We already published the list of best Xbox 360 games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best Xbox 360 shooter games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the Xbox 360 definitely has a great library of shooter games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the Xbox 360 and shooter 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. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
- Release Data: Infinity Ward/Activision, 2011
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
Despite its flaws, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 takes the fantastic series we’ve come to love over the years and iterates on it with great success.
The singleplayer campaign and Spec Ops mode add value to the overall package, creating something that may not be perfect, but is too addictive to pass up.
#24. Portal: Still Alive
- Release Data: Valve Software/Microsoft Game Studios, 2008
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
Short as it may be, the original Portal was a fantastic game that should be played by anyone interested in unique, well-crafted gameplay.
The game doesn’t add enough new content to entice people who already own or have played the game, but newcomers should be eager to play this one.
#23. Rez HD
- Release Data: HexaDrive/Q Entertainment, 2008
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Rail
Given the sheer volume of content, the unique experience, and the pick-up-and-play nature of the game, it’s hard not to recommend Rez to any shooter fan.
But if you already own a copy of the game on the Dreamcast or PS2, a slick facelift may not be enough to make you want to get this.
#22. Battlefield: Bad Company 2
- Release Data: EA DICE/EA Games, 2010
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
With all the different classes, vehicles, and stationary weapons at play, there is a dazzling array of ways to wage war.
These tools, coupled with the threat and promise of destructibility, make Bad Company 2‘s battlefields uniquely chaotic and electrifyingly fun.
Whether or not you’re looking for a new shooter, you owe it to yourself to play Battlefield: Bad Company 2.
#21. Left 4 Dead 2
- Release Data: Valve Software/Electronic Arts, 2009
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Tactical
Whether or not Left 4 Dead 2 is for you really depends on your level of exposure and affinity for the style of hardcore team-focused gameplay offered here.
If you’re still interested in the gameplay, then you’re going to enjoy every aspect of the sequel since it’s improved in all areas, from replayability to its visual style.
#20. Dead Space
- Release Data: EA Redwood Shores/Electronic Arts, 2008
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Third-Person » Arcade
Call it science fiction survival horror, but Dead Space does the genre proud with an engaging story; action that’s tense, fast-paced and extremely violent; as well as atmospheric qualities that will get under your skin and make you jump.
If you like survival horror, action or sci-fi, Dead Space needs to be on your radar.
#19. Dead Space 2
- Release Data: Visceral Games/Electronic Arts, 2011
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Third-Person » Arcade
Dead Space 2 is a terrific game, with a campaign that simultaneously leaves you satisfied and eager for more, and intense multiplayer that gives you a great reason to keep coming back to this terrifying universe.
Unless you’re just plain chicken, this is a sci-fi horror adventure you definitely want to suit up for.
#18. Far Cry 3
- Release Data: Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft, 2012
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
Far Cry 3 has effectively managed to bring a level of unparalleled insanity to a franchise that listens to its fans and manages to effectively redefine itself with each outing.
Far Cry 3’s deep open world experience filled with its entertaining storyline and vibrant visuals makes it one of the best open world shooter games on the Xbox 360.
#17. Shadow Complex
- Release Data: Chair Entertainment/Epic Games, 2009
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Third-Person » Arcade
Shadow Complex probably could have used a little more development time to iron out a few glitches and nail down the sometimes awkward aiming system.
Even so, it stands as one of the best third-person shooter games for the Xbox 360.
#16. Borderlands 2
- Release Data: Gearbox Software/2K Games, 2012
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
Borderlands 2 preserves the best parts of the franchise while also making numerous, much needed improvements to areas like narrative and class skill design.
Additional visual customization options would make it better, and the occasional technical issue takes away from the experience, but overall this is an excellent shooter no one even remotely curious should overlook.
#15. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas
- Release Data: Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft, 2006
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Tactical
Rainbow Six: Vegas returns to form as an excellent tactical shooter, but is much more accessible for the average shooter fan with streamlined controls and a simple health system.
In short, it’s refreshed, reinvented, and it’s also one of the best first-person tactical shooters on the Xbox 360.
#14. Left 4 Dead
- Release Data: Certain Affinity/Electronic Arts, 2008
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
Between the tense campaign and the frenetic Versus mode, Left 4 Dead offers two distinct flavors of multiplayer action that are equally great.
The single-player experience isn’t as good, simply because the AI can’t compare to a real human.
In short, Left 4 Dead makes both sides of the zombie apocalypse a thrill to experience, as long as you’re not alone.
#13. Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2
- Release Data: Bizarre Creations, 2008
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Shoot-‘Em-Up » Top-Down
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 is a solid sequel.
Three of the six modes are great fun, with the other three being at least playable.
So, if you love Geometry Wars you’ll love this. And if you’ve never played Geometry Wars before, then now is a perfect time to do so.
#12. Call of Duty 2
- Release Data: Infinity Ward/Activision, 2005
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
If you liked the original and have been thirsting for more, Call of Duty 2 will definitely deliver.
And if you haven’t experienced a Call of Duty game before, then get ready for an incredible experience in Call of Duty 2 for the Xbox 360.
#11. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter
- Release Data: Ubisoft Paris/Ubisoft, 2006
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Tactical
If you like shooters or action games, and you own an Xbox 360, Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter is a must-own for your library.
Even those who don’t necessarily like shooters may want to at least try the game out, as Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter represents the best of what a tactical shooter can offer.
#10. Gears of War 3
- Release Data: Epic Games/Microsoft Game Studios, 2011
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Third-Person » Arcade
Building on the savage shoot-outs and merciless melees of its predecessors, Gears of War 3 hones the series’ signature action to a wickedly sharp edge.
It’s an exhilarating, emotional, and thoroughly satisfying finale for the series, and it makes Gears of War 3 one of the best shooters on the Xbox 360.
#9. Halo: Reach
- Release Data: Bungie/Microsoft Game Studios, 2010
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
Though its deep roots may not win over those who haven’t enjoyed previous games in the series, Halo: Reach is a towering achievement that delivers an enormous amount of engaging content that players will no doubt be enjoying for years to come.
#8. BioShock Infinite
- Release Data: Irrational Games/2K Games, 2013
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
If you are okay with some of the themes and violence, you will find yourself immersed in a beautifully realized world, engaging storyline while also playing a well-crafted shooter.
It is impressive that the developers were able to make Infinite familiar to fans of the original game, while making it stand alone on its own merits as well.
#7. Gears of War 2
- Release Data: Epic Games/Microsoft Game Studios, 2008
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Third-Person » Arcade
Gears of War 2 has a lot in common with its predecessor, but the darker storyline and epic scale certainly have a lot to offer fans.
The new weapons, melee attacks, and co-op options make for a campaign that you’ll want to complete a few times.
Simply put, it’s a shooter that no action fan will want to miss out on.
#6. Halo 3
- Release Data: Bungie/Microsoft Game Studios, 2007
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
On the surface, Halo 3 is every bit the sequel you would expect it to be, in that it delivers meaningful upgrades to both the story-driven and competitive sides of the package.
However, it’s the addition of the Forge level editor and the saved films that give the game an even longer set of legs.
#5. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
- Release Data: Infinity Ward/Activision, 2009
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
The inelegant campaign plot may make you feel like you’re just along for the ride, but it is such an intense, roaringly great ride that you will be glad just to have played it.
The cooperative missions provide a uniquely fun angle on the action that rounds out the package superbly, making Modern Warfare 2 entertaining and rewarding.
#4. Gears of War
- Release Data: Epic Games/Microsoft Game Studios, 2006
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Third-Person » Arcade
Gears of War is a game with a gameplay that is supremely fulfilling from start to finish in all of its various modes.
While there have certainly been plenty of similar shooters before it, the game’s great weapons, amazing graphics, and absolutely thrilling action make it stand out from the pack in a big, big way.
#3. Portal 2
- Release Data: Valve Software, 2011
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
As you journey through the massive Aperture facility, it becomes clear that Portal 2 does not merely come after Portal.
Instead, it radiates outward from its predecessor, simultaneously illuminating the world that gave rise to Portal and continuing the adventure that began there.
#2. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
- Release Data: Infinity Ward/Activision, 2007
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
It’s a shame that the single-player is so brief, but you should only skip out on Call of Duty 4 if you’re the sort of person who doesn’t appreciate great first-person shooter multiplayer.
The quality of the content in the campaign is totally top-shelf, and the multiplayer is some of the best around, making this a truly superb package.
#1. BioShock
- Release Data: Irrational Games/2K Games, 2007
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
If you’re the kind of player who just wants yet another action-packed shooter, BioShock probably isn’t for you.
But BioShock‘s real strengths are as a compelling work of interactive fiction, and as a unique ride through a warped world with some great payoff built into its mysterious plot.
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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 shooter game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!
