We already published the list of best original Xbox games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best original Xbox action games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the original Xbox definitely has a great library of action games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the original Xbox and action 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. Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy
- Release Data: Midway, 2004
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Third-Person » Arcade
Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy is a great game overall.
While it may look like just another third-person shooter with military overtones, the psi abilities are implemented so well that it’s even worth taking a second playthrough at the game once you’ve completed it.
So if you’re on the hunt for a new action game, Psi-Ops would fit the bill very well.
#24. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six 3: Black Arrow
- Release Data: Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft, 2004
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Tactical
All around, Rainbow Six 3: Black Arrow is a great package that builds on the framework that was laid out by the original game.
The worst thing you can say about this release is that it’s essentially the same game as Rainbow Six 3, but since its predecessor was exceptional, it’s not a bad thing at all.
#23. Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Tides of War
- Release Data: Nerve Software/Activision, 2003
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
Return to Castle Wolfenstein is about as fun as they come.
The framerate is a bit troublesome at times, but not enough to really detract from the experience of shooting some Nazi and zombies.
While Wolfenstein offers a good deal of single-player and split-screen co-op play, the real bread and butter was the online support.
#22. Guilty Gear X2 #Reload
- Release Data: Arc System Works/Sammy Studios, 2004
- Genre: Action » Fighting » 2D
This is one of the most highly evolved 2D fighting games—and not just from a gameplay standpoint, since Guilty Gear X2 #Reload is also among the first online fighting games.
That makes it very easy to recommend to any fan of the genre, except maybe for those who expressly dislike the game’s anime-inspired character design.
#21. Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood
- Release Data: Gearbox Software/Ubisoft, 2005
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
In the end, it delivers a pretty similar experience to the first game, even going so far as to tell an overlapping story.
Of course, if you enjoyed Road to Hill 30, then Earned in Blood is definitely worth picking up, both for the tactical gameplay and for the high-class presentation of the story.
#20. The Warriors
- Release Data: Rockstar Toronto/Rockstar Games, 2005
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
With its unrelenting obsession with nailing the details of the movie’s universe, its quality action, and its breadth of content, The Warriors is easily one of the better pure-action games on the Xbox.
If you’ve got a thing for mature-themed action games, The Warriors is well worth your while.
#19. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon
- Release Data: Red Storm Entertainment/Microsoft Game Studios, 2002
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Tactical
In a crowded genre of similar action games, you’ll undoubtedly find Ghost Recon to be a welcome addition to the Xbox library.
It would have been nice if the game had updated graphics and better squad AI, but as it is, this is a great game nonetheless.
#18. Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
- Release Data: Rockstar Vienna/Rockstar Games, 2003
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Third-Person » Arcade
The fact that Max Payne 2 essentially provides more of what made the first game so outstanding makes it a must for anyone who liked the original.
Like its predecessor, and in some ways even more so, Max Payne 2 is a remarkable production, and what it lacks in length it more than makes up for in quality and density.
#17. Max Payne
- Release Data: neo Software/Rockstar Games, 2001
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Third-Person » Arcade
Don’t worry about what it doesn’t have—you’ll relish this highly polished, tightly focused, graphically stunning shooter for what it is.
The game’s incredible technical accomplishments and its original play mechanics all combine to make it one of the very finest shooters ever made.
The Xbox may already have a superlative shooter in Halo, but there’s no substitute for Max Payne.
#16. JSRF: Jet Set Radio Future
- Release Data: Smilebit/Sega, 2002
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 3D
Despite a few rough edges, Jet Set Radio Future manages to shine because of its addictive, original gameplay and its stunning graphics.
It’s an unusual game that offers a serious challenge, as well as gorgeous graphics, a strong soundtrack, plenty of style, and good replay value.
#15. Dead or Alive 3
- Release Data: Team Ninja/Microsoft Game Studios, 2001
- Genre: Action » Fighting » 3D
Dead or Alive 3 is basically very similar to its predecessor.
So if you’ve already mastered previous Dead or Alive games, let alone other 3D fighting games, then you may find that there’s very little new for you here.
On the other hand, if you’ve never played a Dead or Alive game before, then this is great place to start.
#14. Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict
- Release Data: Epic Games/Midway, 2005
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
Unreal Championship 2 is an easy game to like.
While the concept of a first-person shooter going behind the back may sound a little strange at first, Unreal Championship 2 pulls it off with ease and, at the same time, provides a fantastic new twist on an old favorite.
#13. Far Cry Instincts
- Release Data: Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft, 2005
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
Far Cry Instincts is a game that pushes the Xbox to its limits, but it also delivers stunning graphics and excellent gameplay.
Quite simply, this is a game that you have to play if you’re a first-person shooter fan and you own an Xbox.
#12. DOOM 3
- Release Data: Vicarious Visions/Activision, 2005
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
A definite recommend for fans of first-person shooters, Doom 3 tries to do some different things with the tried-and-true formula established in the 1990s and it largely succeeds.
You can see the influence of genres like survival horror in this title and, if you’re more into the scary, dark version of Doom, then this game will make you happy.
#11. Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack
- Release Data: Bungie/Microsoft Game Studios, 2005
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
An essential set of maps for Halo 2, the Multiplayer Map Pack was the first indication many gamers had that online and multiplayer was where the series’ future was.
An amazingly compelling multiplayer title even now, Halo 2 is one of the best games ever not just on Xbox.
#10. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six 3
- Release Data: Ubisoft, 2003
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Tactical
The single-player and multiplayer portions of Rainbow Six 3 combine to make this a great game that’s easily recommended to Xbox owners looking for a realistic shooter.
The game’s core action is executed very well, and the variety of realistic weapons and locations should keep tactical shooter fans busy for a long time.
#9. TimeSplitters 2
- Release Data: Free Radical Design/Eidos Interactive, 2002
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
If you’re someone who can’t deal with split-screen multiplayer, then TimeSplitters 2 will probably feel like one gigantic missed opportunity to you.
But anyone looking for a solid, console-style first-person shooter with enough options to keep you playing for a long time will find that TimeSplitters 2 definitely does the job with style.
#8. Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30
- Release Data: Gearbox Software/Ubisoft, 2005
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
By bringing together the best aspects of squad-based shooters with the freedom of a more action-oriented game, Brothers in Arms offers a unique gameplay experience in the unlikeliest of genres: a World War II shooter.
Combined with a well-designed and thought-out multiplayer aspect, Brothers in Arms offers one of the best World War II gaming experiences to date.
#7. The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay
- Release Data: Starbreeze/VU Games, 2004
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay deliberately approaches Hollywood-like levels of intensity, pacing, and sheer spectacle like few, if any, games ever have.
And if you’re mature enough to handle the game’s subject matter, then you’d be a fool not to play The Chronicles of Riddick.
#6. Half-Life 2
- Release Data: Valve Software/Electronic Arts, 2005
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
One playthrough of this game will tell you all you need to know about why people are absolutely obsessed with Valve’s dystopian sci-fi horror.
In any list of the best games ever made for any system ever, Half-Life 2 will invariably appear somewhere on that roster.
#5. Psychonauts
- Release Data: Double Fine Productions/Majesco, 2005
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 3D
It’s pretty evident where all that development time was spent, as each and every moment just seems so carefully crafted and polished, to the point where you can’t help but feel a deep appreciation for the whole experience.
Anyone looking for a fun and whimsical adventure with a brilliant presentation and a fantastic story will find just that in Psychonauts.
#4. Panzer Dragoon Orta
- Release Data: Smilebit/Sega, 2003
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Rail
Overall, Panzer Dragoon Orta is an outstandingly well-executed game, featuring gameplay that’s easy to grasp but rewards continued practice, a good story, and a lot of worthwhile extras.
While the gameplay itself couldn’t be called revolutionary, it draws on the conventions that once made shooters the most popular gaming genre in existence and refurbishes them with a few new twists.
#3. SoulCalibur II
- Release Data: Namco/Electronic Arts, 2003
- Genre: Action » Fighting » 3D
SoulCalibur II is both great for new players as well as veterans and it is a strikingly beautiful game even now.
More important than that, however, is that the core gameplay holds up in surprising ways.
You’ll not have had this much fun with a game this old ever.
#2. Halo 2
- Release Data: Bungie/Microsoft Game Studios, 2004
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
To say that there’s a lot to like about Halo 2 would be an understatement.
Despite a rather short campaign and a disappointing storyline, Halo 2 is an exceptional shooter that frequently delivers thrilling, memorable, and unique moments in its online, co-op, and single-player modes.
#1. Halo: Combat Evolved
- Release Data: Bungie/Microsoft Game Studios, 2001
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
It’s one of the few first-person shooters that manages to transcend its genre, meaning that it’s not only an excellent first-person shooter, but it’s an excellent game, period.
Not only is this easily the best of the Xbox launch games, but it’s easily one of the best shooters ever, on any platform.
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See also: Best Gaming Chairs & Best Xbox 360 Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which original Xbox action game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!