Microsoft’s entry into the console gaming industry was announced with brilliant games. Many of these have stood the test of time and remain among the best original Xbox games of all time.
With these incredible games in mind, here is an opportunity to put on your retro boots and reminisce about some of the most amazing gaming masterpieces that were designed for the original version.
Too many to mention them all, here are few to be remembered.
Best Original Xbox Game Jade Empire
Designed to feature tasty graphics and a stunning plotline, Jade Empire is an action RPG that took inspiration from ancient Chinese folklore and tales.
As one of the best Xbox original games, Jade Empire has a morality element in which specific actions by the player will reveal the path that they will find themselves on.
Each action has a meaning and purpose, so how your character is transformed throughout the game is clearly manifested. Points are awarded for the attainment of skills.
Best Original Xbox Game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
The GTA series is one of the best console games out there. Its theme is based around street gangs and tells the story of their turf wars in 1990s LA.
This game was designed around San Andreas and includes:
- Fast cars
- Guns
- Sex
- Crime
- Drugs
- Money
Money can be earned through defeating rival gangs, burglary and even killing anyone with a lot of it. Get immersed into the life of a bad-ass gangster.
Best Original Xbox Game Halo 2
This classic has to feature on any list of the best original Xbox games ever. Halo 2 was not just a game. Many loved it so much it was almost an institution.
Different from the first offering, Halo 2 worked brilliantly with an online multiplayer feature that propelled this console to fame as one of the best live-gaming platforms.
Halo 2 offered super smooth gameplay along with bad guys that would become some of the most memorable of any game.
Best Original Xbox Game Fable
Fable is another worthy inclusion on this list of top original Xbox games. The fact that the game offered you the option to specialize in some abilities made it an epic release.
You could choose to be good or bad, which meant you had many ways to play.
It included a compelling story with cool moves and the ability to customize your character to adopt new armor and weaponry, which all added to the overall enjoyment factor.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Many people are excited to explore Star Wars titles. The Knights of the Old Republic game features a similar style to Jade Empire with equally stunning and richly created worlds.
Set 4,000 years before the Galactic Empire was formed, the game allows characters to join either the Dark Side or the Light Side, depending on their actions as the game progresses.
With over 300 characters to encounter, the game effortlessly wins a spot among the best original Xbox games.
Beyond Good & Evil
Beyond Good & Evil stars Jade, an adventurer with a powerful stick and impressive martial skills.
If you enjoy solving puzzles, then this Xbox original could be among your most preferred games. Along with Pey’j, you have to fight in an exciting world set in 2435.
Jade’s mission is to rescue captured orphans. Using her powerful skills, she can push, pull, climb, run, sneak and fight in each level, and the game has tons of problems to solve.
Original Xbox Racing Games list
If you’ve ever owned an Xbox, then you’ve probably had some racing games in your collection. We’ve decided to compile a list of some of the best Xbox original racing games.
The Best Original Xbox Racing Games
Xbox has such a wide array of games for players to choose from. There’s always an original racing game to suit each player’s preferences.
1. Forza Horizon 4
This game, released in 2018, offers realistic cars that you can race around realistic tracks. The game mechanics are remarkably realistic as well and, combined with its amazing map, Forza Horizon 4 creates a brilliant playground for its racers. If you could only have one racing game in your collection, Forza Horizon 4 is surely the top choice.
2. Project Gotham Racing 2
From racing around Edinburgh’s infamous Grassmarket to zooming through the bustling Miracle Mile in Chicago, every track crafted in this game has been done so with the utmost attention to detail. It was one of the first racing games on Xbox to provide an online racing feature back when released in 2003.
3. Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition
This classic was released by Rockstar games in 2005 and features an open-ended racing style with a killer soundtrack. It has arguably one of the most diverse garages of its time, and zooming through the streets of Atlanta, Detroit, and San Diego has never been more fun.
4. Burnout Paradise
This smash-hit remains as popular as it was since its initial release in 2008. The list of electrifying activities available in the game makes it one of the greatest racing games. There are endless amounts of fun to be had when competing in wild dashes for gold, crashing through gates, and viciously zipping through pile-ups.
5. Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit
This exceptional 2010 release takes place in the fictional setting of Seacrest County, which provides a breathtaking backdrop for high-speed chases. It also comes with awesome features that allow players to share their photos and track events according to their driving style.
Original Xbox RPG Games List
The original Xbox had a killer selection of RPG games to choose from. These are our top picks:
1. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls is possibly one of the most famous RPGs as a result of its stunning visuals and an endless list of places to explore. Released back in 2011, Skyrim allows players to immerse themselves in the game’s universe by following a storyline about saving the world as a Dragonborn.
2. The Witcher 3
Owing to its mesmerizing storyline and immense open-world that somehow managed to perfect realistic looking magical beasts, this is one of the best RPGs out there. The Witcher 3 follows a thrilling story, but there are also plenty of sidequests to keep you entertained as well.
Original Xbox Fighting Games
There have been plenty of original Xbox fighting games available to keep numerous fans satisfied. These are some of our top-tier picks:
1. Mortal Kombat XL
Mortal Kombat XL is packed with plenty of gory content to keep you entertained for hours. Released in 2015, XL combines classic characters with some newly added ones, such as the Predator, Jason Voorhees, and the Alien.
2. Tekken 7
Tekken 7 is the epic finale between the members of the Mishima Clan. This ultimate battle takes place on an erupting volcano, and there are also some exciting guest appearances and brand new slow-motion ending scenes.
Top Oriental Xbox Games
If you’re looking for some unique gameplay, then oriental games are the way to go. These are some of our favorites:
1. Bayonetta
Bayonetta has been regarded as a huge hit, thanks to its seamless combat handling, extensive battles, and an unmatched soundtrack. This first-player game allows you to play as Bayonetta, the last surviving member of a clan of witches, who now has to fight an army of angelic forces solely.
2. Final Fantasy XV
Final Fantasy XV is an open-world game that follows Noctis and his comrades as they travel around Eos’s world. The game is rich in powerful combat and stunning visuals. It’s one of the best Final Fantasy games to play with its diverse world and endless battles.
How to Play Original Xbox games on PC
Plenty of players prefer playing on PC as it can provide many advantages to those adept in PC control. To play on PC, you’ll need an Xbox emulator installed on your computer, the preferred emulator for many players is “Xeon.”
Once downloaded, you can extract the file from the package by right-clicking it and selecting “Extract.” You can then open the file titled “Xeon” and select “Open,” which will allow you to emulate the game you want to play.
Conclusion
Over the years, the original Xbox launched some classic games that remain amongst gamers’ top choices to this day.
Most of the titles that have made it onto the list of best original Xbox games were impactful, with innovative features and a powerful storyline.
We have listed just a few of our favorite original games, but there are many more titles that could also make a case for being included on a list of the best original Xbox games.
FAQs
There are 864 games released in the USA. 6 of them are covered in this article.
That depends completely on the game and if it’s a disc only or if the game is still in mint condition inside the box.
Prices vary anywhere from 50$ up to a couple of hundred dollars.
It’s an awesome console and it’s still played all over the world by gaming fans.
The only problem with the old original unit is the storage and it lacks hardware improvements. Also, it doesn’t support the 4-k resolution as most of the new consoles do.