Summary

  • The original Xbox was essential in popularizing online multiplayer for consoles and breaking Sony and Nintendo's impending duopoly.
  • Xbox owners were treated to incredible games like Burnout 3, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, and Psychonauts.
  • Xbox also hosted classic games like Metal Gear Solid 2, Half-Life 2, Morrowind, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and Halo 2.

The Xbox 360 is the console that really allowed Microsoft to compete with Sony's PlayStation systems. However, that doesn't mean the original Xbox deserves to be overlooked. It was a great system in its own right that helped popularize online multiplayer on consoles and stopped the duopoly that Sony and Nintendo were seemingly creating at the time.

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Of course, the Xbox wouldn't be highly regarded at all if it didn't have any great games. Thankfully, though, during its four years of being Microsoft's main console and the several years it was still supported after that, owners of the console were treated to some incredible games. Here are the ones that stand out the most.

8 Burnout 3: Takedown

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Burnout 3: Takedown

Racing Released September 7, 2004 ESRB t Developer(s) Criterion Games Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Engine RenderWare Franchise Burnout Platform(s) PS2, Xbox (Original), Xbox 360 How Long To Beat 15 Hours Powered by Expand Collapse

Burnout 3: Takedown is one of the best titles in the Burnout series and is among the greatest racing games on the original Xbox. It doesn’t strive for the realism that others in the genre provide. Yet, it still isn’t as arcade-like as kart racers.

The game fits somewhere in the middle, as you drive real-looking cars around real-looking roads while causing a level of mayhem you only expect to see in arcade-like racing titles. It’s fast-paced fun, and ramming a car into a wall to take it out is one of the most satisfying experiences in gaming.

7 Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory

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Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory

Stealth Action Released March 28, 2005 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Annecy Publisher(s) Ubisoft Engine Unreal Engine 2 Franchise Splinter Cell Platform(s) Nintendo DS, Nintendo GameCube, PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox (Original), Xbox 360, Xbox One How Long To Beat 13 Hours Powered by Expand Collapse

If the world never receives another Splinter Cell game, then Chaos Theory may go down as the best in the series. That's no easy feat because most of them are great. Yet, Chaos Theory rises above other entries in the series and most other stealth games in general because of its smooth and satisfying stealth mechanics. Creeping around in the shadows has never felt so good.

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It was also the entry that added more brutality to the series. In the first two games, things were fairly tame, but the killing and violence were ramped up for Chaos Theory. Even without that brutality, the game would still be excellent, but it adds an extra edge to the experience.

6 Psychonauts

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Psychonauts

3D Platformer Released April 19, 2005 ESRB e Developer(s) Double Fine Publisher(s) Majesco Entertainment Engine Proprietary Engine Platform(s) PC, PS2, PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Linux, Xbox 360 How Long To Beat 12 Hours Powered by Expand Collapse

Psychonauts is a 3D platformer about a young boy named Raz, who has psychic abilities. He's not the only one. In fact, you see a whole camp of them at the start of the game, as they're vying to become a Psychonaut, which is basically a psychic spy. Raz attempts to join the team, which kickstarts the adventure.

The adventure is unique, as it involves Raz entering people's minds, which serve as the game's levels. Each one is very surreal and creative. They're also distinct from one another, as everyone's mind is different. The unique and well-designed levels are really what makes this a classic 3D platformer.

5 Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance

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Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance

Shooter Action Released November 5, 2002 ESRB m Developer(s) Konami, Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, Bluepoint Games Publisher(s) Konami Engine fox engine Franchise Metal Gear Solid Platform(s) PS2, PS3, Xbox (Original), Microsoft Windows, PS Vita How Long To Beat 14 hours Powered by Expand Collapse

A Metal Gear Solid game on Xbox always feels a little weird, as historically, it was more of a PlayStation series with several entries exclusive to Sony platforms. Yet, Xbox did get the Substance version of Metal Gear Solid 2. It is barely different from the original MGS2, except it has additional content.

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This is an excellent thing, as MGS2 is one of the best stealth games of all time. It makes sneaking around areas, choking people out, and hiding in lockers a lot of fun. The game also has a complex but compelling main narrative revolving around a terrorist attack on an oil clean-up facility.

4 Half-Life 2

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Half-Life 2

Shooter Released November 16, 2004 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence Developer(s) Valve Publisher(s) Valve Engine source, havok Franchise Half-Life Platform(s) PC, Xbox 360, Xbox (Original), PS3, macOS, Linux, Android How Long To Beat 13 Hours Powered by Expand Collapse

The first Half-Life game was known for being one of the most original and creative first-person shooters ever. Thankfully, the second game isn't a step-down. In fact, it's perhaps the superior of the two, and it was released on the original Xbox.

The game puts you into the shoes of silent protagonist Gordon Freeman, who leads the resistance in an attempt to save Earth from the Alien empire known as the Combine. As you expect with an FPS, it includes plenty of shooting. Yet, it isn't just non-stop action. There are also unique puzzle sections that utilize the game's advanced physics engine.

3 The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind

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The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

RPG Released May 1, 2002 ESRB T For Teen due to Blood, Violence Developer(s) Bethesda Game Studios Publisher(s) Bethesda Softworks Engine Gamebryo Franchise The Elder Scrolls Platform(s) PC, Xbox (Original) How Long To Beat 45 Hours Powered by Expand Collapse

Most of the Elder Scrolls games are well-received, but Morrowind is among the best of the best. It was released in 2002 when open-world gameplay was still very much in its infancy. So, Morrowind's open feel and sizeable game world were pretty ground-breaking at the time. The fact that the world happens to be very detailed and enjoyable to wander around is a nice bonus.

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The title also offers deep RPG mechanics and solid combat. The story is good, too, which is helped by the fact that Elder Scrolls has some of the deepest Lore in gaming history.

2 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

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Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Action Adventure Released October 26, 2004 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs Developer(s) Rockstar Games Publisher(s) Rockstar Games Engine RenderWare Franchise Grand Theft Auto Platform(s) PS2, PS3, Xbox (Original), Xbox 360, PC, macOS, iOS, Android How Long To Beat 30 Hours Powered by Expand Collapse

These days, GTA games are few and far between. Back in the 2000s, though, several came out on the original Xbox. The best of them is San Andreas, which is set in fictional versions of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. They serve as detailed sandboxes for you to run around in and cause chaos.

You do so while controlling a man named CJ, who returns to his old home after his mom passes away, and he quickly gets dragged into gang activity. The shooting mechanics don't quite hold up perfectly. However, the mission design and writing are still outstanding.

1 Halo 2

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Halo 2

Shooter Released September 4, 2004 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Violence Developer(s) Bungie Publisher(s) Microsoft Game Studios Engine havok Franchise Halo Platform(s) Xbox (Original), PC How Long To Beat 9 Hours Powered by Expand Collapse

Halo is arguably the series most synonymous with the Xbox brand. The original console was treated to Combat Evolved and Halo 2. The latter is marginally better. In fact, Halo 2 is still among the best games in the series to this day.

It has a fantastic campaign that features both Master Chief and The Arbiter in the lead roles. They both have their own things going on that relate to humanity's war with the Covenant and the Flood. The exciting and balanced PvP multiplayer is really what made the game an original Xbox classic, though. The exceptional first-person shooter gunplay also helped its reputation.

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