100 best Xbox games of all time

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 89.0
User Score: 8.6
Release date: September 9, 2009

The Beatles: Rock Band marked the third major console release of the hit music video game—where players use instrument-shaped controllers to perform iconic songs in concert. The 2009 installment was the first in the series to be solely dedicated to a single band, and allowed players to play more than 45 Beatles songs such as “Let it be” and “Yellow Submarine.”

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 89.0
User Score: 8.6

Release date: October 23, 2012

Dark Souls: Artorias of the Abyss is an expansion to the hugely popular dark fantasy RPG franchise, and takes players on a rescue mission in the land of Oolacile. The expansion acts a prequel to the main story and has players take on the role of a new character to defeat Manus.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 89.0
User Score: 8.6
Release date: November 17, 200

Surviving the zombie apocalypse has never been more fun—team up with up to three friends as you traverse through different stages and game modes on a mission to fight the undead. While the game was released in 2009, the mechanics hold up and the online community is still relatively active.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 89.0
User Score: 8.6
Release date: March 21, 2007

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night was initially released on the original PlayStation in 1997, but received a full port to the Xbox Live Arcade in 2007—featuring new online leaderboards for players to compare scores, and over 200 achievements for players to unlock. While the first Castlevania tasked players with hunting down and battling Dracula, Symphony of the Night put players in control of Dracula’s son on a quest to defeat the protagonist from the last game.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 89.0
User Score: 8.6
Release date: March 10, 2003

World Series Baseball 2K3 was released over a decade ago but still holds up as one of the staples of the original Xbox by putting players in control of their favorite MLB teams. While it seems standard now for sports games to feature replays and highlights, 2K3 was the one the first games to incorporate the feature, along with team customization.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 89.0
User Score: 8.7
Release date: October 13, 2008

Science fiction horror has never felt so claustrophobic. Take control of Isaac Clarke, an engineer who receives a distress beacon from a passing spaceship. Upon investigating, Isaac explores the seemingly abandoned ship—but is soon under attack by horrific monsters, and must piece together audio logs left by the crew in order to discover what really happened

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 89.0
User Score: 8.7
Release date: October 4, 2011

Dark Souls rises to the task of challenging gamers and pushing their skills to the limit with notorious difficulty and a treacherous map to explore. The game features stunning visuals of an artistically crafted dark world that plays trek through and discovery story elements as they build their character through action RPG combat.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 89.0
User Score: 8.7
Release date: April 28, 2003

NBA Street Vol. 2 narrows teams down to 3 v. 3 as players choose from 29 NBA teams and perform trick shots and dunks in a high-scoring game of basketball. The game was met with positives reviews from critics who noted the games fun, over-the-top gameplay, as well as the game's tasteful aesthetic complemented by the soundtrack.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 89.0
User Score: 8.8
Release date: November 21, 2012

The Walking Dead: Episode 5 - No Time Left was the last episode of the Telltale Games Walking Dead series (not including downloadable content) and brings a definitive end to characters story. The game has been the recipient of over 80 Game of the Year awards, being praised for its often heart-wrenching storytelling and resemblance to the original comic book art.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 89.0
User Score: 8.8
Release date: December 10, 2001

EA Sports released NHL 2002 as it the first installment of the NHL series released on Xbox. The cover stars Pittsburgh Penguins Mario Lemieux. 

System: Xbox
Metascore: 89.0
User Score: 8.9
Release date: June 1, 2004

The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay serves as a tie-in prequel to the science fiction movie franchise The Chronicles of Riddick. While movie games don’t get the best reputation, Escape From Butcher Bay set itself apart with its stealth-action gameplay and impressive graphics for the time.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 89.0
User Score: 8.9
Release date: February 8, 2005

NBA Street V3 returns with more street basketball action—where players choose a team of three players to go head to head with another player as they perform over-the-top slam dunks for extra points. Critics reacted positively to the third installment, commending the game's different game modes and customization.

System: Xbox One
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 6.0
Release date: September 16, 2016

NBA 2K17 features career game mode, where players create a custom character, choose their team, and play that character's career through a number of seasons. The game also features franchise mode, where players act as the team's manager and handle many customizable operations in the game.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 6.1
Release date: September 25, 2012

FIFA Soccer 13 features an updated career mode which allows players to not only manage national teams but clubs as well. Players had the option of building their own custom teams with their choice of roster and competing in divisions online. FIFA Soccer 13 was also the first in the series to include support for the Xbox Kinect, which allowed players to shoot the ball by tapping an on-screen button.
 

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 6.7
Release date: September 27, 2011

FIFA Soccer 12 features updated game mechanics such as the impact engine, which more accurately calculates the outcome of two players colliding, as well as an improved IA and defense system that adds an extra challenge while maneuvering and dribbling. The release is considered an overall improvement in the series for its technical and graphics updates.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 7.3
Release date: September 7, 2012

Mark of the Ninja is a 2D side-scrolling game where players must utilize stealth to sneak through levels and assassinate targets without being seen, while also solving puzzles and discovering the history of the character’s ninja clan. Upon release, Mark of the Ninja received positive reviews and acclaim for its creative approach to side-scrolling stealth gameplay.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 7.5
Release date: October 20, 2009

With an updated manager mode that puts players in charge behind the scenes of their favorite team—FIFA Soccer 10 is perfect for any soccer fanatic wishing to get a more hands-on experience with their hobby. EA reported that FIFA Soccer 10 is the fastest selling sports game ever in Europe.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 7.6
Release date: February 27, 2002

NBA 2K2 brings basketball fans fantasy to life with the ability to draft your own custom team and trade free-agents during the pre-season, craft your own athletes, and create a custom logo for their team. The game also allows players to customize a match by choosing quarter lengths, camera angles, and game speed.
 

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 7.7
Release date: October 4, 2011

Released in October 2011, published by 2K Sports and developed by Visual Concepts, NBA 2K12 is the thirteenth installment in the NBA 2K series. Association mode of the games allows the player to control a team through out a season. 

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 7.9
Release date: March 9, 2006

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter is a tactical-based shooter with an emphasis on squad commands and cover-based combat—where players complete various objectives with the help of a team. It's online multiplayer pits players against one another in 32-player matches, or players can work together in 16-player co-op.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 7.9
Release date: July 20, 2002

NCAA Football 2003 bolstered its dynasty mode that allowed players to adjust their roster during the pre-season, with the game also adding trophies and awards based off real-life college awards. While the option of creating your own school was absent from the previous release, it returned in 2003 and allowed players to customize rosters, mascots, and fight songs.  

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 8.0
Release date: October 20, 2010

In this bizarre but challenging platformer, gamers play as Meat Boy—a red, cube-shaped character on a quest to rescue his girlfriend. Super Meat Boy offers 300 levels that players must complete without checkpoints, meaning that players will have to start the level over after dying, which adds an extra challenge to players.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 8.0
Release date: February 17, 2009

Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned is a two-episode expansion that builds on top of the game's foundation by adding additional characters and story missions where gamers play as  Johnny Klebitz, the vice president of a motorcycle gang, as he deals with internal conflicts and rival gangs. Critics praised the game for its improved motorcycle controls and immersive story that gave another perspective on events in the original game.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 8.0
Release date: April 18, 2012

In Trials Evolution, players race on motorcycles across off-road courses and avoid obstacles—with winners receiving money to spend on upgrading their bike. It’s track editor allowed players to design their own track and race in it with friends locally and online.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 8.1
Release date: January 5, 2010

Bayonetta is a hack and slash adventure game where players control the title character, who dispatches foes using magic and her hair. Bayonetta received high acclaim across the board, with some publications giving the game a perfect score for its high-quality visuals and fast-paced gameplay.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 8.2
Release date: September 3, 2013

Originally intended as a Wii U exclusive, Rayman Legends was eventually brought to other platforms. Despite sluggish sales at release, the game received widespread praise for its level design and quality content, with some even calling it one of the best platformers in years.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 8.3
Release date: May 29, 2007

Forza Motorsport 2 features updated graphics, physics, and damage simulation that can put a car out of commission if severe enough. The sequel also includes competitive online leaderboards, where players from around the world compete head-to-head in intense racing circuits on real-world and fictional tracks.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 8.3
Release date: October 9, 2012

XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a turn-based tactical game—where players command a multinational paramilitary group with the mission of defending earth from alien invaders. XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a reimagining of the 1994 computer game, UFO: Enemy Unknown, and has been dubbed as a worthy reboot by fans and critics alike.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 8.3
Release date: July 30, 2008

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 is a multidirectional shooter, reminiscent of the classic Asteroids arcade, and features fast-paced gameplay with a highly maneuverable ship, as players blast and dodge their way through incoming shapes. Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 received high praise from critics, some even proclaiming it one of the best Xbox Live arcade game for its variety of game modes and creative multiplayer.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 8.4
Release date: July 21, 2010

LIMBO's graphics illustrate a striking art-style that is complimented through its use of contrasting black and white tones—an art-style especially fitting as players take control of a boy traveling through eerie landscapes in search of his sister. The two-dimensional platformer received widespread acclaim for its puzzle design and charming simplicity.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 8.4
Release date: February 2, 2005

As the first installment to feature online play on the original Xbox, World Soccer Winning Eleven 8 International features updated rosters of over 200 clubs and national teams from around the world. The game instilled an improved dribbling system, as well as state of the art graphics that illustrated wear and tear on player uniforms as matches progress.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 8.4
Release date: October 29, 2001

Madden NFL 2002 allows gamers to customizable teams and players and build their dream team from NFL roster. This release includes the game modes season, franchise, and play now—which allowed players to start a quick one-off game without committing to a season.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 8.5
Release date: October 22, 2008

Portal: Still Alive brings the original PC computer game to consoles for the first time, and brought with it additional content exclusive to the release, such as additional levels, achievements, and unlockables. Portal: Still Alive is an action-puzzle game where players must find their way through an underground lab using only their wits and a portal gun as they avoid hustle robots and pitfalls.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 8.5
Release date: October 23, 2002

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 departs from the series traditional career mode and instead allows players to freely skate around the level and explore to discover unlockables such as characters. Its online mode saw the inclusion of multiple game modes like king of the hill, free skate, tag, and combo mambo.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 8.5
Release date: March 9, 2004

MVP Baseball 2004 included gameplay tweaks to the baseball game series, which included "hitter's eye" a color-coded system that allowed players to identify types of pitches thrown by the pitcher. MVP Baseball 2004 also added owner mode, a game mode that put players in charge of a team franchise, as well training modes for players to sharpen their skills.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 8.5
Release date: January 12, 2003

Gamers take control of a dragon in Panzer Dragoon Orta, as they fly through the skies and battle foes in rail-shooter gameplay where players can morph the dragon to increase certain attributes. Panzer Dragoon Orta was highly praised upon release and was hailed as one of the best Xbox games of all time, according to GamesRadar.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 8.5
Release date: November 15, 2005

The highly anticipated sequel to 1998's Half-Life is considered one of the most influential and significant video game releases of all time. Half-Life 2 has sold over 12 million copies and is the winner of 39 games of the year awards and was hailed "game of the decade” by Spike TV for its advanced physics and captivating narrative.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 8.6
Release date: November 8, 2011

Metal Gear Solid HD Collection brings the classic Metal Gear games in all their stealth action glory to newer systems in this HD remaster of five previous installments. The collection includes Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Metal Gear 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 8.6
Release date: January 25, 2011

Dead Space 2 once again pits players against gruesome, alien monsters as they overrun a space station and threaten to spread across other locations. Dead Space 2 brings multiplayer to the series for the first time, where players team up against Necromorph in survival game modes.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 8.7
Release date: November 17, 2003

Project Gotham Racing 2 sets itself apart from other racing games by requiring more than just speed from players—the game challenges players to earn points through skilled driving and technique while performing power slides and overtaking other cars. Project Gotham Racing 2 is considered one of the best racing games of all time for its innovative approach to the genre, and for the game's online capacities.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 90.0
User Score: 8.8
Release date: November 17, 2009

Set in Italy during the height of the Renaissance, Assassins Creed ll has players leaping from rooftops of Venice and battling Knights Templar in an action-packed historical fiction narrative that spans thousands of years. Assassin's Creed II features nonlinear gameplay and allows players to roam freely and accomplish missions using their own approach.

System: Xbox One
Metascore: 91.0
User Score: 5.8
Release date: May 23, 2016

Overwatch is an online-focused team-based first-person shooter, where players choose from a number of characters that each have unique abilities that benefit a players team. Overwatch quickly reached universal acclaim, with major critics hailing it as an innovative take on the genre, while also being awarded Game of the Year in 2016.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 91.0
User Score: 7.7
Release date: April 27, 2010

Super Street Fighter IV adds 10 new fighters alongside the original 25, and adds new intros and endings for each character—developers also stated that this release marks the end of additions to Street Fighter IV. The game’s signature fighting gameplay remains intact with little changes.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 91.0
User Score: 7.7
Release date: August 9, 2004

Madden NFL 2005 may have found its footing with this release, as it was often compared to its competitor, ESPN NFL, and ultimately won out as the sole NFL video game series. This installment received instant praise from critics and fans for its well rounded AI quality graphics.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 91.0
User Score: 7.9
Release date: September 20, 2011

In Gears of War 3, players are among the last remaining humans as they travel to an island in an attempt to rebuild civilization after suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of the Locust. Much like its predecessors, Gears of War 3 features strategic cover-based combat with a few minor tweaks, where players can join friends in the co-operative campaign or online game modes.
 

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 91.0
User Score: 7.9
Release date: March 11, 2014

Dark Souls ll brings players back to the signature dark world established in the first game, where they traverse the kingdom of Drangleic on a journey to break the curse that has turned them into a zombie-like being. Dark Souls ll also expands on its online multiplayer mode, with their choice player versus player combat or co-operative based missions.

System: Xbox One
Metascore: 91.0
User Score: 8.0
Release date: September 23, 2016

Developed by Playground Games and published by Microsoft Studios, Forza Horizon 3 is set in an imaginary form of Australia and is applauded by critics universally. 

Metascore: 91.0
User Score: 8.1
Release date: September 14, 2010

Halo: Reach is the final game in the first-person shooter series to be developed by Bungie, and takes place shortly before the events of the original Halo game. Players take on the role of a soldier on Noble Team, a group of elite super soldiers who defend a human colony from an invading alien force.  

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 91.0
User Score: 8.2
Release date: October 11, 2011

Acclaimed for its supplemented vehicle physics and overall improved visuals makes Forza Motorsport 4 a favorite among critics. The game was published by Microsoft Studios and developed by Turn 10 Studios. 

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 91.0
User Score: 8.6
Release date: December 4, 2012

Far Cry 3 gave players the chance to explore its open world tropical island from a first-person shooter perceptive, where gamers set out to free the protagonists kidnapped friends. Far Cry 3 was praised for its open-ended gameplay which allowed players to get creative with how they accomplished objectives.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 91.0
User Score: 8.7
Release date: November 20, 2007

In Mass Effect, players take command of the Normandy as Commander Shepard and assemble your crew of soldiers from across the galaxy as you uncover the impending threat of ancient machines, the Reapers. This action RPG is from the makers of Dragon Age and Star Wars: Knights of Old Republic, and features a compelling story with gut-wrenching choices that affect the outcome of the game.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 91.0
User Score: 8.7
Release date: September 3, 2003

Unlike most football games at the time,  ESPN NFL Football gave players the option of a first-person perspective from players on the field, which added an extra layer of immersion. The game also gave players virtual suites that they could customize and fill with trophies.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 91.0
User Score: 8.8
Release date: March 2, 2004

Don’t assume just because players take on the role of a ninja means they have to go quietly—gamers have to fight their way through hordes of vicious enemies in this brutal hack and slash revenge story. Ryu Hayabusa is out to avenge the murder of his clan and retrieve the Dark Dragon Blade that was stolen from his village.

System: Xbox One
Metascore: 91.0
User Score: 9.2
Release date: May 19, 2015

Based on the polish fantasy novel series of the same name, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt takes players on an epic adventure in an open-world RPG setting, as they follow Geralt on his mission to battle monsters and beings from other dimensions.

System: Xbox One
Metascore: 92.0
User Score: 7.3
Release date: July 19, 2017

Explore the family estate of Edith Finch, discovering secret passages and visions that reveal the secret history of Edith's family. Upon release, What Remains of Edith Finch received praise from critics and gamers for its unique take on puzzles and story-centered gameplay.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 92.0
User Score: 7.6
Release date: May 3, 2005

Forza Motorsport is universally acclaimed for its fast-paced racing and online modes—where players race against others from around the world and have their choice of over 200 cars. Forza Motorsport has since become a staple of Xbox consoles, with installments with every generation console so far.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 92.0
User Score: 7.8
Release date: November 12, 2003

Gamers follow the unnamed prince in this action-adventure game, where they must solve puzzles and battle enemies on a quest to contain the sands of time in its hourglass. What gives Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time an extra layer of strategy is the player's ability to slow and turn back time, even while in battle.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 92.0
User Score: 8.1
Release date: October 27, 2009

In Forza Motorsport 3, players race across 100 different tracks with their choice of over 400 customizable cars against right other cars. The third installment in the franchize added a robust single-player mode, where gamers raced in nearly 200 personalized events that include circuit, drift, and drag.
 

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 92.0
User Score: 8.1

For the aspiring musician that wants to take their musical performance fantasy a little further—Guitar Hero ll makes that fantasy a little more real with its guitar-shaped control that players use to simulate guitar notes. In career mode, players choose from one of eight characters, each representing a different genre of rock, and travel from town to town playing gigs and building a reputation.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 92.0
User Score: 8.1
Release date: August 12, 2002

The popular NFL football simulator returns with updated rosters, a great soundtrack, and more seasons for gamers to progress through. Like its predecessors, Madden NFL 2003 pits players against other teams in order to progress through the season and into the Superbowl.
 

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 92.0
User Score: 8.2
Release date: November 20, 2007

Grab three friends and jam out on instrument-shaped controllers to simulate guitar, drums, keyboard, and vocals. Players use their controllers to keep the rhythm of famous rock songs from the likes of Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Bon Jovi.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 92.0
User Score: 8.3
Release date: September 14, 2008

Rock Band 2 was released a year after its predecessor, with the addition of World Tour mode for multiplayer, both local and online, where players form a band and play gigs around the world and build their brand and earn money to progress through the game mode. The gameplay remains virtually the same, with the tracklist bolstered to 84 tracks

System: Xbox
Metascore: 92.0
User Score: 8.3
Release date: August 12, 2003

Madden NFL 2004 included the feature of owner mode which puts players in charge of running a team franchise, with the responsibility of hiring the coaching staff, conducting training drills, and setting concession prices. Madden NFL 2004 also allows players to play as and edit historic teams.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 92.0
User Score: 8.6
Release date: April 27, 2012

The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series breaks from the traditional zombie survival format focused on combat, and instead focuses on telling a compelling story through player driven character dynamics that are affected by moral choices players make. While the game shares the name of the hit TV show and comic book, the game keeps its focus on original characters and storylines.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 92.0
User Score: 8.7
Release date: August 25, 2009

Players will scale buildings and stalk the night in Batman: Arkham Asylum, as players take control of the iconic superhero on a mission to capture the Joker and restore order to the prison overrun by criminal masterminds. This is likely the closest you'll ever get to ever get to feeling like the Dark Knight with quick combat and agile maneuvers.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 92.0
User Score: 8.8
Release date: August 27, 2003

SoulCalibur II pits players against one another in weapon-based fighting gameplay and features improved movement mechanics. In story mode, players are on a quest to obtain shards of the Soul Edge, a powerful sword that can give the wielder power to rule the world. The Xbox release also saw the addition of Spawn as a guest character.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 92.0
User Score: 8.8
Release date: October 20, 2003

SSX 3 is a snowboarding racing game where players compete against others as they speed down the mountain and perform tricks for added bonuses. Winning races gives players points and money that they can then spend on special attributes and improved equipment.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 92.0
User Score: 9.0
Release date: July 20, 2004

ESPN NFL 2K5 set itself apart from rival NFL series, Madden, by including innovative game modes, customization, celebrity cameos, and a campaign that releases reports to the player so they can strategize before games by adjusting rosters and training certain skills. Unfortunately, ESPN NFL 2K5 was the last game in the series to be developed, as Electronic Arts signed a deal with the NFL that gave them exclusive rights to the franchise, thus putting an end to SEGAs innovative series.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 93.0
User Score: 5.9
Release date: March 6, 2012

The epic finale to the Mass Effect saga sends players back to earth to defend against the destructive reapers. As the fate of all life in the universe hangs in the balance, players build their arsenal and their team from old and new companions. While the game's narrative was subject to scrutiny initially, opinions have softened since EA released an updated ending to give more closure to the story.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 93.0
User Score: 7.3
Release date: February 17, 2009

Street Fighter IV breathed new life into the series by taking elements from past editions and combining them into a new style of gameplay, such as giving players the ability to absorb an opponent's attack and lunch a powerful counter-attack. In the campaign, characters enter into a fighting tournament held by S.I.N. corporation, though they're unaware of the corporation's sinister intentions.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 93.0
User Score: 7.7
Release date: November 7, 2008

After the defeat of the Locust in the previous game, an epidemic spreads among the remaining humans as the Locust regroup and hatch a plot to sink cities into the depths of the planet. Gameplay remains mostly unchanged, aside from a few tweaks to make online play more balanced.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 93.0
User Score: 7.8
Release date: November 17, 2010

Pac-Man Championship Edition DX builds on the original arcade sensation, where gamers play as Pac-Man as they collect dots in each level while being pursued by ghosts. However, this rendition added a few extra gameplay mechanics—Pac-Man now gains speed with each dot he eats, and ghosts now have different maneuvers. The game also features nine courses, which includes the maze from the original Pac-Man.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 93.0
User Score: 7.9
Release date: March 4, 2002

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 put players in control of a number of pro skaters and set them loose across maps to complete various tasks and achieve the high-score. The third installment stood out among the series, as gameplay tweaks allowed for more complex trick combos, as well as the ability to import your own soundtrack.

System: Xbox One
Metascore: 93.0
User Score: 8.2
Release date: June 29, 2016

INSIDE is reminiscent of its puzzle-platformer predecessor, Limbo, and has players explore surreal 2.5D environments where they must collect glowing orbs to progress through levels. The game’s design is dark and often eerie, though uses color sparingly to create striking imagery.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 93.0
User Score: 8.3
Release date: October 26, 2010

Rock Band 3 puts players on stage to perform their choice from over 80 songs with specially designed controls to more actually mimic the rhythm of each song. Rock Band 3 was the first in the series to add Pro mode, which allows gamers to connect compatible keyboards, electronic drum kits, and real electric guitars to play songs.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 93.0
User Score: 8.5
Release date: October 28, 2008

Players emerge from underground shelter hundreds of years after a nuclear war and explore the ruins of post-apocalyptic Washington D.C on a quest to find their dad, fighting through historic locations like the Capitol building and Natural History Museum. With every choice players make, they gain good and bad karma and can affect the outcome of certain storylines.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 93.0
User Score: 8.5
Release date: August 6, 2008

Braid is a platformer puzzle game, where gamers play as Tim, and progress through levels by avoiding enemies and gathering keys to progress to the next world and discover clues about the story. However, what makes the gameplay unique is player's ability to slow down and reverse time, even after a player dies.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 93.0
User Score: 8.5
Release date: March 26, 2013

While the series predecessors took players to the bottom of the sea, BioShock Infinite takes players to the to the city of Columbia in the sky in the role of Booker Dewitt on a rescue mission. Like previous installments, players battle enemies with an arsenal of weapons and magic-like abilities, however, this time players are in an open environment to allow for more dynamic challenges.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 93.0
User Score: 8.5
Release date: March 23, 2004

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow is the second installment of the Splinter Cell series, with the single-player gameplay mostly unchanged, aside from a few tweaks that allow for easier mobility. Moreover, Pandora Tomorrow was the multiplayer debut for the series—which pits stealth and assault classes against one another in objective-based game modes—receiving unanimous praise for its ingenuity.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 93.0
User Score: 8.6
Release date: November 17, 2002

Voted 2002 Game of the Year, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell puts players in the role of Sam Fisher, a former Navy Seal recruited by the NSA to conduct reconnaissance on a suspected hostile threat.  Players are challenged to sneak their way to objectives by blending in with the dark and using stealth tactics.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 93.0
User Score: 8.7
Release date: June 7, 2005

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas brings players to the fictional state of San Andreas, where players investigate the murder of the protagonist's mother but soon finds themselves wrapped up with rival gangs and police corruption. San Andreas is considered one of the best games of the era and became the best-selling video game of 2004.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 94.0
User Score: 6.4
Release date: November 10, 2009

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 continues where the story left off, following Taskforce 14, a special forces unit tasked with dispatching a Russian terrorist group, but will they be able to prevent the looming threat of World War III? The sequel also bolsters it's online multiplayer and includes additional game modes, maps, and weapons.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 94.0
User Score: 7.4
Release date: September 7, 2004

Race down crowded city streets and dodge traffic and other players as they try to run you off the road in Burnout 3: Takedown—featuring dramatic crashes, high-speed chases, and multiplayer modes to challenge your friends. Upon release, the game received praise from critics and fans alike and is currently one of the highest rated racing games of all time

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 94.0
User Score: 7.9
Release date: September 25, 2007

In Halo 3, players are on a mission to finish the fight with the alien covenant and stop the parasitic Flood from spreading or face the extinction of all sentient life in the galaxy. Halo 3 continues the emphasis on online multiplayer established in Halo 2 by adding new game modes, weapons, and maps.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 94.0
User Score: 8.3
Release date: November 7, 2006

Gamers who prefer to run out into battle guns-blazing may want to rethink their approach when playing Gears of War. Winner of over 30 Game of the Year awards, this brutal cover-based third-person shooter puts players in the middle of an all-out war between humans and subterranean beings set on destroying humanity.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 94.0
User Score: 8.5
Release date: November 5, 2007

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare doesn't try to fix what isn't broken, simply embracing the first-person shooter genre without trying to overcomplicate the gameplay, and focusing on a cinematic campaign and a balanced online community where players engage in team and objective based modes. In online multiplayer, players build custom classes with special perks and weapon modifications.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 94.0
User Score: 8.7
Release date: March 20, 2006

Players find themselves wrapped up in a plot to assassinate the emperor and open a portal to another dimension to reign terror on the land of Cyrodiil. Unlike its successor Skyrim, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion allowed for more strategic character building with skill stats and customizable classes that allowed players to focus on certain feats, and also featured a deeper story and world to explore.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 94.0
User Score: 8.7
Release date: October 18, 2011

The sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum takes players out of the prison setting and takes them to the streets and rooftops of Gotham City, as they track down the Joker and battle other villains like Penguin and Harley Quinn. In the role of Batman, players make their way through the city and uncover clues that lead to the sinter plot of Protocol 10, and must fight his way through armies of henchmen and villains to save the Gotham from destruction.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 94.0
User Score: 8.7
Release date: September 20, 2005

Ninja Gaiden Black is a refined and expanded edition of the previously released Ninja Gaiden and adds new missions, costumes, and new boss battles. On top of the new content, Ninja Gaiden tweaks certain game mechanics to improve controls, as well as an increased difficulty mode for more experienced players.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 94.0
User Score: 9.0
Release date: July 17, 2003

Taking place thousands of years before the original Star Wars movies, Knights of the Old Republic takes players on a journey spanning multiple planets across the galaxy to stop the sith lord and discover the secrets of the Jedi. Knights of the Old Republic features RPG style combat and an award-winning story with a plot-twist that will leave players glued the screen.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 94.0
User Score: 9.0
Release date: March 28, 2005

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory is the third installment of the stealth-action series with added stealth mechanics that allow players to be more strategic when tackling objectives. Protagonist Sam Fish returns on a mission to ease tensions in East Asia—or risk all-out war.

System: Xbox One
Metascore: 95.0
User Score: 7.4
Release date: September 1, 2015

The Metal Gear Solid franchise features an open world environment, a first for the action-stealth series, which puts players in the role of Punished "Venom" Snake as he treks through Soviet-occupied Afghanistan for revenge against those who nearly slaughtered his forces and nearly killed him nearly a decade earlier.

System: Xbox
Metascore: 95.0
User Score: 8.2
Release date: November 9, 2004

The hype was real when the sequel to the critically acclaimed original Xbox title was announced and Halo 2 delivered with state of the art gameplay, in-depth story, and online multiplayer that popularized Xbox Live. Players follow Master Chief and Arbiter on opposite sides of an intergalactic war as they soon realize they have a common enemy to defeat.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 95.0
User Score: 8.7
Release date: April 19, 2011

The follow up to the hit first-person puzzle game returns with more challenging puzzles and an added cooperative mode that allows players to tackle levels together in an entirely separate campaign. Additionally, the added online mode allows players to build and share their own maps with gamers around the world.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 95.0
User Score: 9.0

Release date: May 18, 2010

Described as Grand Theft Auto in the old west, Red Dead Redemption puts players in control of John Marston, a former outlaw tasked by the authorities to restore order to the region and confront his old partner in crime. Players explore desert landscape as they roundup bandits and train robbers in an action-packed Wild West adventure.
 

System: Xbox
Metascore: 96.0
User Score: 7.9
Release date: October 31, 2003

Released in October 21, 2003, developed by Rockstar North, Rockstar Vienna, and published by rockstar games and Capcom, Grand Theft Auto Double Pack intensifies action and heightens visuals than other Grand Theft Autos in the series. It was nominated in the BAFTA Games Award for Xbox game. 

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 96.0
User Score: 8.5
Release date: November 11, 2011

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime—Skyrim invites players to explore a vast fantasy world filled with dragons, elves, orcs, and giant spiders, as they find themselves on a quest to resolve wars and battle ancient evils. Whether you want to play as a magic-wielding lizard or an ax-wielding orc, the critically acclaimed action RPG allows for a variety of playstyles that fit any gamer.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 96.0
User Score: 8.9
Release date: January 26, 2010

The epic space saga returns with Commander Shepard at the helm of the Normandy once again—but this time with a ragtag group of assassins and criminal masterminds for a crew as the team travels the galaxy on a quest to foil the plot of the Reapers. Mass Effect 2 allows players to carry over story-altering decisions from the previous Mass Effect and affect the outcome of the rest of the series.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 96.0
User Score: 8.9
Release date: October 10, 2007

The Orange Box is technically a collection of five Valve games— including the previously released Half-Life 2 (also featured on this list) and Half-Life 2: Episode One along with Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Team Fortress 2, and Portal. Team Fortress 2 is an online multiplayer team-based shooter where players must select different classes and work together in order to complete objectives, while Portal has players find their way through a laboratory using only their wits and a portal gun.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 96.0
User Score: 8.9
Release date: August 21, 2007

Explore the underwater city of Rapture, the once intended utopia of society that collapsed into disarray with its mutated inhabitants now prowling the forgotten city as the protagonist, Jack, fights his way through the city in an effort to escape. Bioshock received praised for its morality-based story and a hybrid of survival horror and action RPG gameplay.

System: Xbox One
Metascore: 97.0
User Score: 7.8
Release date: November 18, 2014

While the Xbox One edition released shortly after the initial Xbox 360 release the year before, the Xbox One release added updated graphics and an all-new first-person mode that added increased visuals and play style. The re-release also added additional online multiplayer content that included extra game modes and items.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 97.0
User Score: 8.3

Release date: September 17, 2013

While the graphics and visuals aren’t quite as impressive as the later Xbox One release, Grand Theft Auto V for the Xbox 360 is still an impressive feat with its exceptionally large map to explore. Players experience GTA’s campaign through three characters points of view, each with distinct personality and motivations.  

 

System: Xbox
Metascore: 97.0
User Score: 8.6
Release date: November 14, 2001

Halo: Combat Evolved established the franchise as one of the most iconic game series of all time—featuring a compelling story and breathtaking level design—it’s no wonder the game became a defining title of the original Xbox. While the game has since been remastered on later systems, it’s still worth going back and playing the original in all its glory to see where it all started.

System: Xbox 360
Metascore: 98.0
User Score: 7.9
Release date: April 29, 2008

The open-world action game returns for more police chases and mastermind crimes in Grand Theft Auto IV, where players take on the role of Niko Bellic on a quest for the American dream but gets involved with loan sharks and mob bosses along the way. The eleventh title in the franchise added online play, which allowed gamers to join up-to 32 players in various multiplayer modes.