The original Xbox did okay, but it was theXbox 360that really put Microsoft’s family of consoles on the map. It was a fantastic system that provided a real challenge to PlayStation and Nintendo.
Of course, games are the most important thing for a console. A system with a lack of entertaining things to play on it isn’t that useful. Thankfully, from launch, there were many wonderful titles to play on the 360. In fact, there were great titles every single year, from its release in 2005 to when its successor launched in 2013. This is the top game from each year.
9Call Of Duty 2
2005
Other Notable Xbox 360 Games From 2005:Need For Speed: Most Wanted, Perfect Dark Zero, and Condemned: Criminal Origins.
The Xbox 360 was released late in 2005, so not many games came out on the system that year. Yet, there were a few gems, including Perfect Dark Zero and Call of Duty 2.
The latter is one of the best World War 2 shooters ever made, and since there have been a lot of them, that’s an impressive feat. It’s much simpler than the later Call of Duty titles, but it contains the smooth and satisfying gunplay for which the series is known.
8Gears Of War
2006
Other Notable Xbox 360 Games From 2006:The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas, and Dead Rising.
2006 was important for the Xbox 360 as it was its first full year of existence. As such, the console’s catalog grew significantly. This includes several iconic titles, such as the original Gears of War.
This exceptional third-person shooter served as the beginning of one of Xbox’s most reliable series. The fact most of those titles haven’t strayed too far from the core cover-based shooting of this first one proves how incredible this game is. It also boasts funny writing and a decent story.
7Halo 3
2007
Other Notable Xbox 360 Games From 2007:Bioshock, Mass Effect, and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Some of the most iconic Xbox 360 games of all time hit the shelves in 2007. Among that group was Halo 3, which is perhapsthe best FPS game on the Xbox 360.
It offers an epic campaign featuring Master Chief and The Arbiter taking the fight to both the Covenant and the Flood. Yet, the game’s incredible multiplayer is what really built its legacy. So many great game modes, weapons, and vehicles make it one of the best PvP multiplayer titles of all time.
6Fallout 3
2008
Other Notable Xbox 360 Games From 2008:Grand Theft Auto 4, Gears of War 2, and Fable 2.
A few huge games were released in 2008, from Grand Theft Auto 4 to Gears of War 2. Fallout 3 was the standout, as it’s an excellent RPG that completely changed the Fallout series forever.
From the moment you step out into the giant and fascinating wasteland, it’s easy to get hooked on this title. There’s just so much to see and do in the game. Plus, it’sa title where your choices really matter, which is always welcome in an RPG.
5Assassin’s Creed 2
2009
Other Notable Xbox 360 Games From 2009:Left 4 Dead 2, Batman: Arkham Asylum, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
Several of the Xbox 360’s best-ever games came out in 2009, meaning selecting the best one is tricky. That said, Assassin’s Creed 2 deserves plenty of praise. After all, the first game in the series had some good ideas but also plenty of problems.
The developers listened to fans' and critics' complaints, though, when making Assassin’s Creed 2. As such, it’s pretty much a perfect sequel, as it has all the good aspects of the first game with less of the bad. On top of that, it introduced the world to the charismatic Ezio, who is among the most likable protagonists in gaming.
4Mass Effect 2
2010
Other Notable Xbox 360 Games From 2010:Red Dead Redemption, Bayonetta, and Fallout: New Vegas
2010 was stacked when it came to Xbox 360 games. Therefore, you could argue for several games being that year’s best. Mass Effect 2, though, was the greatest entry in a wonderful action RPG series. The game boasts solid third-person cover-based gunplay, meaningful choices, and brilliant side quests.
Yet, the characters are the best part of the title. You spend much of the adventure recruiting plenty of interesting individuals who differ in both personalities and talents. Once they’re aboard, you get the chance to know them on a much deeper level, and most of them are well-written and very three-dimensional characters.
3Batman: Arkham City
2011
Other Notable Xbox 360 Games From 2011:Portal 2, Dark Souls, and The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
While it might be harsh on the ingenious Portal 2 and epic Skyrim to miss out on being 2011’s top game, Batman: Arkham City is the ultimate superhero title. In fact, it’s also one ofthe best-ever action-adventure games. After all, everything about the game is outstanding.
Special mention should be reserved for the title’s fluid hand-hand combat that feels incredibly satisfying. The story and characters are wonderful, too, helped by excellent writing and voice-acting work. The writers were even able to juggle a bunch of villains at once, which not every superhero story is capable of doing.
2012
Other Notable Xbox 360 Games From 2012:Dishonored, Borderlands 2, and Max Payne 3
2012 seemed to be the year of underrated games, as the likes of Dishonored, Max Payne 3, and XCOM all hit the shelves that year. TellTale’s The Walking Dead couldn’t be considered underrated, as it was more of a surprise hit that really helped start the trend of narrative choice-based adventure games.
It certainly increased TellTale’s popularity. This is because it’s a captivating experience filled with shocking moments, emotional scenes, and interesting characters. The simple gameplay that just revolves around talking and interacting with things works well and never gets boring.
1Grand Theft Auto 5
2013
Other Notable Xbox 360 Games From 2013:Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, Tomb Raider, and Diablo 3.
The Xbox 360’s successor, the Xbox One, was released in 2013. Yet that didn’t occur until late in the year, so 2013 was still about the 360. And it just so happens that one of the system’s greatest games—the extremely famous Grand Theft Auto 5—was released that year.
While its constant re-releases have gotten tiring, you shouldn’t forget how amazing this third-person open-world game is. It contains excellent writing and fascinating characters. Plus, the game boasts really solid driving mechanics and fun missions.
