CES 2001: Latest Info on Xbox Launch Lineup

Recent speculation on the number of Xbox launch games has been rampant. According to Microsoft's Doug Hebenthal, the latest figure now lies between 12 to 20 games. Ideally, Microsoft would like to have five first-party games and 15 third-party titles available for purchase on the day that the Xbox lands on store shelves. That number is a slight decrease from the 25 games that Microsoft originally said would make it as launch titles. Hebenthal says that while a longer than anticipated development cycle is the cause for the delay of some of the intended launch games, a few others have been outright canceled. One developer, for example, wasn't able to secure a license for a game that it had already started working on.

As of now, the only confirmed launch games are Munch's Odyssey from Oddworld Inhabitants, and Malice from Argonaut. It's safe to assume that Activision's Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2x and THQ's WWF Raw is War will also be ready to ship alongside the Xbox. Microsoft has no plans on bundling a game with the system, although a technology disc of some sort will most likely come in the box. Likewise, only one controller will come packed with the Xbox. However, potential Xbox owners will have a wide variety of third-party peripherals, as Microsoft is currently talking with the likes of Interact and Mad Catz to develop additional controllers.

We'll have more details on the Xbox, including a firm launch date and price, at Microsoft's Gamestock event this March.