Released in 2005 before production halted in 2016, Microsoft released their second home console into the market, the Xbox 360. Competing against Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Nintendo’s Wii, the Xbox 360 went on to sell over eighty million units worldwide where gamers enjoyed a number of great titles for the seventh generation console release along with Microsoft’s Xbox Live service.
Much like other console releases, the Xbox 360 had a few model releases that offered some slight redesigns over the course of the Xbox 360 console lifespan. The original model proved to have a high failure rate which sparked the Red Ring of Death concern, prompting the device warranty period to be extended.
We’ve listed out our personal favorite video game titles on the Xbox 360. There’s a massive library of video game titles so if we missed one of your favorites then let us know by leaving a comment down below! Furthermore, it’s worth mentioning that this is simply our list for the best Xbox 360 video game titles which is not ranked in any particular order.
Without further ado, here is our list of the best Xbox 360 titles ever to release.
BioShock Series
Created under development studio Irrational Games, BioShock was a hit when it first launched into the market in 2007. Luckily, all three of the installments that are available in the market can be purchased for the PlayStation 3. The game series acts as an FPS though set in cities that are cut off from the world speaking of which, the first installment takes place in an underwater city known as the Rapture which hosts the location for BioShock 2, an installment that acts as a sequel to the original title.
BioShock Infinite takes on a new story in a city known as Columbia that hovers above the clouds in the sky. All three stories are mature in nature and as of today, there’s no new information set on when we can see the next installment of the franchise.
Irrational Games has since disbanded leaving the IP in the hands of 2K Games who have stated in 2014 that the series would continue on. For now, we’ll have to wait and see just if we get a new main installment on the latest generation consoles. However, the first three titles are well worth the pickup on last gen consoles.
The Walking Dead: The Game
Telltale Games delivered a masterpiece for a video game based on the hit television show The Walking Dead. The Walking Dead: Season One focuses on a group of survivors of the zombie apocalypse.
Overall the story revolves around Lee Everett, a protagonist that was on his way to jail and Clementine, an eight-year-old girl that finds herself alone in the apocalypse. As players progress through the game, the story will provide different options and choices that will affect relationships with in-game characters. Depending on the choices made, players may find a unique way to reach the end of the game.
Tomb Raider
Tomb Raider has been around for years since its release on the original PlayStation. However, developers Crystal Dynamics gave the video game title a proper reboot showing Lara Croft as a vulnerable young woman trapped alone on a hostile island. It’s through this adventure title that Lara Croft becomes the famed tough Tomb Raider.
Far Cry 3
There are a number of Far Cry video games that are available on the PlayStation 3, but we’re tossing Far Cry 3 in particular on this list. The video game was a massive success when Ubisoft released it into the market and its one that you can still enjoy today.
Much like the past Far Cry video games, Far Cry 3 is an action-adventure FPS, this time set on a tropical island near the Pacific Oceans. Within the game, players take on the role of Jason Brody who is on vacation when things go terribly wrong. Jason Brody finds himself taking on a slew of pirate invaders and rescuing his captive friends before leaving the hostile islands.
Much of the game was praised for its open-world exploration and narrative. We highly suggest checking out this game if you have yet to do so.
Gears of War
Developed by Epic Games, Gears of War is a third-person action title set in the future. Players take on the role of Marcus Fenix who is a soldier in the Coalition of Ordered Governments. Marcus and his fellow soldiers are off to fight an apocalyptic war where Locus Hordes have started to destroy humanity across the globe. There are three main installments to the video game that was available for the Xbox 360, though the fourth installment, Gears of War 4, released on the Xbox One in 2016.
Batman Arkham Series
The Batman Arkham series was created by the development team, Rocksteady Studios and it quickly became a huge series. Overall, the series follows Batman as he cleans up Gotham City over the course of several games, each offering something new to the game as a whole.
Set up as a third-person action-adventure, Batman will use his trained fists and gadgets to solve puzzles and fight off some of the more infamous DC Comics villains such as The Joker. There are a total of four main installments to the Arkham series though there are only three available on this console.
Gamers on this console could only enjoy Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City and lastly, Batman Arkham: Origins. To conclude the Arkham series, gamers would have to move onto the PlayStation 4, Xbox One or PC platform with Batman: Arkham Knight.
Halo Series
Halo: Combat Evolved was the title to own when it released back in 2001 and while both the first and second installment launched on the original Xbox, the third release, Halo 3, helped sell a number of Xbox 360 consoles. Since the release of Halo 3, there have been a number of installments launched within the franchise for the Xbox 360. Much like the first title in the series, Halo 3 was the video game to own once it released into the market.
Portal 2
The Portal series only has two installments and while both are on the console, we suggest looking at Portal 2 if you haven’t. This is a puzzle platformer where players use a portal type weapon to create two holes in the world that links to one another. By entering a portal hole, the character will pop out wherever the second portal is placed.
Though the narrative does follow a bit after the first game, the sequel really shines due to the multiplayer element. Outside of the main campaign, a secondary multiplayer campaign is available with even more complex puzzles that will have to be completed with the help of another gamer.
Fallout 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7a1GVlC9SM
From Bethesda Game Studios, Fallout 3 is a must-play. The third main installment of the Fallout franchise saw the gameplay turn towards a first-person or third-person open world RPG adventure. Players witness the world from inside a controlled vault, though through the narrative campaign, our protagonist enters the real world for the first time.
A nuclear war has destroyed the outside world leaving nothing but decay, small towns, and of course a plethora of creatures. As you explore the open world, players will find that the game will offer a number of quests to take on.
While Fallout 3 is part of the main series, others have found Fallout New Vegas to be an incredible story to go through as well.
Mass Effect Series
The Mass Effect series by developers BioWare is a science fiction action RPG and the original trilogy is available completely for the console. Overall, the story takes place in the distant future where players take control of Commander Shepard when the galaxy becomes threaten by a foe known as the Reapers.
Over the course of the three main video games, players will be fighting back against the Reapers making big choices along the way. Unfortunately, the third installment did receive some criticism from fans as they felt the ending didn’t take in consideration for everyone’s choices, but for the most part, the trilogy is well worth playing through.
Grand Theft Auto V
Rockstar Games has a few hit titles with Grand Theft Auto arguably being the biggest. The latest release within the series, Grand Theft Auto V, remains highly regarded since its launch back in 2013. This particular title came out towards the end of the console lifespan but it still saw plenty of early adopters before eventually making its way on PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
Much of the same game mechanics the series is known for remains intact, though this time around, the title allows three playable characters to go through within the game, all of which have their own goals.
Red Dead Redemption
Speaking of Rockstar Games, the development studio also saw the launch of Red Dead Redemption on the console as well. This is the studio’s take on a western style Grand Theft Auto game and it became a massive hit.
Players take on the role of John Marston, an outlaw turned good who seeks to live out his last years living a normal ranch life. However, when his family becomes kidnapped by the United States government, John Marston is forced into doing the government’s bidding.
Visually, the game is outstanding when it launched back in 2010 and the ability to take on a number of quests really allowed the game to feel as if it’s a fully living world. Another interesting aspect Rockstar Games introduced into the game that was unique compared to Rockstar Games previous releases was the random encounter incidents.
As players go through the world, a random instant mission may pop up allowing players to either get involved or look the other way. This particular component was brought over to Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto V release.
Forza Motorsport Series
The Forza series is one of the leading racing titles for Xbox. This franchise has been around since 2005 though its sequel Forza Motorsport 2 and all the way up to Forza Horizon 2, released in 2014, is available on the Xbox 360. While Sony holds their own IP with Gran Turismo, gamers on the Xbox 360 could enjoy the realistic performance and handling of real vehicles through Forza Motorsport.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim by Bethesda Softworks is one title that is still popular and seeing new release to this very day. Released back in 2011, the video game saw players taking on the role of a Dragonborn, one of the last few within the world that is capable of speaking the language of dragons.
This is an open-world action RPG where players can explore the world, take on quests, gather loot, and craft their character’s stats uniquely. While the game is highly beloved, its initial releases did see plenty of bugs and technical issues, but for those who were able to look past that received a game that was easy to sink countless hours into.
Life is Strange
Developed by Dontnod Entertainment, Life is Strange is a fantastic interactive episodic series, that plays out similarly to Telltale Games releases. The narrative journey follows Max Caulfield who returns to Arcadia Bay in order to take part in a photography class. With Arcadia Bay being her old hometown, Max finds herself reconnecting with her old best friend, Chloe Price who was left in shambles after Max moved away.
Max finds herself with a new power of rewinding time and with it, the duo seek out to solve a dark mystery that is surrounding the town along with a premonition of the destruction of their town.
Alan Wake
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auw3_z9EyRg
Developed by Remedy Entertainment, Alan Wake is an action-adventure video game title that follows a thriller novelist Alan Wake. Within the game, players must step help Alan as he attempts to uncover a mystery surrounding his wife’s disappearance. However, as Alan digs deeper into the mystery, supernatural elements begin to stir.
