Like the rest of you we’re still reeling from the Grand Theft Auto 5 reveal trailer. We joined millions of fans all over the world on the internet yesterday to watch the event, and it was a really exciting experience to be honest. Call us sad if you like but that sort of thing is a big part of what being a gamer is all about – at least to our minds. As well as all the fantastic moments within games it’s the culture of announcements, shocking news, game reveals, sudden spoilers, beta’s, gaming conventions and a hundred other little things that make being a gamer so much fun. With that in mind we thought we’d do a little list of our Top 5 ‘Oh my God’ exciting moments on Xbox, and given the impact of yesterdays trailer it felt wrong to limit it to just in game moments. So here without further ado are our Top 5 ‘OMG’ Xbox moments.

5. The Final Fantasy XIII 360 Announcement

The Final Fantasy games had been  Sony exclusives (at least for the main series ‘proper’ numbered games) ever since they shifted from Nintendo consoles with Final Fantasy VII. It was almost unthinkable that they should ever appear on a Microsoft console, which was why an otherwise kind of so-so Microsoft presentation at E3 in 2008 was electrified when Square Enix president Yoichi Wada appeared on stage. His announcement that Final Fantasy XIII would be released on 360 the following year was met by a huge roar of approval – and sent tingle down our spines as we watched online. The 360 version of the game was a little disappointing compared to its PS3 counterpart, but nothing will ever rob that moment of its glory.

4. Playing Gears of War

You have to remember that Gears of War almost came out of left field for a lot of people in 2006. Sure Epic Games had always been a big name in the PC shooter market and its Unreal engine was already on the way to becoming one of the most used in gaming development, but they were largely unproven as far as big name console games went. That was why playing its beautiful looking, ultra gory, and tightly crafted third person shooter for the first time was such a revelation. We literally said, “ Oh my god this is amazing!” the first time we chain sawed a Locust in half and splattered blood all over the screen. The impact of Gears cover based gameplay was equally huge- which explains why it would be more or less adopted by the entire industry.

3. The Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta

Easily one of the most exciting moments ever for Xbox fans the Halo 3 Beta in 2007 was huge. It was the debut of the first Halo game on current gen systems and delivered with a combination style, passion, community love and marketing savvy unlike any we’ve ever seen in gaming. Microsoft was more than aware that every man and his dog who owned an Xbox would want to play it, so they stuck the beta on the d Crackdown disc, sending sales for its new franchise skyrocketing. We know people who never touched the game again after that beta. Playing the beta was a real community experience as fans on forums went wild, creating videos, songs and even guides to the stages and weapons online. Of course actually playing it was our first taste of one of the best Halo multiplayer experiences ever, and few will ever forget it.

2. The GTA IV on 360 Announcement

The Grand Theft Auto series had been the crown jewel in Sony’s exclusive collection for years, and was arguably responsible for a huge part of the PS 2’s phenomenal success. Xbox owners had been forced to wait, sometimes over a year, for previous GTA games, if they got them at all. We all knew that RockStar would eventually do it, but that didn’t stop Peter Moore’s famous announcement at E3 2006  (complete with classy fake arm tattoo) that GTA IV would be released on the same day for 360 as it did on PS3  from being a truly exciting moment.

1. Playing Halo: Combat Evolved

Top of our list and the second Halo entry in this run down playing Halo: Combat Evolved for the first time is number one for a plethora of good reasons – it also explains why we made this a top five Xbox moments rather than just 360 moments. Not only did it totally save the then very much flagging Xbox from failure, it changed console gaming forever. It might not have created the Space Marine shooter genre, but Halo totally defined it. It’s mix of amazing ( for the time) graphics, huge world, deep atmosphere and frankly astoundingly tight shooter mechanics – that melee, guns and grenades Halo formula has yet to be beaten – was mind blowing when we first saw it in 2001 Console shooters would have eventually evolved, but it’s arguable that we might not all be here in quite the way we are if it weren’t for Halo. Playing it was the OMG moment that pretty much started it all, and we’re looking very forward to reliving it in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

Improved, naturally, because it now includes X360 Games Editor Gavin Mackenzie, who fruitlessly tries to keep a leash on Dave’s nonsense and Steve’s unyielding desire to slander much-loved celebrities.

Among the off-topic waffle there’s discussion of DICE’s hotly-anticipated shooter Battlefield 3 and epic BioWare sequel Dragon Age II, besides dissection of a hot gaming topic of the day via the medium of two blokes shouting at each other.

To download, head here or simply search for ‘X360 Magazine’ on iTunes, then subscribe!
While you’re at it, why not check out the undeniable delights of NowGamer’s System Linked podcast, featuring former X360 Editor Simon Miller, plus a few knowledgable cohorts. Subscribe via iTunes, or listen this very instant here.

Alongside a pristine podcast from the NowGamer team, available from NowGamer.com, the iTunes Store or by clicking HERE, the debut of a brand new show from the makers of the award-winning X360 podcast has arrived.

System Linked, brought to you by Simon Miller, David Lynch, Steve Burns and Samuel Roberts, arrives on the iTunes Store and NowGamer.com every other Friday – starting today! – with more entertainment than you can shake a stick at. As well as chatting about the biggest games, rumours will be started, myths destroyed and the all-powerful competition known as GamesBusters returns. Download it from NowGamer.com, the iTunes store (search for NowGamer) or click HERE!

The X360 Podcast returns to the airwaves!After a long overdue wait, the X360 Podcast is ready to rock your ears once again. Talking about Halo: Reach, Kinect, Kane & Lynch 2 and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, plus plenty more, to miss it is to miss out… fact!

To listen click HERE or go to iTunes Store, search for X360 and subscribe. Do it… do it now!

After a slight delay due to the bank holiday and the always wonderful X360 deadline, the X360 podcast returns with vengeance on its mind. Discussing the likes of Gears Of War 3, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, Call Of Duty: Black Ops, Green Day: Rock Band, XCom and all kinds of other games, there’s also an in-depth destruction of the latest news and the ever-popular GamesBusters: guess the game… win a game!

To listen simply click HERE or head on over to the iTunes Store, search for X360 and subscribe. Can’t be bothered to open iTunes? The just click HERE and the magic of the internet will do it all for you! Happy listening!

Need your X360 fix? Then you’ll be pleased to know the X360 Podcast has returned!

Featuring an in-depth discussion about EA’s new stance on its online modes plus Dead Space 2, Medal Of Honor, Kane & Lynch 2′s multiplayer, Rage, Alan Wake, Lost Planet 2 and a load more, you need to download this NOW! Simply click HERE or go to the iTunes Store and subscribe!

So, join Simon Miller, Steve Burns, Dave Shaw and special guest Samuel Roberts for the ride of your life.

The new X360 Podcast arrives…

If your ears have been craving the sexy tones of the X360 boys, you need wait no more. Coming at you like a bat out of hell, the team reunite once more to chat Marvel Vs. Capcom 3, Fable III, F.E.A.R. 3, UFC 2010: Undisputed, Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 and an absolute ton more, including the interesting development between Bungie and Activision. Throw in your bi-weekly helping of GamesBusters, and your podcast needs are about to be filled!

Either click HERE or visit the iTunes Store now, search for X360 and subscribe!

As days continue to turn to dust, the X360 Podcast has returned to attack your senses once again. Featuring an in-depth discussion about Red Dead Redemption, Nier, Split/Second: Velocity, Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days and a hell of a lot more, we urge you to head on over to the iTunes Store, search for X360 and subscribe. If clicking isn’t your thing, you only need click once more HERE.

The X360 Podcast returns…

After an unexpected wait, the X360 Podcast has returned! Featuring the likes of True Crime, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, Test Drive Unlimited 2, Spinter Cell: Conviction, Lego Harry Potter and Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, the latest news and the always controversial reader questions, to miss it is to miss out!

Download it now from the iTunes Store, simply search for X360, or click HERE to listen!

Be it BioShock 2, Lost Planet 2, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Super Street Fighter IV, Aliens vs. Predator or Resonance Of Fate, it’s all covered in the latest episode OF… the X360 Podcast! Throw in some news, reader questions and the competition of 2010, Gamesbusters, which is definitely not ripped off from anything, and your Xbox 360 audio fix has been catered for!

To download this bounty simply head on over to the iTunes Store and search for X360 and subscribe or click HERE