they didn't help the xbox in any way

If the only game people talk about is Halo when referring to the Xbox then talk to other people because there are many more games. Halo had a big role in the start of the Xbox but is not nearly as important now. Also, the Xbox has many more games now so don't label the Xbox has the Halo machine, shooterbox is more acceptable but I still don't like it.

Edit:  I do think that Halo was Microsofts saving grace at first but the same can be said about Mario and Nintendo.  Nothing wrong with that.

yes, xbox would have lived. however, it wouldn't have been nearly as successful without it.

No, Halo made the xbox brand what it is.

Halo made Xbox more famous I guess.

There we a few quality titles. The original KOTOR was an extremely popular game on the original XBox.

I think what Halo has done for the XBox brand is a true testament to how amazing the series is. That is why when people rate the top Xbox games and Halo 1 and 2 are not at the top, it astounds me.

Without Halo on the original xbox then it most likely would have failed. I say likely because there's always a chance something else may have shown up. I do think that now though xbox no longer needs Halo. It has sufficient games, brand etc that they could live without it.

Halo was and still is crucial for the Xbox brand there is no doubt about it. The original Box had some good games, but that was the big exclusive that made people buy the system. Halo 3 also is the biggest game on the 360

Halo is an important brand to the Xbox and certainly the first incarnation needed an important game like Halo for it to succeed. As others have said the Halo brand is still important but no longer so critical for the Xbox to succeed.

XBox = Halo. This game kept the original XBox in the game in regards to GameCube. If there was no Halo we would not have had the XBox 360 today.