Powerful and connected, the original Xbox launched Microsoft into the race with Halo, Halo 2, Fable, Ninja Gaiden and the Xbox Live adventure. This Top 100 gathers the best of the black console, re-tested and re-ranked by RomWize, each title with its re-evaluated score, its versions, their rarity and their collector value.
"Smilebit Xbox-exclusive rail shooter, visual and artistic masterpiece. Dragon evolution between different forms is brilliant. Breathtaking orchestral soundtrack. One of the most beautiful games of the Xbox generation, a unique and memorable experience."
"Burnout 2 perfects the formula with an addictive nitrous boost system and spectacular crash modes. The best in the series before Burnout 3. Varied modes, satisfying crashes, pure speed. One of the best arcade racers on Xbox."
"Foundational open world RPG of the modern generation, Xbox port of the PC original. Unparalleled total freedom, fascinating Vvardenfell world, extraordinarily rich quests. Writing and lore of rare depth. An RPG monument that must be played."
"Complete Morrowind version with both major expansions (Tribunal and Bloodmoon) included. The definitive version of the Bethesda masterpiece. If you own only one Morrowind, it's this one. Colossal content, incalculable value."
"Japanese version of Project Gotham Racing, essentially identical to the international version. For collectors seeking the JP version of this elegant Xbox-exclusive racing game."
"Return of Yu Suzuki's OutRun classic adapted to the Xbox generation. The relaxed musical driving is perfectly preserved. Beautiful graphics, varied circuits, iconic soundtrack. Xbox exclusive, one of the best OutRun versions ever made."
"Splinter Cell sequel featuring the revolutionary asymmetric Spies vs Mercs multiplayer mode. Excellent solo campaign in varied environments. Spies vs Mercs durably influenced asymmetric multiplayer gaming. A major franchise episode."
"Ubisoft Montreal masterpiece, action platformer with time manipulation. The Prince is agile and graceful, platform puzzles are inventive, time rewinding is revolutionary. Charming narration. One of the best action games of its generation."
"MGS2 on Xbox with massive extra content (VR Missions, Snake Tales). Kojima's post-modern narrative at its most provocative peak. Controversial Raiden but the game remains a major work. The Xbox version is the most complete available."
"Even more ambitious PGR sequel with more cities, more cars, exceptional Xbox Live multiplayer. One of the best racing games of its generation across all platforms. Hong Kong at night is a moment of pure video game beauty."
"Bioware action RPG in a fantastic ancient China universe. Fluid real-time combat, deep Bioware signature narrative, impactful moral choices. Xbox then PC exclusive. One of the best role-playing games of the Xbox generation, masterful."
"Remedy's revolutionary bullet-time in a mesmerizing neo-noir story. Max Payne defined a genre and remains delightful to revisit. The wintry New York atmosphere, graphic novels between levels, the music. A timeless TPS classic."
"Excellent Free Radical humorous FPS, better than the first. Levels set in different eras, fast-paced gameplay, memorable multiplayer. The TimeSplitters series at its best. Foundationally similar to GoldenEye in approach. An unjustly overlooked classic."
"Ubisoft Montpellier masterpiece unjustly forgotten at launch. Jade is a memorable heroine, the dystopian universe unique, gameplay varies between investigation, stealth and combat. A game every adventure game fan should play."
"Xbox-exclusive aerial action game, one of the console's best. 1930s retrofuturistic planes, fast-paced and fun aerial combat, open world to explore. Excellent Xbox Live online in its day. An often overlooked gem of the original Xbox library."
"The first Burnout, founding arcade racing-crashing game. Collisions are the heart of gameplay, immediate fun. Less rich than its sequels but the series DNA is already there. A classic to revisit in the context of the franchise's evolution."
"Even more terrifying Fatal Frame sequel, featuring twins in a cursed village. Psychological horror reaches a new level, twins Mio and Mayu are endearing. More varied and visually elaborate. A peak of Japanese survival horror."
"Tony Hawk featuring a narrative story mode and player-created character. Major formula evolution with on-foot sections. Fun satirical narrative. Slightly below THPS3 in pure gameplay but enriching for the franchise."
"Xbox-exclusive 3D versus fighting masterpiece, one of the console's most beautiful games. Spectacular interactive environments, fluid animations, technical and accessible combat. Sets the bar for 3D versus of its generation. An absolute must."
"Double Fine masterpiece by Tim Schafer, one of the most creative games ever made. Each character's mental world is a brilliant and unique idea. Exceptional humor, unforgettable characters. An unjustly neglected classic at launch, now cult."
