The Xbox (also known as Original Xbox) is one of the most popular consoles, being the main rival for the PlayStation 2.
With so many exclusive titles, the original Xbox surely got its own niche.
For those of you who have played this remarkable console in the past, I bet you want to know the best original Xbox games of all time.
And some of you may already know some of the games mentioned in this list.
#25. 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.
#24. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind – Game of the Year Edition
- Release Data: Bethesda Softworks, 2003
- Genre: Role-Playing » Western-Style
What modern The Elder Scrolls players might notice about Morrowind that sets it apart from modern titles is that it really doesn’t hold your hand at all.
The world is vast, the expanses are huge and detailed, and you will easily get lost but that’s kind of the point.
#23. SSX 3
- Release Data: EA Canada/EA Sports Big, 2003
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Ski / Snowboard
The game’s new, open-ended structure, excellent audio, enhanced trick system, and improved graphics combine to make this a superlative sequel to a series that’s always had high standards.
Regardless of whether you’ve played SSX or care much about snowboarding, you’d be doing yourself a favor by checking this game out.
#22. Burnout Revenge
- Release Data: Criterion Games/Electronic Arts, 2005
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
Burnout Revenge might not be the revolution that Burnout 3 was, but in the end, it changes more than enough to make it feel like a very different game.
It’s a technical marvel, but more importantly than that, it’s one of the most exciting racing games ever made.
#21. World Soccer Winning Eleven 8 International
- Release Data: KCET/Konami, 2005
- Genre: Sports » Team » Soccer » Sim
If you can manage to play without official licenses and are looking for the most realistic soccer game available for the original Xbox, in addition to an all-consuming career mode that you can play when your friends aren’t around, then Winning Eleven 8 is definitely the game for you.
#20. 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.
#19. 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.
#18. ESPN NFL 2K5
- Release Data: Visual Concepts/Sega, 2004
- Genre: Sports » Team » Football » Sim
Again, another great title from Sega that offers gamers something different than the standard EA game.
ESPN NFL 2K5 may be the last but it is a worthy end to a franchise that should still be making games.
Pick up this title, and do so with the peace of mind that you’re getting no less than the deal of a lifetime.
#17. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3
- Release Data: Neversoft Entertainment/Activision, 2002
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard
The first game reinvented a genre and set off a series of clones that still flood the market today.
The second game refined the formula, but its higher level of difficulty and steeper learning curve turned off casual players.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 brings it all together in one package that makes everything before it almost unplayable by comparison.
#16. NCAA Football 2004
- Release Data: EA Sports, 2003
- Genre: Sports » Team » Football » Sim
If you’re a casual college football fan and you already own the previous game, then there really isn’t a huge reason for you to buy this game.
But if you’re a hardcore fan, then you will certainly enjoy all of the features that EA Sports has added to make an enjoyable game even better.
#15. 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.
#14. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Release Data: Rockstar North/Rockstar Games, 2005
- Genre: Action Adventure » Open-World
GTA San Andreas has you doing many, many more things than any previous GTA game, and the strength of all these different elements makes for a powerful package that doesn’t disappoint.
With its strong story, well-written dialogue, terrific voice cast, impressive graphics, and extremely entertaining and varied gameplay, GTA San Andreas is a stupendous thrill ride that shouldn’t be missed.
#13. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow
- Release Data: Ubisoft Shanghai/Ubisoft, 2004
- Genre: Action Adventure » General
Judged solely on its single-player offering, Pandora Tomorrow would still be a great follow-up to its predecessor.
And then there’s the fascinatingly complex multiplayer mode, which truly is one of a kind and potentially gives Pandora Tomorrow much more lasting value than its predecessor.
#12. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell
- Release Data: Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft, 2002
- Genre: Action Adventure » General
If you’re easily frustrated by games, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell probably isn’t for you.
Yet it’s undoubtedly one the best examples of a stealth game to date, and it will surely appeal to those who’ve enjoyed similar games in the past.
#11. Ninja Gaiden
- Release Data: Team Ninja/Microsoft Game Studios, 2004
- Genre: Action Adventure » General
The rebirth of the series didn’t leave one classic aspect behind: Difficulty like you wouldn’t believe.
But don’t worry, it’s all worth it.
From its detailed and twisting story to its absolutely perfect control scheme, Ninja Gaiden is a worthy successor to the original series.
#10. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
- Release Data: Ubisoft, 2003
- Genre: Action Adventure » Linear
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is a game that can be recommended wholeheartedly.
It looks fantastic and features responsive controls, some original play mechanics, a good story, and plenty of thrilling adventure.
In the simplest terms: Do not miss out on this game.
#9. Forza Motorsport
- Release Data: Microsoft Game Studios, 2005
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
Forza‘s main success is in finding a blend between pleasing the notoriously fickle minority that likes its driving games consistently challenging and demandingly detailed, while at the same time introducing a set of user-friendly assists.
Forza may well be remembered as a title that introduced an entirely new set of fans to the beauty and power of driving games.
#8. Burnout 3: Takedown
- Release Data: Criterion Games/EA Games, 2004
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
Unless your only idea of driving-game enjoyment involves playing the strictest of simulations, Burnout 3: Takedown is the driving game for you.
Furthermore, it’s simply one of the most exciting, action-packed games to come along in a long time, regardless of genre.
Overall, Burnout 3: Takedown is an amazing achievement that anyone with a pulse will probably love.
#7. Project Gotham Racing 2
- Release Data: Bizarre Creations/Microsoft Game Studios, 2003
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
Project Gotham Racing 2 is an excellent racing game overall and boasts such a sheer quantity of features and options that most other racing games simply cannot compare.
On top of that, solid gameplay and a diverse, flat-out terrific selection of cars help give Project Gotham Racing 2 plenty of long-term appeal.
#6. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
- Release Data: Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft, 2005
- Genre: Action Adventure » General
Splinter Cell Chaos Theory fulfills a lot of the previously untapped potential of its predecessors’ single-player portions, while successfully extending the impressive multiplayer offerings of Pandora Tomorrow.
It’s got to be the most fully featured stealth action game to date, so if you like the idea of high-tech espionage, it’s certainly going to have plenty to offer you.
#5. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
- Release Data: BioWare/Activision, 2003
- Genre: Role-Playing » General
It’s apparent from playing Knights of the Old Republic that a remarkable amount of effort, work, and talent went into this game.
It’s one of the only Star Wars games to truly make you feel at times as though you’re a key player in and a part of this unique and beloved sci-fi setting.
#4. 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.
#3. Grand Theft Auto Double Pack
- Release Data: Rockstar Vienna/Rockstar Games, 2003
- Genre: Casual » Compilation
If you’re an Xbox owner who either hasn’t played these games or is looking to play them again, the Xbox versions of GTA III and Vice City are the best ones available, and they’re just as amazing now as they were when they were first released on the PlayStation 2.
#2. Ninja Gaiden Black
- Release Data: Team Ninja/Tecmo, 2005
- Genre: Action Adventure » General
Ninja Gaiden Black fulfills the last bits of untapped potential in what already was a truly extraordinary game and an instant classic.
Though the underlying gameplay is mostly unchanged, by presenting so many more modes and options, Ninja Gaiden Black unleashes the absolute best this gameplay has to offer.
#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 game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!
