Summary
- Xbox's backwards compatibility allows us to re-experience many beloved Xbox 360 games on modern hardware, but some remain stuck in the past.
- Quality titles like Transformers: War For Cybertron and Stranglehold are still stranded on Xbox 360.
- Nostalgia for older games like X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Forza Motorsport titles remains strong.
As the years roll on and console generations pass us by, many gamers develop a strong nostalgia for the games of yesteryear. That's why initiatives like Xbox's backwards compatibility push are so beloved; they let us re-experience some of our fondest gaming memories on modern hardware.
Related10 Best Xbox 360 Games That Run At 4K On Xbox Series X
From Red Dead Redemption to Ninja Gaiden 2, here are the best Xbox 360 games that can run at 4K on Xbox Series X!
PostsMicrosoft has done a great job taking hundreds of games from the 360 generation and making them available to play on its current consoles. However, that doesn't mean there haven't been quality titles that have slipped through the cracks. Whether it be due to license troubles or defunct developers, there are still great games stranded on the Xbox 360.
Updated on September 14, 2024 by Aidan Cannon: No good game is ever truly lost to time. Marvel vs. Capcom 2 has been taken off the list, as it was brought to modern platforms in the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection. We've also added more games that we'd love to see escape the Xbox 360!
12 Transformers: War For Cybertron
Giving The Fans What They Wanted
CloseTransformers: War for Cybertron
Third-Person Shooter Adventure Released June 22, 2010 Developer(s) High Moon Studios Publisher(s) High Moon Studios Powered by Expand CollapseIn the mid-2000s to early 2010s, the cultural understanding of Transformers largely revolved around Michael Bay's cinematic outings. Alongside this, Hasbro and Activision released a game that paid a bit more love to the source material.
War for Cybertron was a Transformers fan's dream. A high-budget third-person shooter that dove deep into the established series canon, featured multiple campaigns, and most importantly, didn't focus on humans. You could freely transform between robot and vehicle forms, with both styles of play rewarded in combat. The love for this game and its sequel, Fall of Cybertron, is well documented, and they would be great candidates for ports to modern consoles.
11 Stranglehold
Max Payne, But Make It Hong Kong
CloseDid you know there's a video game sequel to John Woo's Hard Boiled? In 2007, Midway Chicago (the team that later became Netherrealm Studios), worked with the legendary action director to create Stranglehold. They even got Chow Yun-fat back to lend his likeness and voice to Inspector Tequila.
The game takes obvious inspiration from Max Payne, as you enter slow motion constantly while shooting enemies. The developers took environmental interaction to the next level, mimicking the over-the-top style of John Woo films. Unfortunately, with all the rights and licensing associated with the project, not to mention Midway going out of business, it's unlikely that we'll see Tequila on new systems anytime soon.
10 Soulcalibur 4
Swords, Souls, And... Lightsabers?
CloseSoulcalibur 4
Fighting Released July 29, 2008 Developer(s) Project Soul Publisher(s) Namco Bandai Games Powered by Expand CollapseSoulcalibur has never been the most popular fighting game series, but it's always maintained a loyal fan base, particularly back when entries were released more frequently. The fourth game in the series was the first to be developed for the Xbox 360, and received strong review scores across the board.
Related10 Narrative-Driven Xbox 360 And PS3 Games That Need A Remaster
These games deserve a remaster as much as any other game, if not more.
PostsThe fan-favorite character customization was brought back, this time allowing you to alter a character's stats based on what equipment you gave them. However, the game is perhaps most recognized for its guest characters. Soulcalibur has a history of including fighters from other properties in its roster, but it's hard to be more high-profile than Darth Vader, Yoda, and Starkiller from The Force Unleashed. If Disney plays nice, maybe we could see this game return.
9 Spider-Man: Web Of Shadows
Exploring A Darker Spider-Man
CloseSpider-Man: Web of Shadows
Action-Adventure Beat 'Em Up Released October 21, 2008 Developer(s) Treyarch Publisher(s) Activision Powered by Expand CollapseInsomniac's Spider-Man games get a lot of things right. Their stories are excellently acted, written, and directed, but sometimes you want a game that lets you steer the narrative, taking the iconic webhead and deciding whether he'll be a paragon of justice, or succumb to his inner demons. Sometimes, you want a game like Web of Shadows.
On the surface, Web of Shadows is just another open-world Spider-Man game, freed of its predecessors' restrictive movie tie-in shackles. However, it has a lot of original ideas that have not been revisited in the following games. It gives Peter access to both his classic red and evil symbiote suits, and during key moments in the plot, lets you decide if Spidey will do the right thing or embrace his selfish desires. It's without a doubt one of the most interesting Spider-Man games ever made, and we hope for a re-release in the future.
8 Blitz: The League 2
Football, But Somehow More Violent
CloseIn an industry saturated by yearly sports titles, it takes a unique angle to stand out from the crowd, doubly so if you aren't able to license teams and players from a recognized league. Luckily, that's exactly what Midway was able to do, launching Blitz: The League 2 in 2008. The game was a continuation of its popular NFL Blitz series, now operating without the league's license.
The developers took the natural violence of football and ramped it up to an extreme level. Hits could severely injure players, and you're treated to incredibly gory animations depicting bones breaking or tendons snapping, similar to Mortal Kombat's X-ray attacks. There aren't many arcade sports titles anymore, and certainly none that are rated M for Mature, so it would be interesting to see the Blitz series return.
7 Blur
Multiplayer Racing At Its Finest
CloseBlur
Racing Sports Simulation Released May 25, 2010 Developer(s) Bizarre Creations Publisher(s) Activision, activision blizzard Powered by Expand CollapseIf you're looking for racers packed with power-ups and weapons outside of Nintendo consoles, your options will be incredibly limited. That's why Blur has garnered such a cult following; its mix of traditional arcade gameplay and vehicle combat creates a unique game that stands out among all the 360's shooters and sports titles.
6:23 RelatedBest Digital-Only Xbox 360 Games
With the unfortunate shutdown of the Xbox 360 storefront, many games and memories will be forgotten. Check out some of our favorite digital only titles!
PostsGamers weren't the only ones who loved Blur; critics showered the game with praise, earning it a Metacritic in the low 80s. It was published by Activision, so we could see the property reemerge at some point in the future, if only as a backwards-compatible title.
6 Deadpool
The Merc With A Mouth Returns
CloseDeadpool
Action Hack and Slash Released June 25, 2013 Developer(s) High Moon Studios Publisher(s) Activision Powered by Expand CollapseDuring Deadpool's meteoric rise in the 2010s, High Moon Studios partnered with Marvel to bring the Merc with a Mouth to the Xbox 360. Though it was still a few years before he debuted on the big screen, the video game helped raise Deadpool's public profile and cemented Nolan North as one of the definitive voices for the character.
Over ten years from its original launch, Deadpool is still a dominant player in a culture obsessed with superheroes. It was made available on Xbox One briefly, but was later delisted due to Activision's deal with Marvel expiring. If the two entities reach a new agreement, we could definitely see Deadpool's solo outing return.
5 Need For Speed: Most Wanted
Winning Races And Running From The Cops
CloseNeed for Speed: Most Wanted
Racing Released October 30, 2012 Developer(s) Criterion Games Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Powered by Expand CollapseNeed for Speed used to rule the world. Entries in the racing series came out every year, delighting fans with their high-speed races. The series isn't as prolific anymore, but there's a lot of nostalgia for the older games, Most Wanted included.
Most Wanted was Criterion Games' second effort in the series. It brought its Burnout sensibilities with them, focusing on taking opposing racers down with a variety of techniques and causing massive crashes. Most Wanted also sports a large open world, giving you the ultimate speed sandbox to play in. A future remaster of this game seems likely, given that both Criterion's Burnout: Paradise and Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit were ported to newer systems.
4 Alpha Protocol
A Unique Spin On The Spy Genre
CloseAlpha Protocol
Action RPG Released June 1, 2010 Developer(s) Obsidian Entertainment Publisher(s) Sega Powered by Expand CollapseWhile there are many games that fall into the same popular trappings, such as war, science-fiction, and medieval fantasy, the world of international spycraft is largely untouched. Obsidian Entertainment identified this gap in the market and launched Alpha Protocol in 2010, leveraging their RPG experience to craft a unique espionage adventure.
5:40 RelatedRarest Xbox 360 Games And How Much They're Worth
If you own any of these Xbox 360 games, you may want to think about selling them. If you're looking to buy them, get ready for some headaches.
PostsIt wasn't perfect by any means; there were plenty of bugs that ruined the experience for some. However, Alpha Protocol still has avid defenders, and even its harshest critics concede that the game is built upon a fascinating concept. A remaster could remove any lingering issues and preserve this one-of-a-kind game for future generations.
3 Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
Bringing Tony Hawk Into High Definition
CloseTony Hawk's American Wasteland
Sports Systems Released October 18, 2005 ESRB T For Teen Developer(s) Neversoft Publisher(s) Activision Engine Unreal Engine Multiplayer Local Multiplayer Franchise Tony Hawk's Number of Players 1-2 Powered by Expand CollapseTony Hawk is an icon of 2000s gaming and made his way to the HD era in 2005 with American Wasteland. Not only did fans get to experience the smooth gameplay of the series looking better than ever, this entry also introduced the idea of having one giant level, rather than separate ones you select from a menu.
The game's storyline revolves around the Skate Ranch, a skate park that you'll spend most of your time in. As you progress through the campaign, you unlock more areas in the park, further adding to your skateboarding sandbox. With the release of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 remasters, maybe we can see other games in the series make a comeback.
