Summary
- Many classic Xbox games like Halo: Combat Evolved and Fable have been re-released on later consoles.
- Lots of great racing games, like Forza Motorsport and Project Gotham Racing 2 are in the Xbox library.
- Steel Battalion, Jet Set Radio Future, and other Xbox exclusives offer immersive gameplay and high replayability.
Microsoft’s first foray into the video game console market was wildly successful with the original Xbox, managing to outsell the Sega Dreamcast and the Nintendo GameCube, even trying to challenge the almighty PlayStation 2. Some classic titles like Halo: Combat Evolved and Fable emerged from this debut console, both spawning multiple sequels.
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Naturally, like many others, these two Xbox exclusives have been re-released on later consoles, either in the form of a remaster or a remake. Other great games like Dead or Alive 3 and Panzer Dragoon Orta have been made available to purchase digitally on modern hardware, but there is still an ever-decreasing number of excellent games that can only be played on the original black Xbox.
10
Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix
High Octane Dancing Action
- Platform: Xbox
- Released: 2003-11-19
- Developer: Konami
- Genre: Rhythm
While not technically exclusive to the Xbox, since a slightly different version was available in arcades, Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix is a stellar entry in the series, paving the way for later boogie-based rhythm games like Just Dance. Featuring over 50 songs, plus dozens more through DLC, it was regarded by many in its day as one of the best dance games.
This entry was such a success that several sequels were released exclusively on Xbox and its successor consoles, with some narrowly missing out on this list. Making use of the brand new Xbox Live online service was a brilliant touch too, meaning many players could dance their socks off in multiplayer madness.
9
Amped 2
If Tony Hawk Made A Snowboarding Game
Amped 2
- Released
-
October 28, 2003
- Developer(s)
-
Indie Built
More high-octane action, this time taking to the slopes in Amped 2, a sequel to the Xbox launch title Amped. Utilizing Xbox Live for online play, this game features lots of character customization options and plenty of levels for players to sink their teeth into, performing tricks and searching for collectibles as they zoom down steep inclines.
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A further unlockable game mode involves snow skating, a sort of hybrid between skateboarding and snowboarding, which really highlights the similarities with the wildly popular Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games. There are 14 professionals to control, tons of tricks to perform, and the game even earned a sequel on the Xbox 360.
8
Steel Battalion
A Unique And Very Collectible Mech Game
Steel Battalion
- Released
-
November 21, 2002
- Developer(s)
-
Capcom Production Studio 4
Nowadays, it would be virtually impossible to put a game like Steel Battalion on the market, with its unique 44-button controller. Even in 2002, many of the developers working on it were skeptical, yet there was such a demand for the game that stocks quickly ran dry, and another batch of controllers had to be made.
Despite this, it barely turned a profit, but remains highly collectible to this day, especially the original controllers with their distinguishing green buttons. In terms of gameplay, it’s incredibly immersive, with every button serving a function and players having to manage every aspect of their bipedal mecha as they enter intense combat.
The Unique Online Only Sequel
- Platform: Xbox
- Released: 2004-02-26
- Developer: Capcom Production Studio 4
- Genre: Vehicular Combat
Capitalizing on the slightly unwieldy peripheral from the first game, a sequel was released, but now with online functionality, making use of Xbox Live. Steel Battalion: Line of Contact allows up to ten players to compete in 5-on-5 action, once again taking to the battlefield in their large Vertical Tanks.
Sadly, the servers for the Campaign Mode have since closed down, but any Steel Battalion enthusiast, or players who are curious, can still engage in the Free Mission game modes. The same intense gameplay is present here, just as in the first game, but now with the unpredictability of human opponents.
The Free Mission game modes are:
- Capture the Container: Similar to traditional Capture the Flag games, but instead, retrieving a container from the enemies and returning it to one’s home base.
- Conquest: Straightforward team battles, much like the Campaign mode.
- Battle Royale: No teams, every player for themselves, and the last one standing is the winner.
6
RalliSport Challenge 2
One Of The Best Racing Games Of Its Time
- Platform: Xbox
- Released: 2004-05-04
- Developer: Digital Illusions CE
- Genre: Racing, Motorsport
Vastly improving on its predecessor, RalliSport Challenge 2, is a car racing game by Swedish developers DICE. Several new features were added to great effect, including a Career Mode, environmental changes, and more of a focus on realism, especially in terms of handling and damage to the vehicles.
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Over 90 tracks and 40 vehicles make for endless replayability, and this is another title to utilize Xbox Live functionality. The graphics were incredibly stylish for the time and there are myriad types of races to choose from, such as:
- Career: Race through the game’s many tracks across four difficulty levels (Amateur, Pro, Champion, Superrally).
- Crossover: Racing on a looped circuit with switching lanes.
- Hill Climb: A race up an incline.
- Ice Racing: A race on an ice track.
- Rally: A solo race from point A to B, timed against opponents.
- Rallycross: A race against opponents on a track.
- Single Race: A casual mode, racing against one’s own time or against opponents.
- Time Attack: similar to Rally, racing against the times set by opponents.
5
MechAssault
Approachable Mechanized Warfare
- Platform: Xbox
- Released: 2002-11-12
- Developer: Day 1 Studios, FASA Studio
- Genre: Action, vehicular combat
A more approachable mech game with no fancy peripherals, MechAssault is perhaps best known for being one of the first games to make use of Xbox Live. While there is a perfectly enjoyable campaign, the online component was somewhat pioneering for the time, introducing many modes that are now staples of multiplayer.
Everything a player would expect is here, from Capture the Flag to Team Deathmatch, and the simpler controls than Steel Battalion are perhaps one of the reasons that this game vastly outsold it. While many may feel that the immersive experience in the latter is better, sometimes simplified gameplay using a normal controller is enough for maximum enjoyment, especially for more casual players.
4
Project Gotham Racing 2
Driving In Real Cities To Earn Kudos
Project Gotham Racing 2
- Released
-
November 18, 2003
- Developer(s)
-
Bizarre Creations
The first game in this series was already regarded as great, but Project Gotham Racing 2 is generally thought to be even better. Expanding the number of cars to over 120 and including many real-world cities, plus the famous Nurburgring in Germany, there is plenty on offer for racing fans.
Just as in the first game, the Kudos system is once again in place, encouraging players to not only drive fast, but also drive with style, in order to unlock new vehicles. Additionally, players have access to an in-game garage where they can play Geometry Wars, an arcade-style game that was so enjoyable it spawned its own series.
3
Unreal Championship
Bringing The Arena Battling Action To Consoles
- Platform: Xbox
- Released: 2002-11-12
- Developer: Digital Extremes, Epic Games
- Genre: First-person shooter
Essentially a console version of the popular FPS Unreal Tournament, Unreal Championship is yet another game to take advantage of the Xbox Live service and is even famous for being the first game to receive a post-launch patch update. The single-player campaign sees players form a team and climb the ranking ladder until the final matches crown a champion.
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It was widely praised as one of the best games in the FPS genre at the time, especially for a console game. As always with the Unreal series, there is a large focus on online gameplay, although the online modes can also be played offline with bots.
The different game modes available are:
- Bombing Run: Score points by either placing or shooting the bomb into the enemy goal.
- Capture the Flag: Steal the flag from the enemy base and return it to the friendly base.
- Deathmatch: Standard free-for-all; the last player standing wins.
- Double Domination: Capture and control two points on a map for ten seconds.
- Survival: 1v1 battles where the winner stays on and the loser queues up to battle again, with the overall winner being the first to reach a predetermined score.
- Team Deathmatch: Same as Deathmatch, but in teams.
2
Forza Motorsport
Fun And Customizable Driving Action
Forza Motorsport
- Released
-
May 3, 2005
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Seemingly made to compete with PlayStation’s juggernaut Gran Turismo series, Forza Motorsport is the first of many games in the franchise. Getting off to a flying start, this entry was thoroughly praised for its high levels of car customization, realistic damage, and the ease with which anyone could start playing.
There are well over 200 cars to control, from low-end commuter vehicles to high-performance racing cars, all of which can be modified in many ways, both visually and to upgrade various statistics. Multiple real-world tracks are featured, and the ‘Drivatar’ A.I. that learns to drive from the player was a refreshing concept at the time.
1
Jet Set Radio Future
The Sequel To The Dreamcast Classic
Jet Set Radio Future
- Released
-
February 25, 2002
- Developer(s)
-
Smilebit
The GGs are back in what is regarded as a masterpiece by many. The cel-shaded animation style helps Jet Set Radio Future maintain a timeless feel, and the excellent gameplay builds upon the superb Dreamcast game, with both games being very good reasons to own the two respective consoles.
Multiplayer, larger open-world environments, new characters, and a lot of refinement to the gameplay really set this game apart, not to mention the sublime soundtrack. Flowing effortlessly from one trick to another and seeking out graffiti tags make for very satisfying gameplay that still holds up over two decades from the initial release.
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