thoughthead

The Xbox 360 has been out over a year now, and after seeing two holiday seasons it’s got a good collection of games here. I know quite a few people who received Xbox 360′s this holiday and I’ve seen some questions as to which games people recommend. I decided to compile a list of 10 games every serious Xbox 360 owner should have in their collection, if you’ve never played some of these titles you owe it to yourself to at least give them a rental. Half of these titles are from 2005 and as such can now be found on the cheap be it from the discount rack or the used bin. There’s a lot to cover so this article will be delivered in two parts; the part 1 covers the budget games released early in the Xbox 360′s life.

From the Discount Rack
These games were released in 2005 and have MSRPs ranging from $5 to $40, substantially less if you can find them used. These titles exemplify what launch window titles should be, they offer some great examples of what the Xbox 360 can do and are still quite worth playing even a year beyond their release. The low price points will help new console owners kick start their collection while those who have had an Xbox 360 for a while now can go back and pick up these gems cheap if they happened to miss them the first time around.

• Call of Duty 2: Game of the Year Edition – Call of Duty 2 was as close to a killer app as the Xbox 360 got at launch, nearly three quarters of all Xbox 360 owners purchased this game along with their console. As someone who doesn’t usually swoon over shooters I had avoided this title at first, but after downloading and playing the demo out of boredom I was hooked and bought the game that day. It really throws you right into the action, the level design and gameplay are suburb and the graphics are fantastic as well. It’s also one of the few shooters to offer four player local split screen. The online multiplayer was a bit buggy when it first came out but much of that was worked out and polished up after it’s release. However the most beautiful part of the game is the computer AI, cranking the difficulty up to Veteran and you’ll be in for a treat, when you loose you’ll feel as if the computer genuinely outplayed you, as opposed to some games were you just feel cheated. The Game was re-released in a Game of the Year Edition which includes the requisite behind the scenes features as well as several bonus multiplayer levels. You can snag the GOTY edition for about $40 or you could probably pick up the vanilla version for a few bucks less if you go used and the extra multiplayer maps can be downloaded later for a small fee if you decide you want more. If you want even more after that you might consider picking up the recently released Call of Duty 3, which is just as good, but more of the same.
• Condemned: Criminal Origins – This was the sleeper hit of the Xbox 360 launch line up; a fantastic game that was often looked over by journalists and gamers alike. Condemned is an adventure horror game set in a modern day city, you’re a crime scene investigator following a serial killer and while on a scene something happens and suddenly you’re pegged as a suspect. Your tools are something out of CSI and the script is something out of the X-Files. The atmosphere is so creepy you’ll get shivers just walking down an empty hallway. It controls like an FPS but that’s where the similarities end. Most of the game is investigatory and most of the combat is melee based (though there are a few firearms too). What makes this title stand out is it’s fantastic cinema quality story line and amazing sense of fear. The puzzles the game presents you with are very well done and feel very natural, unlike the cheap “find the shield/return to doorway” puzzles found in other adventure horror titles. Graphically the game is stunning, albeit very dark at times when wandering around alleys and vacant buildings at night. If you’ve ever played F.E.A.R. you’ll know what to expect from the graphics as they’re built on the same engine. Condemned is relatively short and is single player only but it’s worth playing through a few times to pick up clues you may have missed the first time through. Even still it’s my personal favorite Xbox 360 title, and at $30 new it’s worth every penny.
• Dead or Alive 4 – While not available right at the Xbox 360′s launch Dead or Alive 4 did hit stores before 2006. Many considered this to be the first well polished title for the console and one of the first titles to really show off both the graphical horsepower and feature filled multiplayer experience that the Xbox 360 offered. It was advertised as “Drop Dead Gorgeous” and that was no lie, running in 720p and a buttery smooth 60fps all while making use of new techniques such as motion blur and depth of field which really set the graphics off. Those familiar with the DOA series will find it very similar to previous titles, it includes every fighter to have previously appeared in a DOA fighting game as well as a handful of new fighters new arenas and new moves. Gameplay is just as good if not better then previous titles with the controls slightly tighter requiring faster responses for counters and throws, as well as adjustments to certain moves to make the game much more balanced. The game offers both online and off-line multiplayer with two to four players at once in one on one or tag mode respectivly or up to 16 players in various other tournament style modes. DOA4 offers arguably one of the most feature filled and easy to use online match making systems on any platform and at about $30 theres no reason any fighting game fan shouldn’t own this gem.
• Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved – Geometry Wars [review] embodies what every Xbox Live arcade game should be. It’s simple, fun, low cost, and good for unlimited replay value. Graphically the game is simple, looking like it’s running on old vector based arcade hardware, yet at the same time it’s stunning and memorizing running in HD with super smooth motions and vibrant colors. Many even claimed it was the best launch title for the Xbox 360. Whether or not you agree with that, at mere 400MS points ($5) every Xbox 360 owner should have this title. There are other notable XBLA titles such as Hexic HD [review], Marble Blast Ultra, Uno, and Small Arms but none of them stand out in the same way Geometry Wars does. If you happen to be unfortunate enough to be without broadband access you can purchase Geometry Wars along with several other XBLA titles in XBLA Unplugged Volume 1. Though a bit more expensive some might argue it’s value for Geometry Wars alone.
• Project Gotham Racing 3 – Before Forza, Project Gotham Racing was the definitive racing title on the Xbox, before that it was the definitive racing title on the Dreamcast under the title Metropolis Street Racer. Project Gotham Racing 3 is the pinnacle of the series. While the number of tracks and cars has been reduced since PGR2, the title has been improved in nearly every other aspect. For those of you unfamiliar with the series you race real cars on real city streets. The gameplay rides a fine line between arcade racer and simulator that provides enough of both to appease to either type of racing fan. The game concentrates more on driving skill then it does on car modifications, in-fact none of the cars can be modified at all, that doesn’t matter much as every car in the game is either a sport car or exotic an you’ll be able to drive the good stuff right off the bat. The franchise also features a unique points system called “kudos” where you’ll be rewarded for pulling off various driving maneuvers. While this title caught some flack for not actually rendering at a full HD resolutions (1024×600 if you must know) it is still quite a beautiful game, and arguably the most realistic looking racing game on any platform to date. The game also features a plethora of unique multiplayer features including a spectator mode called GothamTV, Cat and Mouse, and Cone Challenge in addition to more traditional features including Tournaments with cash prizes. It also includes one of the best in-game track editors I’ve ever used allowing you to create your own courses through the various featured cities. It’s worth Picking up for $30, and if you’re really serious about racing a special force feedback edition is included with the recently released Wireless Racing Wheel. Though the wheels price is quite steep at $150 it’s sure to support future racing titles. PGR3 offers broad appeal sitting squarely between arcade racer and simulation racer, however hardcore fans on one side of that fence or the other might find it too different from what they like. Hardcore arcade racers might want to check out Need for Speed: Most Wanted unfortunately there are no games yet for hardcore sim racers so they’ll simply have to wait for the release of Forza Motorsports 2 later this year.

Honorable Mention
Other quality discounted games you should look into, easily some of the console’s best but not good enough to make it into the top 10.

• Burnout Revenge – Ridiculously Fun gameplay that even non-gamers can have fun with, but more then enough of a challenge for hardcore gamers. Great multiplayer modes and enormous amounts of replay value, make Burnout Revenge one of the best Xbox 360 racers.
• Fight Night Round 3 – A graphical masterpiece, with unique analog stick gameplay make this one of the best boxing games on any system, though the gameplay and short career mode may become repetitive for some, it’s worth downloading the FNR3 demo just to impress your friends.
• Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter – G.R.A.W. is one of the best shooters on the Xbox 360, tight tactile combat and amazing graphics make this a winner, though it’s complexity may turn off many casual gamers.

continue on to part 2.