Microsoft’s inventiveness in entering the console market is shown in the best initial Xbox titles. The powerful, online-ready platform and one of the finest FPS games make Xbox a strong contender to replace the Sega Dreamcast. Microsoft succeeded in targeting a maturing population of video game gamers yearning for PC-quality games on a console with the best original Xbox games. Although they lack the turbo-charged game engines of the top Xbox Series X games, the classic games on this list show Microsoft’s outstanding back catalog that helped it become a legend. Best original Xbox games are legendary for their intense racing, high-octane action, enjoyable RPGs, and revolutionary first-person shooters. Here are our best picks for the perfect nostalgia journey.
Amped is available on Xbox Games
Software developer: Access
Released: 2001
While not as crazy as the SSX series, Indie Built’s early Xbox game is a more grounded snowboarding experience. Its open-ended gameplay lets you shape your own path down each mountain, making Amped beautiful. Amped thrives on exploration, whether it’s trekking off-piste to uncover each level’s hidden snowmen or finding nearby photographers for that ideal money shot. Snowboarders will prefer the original because each sequel got sillier.
Steel Battalion is available on Xbox games
Developed by Capcom
Released: 2002
This amazing mech blaster is one of the most engrossing Xbox games. The Vertical Tank’s massive 40-button controller makes starting it exciting as you punch buttons and flick switches. The game is as difficult as its button settings, like a simulator as you use the dual-stick controls to keep your tank upright while being attacked by the game’s fierce AI. If you can afford the premium price, the original is the best of two sequels.
Call of Cthulhu
Developer: Headfirst Productions
Released: 2005
One of the best survival horror games on Xbox is this evil reinterpretation of HP Lovecraft’s The Shadow Over Innsmouth. Your adventure is linear, but it has memorable setpieces like a frantic chase through a dilapidated hotel and many interesting game mechanics, such as a clever damage system that affects your avatar differently depending on where they’re injured. You’ll remember the strange, unpleasant journey long after you finish it.
Forza Motorsport 22
Developer: Turn 10
Released: 2005
Windows’ 2005 Gran Turismo competitor was a hit. An huge career mode, over 200 cars, and a ludicrous amount of adjustable choices would please the greatest gearhead, along with its outstanding internet possibilities and realistic physics that applied to cars as they suffered more damage during races. The internet mode is gone, but the difficult career mode showcases Microsoft’s console power.
Xbox Ninja Gaiden
Developer: Team Ninja
Released: 2004
Dark Souls is considered one of the hardest games ever. However, Team Ninja’s Xbox exclusive Ninja Gaiden, a 3D remake of the 8-bit action side-scroller, could also claim this title. Ninja Gaiden Black, a brutal and punishing game for its time, showed how the Xbox backwards-compatibility program could make old Xbox games look new.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Xbox One)
Developer: Moon Studios
Released: 2020
Metroidvanias are popular now, and Ori is one of the best. A game that tests your gaming skills and touches your heart. Ori and the Will of the Wisps do what every great sequel should do, improving and adding new elements, including combat, while also becoming one of the best next-gen games, rendering at 6K on Series X.
Jet Set Radio Future
Developer: Sega
Released:2002
Microsoft entered the console wars just as Sega left, but some may argue the Xbox was a spiritual successor to the Dreamcast. The Japanese company also made exclusives for the console, including a sequel to one of the most stylish games ever created with its toon-like visuals and catchy soundtrack. Jet Set Radio Future is the only game on this list that isn’t playable on a current platform, adding to its cult reputation. Can someone fix that?
Lost Odyssey
Developer: Mistwalker
Released: 2007
Microsoft invested in Mistwalker, founded by Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, and Lost Odyssey was its crowning achievement. It’s a classic turn-based role-playing game, but by investigating immortality, it boasts one of the strongest stories in the genre, with emotionally rich writing, incredible voice acting, and the most charming (or least obnoxious) child characters ever.
Super Meat Boy , Xbox 360
Developer: Team Meat
Released: 2010
Xbox Live Arcade in the 360 era helped indie game creators rise, allowing more people with ideas to sell games for a few pennies. Super Meat Boy is the hardcore highlight, as the titular hero grapples one brutally difficult level after another with precise platforming or dies. Gamers still enjoy getting pushed through the meat grinder.
Metal Wolf Chaos
Developer: FromSoftware
Released: 2004
From Software’s insane mech game is expensive and won’t operate on PAL machines, but it’s worth pursuing. There are several Xbox mech games, but few let you act as America’s president and unleash widespread havoc like From Software’s rowdy shooter. Play is rapid and fluid, with arcade-style thrills and over-the-top fireworks, unlike Steel Battalion. Mechanically it’s basic, but with over 100 weapons to manufacture and wield, few Xbox games offer as much value. You can save money with the HD version.
Jade Empire
Developer: FromSoftware
Released: 2004
From Software’s insane mech game is expensive and won’t operate on PAL machines, but it’s worth pursuing. There are several Xbox mech games, but few let you act as America’s president and unleash widespread havoc like From Software’s rowdy shooter. Play is rapid and fluid, with arcade-style thrills and over-the-top fireworks, unlike Steel Battalion. Mechanically it’s basic, but with over 100 weapons to manufacture and wield, few Xbox games offer as much value. You can save money with the HD version.
PGR2
Developer: Bizarre Creations
Released 2003
The Xbox launch title’s sequel improved greatly due to its improved driving mechanics and online functionality. Although its servers have since shut down, Bizarre’s sequel’s core experience remains: its beautifully crafted Kudos World Series mode, which lets you drive as stylishly as possible in 11 real-world cities, including Barcelona, Edinburgh, and Sydney, while trying to master 14 car categories. If you become bored, you can blast shapes in the great Geometry Wars mini-game.
Psychonauts
Developer:Double Fine Productions
Released: 2005
Few Xbox games are as amusing as Double Fine’s first. Many of Tim Schafer’s LucasArts team members contributed to Psychonauts’ crisp dialogue, unique gameplay mechanics, and effortlessly amusing humor. Raz’s psychic talents lead to some incredibly innovative level designs, which become even more bizarre as you explore characters’ “mental worlds” in this platformer. Schafer’s game was creative and full of interesting NPCs, but it took 16 years for a sequel.
OutRun 2006
Developer: Sumo Digital
Released: 2006
We usually only feature system exclusives, but Sumo’s port of the arcade racer is so amazing we had to include it. It includes the 2004 follow-up SP and a near-perfect port of the 2003 arcade game. That means 30 amazing settings to drift through and the massive Coast 2 Coast mission mode, where you must drift for as long as possible and outmaneuver your opponent to keep your sweetheart. A HD remake is needed for this game.
Conclusion
Finally, the original Xbox’s innovative and entertaining games changed the gaming business. From violent mech combat to evocative survival horror, the platform had something for everyone. Microsoft’s console debut showed its commitment to excellent gaming, paving the path for future success. Reminiscing about the best Xbox games shows that gamers worldwide still love them.
From Ninja Gaiden’s difficult gameplay to Lost Odyssey’s engrossing storytelling, each game helped the Xbox become a gaming powerhouse. We shouldn’t forget the original Xbox and its incredible library as we look ahead to the future of gaming.