Xbox 360 Games That Should Get The Recompilation Treatment

The Xbox 360 had an unforgettable library of games, but many of its best titles are now stranded on aging hardware with no official way to play them on modern systems. Whether they were delisted, never ported, or simply left behind by time, these games deserve another shot—and thanks to the recent breakthroughs in recompilation technology, they might just get one. The XenonRecomp tool, which converts Xbox 360 executables into C++ code, has already made waves by enabling an unofficial Sonic Unleashed PC port, and since this tool is publicly available, it’s only a matter of time before fans turn their attention to other classics.

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10

Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation

The One That Got Left Behind

Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation

Released

October 23, 2007

Ace Combat 6 is the definition of a game that deserves better. Despite being one of the best arcade flight sims ever made, it was only released on Xbox 360. No PC version, no modern console release, just an old disc gathering dust. This is a game that lets players dogfight over sprawling, fully realized battlefields, engage in multi-stage air-to-ground combat, and pull off cinematic maneuvers that feel straight out of Top Gun.

The real tragedy is that later entries in the Ace Combat series have been ported to PC, but Fires of Liberation never got the same treatment. The game still looks fantastic today, with massive, detailed environments and stunning skyboxes that make every sortie feel grand. Right now, the only way to play it outside of an original 360 is through backwards compatibility on an Xbox One or Series X|S, but a PC port would finally let it soar to new heights.

9

Condemned 2: Bloodshot

A Lost Horror Classic

Systems

Released

March 11, 2008

ESRB

M // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

Fans of psychological horror know that Condemned 2: Bloodshot isn’t just another first-person brawler—it’s one of the most brutally immersive horror games of its era. The original Condemned got a PC release, but for some reason, its sequel never did, making it one of the hardest horror gems to access today.

The game’s melee combat is still one of the most visceral in gaming, with every punch, kick, and pipe swing carrying a sickening weight. Players step into the shoes of a now-disgraced Ethan Thomas, whose journey into madness is matched only by the game’s increasingly unhinged atmosphere. Bloodshot ramped up the supernatural horror elements, introduced a bizarre (but memorable) drinking mechanic, and delivered some of the most disturbing moments in horror gaming history. The infamous “mannequin scene” alone is enough to make any player reconsider turning off the lights.

Recompiling this one wouldn’t just be a win for preservation, it would be a gift to horror fans who never got to experience its nightmare fuel firsthand.

8

Saints Row

The Streets Need Saints Row Back

Open-World

Action-Adventure

Shooter

Racing

Systems

Released

September 1, 2006

ESRB

18+

Before the Saints Row series embraced full-on mayhem with superpowers and aliens, it was a gritty open-world crime saga that gave Grand Theft Auto some serious competition. The first game, simply titled Saints Row, never left the Xbox 360. Every sequel made it to PC, but the one that started it all? Still trapped in the past.

This is a game that laid the groundwork for what would become one of the most beloved open-world franchises. The customization, the gang warfare, the chaotic firefights—it was all there. While later entries went bigger and wilder, Saints Row had a grounded charm, with a focus on street-level crime and territory control that was later abandoned.

Recompilation would finally let fans see where it all began and, more importantly, allow them to play it without digging up an old console. Given that the recent Saints Row reboot didn’t quite land with longtime fans, this could be the perfect way to remind people why the franchise became a hit in the first place.

7

Blue Dragon

A Forgotten RPG Treasure

Systems

Released

August 28, 2007

ESRB

t

Somehow, a JRPG made by Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, featuring character designs from Dragon Ball’s Akira Toriyama and music composed by Nobuo Uematsu, was only released on Xbox 360. Blue Dragon was Microsoft’s first big push to appeal to JRPG fans, and while it never reached the heights of Final Fantasy, it became a cult favorite among those who gave it a shot.

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The game’s unique combat system, which allows players to charge up attacks for more power, gave battles an extra layer of strategy. And the shadow-based abilities added a distinct flavor to character progression. It’s an old-school turn-based JRPG with a grand adventure, colorful characters, and a world that feels both familiar and fresh.

A recompilation would finally free it from its console prison, giving new players a chance to experience a charming JRPG that deserves way more love than it gets.

6

Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts

The Most Misunderstood Banjo-Kazooie Game

Platformer

Action-Adventure

Racing

Sports

Simulation

Systems

Released

November 11, 2008

ESRB

t

Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts is easily the most controversial entry in the series. Instead of traditional platforming, it focused on vehicle-building, which turned off longtime fans. But for those who gave it a chance, it offered an incredibly creative sandbox that let players build and modify wild contraptions to tackle challenges in unique ways.

The game’s biggest problem? It never had a proper audience. It came out at a time when players wanted another classic Banjo platformer, not a physics-based vehicle creator. But in hindsight, its creativity and depth deserve a second look. The vehicle-building system was genuinely ahead of its time, allowing for ridiculous levels of customization. And even though it wasn’t the Banjo game people expected, it still had the same charm, humor, and lovable characters.

A PC recompilation would be the perfect way to reintroduce Nuts & Bolts to a new audience—one that might finally appreciate what Rare was trying to do.

5

Project Gotham Racing 4

The Best Racer You Can’t Play

Systems

Released

October 2, 2007

Developer(s)

Bizarre Creations

ESRB

e // Mild Lyrics

Racing fans will tell you that Project Gotham Racing 4 was something special. It balanced arcade-style thrills with just enough realism to keep things engaging, and its Kudos system rewarded stylish driving, not just speed. The car list was fantastic, the track selection was varied, and the addition of motorcycles added even more depth.

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The problem? It’s trapped on the Xbox 360, with no official way to play it on modern hardware. Unlike Forza, which continued to thrive, PGR was quietly left behind. And with the Forza Horizon series taking over the arcade racing scene, PGR never got the send-off it deserved.

A recompilation wouldn’t just bring back an incredible racing game—it would revive a franchise that many still consider to be one of the best in the genre.

4

Asura’s Wrath

The Game That Asked, “What If Anime, But More?”

Systems

Released

February 21, 2012

ESRB

T For Teen // Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence

Asura’s Wrath was an anime fever dream come to life. This Capcom cult classic blended cinematic storytelling with absurd action, pushing players through battles where gods hurled planets and rage-powered warriors defied logic itself. Beneath the chaos, though, was a surprisingly emotional tale of betrayal and vengeance, inspired by Hindu and Buddhist mythology.

Despite its brilliance, Asura’s Wrath was left in the dust, never getting a PC release or even a proper ending—the real finale was locked behind DLC. A recompilation could finally deliver the full story, enhance its visuals, and bring this over-the-top spectacle to modern audiences. Given how much love games like Metal Gear Rising have gotten in recent years, this is the perfect time to reintroduce players to one of gaming’s most ridiculous yet oddly heartfelt action epics.

3

Forza Horizon

The Festival That Started A Franchise

Systems

Released

October 23, 2012

ESRB

t // Drug Reference, Language, Suggestive Themes

Before Forza Horizon became an open-world racing juggernaut, it was an ambitious spin-off that redefined the series. Trading in closed circuits for a fictionalized Colorado, it let players embrace the thrill of street racing while keeping Forza’s signature handling intact. The mix of festival vibes, licensed music, and stunning environments made it a fresh, unforgettable experience.

But Forza Horizon is unplayable today unless you own an Xbox 360 disc. Licensing issues led to its digital delisting, and it’s the only entry in the series that never made it to PC. A recompilation could preserve its legacy, finally letting modern players experience where it all began. The game’s stunning lighting and open-world freedom still hold up—now imagine it with a proper remaster, higher frame rates, and a chance to revisit the first Horizon festival in all its neon-lit glory.

2

Fable 2

The Fantasy Epic That Xbox Forgot

Systems

Released

October 21, 2008

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Language, Sexual Content, Use of Alcohol, Violence

Fable 2 is one of the best RPGs ever made, yet it was only released on Xbox 360. It expanded Albion into a living, breathing world where every choice shaped your hero’s fate—whether that meant saving villagers or, more importantly, kicking chickens. Its combat mixed swords, guns, and magic, but the real heart of the game was its humor, emotional depth, and, of course, the beloved dog companion.

A recompilation could finally give Fable 2 the attention it deserves. Modern hardware could smooth out its aging mechanics, fix performance hiccups, and make its charming, fairy-tale world shine. With Fable set to make a grand return, there’s no better time to remind players why this series was once the heart of Xbox’s RPG lineup.

1

Lost Odyssey

The Best JRPG Nobody Played

Systems

Released

February 12, 2008

ESRB

T // Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence

Few RPGs hit as hard as Lost Odyssey. Designed by Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, this Xbox-exclusive JRPG followed Kaim, an immortal warrior burdened by centuries of memories. Its turn-based combat was deep yet familiar, and its “Thousand Years of Dreams” short stories delivered some of gaming’s most emotional storytelling.

Despite its brilliance, Lost Odyssey was never ported to PC, leaving it stranded on outdated hardware. A recompilation could finally bring it to a wider audience, letting players experience its stunning soundtrack, heartfelt narrative, and rich world. It’s a lost classic that deserves a second chance.

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