This week marked 20 years since the launch of the Xbox 360, an event memorable for many reasons. The unveil, which happened in 2005, felt like a portal back to that era. It opened with an iPod advertisement featuring the Gorillaz before transitioning into an electrifying presentation with actor Elijah Wood and musical performances from bands like The Killers.

Although Microsoft claimed that gaming began with Pong in 1972—a statement that tends toward hyperbole—nostalgia reigns supreme as we look back on celebrity appearances and the marketing approach of that time. The launch introduced gamers to an innovative console with an emphasis on community features, digital downloads, and the emergence of online gaming ecosystems that shaped future consoles.

You can relive the moment as the event showcased new tech fashioned in a way that was a sign of the times, including the now-famous customizable avatars and microtransactions that have become commonplace in gaming today.

Quote from Elijah Wood: “You guys know how big gaming is, and now the time has come, you’ve waited long enough… I give you the future of gaming!”

The reveal not only offered a glimpse into what Microsoft had planned for gamers but also an exciting look at the cultural crossover that gaming represents today.