We already published the list of best Xbox 360 games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best Xbox 360 RTS games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the Xbox 360 definitely has a great library of RTS games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the Xbox 360 and RTS games, there’s a chance you’ll like this list.
And some of you may already know some of the games mentioned in this list.
#25. Military Madness: Nectaris
- Release Data: Backbone Entertainment/Hudson Entertainment, 2009
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » General
There isn’t a whole lot else to say about Nectaris.
It’s an old school real-time strategy title that someone will enjoy based on either nostalgia or just a lack of anything else to play.
If you remember the first game fondly, maybe give this one a shot.
#24. Universe at War: Earth Assault
- Release Data: Petroglyph/Sega, 2008
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » General
All of the problems hinder what should have been a great addition to the selection of real-time strategy games on the Xbox 360.
However, fans of the standard RTS approach will find a lot to love here, but it may require too much digging to get down to the good stuff.
#23. Guardians of Middle-Earth
- Release Data: Monolith Productions/Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, 2012
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » MOBA
If you are a fan of the genre, Guardians of Middle-Earth is recommended, especially if you are looking for a game type you enjoy able to be experienced in a new way.
However, if the genre has turned you off elsewhere, Guardians and its community certainly won’t change your mind.
#22. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 – Commander’s Challenge
- Release Data: EA LA/Electronic Arts, 2009
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » General
Any fan of the Command and Conquer series should be delighted with what this expansion presents.
More of the same Red Alert 3 whimsy, action, and frenetic battles should certainly enthrall and intrigue anyone ready to give the title a shot.
#21. Battlestations: Midway
- Release Data: Eidos Interactive, 2007
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » General
Battlestations: Midway strikes a balance between action and strategy that makes it uniquely appealing.
The strategy isn’t especially in-depth, but it is accessible and satisfying.
The action portion of the game is also kept very simple, which works in the game’s favor by making it easy to switch gears between the two different parts of the game.
#20. South Park Let’s Go Tower Defense Play!
- Release Data: Doublesix/Microsoft Game Studios, 2009
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » Defense
Even with some flaws, South Park Let’s Go Tower Defense Play! gives you outstanding bang for the buck.
Action, strategy, and sick humor combine in one mesmerizing game that, while clearly aimed at fans of the TV show, can also be enjoyed for those who are foreign to the franchise.
#19. Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath
- Release Data: EA LA/EA Games, 2008
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » General
All of the additions add more ways to play, and plenty of subtle variety.
But, not every addition is significant, and in some cases, they’re underwhelming.
Yet the core gameplay is so good and performs so well on the platform that Command & Conquer fans would do well to pick up a copy.
#18. Battlestations: Pacific
- Release Data: Eidos Interactive, 2009
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » General
Impressively, each gameplay element stands out on its own.
Combined, they lead to an exciting and varied experience that should appeal to action junkies and armchair tacticians alike.
Although not without its problems, this is a sequel done right: It’s just as fun, but it’s bigger, broader, and more fully realized.
#17. Supreme Commander 2
- Release Data: Gas Powered Games/Square Enix, 2010
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » Command
Whether you’re a newcomer or an experienced tactician, you’d do well to overlook the flaws and enjoy Supreme Commander 2 for being so fun and approachable.
The game maintains a difficult balancing act, providing the flexibility of the original Supreme Commander with a user-friendly makeover that lends some freshness and personality.
#16. R.U.S.E.
- Release Data: Eugen Systems/Ubisoft, 2010
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » General
R.U.S.E. is a fun and fascinating real-time strategy game, as long as you know which parts of it to invest in and which to skip entirely.
And if you can look past the weaknesses, you’ll find R.U.S.E. to be a fun and occasionally intense real-time strategy game that’s just unusual enough to catch your imagination.
#15. Age of Booty
- Release Data: Certain Affinity/Capcom, 2008
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » General
With its colorful visuals, cheerful soundtrack, and accessible controls, Age of Booty is a game that’s difficult to dislike.
The game is simple to learn, yet lends itself to intense, challenging battles that can really get your adrenaline racing.
And even when you’re frustrated because AI pirates are sinking your hopes of winning, you get your fair share of gameplay treasure.
#14. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3
- Release Data: EA LA/Electronic Arts, 2008
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » General
All in all, Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 is a splendid RTS and one that provides plenty of enjoyment, especially if you can find a co-op partner to take along for the ride.
This version is not quite as good as the PC equivalent but you won’t find many games like this on the Xbox 360.
#13. Awesomenauts
- Release Data: Ronimo Games/DTP Entertainment, 2012
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » MOBA
Overall, Awesomenauts for the Xbox 360 is a highly enjoyable multiplayer game with a ton of personality.
If you looking for strictly a single player experience then Awesomenauts is not for you; however, if you are looking for a fresh and unique multiplayer game Awesomenauts is highly recommended, especially if you have friends to play with.
#12. Tom Clancy’s EndWar
- Release Data: Ubisoft Shanghai/Ubisoft, 2008
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » Tactics
EndWar‘s unique voice command mechanic makes it wholly unique among strategy games, and it’s this innovation that stands out above all of its other features.
Strip it away, and you’ll find a RTS game that can be fun and satisfying, but is ultimately just a bit too simplistic.
All in all, the entire gameplay experience is a recommended one.
#11. The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth II
- Release Data: EA LA/EA Games, 2006
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » General
Put it all together and The Battle for Middle-Earth II is a game that offers a lot for the strategy-inclined gamer.
While the single-player game will appeal to fans of The Lord of the Rings, competitive players will undoubtedly be drawn to the multiplayer mode, especially since there’s nothing quite like it on the Xbox 360.
#10. Orcs Must Die!
- Release Data: Robot Entertainment, 2011
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » Defense
Orcs Must Die! presents itself with confident simplicity.
Every element in the game has a distinct purpose and you’re never bogged down with unnecessary chores.
If single-player is your style and you have a deep-seated hatred for orcs, give this a try.
#9. Anomaly: Warzone Earth
- Release Data: 11 bit studios, 2012
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » General
Anomaly: Warzone Earth‘s fresh perspective on the traditional tower defense setup makes for an exciting entry in the genre, and exploring familiar gameplay from an entirely different angle makes the action even more exciting.
Being able to think strategically while under fire is a must in this title, and the many twists that pop up make this game a winner.
#8. Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars
- Release Data: EA LA/EA Games, 2007
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » General
The presentation and good mission design work with the decent controls to make for an enjoyable game.
And not only is it a great game, but it’s a great example of a console RTS done right.
If you’ve never played a Command & Conquer game before, this is a good starting point.
#7. Darwinia+
- Release Data: Introversion, 2010
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » General
A lack of new features might be a bit of a concern for those who already surrendered great amount of their lives to these games previously, but anyone yet to experience the weird majesty of this cross-genre experiment simply has to check this out.
In short, Darwinia+ is a crazy, addictive repackaging of two great puzzle real-time strategy games.
#6. Toy Soldiers
- Release Data: Signal Studios/Microsoft Game Studios, 2010
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » General
Despite its limited multiplayer offering, Toy Soldiers is a great game that you can easily waste hours into without feeling like you’ve seen everything it has to offer.
And you’ll keep coming back to it because there’s plenty of fun to be had with it even after you’ve beaten every mission and won a battle on every map.
#5. Halo Wars
- Release Data: Ensemble Studios/Microsoft Game Studios, 2009
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » General
The action orientated RTS may be light on the RTS aspects in some areas but that by no means detracts away from the gameplay in the slightest.
It’s definitely a must-have for Halo fans, RTS fans and those who are turned on by a good story.
#4. Toy Soldiers: Cold War
- Release Data: Signal Studios/Microsoft Game Studios, 2011
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » General
Playing with toy soldiers in real life demands a great deal of your imagination and involves a lot of tidying up afterward.
Toy Soldiers: Cold War does all of the work for you and makes those spectacular battles that you remember fighting on your bedroom floor as a child come to life.
#3. Iron Brigade
- Release Data: Double Fine Productions/Microsoft Game Studios, 2011
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » Defense
Playing through Iron Brigade from start to finish should take you at least six or seven hours, but if you’re interested in chasing high scores, you can expect to be enjoying the game for many hours beyond that.
All in all, Iron Brigade is a challenging tower defense game and it’s also a great game to play with friends.
#2. Defense Grid: The Awakening
- Release Data: Hidden Path Entertainment, 2009
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » Defense
Its elements are so skillfully balanced that those who have already spent plenty of time playing such games are sure to find Defense Grid one of the most rewarding games of its type, while those new to tower defense will find this an accessible introduction to the genre that’s easy to get into but very tough to master.
#1. Plants vs. Zombies
- Release Data: PopCap, 2010
- Genre: Strategy » Real-Time » Defense
Plants vs. Zombies impresses across the board with ingenious game design, uncomplicated controls, colorful visuals, upbeat audio, a decent difficulty curve, and frequent player rewards.
If you’ve never played Plants vs. Zombies before, it’s time for you to find out what you’ve been missing out on.
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See also: Best Original Xbox Games & Best Xbox One Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which Xbox 360 RTS game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!