The 15 Best Xbox 360 Games Ever

The Xbox 360 is fondly remembered by many as among the best recreation consoles of all time, and it had an enormous library of wonderful video games to select from. Indeed, the console welcomed greater than 2,000 video games, and whereas they weren’t all glorious, many have been. We’re wanting again on the Xbox 360’s glory days and itemizing off the 15 finest Xbox 360 games–in alphabetical order–from the second-ever Xbox that Microsoft made.Many of the video games listed beneath are nonetheless playable as we speak on Xbox One and Xbox Series X–some of them have been even remastered with up to date visuals and mechanics. For extra trendy Xbox suggestions, try our roundups of one of the best Xbox Series X video games and finest Xbox One video games.Batman: Arkham AsylumBatman: Arkham Asylum2009’s Batman: Arkham Asylum was a watershed second for Batman video games and is regarded as we speak as among the best comedian e-book video games ever. Developed by UK studio Rocksteady as considered one of its first video games, Arkham Asylum is beloved for its glorious story, which was written by Batman veteran Paul Din, and performances by Kevin Conry (Batman), Mark Hamill (Joker), and Arleen Sorkin (Harley Quinn). The recreation’s fight was additionally considered one of its most praised parts, with gamers in a position to chain assaults collectively in a free-flowing system that felt satisfying, rewarding, highly effective, and truthful. It’s no shock that the sport spawned a number of sequels and a wider universe of comedian e-book video games. If you need to test it out as we speak, Batman Arkham Collection comprises all three of Rocksteady’s Batman video games and is playable on Xbox One and Series X.Read our Batman: Arkham Asylum evaluation.BioShockBioShockBioShock is commonly cited on lists of the best video games of all time. Written and directed by Ken Levine, BioShock tells a interval story set within the underwater world of Rapture. The story evoked themes of Ayn Rand and George Orwell, and aside from its gripping story and massive twists, it is memorable for spawning Big Daddies and Little Sisters. The recreation actually nailed its model and tone, which made it a really distinctive expertise. You can play the whole BioShock sequence by buying BioShock: The Collection for Xbox One (playable on Series X).Read our BioShock evaluation.Call of Duty 4: Modern WarfareCall of Duty 4: Modern WarfareRemembered as probably the most influential and finest Call of Duty video games ever, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was a part of the unbelievable 2007 that noticed many different nice video games launch. Developed by Infinity Ward, Modern Warfare took the Call of Duty franchise out of a historic setting and into trendy occasions. The globe-trotting story took gamers to many various battle zones and served up probably the most memorable Call of Duty missions ever: All Ghillied Up. The multiplayer was an actual show-stopper, too, advancing the components with an extended listing of now-common multiplayer parts like killstreaks, customized loadouts, and the power to earn XP towards new weapons and kit. A remastered model of Modern Warfare launched a number of years again, so it is playable on Xbox One and Series X.Read our Call of Duty: Modern Warfare evaluation.Dark SoulsDark SoulsFrom Software’s successor to Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls launched in 2011 and was a runaway success that is still beloved by followers as we speak. We praised the sport for its beautiful and horrifying world and its glorious fight mechanics that make each assault really feel highly effective and exact. Dark Souls can be remembered for its very totally different bosses that check your ability and willpower, whereas the sport’s novel on-line factor that allowed gamers to cooperate and compete turned a fixture in future video games. The sequence has remained common over time, and From Software is now innovating as soon as once more with Elden Ring in 2022. You can play the remastered version of Dark Souls on Xbox One and Series X.Read our Dark Souls evaluation.DishonoredDishonoredLengthy earlier than Deathloop, Arkane made a reputation for itself with Dishonored. Released in 2012 on the tail-end of the Xbox 360 console cycle, Dishonored was praised on the time for its impeccable and putting design that helps convey its setting to life. Here at GameSpot, we scored the sport a 9/10 and likewise gave props to its degree design, excellent voice appearing, and huge suite of talents that inspired gamers to play with creativity and magnificence. Dishonored featured a celeb voice forged that included Susan Sarandon, Michael Madsen, Lena Headey, Chloe Grace Moretz, Carrie Fisher, and Brad Dourif.Read our Dishonored evaluation.The Elder Scrolls V: SkyrimThe Elder Scrolls V: SkyrimBethesda Game Studios’ open-world RPG The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is now accessible on principally each platform beneath the solar, however its origins date again to the Xbox 360 period. The recreation was launched in November 2011 and few might have predicted the bonafide phenomenon that it could grow to be. Directed by Todd Howard and the winner of many Game of the Year awards, Skyrim was praised partly for its open-ended construction that allowed gamers to enterprise via a fantastical world stuffed with monsters and magic. Many consider Skyrim stays Bethesda’s finest RPG ever, and as for why Bethesda retains releasing it on increasingly platforms, properly, we solely have ourselves responsible.Read our Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim evaluation.Gears of WarGears of WarLengthy earlier than Epic Games was recognized for Fortnite, the studio created the Gears of War franchise, with Cliff Bleszinski as its designer and director. Released one 12 months into the Xbox 360’s lifecycle in November 2006, Gears of War was a stunner with its cowl fight, co-op help, and fully over-the-top motion involving combating large enemies. Gears of War additionally launched the world to the gun-with-a-chainsaw, the Lancer, which might go on to grow to be iconic for the sequence and shooter video games general. Epic finally bought Gears of War to Microsoft, which is now creating the sequence through The Coalition studio. Gears of War was later remastered for Xbox One and is obtainable to play through Game Pass.Read our Gears of War evaluation.Grand Theft Auto VGrand Theft Auto VRockstar’s Grand Theft Auto V remains to be going robust as we speak, promoting tens of millions of copies each few months, and it is even set for launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2022. The recreation’s journey truly started again in 2013, when it was launched on Xbox 360. A surprising show of artistic and technical achievement, GTA V is remembered by many as one of many nice video games of all time–and actually probably the most commercially profitable, too. In addition to the great open-world marketing campaign, GTA V has remained related due to Grand Theft Auto Online, the huge multiplayer playground that’s primarily its personal recreation at this level.Read our Grand Theft Auto V evaluation.Halo 3Halo 3Another one of many nice video games of 2007, Bungie’s Halo 3 is revered for its multiplayer mode that many nonetheless see because the excessive watermark for the sequence. The single-player marketing campaign was additionally among the best in franchise historical past. It advised a gripping story of Master Chief, Cortana, and The Arbiter combating Covenant via the galaxy. The recreation additionally launched the map- and mode-making toolset, Forge, which might go on to be a defining function of the sequence. It could be among the many remaining Halo video games developed by Bungie earlier than it exited the sequence and Microsoft’s 343 Industries took management. Today, the easiest way to play Halo 3 is by grabbing the Master Chief Collection, which can be included with Xbox Game Pass. If you are curious the place Halo 3 lands on our general listing, try our Halo mainline sequence rating.Read our Halo 3 evaluation.Left 4 DeadLeft 4 Dead2008’s zombie shooter Left 4 Dead not solely had nice field artwork (who might neglect these 4 fingers?) but it surely was a wonderful multiplayer shooter that reenergized the gaming panorama’s obsession with zombie video games. The four-player co-op shooter takes place after a zombie outbreak and your job is to take them out together with your squad mates in a wide range of settings. The recreation had extra than simply senseless zombie hordes to beat; it additionally featured quite a few totally different zombie sorts, together with the horrifying Witch and the hulking Boomer.LimboLimboWho might neglect Limbo? 2010’s puzzle-platformer from developer Playdead was putting and haunting, with simple-enough controls for anybody to choose up. The tone of Limbo is eerie, and the truth that the small little one you management can, and sometimes does, die in horrible methods on this black-and-white side-scrolling recreation is one thing few who performed the sport will ever neglect. The recreation’s ending led to many various interpretations of what truly occurred and what all of it means, and that thriller is a part of what made the sport so memorable. Limbo is playable on Xbox One and Series X and is included as a part of Game Pass.Read our Limbo evaluation.Mass EffectMass EffectYet one more of the standout releases of 2007 was BioWare’s authentic Mass Effect. After years of creating fantasy video games, BioWare took its skills to area and into the realm of sci-fi with an engrossing and rewarding role-playing recreation that spawned a franchise. It additionally launched the world to Commander Shepard, who’s now considered one of gaming’s most recognizable characters. Mass Effect was praised for its highly effective storyline, its many and diversified characters and choice-based dialogue, and its setting. Lesser-loved parts like car navigation and fight could be improved upon in subsequent installments, in addition to the retooled trilogy launched in 2021.Read our Mass Effect evaluation.Portal 2Portal 22011’s Portal 2 took what made the unique Portal nice and dialed it up in a satisfying manner. Valve’s puzzle recreation sees gamers controlling Chell within the halls of Aperture Science as she makes use of her portal gun to unravel puzzles and work out what was happening. The sequel not solely added new tools, but additionally an even bigger superstar forged, with J.Okay. Simmons and Stephen Merchant voicing characters. The sequel additionally had a co-op mode for fixing puzzles with buddies and featured music by The National. Portal 2 nonetheless stands tall as among the best trendy puzzle video games.Read our Portal 2 evaluation.Rock BandRock BandAdditionally launched in 2007 throughout what was clearly an unbelievable 12 months for video games, Rock Band was Harmonix’s successor to Guitar Hero and it turned issues as much as 11. Not solely might you play guitar with a plastic peripheral, however you and buddies might get collectively and stay out the fantasy of being a rock band from the consolation of your lounge. The recreation had a drum package and microphone in addition to a bass guitar mode to finish transition from solo act to full-on band. It was a lot enjoyable, and lots of have nice recollections of jamming out with buddies late into the evening.Read our Rock Band evaluation.Super Meat BoySuper Meat BoySuper Meat Boy is without doubt one of the Xbox’s most memorable video games. Released in 2010 on Xbox Live Arcade (when that was a factor!), Super Meat Boy is an ultra-challenging platformer the place you play as a bag of meat attempting to rescue your girlfriend, Bandage Girl, from the evil Dr. Fetus. Developed by simply two individuals, Edmund McMillen and Tommy Refenes, the sport was additionally featured prominently within the documentary Indie Game: The Movie, which chronicled the sport’s growth and supplied many desirable insights within the course of. Super Meat Boy is without doubt one of the video games that helped garner widespread curiosity to smaller indie video games. It feels simply nearly as good to play as we speak because it did over a decade in the past.Read our Super Meat Boy evaluation.