Microsoft’s onslaught into video games would have been more of a stumble had it not been for Master Chief and his aline adventures. Halo not only made the Xbox a success, but it instantly became a cultural phenomenon, redefining the console shooter in terms of AI, graphics, gameplay, and story. With amazing multiplayer still played years after release to the sub-culture of Red Vs. Blue, Halo spread its web of influence to be an icon, revolutionary, and bad-ass all at the same time. Halo sequels have broken sales records, with Halo 3 holding the record for biggest day of sales in U.S. history, more than $170 million (only to be trounced 7 months later by the multi-platform cheater GTA IV). Still, it’s impossible to play a first-person shooter these days without feeling the armored hand of Halo siphoning your gaming skillz as you ponder why you’re settling for anything but the best (selling).