Well, well, well, look who’s struggling in the console gaming world. It’s none other than Microsoft, the company that thought they could take on the likes of Nintendo and Sony. Spoiler alert: they couldn’t.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane and see how Microsoft’s Xbox series went from a promising start to a major flop.

The original Xbox was a last ditch effort for Microsoft to avoid losing revenue in the PC gaming market. But instead of creating something unique and innovative, they just tried to copy their PC success onto a console. And let’s not forget their attempt to buy out Nintendo – talk about desperate much? Needless to say, the original Xbox was nothing more than a cheap imitation of its competitors.

But hey, at least they had Halo, right? Thanks to the success of online gaming on PC, Microsoft managed to bring that same experience to the original Xbox. And let’s give credit where credit is due, the Xbox was the first console to have a decent internal hard drive. Too bad it couldn’t save them from being outsold by the PS2.

Next up, the Xbox 360. This one actually had some potential with its advanced hardware and high-definition presentation. But then again, it wasn’t hard to beat the graphics of the PS2 and GameCube. And let’s not forget the infamous “red ring of death” that plagued the console – talk about a major design flaw.

But the real game changer was Xbox Live Arcade, the first online store for purchasing games and digital goods. Wow, how revolutionary. Too bad it didn’t save them from being outsold by the Wii and barely keeping up with the PS3.

And finally, the Xbox One. Microsoft’s attempt to be an all-in-one multimedia provider was a major flop. And let’s not forget their brilliant idea to require internet access for game licenses – because who needs offline play, right? It’s no surprise that this console tanked in sales, lagging behind both the PS4 and Nintendo Switch.

And now, with the Xbox Series X|S, Microsoft’s strategy is to buy up a bunch of developers and publishers in hopes of creating exclusives – because that worked so well for them in the past. But hey, at least they’re trying to stay relevant, right?

In all seriousness, Microsoft’s lack of innovation and reliance on their established brands has led them to consistently be in third place among the console giants. Maybe instead of trying to compete with Nintendo and Sony, they should focus on their PC market and leave the console gaming to the experts. But what do I know, I’m just a snarky science fiction blogger.