamestop and eBay for me.
Dallas report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Backwards Capability

Nov 14, 2007 13:07     

Why didn't MS just put better backwards capability into the 360 and then we could play the Xbox games we already own, instead of trying to sell them to us twice.
Joe report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Don't buy em

Nov 14, 2007 15:41     

Good God people, if you don't want to download the Xbox originals, then fricking DON'T. Why all the whining? It's a service...just like everything else. You take it or you leave it. As for PS3 it's free, but you get what you pay for and don't get me started on Wii. I have yet to use the online feature...yeah I vote on crap, cuz I am sick of Wii play. Stop crabbing and hope that MS, Sony and Nintendo offer more services we can take advantage of or not.

Richard report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

sum ppl have the 120gig version so i guess yay for ...

Nov 15, 2007 08:54     

sum ppl have the 120gig version so i guess yay for them.....
ty report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0