Best Original Xbox Games With High Replayability

Launching a console with a strong game is common, but Xbox really stood out when it first released the Xbox with Halo: Combat Evolved.

Microsoft jumped into the video game console world on November 15, 2001, with a game that people still play and enjoy today. Was that a giveaway for what’s on this list? Probably, but it was inevitable!

While many remember the original Xbox for Halo, it actually had a wide range of fantastic games that kept players coming back for more. Let’s revisit those early days of Xbox and remember some of its best titles.

10. Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge

An Underrated Gem

Sometimes you just crave a classic, action-packed rail shooter experience, and that’s exactly what Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge delivers.

This game delivers a fantastic, classic arcade-style shooting experience, and it also features a surprisingly good story. While that might not sound special now, it was unusual for games of this type back then.

Playing Crimson Skies feels like stumbling across a favorite old movie on TV. Whenever I see something like Indiana Jones playing, I instantly unwind and enjoy it without thinking too much. That’s exactly what Crimson Skies is for me – a reliably fun and easy escape.

9. Project Gotham Racing 2

Before Forza, There Was PGR

I’m a big fan of the Forza series and really looking forward to Forza Horizon 6. But I also fondly remember and miss the Project Gotham Racing games.

I’ve always loved how Project Gotham Racing 2 blended collectible trading cards with fast-paced arcade-style racing. While the Forza Horizon games offer a similar experience, they’re more about exploring open worlds. Project Gotham Racing 2 felt like a classic racing game, and the way you could race through famous cities with a great soundtrack made it one of the best racing titles on the original Xbox.

The game also included a hidden bonus called Geometry Wars, which was a surprisingly addictive and visually striking top-down shooter. It was so good, it eventually became a full game available on Xbox Live Arcade for the Xbox 360. Finding it unexpectedly included with an already great racing game just made Project Gotham Racing 2 even more replayable.

8. Burnout 3: Takedown

Crash Into Me

Speaking of racing franchises I miss, let’s talk some Burnout, shall we?

While it doesn’t have the famous cars or settings of Project Gotham Racing, Burnout offers incredibly fun, fast-paced arcade racing and a fantastic soundtrack, particularly in Burnout 3: Takedown. But the real draw isn’t just the racing – it’s the deliberate chaos and spectacular crashes. Unlike many online racing games where crashes are accidental, Burnout rewards you for taking down your opponents, and it’s incredibly satisfying!

In addition to standard racing, Burnout 3 added a new “Crash Mode” where players could create spectacular, over-the-top car crashes reminiscent of action movies. It wasn’t actually real-world destruction, of course, but the game let you experience the thrill of a Hollywood-style car wreck.

7. Fable

Holding Out For A Hero

Fable didn’t quite reach its full potential, but it’s still a fantastic action RPG that I enjoy playing again and again every year.

What really makes this game stand out is how enjoyable the fighting is, and surprisingly, it still feels new and exciting even after two decades. Replaying Fable is like revisiting a beloved TV show – it’s reliably comforting and always a good time.

Albion might not be a long game, but it’s a fantastic way to spend a weekend. Sometimes you want to be the hero, and sometimes it’s fun to be mischievous – and Fable handles both really well. Despite a few imperfections, its great gameplay and uniquely British wit make it a standout RPG. Hopefully, the new version will be just as good.

6. Ninja Gaiden

Master Ninja

Even without the three Ninja Gaiden releases we saw this year, I would have still spent a lot of time playing Ninja Gaiden in 2025. Originally launched in 2004 for the Xbox, Ninja Gaiden is considered one of the best action games ever made. And Ninja Gaiden Black continues to define the hack-and-slash genre with its incredibly fast-paced, challenging gameplay.

Ninja Gaiden remains the gold standard for challenging games, even as titles like those from FromSoftware raise the bar. It’s brutally difficult and incredibly fast-paced, but overcoming those hurdles is incredibly rewarding. Once you learn its demanding combat system and beat its toughest enemies, the feeling of accomplishment is unmatched.

You know how sometimes you start a game and just…can’t stop? It’s like, each time I play, I get a little better, my scores climb, and I’m breezing through levels. Before I know it, I’m totally hooked, playing way more than I probably should be!

5. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Grove Street

Remember the excitement of starting Grand Theft Auto V and being amazed by its huge world? That’s what it was like when you first played Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Now, picture being an Xbox player watching PlayStation 2 owners have all the fun with the GTA trilogy.

Great news for Xbox fans – Grand Theft Auto is finally available! It’s everything we hoped for and more, looking fantastic while delivering on all the hype.

Even if you’ve already spent hours exploring San Andreas on PlayStation 2, it’s still worth revisiting on Xbox. Forget the Hot Coffee mod – the real draw is Rockstar’s incredible talent for creating immersive open worlds. San Andreas remains one of the most detailed, captivating, and over-the-top Grand Theft Auto games ever made. While newer games may be larger in scope, remember that San Andreas packed an unbelievable amount of content into a PS2 title.

4. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

Before Skyrim And Oblivion, There Was Morrowind

I still remember when a coworker convinced me to play Morrowind. He described it as basically Grand Theft Auto, but in a fantasy world, and said you could literally do anything. I was instantly hooked!

Yes, it’s a bit rough around the edges, but that’s actually part of what makes it special. Morrowind was stunning when it first came out, and incredibly, it still feels that way today. It’s a huge RPG that somehow manages to work perfectly, and it was truly unique for its time.

Considering the recent update to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and the long wait for the next Elder Scrolls game, it’s a great time to revisit the series’ older titles. While the graphics and gameplay might seem a bit old-fashioned, Morrowind still holds up and is well worth playing even now.

3. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

One Of The Best RPGs Of All Time

Even knowing the big surprise in Knights of the Old Republic, it’s still one of the most fun RPGs to play again and again.

Long before it was common, BioWare’s classic RPG let players customize their characters in many different ways, with a story that changed based on their choices and allowed for a lot of freedom in how the game was played. Each time you played, it felt unique. While it didn’t have quite as much dialogue and decision-making as games like Baldur’s Gate, it was remarkably innovative for its time and delivered a fantastic experience.

Many of the things people love about Mass Effect were first done in Knights of the Old Republic. While it wasn’t quite as polished, it’s still a highly respected game, and fans are eagerly hoping for a remake.

2. Halo 2

I Need A Weapon

While Halo 2’s story isn’t as strong as the first Halo game – which is considered one of the greatest campaigns ever – the game truly shined with its multiplayer mode. That’s what people really loved about it.

By the time Halo 2 came out in 2004, Xbox Live was established, but Halo 2 really showcased what it could do. I distinctly remember working at GameStop then, and our Xbox demo unit prominently featured the arrival of Halo on Xbox Live with Halo 2. And it definitely lived up to the hype!

I really enjoyed Halo 2’s campaign, but for me, the multiplayer is the best part of the whole Halo series. The maps were smaller and more action-packed than in the first game – some people preferred the larger maps of the original, but I thought the tighter spaces led to more frequent battles and made the game incredibly replayable.

1. Halo: Combat Evolved

The Silent Cartographer

I really enjoy playing Halo 2, especially the multiplayer on Xbox Live, but Halo: Combat Evolved is still my favorite.

The game’s multiplayer is widely considered one of the best in any genre, not just first-person shooters. However, even after many playthroughs, the single-player campaign remains incredibly enjoyable.

Sharing the Halo campaign with someone new is a special experience. It’s not about them holding you back; seeing their fresh perspective on the story, gameplay, and levels lets you enjoy it all over again like it’s your first time. Or, if you’re playing with a veteran, tackling Halo: Combat Evolved on Legendary difficulty together for the first time is always a blast.

Or tenth.

2025-12-13 18:41