Ranking The Best Xbox 360 Games Of All Time

Get ready to rediscover the best Xbox 360 games ever made! We’re taking a trip back in time to relive the moments that we bought the 30 awesome titles in this list and will probably sit playing them for the rest of the day.

Hey, it’s research; we’re not slacking off!

The PS2 might be the best selling console of all time, but the Xbox 360 played host to the game that made the most cash in sales. Can you guess what it is?

With titles like The Elder Scrolls, Red Dead Redemption, and Fable II under its belt, the 360 was always going to be a mind-blowing success. Add wireless controllers, a sleek design, and picture-perfect pixels into the mix, and there’s no wonder it still holds its own amongst today’s next-gen console family.

But what are the best Xbox 360 games for this superb console? I might have given a few of them away already, but I’m very confident you’ll agree with the list below.

And if you don’t, then please direct all complaints to Brandon. He loves that kind of thing…

1. BioShock (2007)

BioShock game case
Credit: Microsoft/2K

BioShock takes its place as the best of the best Xbox games of all time.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that this game won ‘Game of the Year in pretty much every online publication, review, and fan-mag going. It heralded the beginning of a classic gaming series and remains one of the greatest titles I’ve ever played on any console, period.

As first-person shooters go, BioShock is one of the most immersive and unpredictable games going. The world of Rapture is pretty much everyone’s idea of a living hell, with mutant warriors and guardians littering the streets at every turn.

Bioshock gameplay
Credit: Microsoft/2K

Rather than just heading from A to B and shooting a few bad guys along the way, BioShock sees players having to work with their surroundings, making gadgets and hacking items in order to stay alive!

Like Fable II, there’s a morality element to this game as well. As players progress through the game, the opportunity to mutate themselves and wield extraordinary abilities crops up periodically.

There’s also the question of whether you help the people of Rapture or make their lives worse by becoming some kind of watery-overlord-gangster.

If the gameplay doesn’t drag you in, then the graphics will. Honestly, BioShock has some of the most stunning Art Deco scenes in it.

It’s like ‘The Shape Of Water’ video game with way more mutants and less fish romance…

That’s a sentence I never thought kick off an article on!

2. Halo 3 (2007)

Halo 3 game case cover art

It was a close call, but I’ve stuck Halo 3 in second place. Second-best Xbox 360 game of all time isn’t a bad accolade to have under your belt, and I genuinely still enjoy playing on Halo 3 on a regular basis today.

Unlike Assassin’s Creed II which feels similar to the other titles, Halo 3 grabs my attention and plays like a new and exciting adventure.

Sure, the mechanics are the same, but the continuation of the storyline and the idea of sorting out ‘unfinished business’ from the first two games is so gripping that you just can’t help but love it.

Halo 3 gameplay
Credit: Microsoft/Bungie

It doesn’t really matter if you haven’t played the first two games either; Halo 3 provides all of your alien-splatting needs whether you know the story or not. It was a worldwide success story, amassing $300 million in its first week alone.

Talk about a must-play title!

So, what’s the score in Halo 3? Well, everything has gone to sh… I mean… things don’t look good for humankind. The Flood have pretty much taken over, the Master Chief’s version of Siri has gone AWOL, and there’s a secret object that could turn the tide of the war.

Wield massive weapons, fight in epic locations, and try to save the world. It’s all on you! 

3. Dishonored (2012)

dishonored game case cover art
Credit: Microsoft/Arkane/Bethesda

Dishonored takes the bronze medal in this list… and it wins it honourably!

So, I want you to take everything you know about stealth games and throw it out of the window. This is a stealthy RPG where every move counts, and where every decision has an effect on the game to come.

How you interact with certain NPCs and certain items that you collect all have an affect on how the gameplay pans out too.

Heck, you can complete this game without even harming NPCs… though I know most of you sick puppies won’t be able to resist taking a few of them out!

Dishonored gameplay
Credit: Microsoft/Arkane/Bethesda

Still, the question remains; what do players do while they’re choosing to kill or spare side characters?

Well, our masked character is on the run from the fuzz for a crime he didn’t commit. Instead of coming clean, he’s now an assassin on the hunt for the person that did kill his beloved.

And one of the best bits about this game is the epic cast. Carrie Fisher, Lena Headey, and tonnes of other famous voices that you’ll know from the world of TV and Film!

If that’s not enough to tempt you, then I don’t know what is!

4. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006)

The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion Game of the Year edition game case cover art

Fans of Breath of the Wild need to get this game in their lives. It’s played from a first-person perspective and, while more brutal than any Zelda game, has that open-world feel with stunning backdrops and epic enemies to battle against.

Honestly, Bethesda know what it takes to make an epic fantasy title. Oblivion has more nerdalicious content than any game of D&D could ever hold. It’s based on a solo quest to find the heir to the throne of Cyrodiil, all while hellish demons invade from their home-world of ‘Oblivion’.

The Elder Scrolls Oblivion gameplay
Credit: Microsoft/2k/Bethesda

This is one of my favourite single player games on the console. It’s one of those titles that you can kick back with and get completely lost in. Hours can go by in the blink of an eye without even realising.

It’s also genuinely the reason behind my mate smashing a lot of his controllers.

One of the things I love about this series is that players take the game at a speed that suits them. There’s no pressure to get anything done, and sometimes exploring aimlessly brings the best results.

Join factions and climb to the top, find collectibles, and converse with the most advanced AI characters in any game going. Seriously, it’s almost like they’re alive. Everything you do affects how they react, making for a different adventure every time you play!

5. Batman: Arkham City (2011)

Batman Arkham City game case cover art

Batman: Arkham City see’s everyone’s favourite caped crusader laying the smackdown on crime.

That’s right; all of crime. Batman basically punches crime into submission in this game, and he looks badass while doing it.

Critics praised this title as being one of the best comic book character adventures of all time, and it’s hard to disagree with them. The whole thing is perfection from start to finish; it’s one of those games that you immediately replay once completed, and I’ve done that a lot over the years.

Fans of Arkham Asylum (the game, not the place) need this title in their lives. It’s basically like a Zack Snyder movie thumbed into a game and features over-the-top atmospheric levels with insane music that keeps gamers permanently on edge.

Batman Arkham City gameplay
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/WB GAMES

Explore the grimy world of Arkham City in this brand new adventure. All of Gotham’s scum ends up here, so it’s going to be anything but an easy ride for Mr Wayne. Why you’d want to drop into a purpose-built city filled with villains and thugs is beyond me!

Arkham City features lots of familiar faces that fans of the Batman comics will love squaring up against. Oh, and Mark Hamill voices the joker.

Yep, Luke Skywalker is the Joker; what more do I need to say?

Embark on stealthy missions, pull out all of Batman’s secret gadgets, and take a break from Bruce’s moody voice to play as Catwoman in her own storyline. It’s the game that keeps on giving!

6. Alan Wake (2010)

Alan Wake

If you’re looking for a game that feels as though you’re living a BBC thriller drama series, then this is it. Alan Wake is fast-paced and exciting, featuring on-the-edge-of-your-seat gameplay that will leave you desperate for more.

Man, I should have worked for the marketing team!

Alan Wake gameplay
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/remedy

The setting for this epic tale; Bright Falls. Novelist Alan Wake is trying to solve the mystery of his wife’s disappearance.

The weirder thing is that everything that he experiences along the way happens in a book he’s written… one that he can’t actually remember writing!

This psychological thriller has vibes of Silent Hill about it. Interaction with objects while running away from shadow creatures called The Taken certainly raises the hairs on the back of your neck.

If you’re a fan of crime and thriller novels with a sci-fi twist, then get amongst Alan Wake – you won’t be disappointed!

7. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 game case cover art

You could usually tell when a Call of Duty title came out at college by the poor attendance of pretty much every person in the building, including some of the teachers. These games are still as epic as the day they were released, and Modern Warfare 2 is one of the ultimate classic titles on the 360.

This is as close to combat as I ever want to get, and it’s still pretty heart-pounding considering it’s not real! The two-player co-op is great fun, and the campaign sticks you slap-bang in the centre of the action.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 gameplay
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/Activision

Modern Warfare 2 builds on the epic gameplay mechanic of the previous COD games but brings new modes such as Special Ops Missions and tonnes of online multiplayer customisation options.

Listen; the campaign is all well and good, but online deathmatches with mates brought that same thrill level that you first experience playing Goldeneye. Wield pretty much every gun imaginable and throw insane explosives, knives, and anything else that makes mincemeat of your opponents.

And as always, the Xbox 360 shows stunning visuals and richly textured levels that just shouldn’t exist in a game from 2009!

8. Halo Reach (2010)

Halo Reach
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/Bungie

Halo Reach is a game that we came back to a little later on in our gaming lives, but it’s a mark of how incredible it is that we still keep going back to it even though we’re rocking PS5s and Xbox Series X consoles at Retro Dodo Towers.

The Reach is a planet full of humans just trying to get on with the business of living. The last thing that they want is the bloomin’ Covenant heading down to kill every last one of them.

But I guess we don’t always get what we want in life, right? And to be honest, there wouldn’t be a game if they didnt…

Halo Reach gameplay xbox 360
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/Bungie

One of the main things we’ve always loved about this game is the epic multiplayer too. Halo games are always great to play with friends, and the map-building mode really adds a new element of intensity to the deathmatches.

Generator Defence is one of my favourite modes to play through too. It takes me back to those old Rogue Squadron days of protecting generators from the Empire, except Halo Reach looks and plays like something from the future in comparison.

9. Grand Theft Auto V (2013)

Grand Theft Auto V game case xbox 360

Grand Theft Auto V, the second best selling game of all time, takes the 9th spot in this list!

This is another immense Rockstar Games title and part of one of the most controversial series’ of all time. It’s safe to say that it’s definitely a game filled to the brim with adult content. Still, with Cyberpunk 2077 doing the rounds, it probably looks a bit tame these days!

Gamers basically go on a free-for-all around the made-up state of San Andreas. There are three stories to follow with three different main characters, all of which can steal, kill, and do pretty much whatever the hell they want.

Grand Theft Auto V gameplay
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/Rockstar games

Nowhere is off limits, and players have the choice of traversing the vast levels and stages on foot or via a wide variety of vehicles.

Pull off big crimes, solve problems by shooting said problems, and team up with mates to cause maximum chaos.

Even though it’s one of the most violent games on the console, it broke records by amassing $800 million in its first day of sales and over $1 billion in the first 3 days of being on shelves.

10. Call Of Duty: Black Ops II (2015)

Call Of Duty: Black Ops II

Call Of Duty: Black Ops II added onto the impressive feats already achieved by the first title and did what we all thought was going to prove impossible – making a better black ops game.

We’re talking storylines in the past and the future, advanced weaponry, multiple endings.

Oh yeah, Treyarch really knocked it out of the park with this one,

Call Of Duty: Black Ops II xbox 360 gameplay
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/Activision/treyarch

This was a pivotal game for the series too, bringing features to the table that are now firm fixtures. If it wasn’t for Black Ops 2, we might not have multi-team battles!

Just look at those graphics too; they still hold up today! 2015 only seems like last week to me, but it’s getting further and further away with every article we write…

Black Ops 2 and Black Ops 1 are both incredible games, but it’s the sequel that wins us over because of the epic multiplayer and new additions to the first title. Hey, they might seem like small changes, but they matter!

11. Fallout 3 (2008)

Fallout 3 game case cover art

Fallout 3 jumps into 10th place in our Xbox 360 compendium, bringing nuclear ravaged lands and a race fighting for survival for the table.

Yes, the world as we know it is pretty much gone. After living in underground vaults for centuries, humans are slowly trying to reclaim the broken world above the surface…

… which means that all hell is about to break loose.

Fallout 3, and all other other Fallout games in the series, fall under the category of being RPG shooters.

Fallout 3 xbox 360 games
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/Bethesda

As well as shooting the sh… I mean, blasting back enemies, players much interact with characters around them and explore vast open spaces in search of collectibles.

Unlike old-school games like Goldeneye where players are presented with missions, gamers can travel between different tasks and locations.

And talk about a boat-load of side quests! There are so many smaller missions to complete that you’ll still be playing this game long after the main quest is over! 

12. Left 4 Dead 2 (2009)

Left 4 Dead 2 (2009) game case cover art
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/valve

With the action coming thick and fast just one in-game week after the end of the previous game, Left 4 Dead 2 is a sequel that really needs to be played in order after the first Left 4 Dead title,

It’s like playing God of War: Ragnarok and not playing the previous game, or to put it a better way, like being at a party that you weren’t invited to and where you know no-one.

While the main themes and gameplay elements from the first game haven’t changed in the slightest, there are some new mechanics that come into play now that levels are based out in the open.

Left 4 Dead 2 gameplay xbox 360 games
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/valve

Yes, not only do you have endless hordes of killer zombies to destroy, but you also have the elements to contend with too!

Dodge zombies that spit acid and pump them full of lead with some epic weaponry. You can even smash a guitar into their heads. Finally, Left 4 Dead is getting turning into a Mötley Crüe concert!

We all spent hours on the multiplayer segment of this game back when the Xbox 360 was in its prime too. Nothing says ‘relaxing Sunday’ while taking a chainsaw to an opponent. Ah, good times!

13. Fable II (2007)

Fable II game case cover art

I remember the first time that I stepped a virtual foot into the world of Albion in the original Xbox game. The morality engine was unreal, the world was fantastic, and I could wield magic while carrying a sword.

What more does a character need?

Now, 500 years after the original adventure (in game years, not real… obviously), Fable II returns with a redesigned magic system, new combat mechanics, and all the same open-world madness that made the first title such a hit!

Fable II gameplay
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/valve

If you haven’t played a Fable game before, then don’t worry. You don’t need to jump back to the original to enjoy the sights, sounds, and wonders of the sequel. For those that did enjoy the original, then imagine a supercharged version with more bells and whistles than you could throw a lightening bolt at.

Play as a male or female fighter, marry anyone you choose (multiple people if that’s your bag), have kids, buy anything with walls, and become a grade A hero or the worst villain Albion has ever seen.

The world changes with you in Fable II; every action has a consequence, and watching your character’s appearance changing never gets old. It means there’s a tonne of ways to play and so many different decisions to make.

And, of course, there’s the explorative elements involved with traversing the massive world. Searching for treasure, bashing bandits, and seeking out side quests keeps the game going even when the main quest has finished. Give It a go; it’s epic!

14. Assassin’s Creed II (2009)

Assassin's Creed II game case

Assassin’s Creed II is the one of the best games for tricksy Hobbitses who like sneaking. We’re talking those gamers that get a thrill out of creeping up on family members or jumping out of cupboards to scare siblings.

The gameplay does have more of a sinister edge than what I described above, but those skills will certainly help you progress in this game!

I’m gonna make a lot of enemies here, but I kind of think that all Assassin’s Creed games are the same. There I’ve said it; it’s out on the internet, and I feel good for getting it off my chest.

Having said that, Assassin’s Creed II is my favourite of the bunch and was the first title that I came to back in the day.

Assassin's Creed II gameplay
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/Ubisoft

The format is basically the same as the original (and every other game); get information, kill the person that gave the information, slay a Knight’s Templar, jump off something tall, and repeat.

Hey, don’t get me wrong; I love this game, I’m just saying it like it is. And, while the format is similar in most games, I think Number 2 is Assassin’s Creed at it’s peak.

Players take control of Ezio as he travels through the sepia stained past. He’s on a quest for vengeance through Renaissance Italy, which for those who have been to the bottom of my articles and seen my surname will go some way to explaining why I like this title.

Stealth killing and scaling humongous buildings never gets old, and the graphics look epic on the Xbox 360. If you’re going to play any Assassin’s Creed game, make sure it’s this one.

15. Far Cry 3 (2012)

Far Cry 3 game case cover art

The Xbox 360 has a lot of brutal titles in its repertoire, but few come as far up on the ‘savage-o-meter’ as Far Cry 3. It’s a stealth/hunting game in which players take a castaway across a tropical yet dangerous island.

Players take control of Jason Brody, a man on a mission to save his friends from pirates. We’re not talking about the fun kind from Pirates of the Caribbean either; these guys are nasty pieces of work!

Far Cry 3 gameplay
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/Ubisoft

Far Cry is almost a cross between an RPG and a survival game. It has hints of Turok and Splinter Cell in it with skill trees and exploration elements that make searching every nook and cranny crucial to your success.

Like all the best Xbox 360 titles, player’s actions have a direct effect on how the story evolves. It’s like Charlie Brooker’s Bandersnatch or any other ‘choose your own plot’ book, with battles that you choose to fight or evade affecting the rest of the story,

While the narrative is unpredictable, one thing players can expect is a massive lack of law and an unlimited amounts of chaos. Shoot first and ask questions never if you want to survive, and do whatever it takes to save your mates.

16. Rayman Legends (2013)

Rayman Legends game case cover art

Usually that would make it a pretty unlucky game, but seen as though Rayman has featured on pretty much every console since the dawn of time, I think we’re safe.

Remember Rayman Origins? Well, Legends follows directly on from that classic title.

I say ‘directly’; there’s a gap of one-hundred years in-between while Rayman and Globox have the world’s biggest nap.

It must have been one hell of a wrap up party after they completed Origins!

Rayman Legends gameplay
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/Ubisoft

When heroes sleep for 100 years, however, bad stuff is bound to happen. Rayman’s got a lot of cleaning up to do if owe wants to return peace to the world…

…. just don’t sleep for a century again this time, alright?

There’s no denying that legends is a visually stunning game. The richly textured backgrounds, the animations of Rayman and his friends; everything just looks and plays like a dream.

And the best bit is that up to four players can work together to tackle all of the game’s obstacles.

Each level has cleverly placed objects that blend into your surroundings, offering Rayman help in sticky situations. Use epic abilities like gliding or running up walls Prince of Persia-style while knocking back enemies…

… all with floating hands and feet. I still don’t understand how he doesn’t have any integral limbs joining them to his… best just drop it…

17. The Orange Box (2007)

The Orange Box Xbox 360 game case
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/valve

While The Orange Box isn’t an exciting title that you might expect to see in a list of the best Xbox 360 games of all time, it does have one of my favourite titles ever on it – Half-Life 2: Episode 2.

I’m not discounting Team Fortress 2 or Portal here; think of this as a three for the price of one section. Still, we’re focusing on Half-Life 2 as it’s one of the greatest games of all time, and Gordon’s glasses kind of look like mine, which makes him one stylish dude…

Half Life 2 gameplay
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/valve

Designed as part of an add-on trilogy to the original epic Half-Life adventure, Half-Life 2: Episode 2 continued where the first part left off. Gordon Freeman has left the Citadel and must now fight against a wave of unknown evil entities while trying to make it to a band of resistance scientist fighters.

I always knew science would be cool again one day!

If you liked the original Half Life, one of the best 90s games ever made, then this title will blow your freakin’ mind. The combat elements are fantastic, as are the levels where players pilot vehicles and wield futuristic science weapons. Why aren’t Gravity Guns a thing in real life!

18. Forza Horizon (2012)

Forza Horizon game case cover art

Forza Horizon had to feature in this compendium of the best Xbox 360 games; it wouldn’t have been right to make a list without it!

I’ll never forget the first time my dad and I played this game. I’ve always been a Mario Kart man, but the levels on this game looked so damn real that I think I played the first half an hour with my jaw wide open!

Forza Horizon gameplay
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/PLAYGROUND GAMES

Imagine, if you will, the sights and thills of Forza Motorsport with the sounds and vibes of Glastonbury. The music on this game is superb and will leave you rhythmically tapping the accelerate button round those corners.

Rather than traditional motor racing games, Forza Horizon has a street racing feel to it. There’s AI traffic to contend with, and as I said above, the setting for each of the epic racing grounds will leave you deciding whether to watch the road or the scenery!

Up your popularity rating by pulling off daring and downright stupid stunts, race against friends, and get hyped up by Horizon Festival fever!

19. Gears of War (2006)

Gears of War game case cover art

I still remember my cousin buying a Gears of War Xbox 360 bundle pack. We didn’t see him for about 2 weeks after that!

If you like big guns and being scared out of your wits, then this is one game that you definitely need in your collection.

Gears of War manages to combine the explosive weaponry from games like Borderlands and Doom with the survival/horror elements of some of the best PS2 horror games ever made.

gears of war gameplay
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/Epic Games

Humankind is about to be wiped out by a bunch of mutant demons called the Locust Horde. They’ve decided that hell isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be and want to try Earth out for size as their new home.

Not on Marcus Fenix’s watch! He’s the dude with the wide neck and muscles like a cloud on the game case, and he’s also the fearless warrior who players lead into some of the most perilous situations known to gaming kind.

Using the fantastic Unreal Engine 3, Gears of War looks and plays like a movie, especially as the characters actually look like they’re speaking and the dubbing is spot on! It’s so immersive that you start to believe that you’re actually there with the team and not sat in your underwear eating pizza…

20. Red Dead Redemption (2010)

Red Dead Redemption game case cover art

Red Dead Redemption carries on the epic momentum with more classic lawless action and badlands beatdowns.

It’s the first entry in our list by the genius minds over at Rockstar Games and the superb follow up to Red Dead Revolver. It’s one of the finest open world adventures that we’ve ever played here at Retro Dodo Towers and boasts stunning Wild West-inspired locations and beautiful graphics.

Red Dead Redemption gameplay
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/Rockstar Games

Players control ex-outlaw John Marston as he travels across the great American frontier. Ride on horseback through mountains, explore towns, and battle bandits and other gun-wielding cronies in epic shootouts at every turn.

I haven’t played many games that really mirror the harsh reality of the open American landscape like Red Dead Redemption does. At a time when people were clinging onto lawlessness like Brandon clings to his beloved RG350M, anything was possible and life was unpredictable, which is exactly how this title feels.

With a production cost price that is reported to be near $100 million, this game could well be one of the most expensive titles to make of all time. Still, it’s won more awards than any other game too, so it was definitely worth it!

21. Minecraft (2009)

Minecraft game case cover art xbox 360

To be fair, Minecraft is more of an institution than just an Xbox title. The style and characters are about as instantly recognisable as Mario or Spyro, and I can’t pick up a pickaxe without thinking about mining and making insane buildings.

Sometimes I just scroll through videos of the mad worlds that people have made on this game. The best ones I’ve seen so far are a replica of the Taj Mahal and a great reimagining of Hyrule Castle from The Legend of Zelda.

Minecraft gameplay
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/Mojang

This game is as big as your imagination and the possibilities really are endless. It’s officially the best selling game of all time to be ported to multiple consoles with over 200 million copies sold.

How crazy is that! That’s 60 million more than GTA V!

Play through survival mode with finite resources or go all-out-creative and make the biggest and best worlds imaginable in creative mode.

You experienced the Tetris effect after checking out the best Tetris games of all time, now prepare to dream in blocks and pixels after experiencing bonafide Minecraft mayhem!

22. Borderlands 2 (2012)

Borderlands 2 Game Case Cover Art
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/2k Games

Borderlands 2 is like entering a race with rocket-powered shoes. In other words, we’re pulling out all the stops to keep up the momentum of this article!

Borderlands 2 is a bit like Time Crisis on some heavy hallucinogenics. The characters and creatures in this game can best be described as the the very picture of insanity, and it makes for the liveliest multiplayer battles ever.

Players take control of fighters called Vault Hunters in a world where psychotic, lawless creeps want to see the world burn. Armed with a humongous arsenal of weapons and ferocious firepower, its your job to kick ass while staying alive.

Borderlands 2 gameplay
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/2k Games

A big part of this game’s pull is the ‘concept art’ comic book style graphics. It’s an FPS with RPG qualities and OSQs to complete (that’s ‘optional side quests, but I thought I’d go with the abbreviations a little longer).

Fans of titles such as Fortnite and Overwatch will be all over this mad game. Buy or steal weapons, use ace powers such as invisibility, and blast everyone in sight into oblivion.

With a budget of $35 million behind it and 200,000 copies sold, it’s safe to say that this is one of many successful titles on the console, and things are only going to get better from here on out!

23. Braid (2008)

Braid game case cover art
CREDIT: MICROSOFT

If you haven’t heard of or played Braid before, then you really must have been living under a rock this entire time.

Braid was the title that rocked the indie gaming world, for crying out loud! It introduced playing alongside versions of yourself in parallel worlds, rewinding time for any duration, and a game plot reminiscent of the film Memento.

Tim, our 2D protagonist, must save a princess, but that’s hardly the crux of the story. Each beautifully decorated level has hidden depths that uncover parts of Tim’s personality and mood.

Braid gameplay
CREDIT: MICROSOFT

The time changing mechanic allows players to create time warps and dilate time.

If I’m being honest, the whole thing feels like a mind game set by Stephen Hawking, which is how every puzzle game should feel.

Complete levels two through six to unlock the first level, thus learning the final pieces about Tim and his mission.

It’s a mind melter, I’ll give you that. Still, it’s one of the most cleverly put together games on the 360, and I’m a huge fan!

24. Street Fighter IV (2009)

Street Fighter IV game case cover art
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/Capcom

Street Fighter IV hardly needs an introduction. It was one of the most popular Xbox 360 games ever and one that hardly ever left my console.

Battle in best-of-three bouts to see who the ultimate Street Fighter is. Whether you’re a button masher or a careful combo concocter, this game is one of those multiplayer titles that is still as epic in 2021 as it was in 2009!

Play as classic characters like Zangief, Chun-Li, and Dhalsim alongside new faces like Crimson Fighter and El Fuerte.

Or just pick Ryu and do Hadouken over and over again

Street Fighter IV gameplay
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/Capcom

So what’s new in Street Fighter IV?

Well, Focus Attacks make an entrance for the first time. Absorb someones brutal attack by watching their movements and acting accordingly. If anything, it makes players slow down a little and concentrate on fighting tactics…

… or it’s supposed to do. I still button mash like crazy…

Something that I end up using due to my poor tactics choice is the revenge gauge. Take on damage and unlock the ability to pull off something called an ultra combo.

We’re talking epic cutscenes and moves that might end up turning the tide of the battle!

Yep, if you want arcade action on the Xbox, then this is the game to go to!

25. Rock Band (2007)

Rock Band xbox 360 game case

Can you remember where you were the first time you played Rock Band?

Playing plastic instruments with your mates in a living room, acting out epic moves like your favourite rockstars…

… it was basically Guitar Hero on steroids, which can only ever be a good thing.

Rock Band gameplay
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/Ea/harmonix

If you’re lacking in the friends department, then there’s always the option to play any of the instruments in solo mode.

Rock out while replicating vocals and baselines to classic tracks, racking up points for pulling off perfect notes and boasting supremely tight timing are par for the course.

Playing a band is by far the best part of this game, though be warned; bad playing brings the whole group’s score down.

Play too badly, and you’ll get locked out… and your bandmates might just choose not to revive you!

26. Mass Effect (2007)

Mass Effect game case cover art

If you’re into all of Tolkien’s back lore and the sheer depth that he put into his words, then you’ll love Mass Effect.

This first game in the phenomenal series is set in a custom-built, enormous world. This isn’t just an open world map plonked into a game; it’s brimming with alien civilisations, social constructs, traceable historical events…

… in short, it’s seriously intricate!.

Mass effect gameplay
CREDIT: MICROSOFT/Bioware

But what’s all the fuss about?

Well, players take Commander Shepard, the first human to join the intergalactic space council ‘The Spectres’, on a mission to stop a rogue agent from wreaking havoc in the universe.

Oh, so nothing too tough then, eh?

In true RPG fashion, Shepard can be completely altered to a gamers individual specification. He can even turn from being Mr Shepard to Mrs Shepard by clicking a button…

…I guess everything’s easier to organise in space.

With a superbly crafted morality engine, the chance to follow romantic ‘urges’, and some of the most detailed NPCs in any game, it’s physically impossible to not love Mass Effect

27. Bayonetta (2009)

Bayonetta game case cover art
Credit: Microsoft/sega

Everyone’s favourite Umbran Witch Bayonetta takes the 27th spot in our list, and she’s on a mission to regain her memories after 500 years of sleep

What, you didn’t realise you had a favourite Umbran witch? Doesn’t everyone?

Yes, Bayonetta has no clue what’s going on, but she certainly hasn’t forgotten how to kick ass.

Players fight their way through the sepia world of Vigrid, wielding everything from hair to insane guns along the way.

Bayonetta gameplay
Credit: Microsoft/sega

Yes; I did just say hair then!

Bayonetta can turn her hair into any object, probably even an armchair or a coat hanger. She sticks to making killer weapons with it, however, which is probably more of a witchy thing to do.

With two guns in her hands and two on her heels, Bayonetta is an absolute killing machine. And with the Neo-style ‘Witch Time’, players can take-down enemies with super fast speeds before they can even say ‘what does Umbran mean, anyway?’

28. Fifa 13 (2012)

Fifa 13 game case cover art

I’m pretty sure that every single one of you will have played at some point. Fifa 13 remains one of my favourite games for the 360, and back in 2012, me and my mates were glued to it.

You always knew when a Fifa game came out as 60% of the class, myself included, suddenly fell ill with some sort of mystery disease…

… footballitus or something similar…

Pick teams from your favourite leagues around the world, take control of superstar players, and smash the ball into the back of the net!

Simple, right?

Fifa 13 gameplay
Creidt: Microsoft/EA Sports

Of course, I know people think that each game is pretty much the same, but there are some nice differences to previous titles that make Fifa 13 a must-have game.

For starters, touch control made its debut in this game. It’s harder to guess attacks and pull them off, making the game feel more lifelike.

Also, remember Xbox Kinect, one of the best Xbox 360 accessories? Well, Fifa 13 was the first game to include compatibility for it.

That might be a good or bad thing dependant on how much you loved almost kicking your TV not the floor…

29. Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013)

Injustice: Gods Among Us game case
Credit: Microsoft/wb games

We’re guilty of not showing the Injustice series as much love as it deserves in the past. A fighting game with characters from the world of DC…

I know, we should have talked about this game way more, but we’re only human, and we’re making up for our mistake right now.

If you love the Mortal Kombat series, then this game is going to be a no brainer. Batman fighting Superman in a fight to see who is the ultimate winner… sign me up!

Injustice: Gods Among Us gameplay
Credit: Microsoft/wb games

Just listen to the choice of fighters in this game; Deathstroke, Joker, Black Adam, Flash. Batman, Green Lantern… the list goes on.

The game also features the wizardry of Ed Boon, one of the devs from Mortal Kombat Vs DC Universe and pretty much every other Mortal Kombat title out there too.

I cannot stress enough how much this game should be in your collection. If you thought the Marvel Vs Capcom games were great, then sink your teeth into this and get scrapping!

30. Lego Dimensions (2015)

Lego Dimensions game case cover art
Credit: Microsoft/wb games

What would you do if I told you that all of your favourite Lego characters would appear in one title together? Imagine that feeling you first had when you saw Samus going up against Marth in Smash Bros. Melee, but now think about Lego Gandalf and Lego Scooby Doo rubbing shoulders.

It’s a dream come true, right?

Lego Dimensions gameplay
Credit: Microsoft/wb games

Use the USB portal to bring Lego characters to life Amiibo style. That means more and more figurines to have on your table or shelf, adding to your Games Cave and making it the coolest room in the house.

Plus who wouldn’t want a little Lego Gandalf Figurine?

This game is massive; it just keeps going and going and there’s always something new that we spot everytime we play. It’s not for everyone because of the figurine aspect, but if you like getting tactile with your games, then definitely give it a go!

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