Yes.

LOL...rushed...in some absolute sense...sure...but this is a business, and M$ very solid position, ESPECIALLY given all the headwind the playstation brand had coming into this generation was well worth it. So it depends on what you mean by "rushed"

What don't you like about that? I mean I miss when we used to have a ton more exclusives too, but you can't deny that's part of the reason why the 360 has been successful.

agreed

I hate when people bring up this point, i could seriously care less about your opinion d385

The XBox 360 had to be launched early so it could get more market exposure due to Microsoft being a relatively new competitor in the game industry. Sony and Nintendo had 10 and 20 years experience in the video game industry.

The problems the 360 suffered in its launch year were not just hardware problems, it was supply constrained for its first year. 5.5 million console sales for its first year was a very slow start. The 360 had to compete head to head with the much popular and cheaper PS2 a system that would sell over 140 million systems. People were also waiting for the PS3 and Wii to be launched which slowed sales of the 360.

The 360 launching a year before its main rival PS3, managed to capture more support from third party developers and establish itself in the video game market. More time for developers to develop games on the 360. 360 is still considered easier and more cost effective for game developers to make games for than the PS3. Game development on the 360 is very similar to PC game developments. PS3 game development take longer than 360 game developments.

Was it rushed? Absolutely yes.
Microsofts image has been hurt alot by the hardware failures due to rushing the console out the door.
BUT
without rushing it out to the early 1 year headstart, Microsoft would not be where they are today.
At the start of the next gen, Microsoft is on an equal footing.... at least in the US.

Yeah it was rushed at least somewhat, but thanks to the headstart they got where they are now. Also many people don't want to admit it but the arcade is a big reason for the revival of the 360 last year and into this year. The arcade will always be a factor in the holiday season now that it is at $200.
i don't see why people think a HD-DVD drive, launch with ps3, and hard drive would have helped MS. I think it would have killed them.

read the book The Xbox 360 Uncloaked it will explain everything

Yes it was rushed but MS troubled business relationship with NVIDIA was a big factor in the 360 rushed launch.