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.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"Absolute masterpiece, one of the best games of the entire Xbox generation. Immersive FPS-stealth with a unique sense of physical presence. Excellent narration, convincing Vin Diesel, memorable Butcher Bay. The exception that confirms licensed games can be great."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"French version of Oddworld Stranger's Wrath, one of the most original games on original Xbox. The Stranger bounty hunts in an alien Far West with a unique living ammo system. Brilliant FPS/TPS hybrid, surprising narrative. An overlooked masterpiece."
"Burnout 3 sequel with the Traffic Checking concept - ramming slow cars into opponents. Even more offensive than the third. Frantic Road Rage mode. A notch below Burnout 3 for some but still exceptional."
"Atmospheric Doom reboot prioritizing tension and terror over frantic action. Breathtaking graphics for the era, successfully claustrophobic Mars Colony atmosphere. The separate flashlight mechanic is controversial but effective. A major horror FPS."
"Rayman 2 sequel featuring the Hoodlums as enemies. Fluid and fun 3D gameplay, off-beat Ubisoft Montpellier humor, varied levels. Less memorable than the second but solid and charming. A good 3D platformer for the Xbox library."
