The Xbox 360 was launched in 2005 and it was the first HD console on the market. It had its ups and downs in terms of controversy, but for the most part, it had some groundbreaking games on the system, from exclusive games to multi-platform titles. While some game-changing titles still hold up, others don't as much for various reasons, such as graphics, gameplay tweaks, or sequels that surpass them.
10 Masterpiece Xbox Games Turn 10 in 2026
From Gears of War 4 to Quantum Break, these Xbox games defined a generation and are celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2026.
Some examples include Grand Theft Auto 4 and Assassin's Creed. These two examples are not bad games on the same level as 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog games, but they just don't feel as impactful as they once used to. Let's see exactly why they don't and discuss some other Xbox 360 games.
Find all 10 pairs
Start
Find all 10 pairs
Assassin's Creed
Altair's motif
Assassin's Creed was a game changer in 2007 because it wasn't just a medieval assassin based stealth game. Players instead explored the past via a simulator attached to the default protagonist, Desmond Miles, who controlled the assassin Altair Ibn-La'Ahad during the 1190s.
It was a new idea, and the concept was mostly followed through with success, but after decades of Assassin's Creed sequel, the original game has been surpassed ages ago. Even compared to just Assassin's Creed 2's assassin hero, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, this original game is inferior but still important.
Alan Wake
Going in circles
Alan Wake was a great idea for a survival horror game, set in a small town and focused on the titular hero. Alan Wake's stories were coming true, or so it seemed, inviting dark characters into reality that could only be killed via flashlights followed by a few bullets.
It had a good pace, which was ruined by the ending, and the sequel surpassed and contextualized this ending in several ways, making it even more complicated. From the story to the gameplay, the sequel is so much better that it even makes the Alan Wake remaster less fun to replay.
Grand Theft Auto 4
Left in Liberty City
Grand Theft Auto 4 was a big deal in 2008, as it had been four years Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas turn on PS2. For a next generation Grand Theft Auto game, it checked a lot of boxes.
There were cars to steal, guns to wreak havoc, and the humor pointing to American culture, and more specifically, New York City culture, was perfect. But mechanically, it might be one of the hardest to go back to because the driving, shooting, and even walking had an unnecessary heft to it, plus the humor hasn't aged well.
Halo 3: ODST
Not Master Chief
Halo getting a first-person spinoff so soon after the third entry was wild, especially since Master Chief wasn't the star of Halo 3: ODST. The things that make Bungie games special are still present in this spinoff, like the visuals, which were at the time, and the shooting mechanics themselves, which are still impressive to this day.
8 Best Xbox Games Like Nioh
From Ninja games to other Soulslikes, fans of Nioh will have a blast with these similar Xbox games.
Even then, the campaign didn't blow the doors off its hinges as it was a milder war against The Covenant. The over-the-top set pieces were lost in translation, making it just a bland shooter to play today that just happens to be set in Halo universe.
Gun
Red Dead Done
Gun
- Released
-
November 8, 2005
- ESRB
-
M for mature 17+ due to blood and gore, intense violence, sexual themes, strong language, alcohol use
Gun tried something that no other western game had tried before and placed itself in a more open world. Launch across multiple systems, Gun wasn't a wild success, but it managed to find a niche group of fans who loved living in the old west.
But now that western fans have both Red Dead Redemption games to play, which was improved Gun either way, there's no reason to play Gun Now. A world could exist where all of these games live in harmony, but if players had to choose one over the other, nine times out of ten, it would be one of the Red Dead Redemption game.
Medal of Honor (2010)
Less modern warfare
Medal of Honor was a major World War II first-person shooter ever since its launch in 1999, featuring Call of Duty slowly overtake it. Thanks to the success of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and its sequel, EA wanted to make a modern one Medal of Honor reboot to compete in 2010.
It was no Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfarebut it was a decent contender for the throne with some cool levels and weapons. Over time, everyone has Medal of Honor The highlights seem laughable now because shooters have just advanced so much since 2010.
Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe
Teen Angst
Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe was one of the wildest crossover fighting games imaginable. While the roster was filled with tons of iconic characters from each respective franchise, there was one big problem Mortal Kombat fans couldn't get over: Rated T.
Thanks to this rating, the ordinary blood was brought down. Beatdowns can still be graphic, but not in the way Mortal Kombat fans wanted. Since then, NetherRealm Studios has made two Injustice games that focused solely on DC heroes and villains, and the games were better for it.
Project Gotham Racing 4
On the Horizon
Racing games can often hold the least of video game genres because they always push the boundaries. For a time, Project Gotham Racing was a good Xbox competitor to the PlayStation Gran Turismo franchise.
The best Xbox games you still have to buy (even with Game Pass)
Explore the best Xbox games not on Game Pass, from console exclusives to underrated gems worth your time and money.
Project Gotham Racing 4 is the last console release in the franchise, and while it doesn't look particularly dated, it's nowhere near as good as Forza Motorsport or Forza Horizon game. There are fewer cars, tracks and handling can be finicky at times, and graphically it's not as impressive anymore.
Saints Row
Before things got weird
Saints Row was a decent clone of Grand Theft Auto when it launched in 2006. It was here before Grand Theft Auto 4 and provided something Xbox 360 fans could enjoy in an open sandbox environment.
In retrospect, it's a little generic in terms of the visual style, actual graphics, and mechanics. The sequel was better, along with the third and fourth games, which really solidified over-the-top Saints Row style. This original game is nowhere near as crazy or as experimental as if it wasn't one Saints Row game.
Fantasy Star Universe
An attempt to restart
When Fantasy Stars Online launched in 2001 in North America, becoming the new face of the franchise. Fantasy Star Universe was an attempt to make a new mainline game, but with the action combat off Fantasy Stars Online. As for JRPGs on the Xbox 360, Fantasy Star Universe was pretty middle of the road in terms of characters, combat, and story.
Average games usually don't get better with age, plus there's another sequel Fantasy Stars Online Now, Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesisdo Fantasy Star Universe even less attractive.
5 Legendary Video Game Failures That Changed the Industry
From the gaming crash of 1983 to the Xbox One's controversial launch, these setbacks shaped gaming history for better or worse.
