The Best Xbox 360 Games of All Time – The Essentials Part 3 (2011 – 2014)
Part 2 Xbox 360 Console Exclusives XBLA Games
This is my third post discussing the greatest multiplatform titles released on the Xbox 360 that still hold up well today. Part one explains how I am doing this in more detail.
Unlike other lists, this guide tells you which games to skip because better versions exist elsewhere.
Finally, heads up—I earn a small commission if you buy anything through my links. I only link to games I genuinely recommend. If a remaster or remake is better I tell you, even if it means losing a game sale.Here are the final multiplatform masterpieces for the Xbox 360:
2011 Continued
Deus Ex: Human Revolution (Eidos-Montréal)
Deus Ex: Human Revolution brought cyberpunk immersive sims back from the dead. Adam Jensen’s augmented journey through corporate conspiracy offers incredible freedom—every mission is a puzzle with multiple solutions. Sneak through vents using cloaking tech, hack security systems to turn turrets against guards, talk your way past checkpoints with dialogue choices, or go loud with lethal takedowns.
The brilliance is how levels like the Sarif Industries break-in or Detroit police station give you genuine agency. DE:HR’s multi-path design directly influenced Prey, Dishonored’s approach, and proved immersive sims still had a place. Grab the Director’s Cut if you really want a stealth/pacifist style, otherwise stick to the original. Cyberpunk gaming at its finest.
Fight Night Champion (EA Canada)
Fight Night Champion tells a prison-to-redemption story in boxing’s first M-rated campaign, mixing bare-knuckle prison fights with cinematic stakes that make every bout feel personal. Andre Bishop’s journey—framed by crooked promoters, clawing back from behind bars to heavyweight glory—plays like Rocky if consequences actually mattered, where cuts and swelling force referee stoppages that can end your night whether you’re winning on points or not. Having cutting-edge character rendering didn’t hurt either.
Full Spectrum Punch Control lets you throw every punch with the right stick if you want the depth, but button controls are still there so it never gets intimidating. Legacy Mode returns for a full career climb, and Online World Championship plus gyms and rivalry fights keep competition going. It’s backward compatible on Xbox One and X|S, and honestly still the only boxing game worth playing on modern Xbox hardware. The story mode alone makes it essential
Portal 2 (Valve)
Portal 2 returns to Aperture as Chell awakens in a collapsing facility, prodded by Wheatley and taunted by a resurrected GLaDOS. What follows is a masterpiece of physics-driven puzzle design and comedic writing. Gels that bounce or speed you up, light bridges, aerial faith plates, and tractor beam funnels steadily transform the portal gun into spatial genius, building complexity without overwhelming players.
Valve proved puzzle games could be AAA events with Pixar-caliber humor, reshaping perceptions of the genre. The separate two-player co-op campaign demands real teamwork and delivers unforgettable “aha!” moments. Clean, readable art and layered chambers encourage bold experimentation. Winning 57 GotY awards, this remains a timeless Xbox 360 standout and one of the greatest puzzle games ever made.
Top Spin 4 (2K Czech)
Top Spin 4 is a landmark game for the whole genre. It set the standard for tennis simulation by making timing feel natural instead of arbitrary, teaching rhythm through design. The press‑and‑hold inputs deliver precision and power shots–but the real breakthrough is visual timing feedback that shows exactly when to release, so your mistakes become lessons. Career mode lets players climb from unranked to Grand Slam champion, and you can choose your playstyle: whether you are a serve‑and‑volley or a defensive baseliner, the game shapes skill progression through coach‑driven upgrades instead of generic stat grinding.
Thousands of new animations made players move like their real counterparts while staying responsive, solving tennis games’ old problem of looking good but feeling sluggish. Its timing and control systems set the template modern sims followed, from AO Tennis/Tennis World Tour’s feedback helpers to TopSpin 2K25’s color‑timed windows and familiar stroke kits. It’s considered the most refined and polished tennis simulation ever made, and it still plays beautifully.
2012
Borderlands 2 (Gearbox Software)
Borderlands 2 pits new Vault Hunters against Handsome Jack on Pandora, blending razor-sharp writing with an endlessly rewarding looter-shooter loop. Millions of procedurally generated guns, distinct class skill trees, and synergistic builds keep firefights addictive. Four-player online or couch split-screen co-op with drop-in/drop-out play makes progression irresistible, whether hunting legendaries or tackling Raid Bosses.
Gearbox defined the modern console looter-shooter here, establishing the blueprint that Destiny, The Division, and Warframe followed. Comic-book art, gun feel, and hilarious questlines (hello, Tiny Tina) deliver character most shooters never touch. The loot chase still hooks players today, and the GotY edition (which I’ve linked to) is the definitive way to experience Pandora’s chaos on Xbox 360.
Dishonored (Arkane Studios)
Dishonored drops you into plague-ridden Dunwall as Corvo Attano, framed for the Empress’s murder. You are armed with supernatural abilities: blink across rooftops, possess enemies, stop time, or deploy creative gadgets across open-ended missions. Every level is a vertical playground rewarding experimentation and clever routing. The Chaos system tracks your lethality and shapes consequences, though some players wish it didn’t nudge so hard toward stealth when the game hands you awesome assassination tools.
Arkane Studios revived the immersive sim genre for a modern audience, proving players wanted open-ended worlds over linear stealth corridors. Its influence runs through Prey, Deathloop, and the modern Hitman trilogy. It won 52 GotY awards too. The industrial-Victorian art style remains striking years later, and the GotY edition (which I’ve linked to) is the definitive Dunwall experience on Xbox 360—the standard by which modern immersive sims are judged.
Mass Effect 3 (BioWare)
Mass Effect 3 wrapped up BioWare’s space opera trilogy with combat that felt smoother and more balanced than before. As Commander Shepard, players unite the galaxy to fight the Reaper invasion. Decisions from the previous two games shape who makes it through: whether it’s curing the Krogan genophage, making peace between the Quarians and Geth, or seeing some species fall no matter what you do.
The technical achievement in importing hundreds of save variations created personalized storylines reflecting years of decisions. The emotionally devastating character moments delivered incredible weight to a war where victory demanded loss. The controversial ending sparked debate about player agency, but the journey remains one of gaming’s most ambitious narrative accomplishments. The Legendary Edition is the definitive way to experience the whole trilogy, but the 360 version still rocks.
Mortal Kombat (NetherRealm Studios)
Mortal Kombat revolutionized fighting game storytelling with an 8-hour cinematic story mode. MK rebooted the franchise with Raiden time-traveling to prevent Armageddon by altering the original trilogy’s events, featuring Hollywood production values and flawless cutscene-to-fight transitions. The return to 2D combat brought back classic characters while the three-bar X-Ray Meter system enabled enhanced specials, combo breakers, and bone-crushing cinematic attacks with anatomical detail (you know what I mean).
Winner of multiple Best Fighting Game awards in 2011, Mortal Kombat proved fighting games could deliver compelling narratives alongside competitive depth. The Komplete Edition includes all DLC characters and costumes, making it the definitive version. The story mode still holds up as one of the best in fighting game history, and the tight 2D combat remains incredibly satisfying for anyone seeking brutality without modern complexity bloat.
The Walking Dead (Telltale Games)
The Walking Dead throws convicted killer Lee Everett into the zombie apocalypse as protector of orphaned Clementine, forging gaming’s most heartbreaking father-daughter bond. Telltale delivers gut-wrenching dilemmas with no right answers—who lives, who dies, who gets the last food—only consequences haunting five episodes. The choices feel brutally personal, with moral weight that sticks long after credits roll.
This proved interactive stories could match great TV for emotional impact, establishing the template for Life is Strange, Until Dawn, and Detroit: Become Human. Sharp comic-book visuals and expert voice acting elevate every choice you make. The Walking Dead didn’t just adapt a franchise, it proved choice-driven narrative games could be mainstream blockbusters, and is one of the 360’s most emotionally devastating games. Dominating the year with 74 GotY awards, it’s essential for anyone who wants games to make them feel something real.
2013
Bioshock Infinite (Irrational Games)
BioShock Infinite launched the franchise into Columbia’s floating 1912 utopia, where Booker DeWitt must rescue Elizabeth to clear a mysterious debt. The game trades Rapture’s claustrophobic dread for sky-high spectacle and Sky-Line combat. Elizabeth became gaming’s best AI companion since Alyx Vance, feeding ammo, creating cover, and driving a story exploring nationalism, class conflict, and identity.
Infinite proved blockbuster shooters could tackle religious extremism and complex themes without sacrificing the fun, influencing narrative-driven action games and elevating industry expectations for companion AI design. Its ending sparked debates that pushed what ambitious storytelling could achieve in the medium. Winning 46 GotY awards, BioShock Infinite is one of the era’s most audacious achievements: a shooter that respects intelligence as much as reflexes.
Injustice: Gods Among Us (NetherRealm Studios)
Injustice: Gods Among Us asks: what if Superman broke? After the Joker tricks him into killing Lois Lane and nuking Metropolis, Superman establishes an authoritarian regime to enforce peace. Batman leads the resistance, and the story doesn’t shy away from the big question: when Superman goes fascist, is he still the hero? This tackles darkness other superhero games wouldn’t touch.
Character Traits give each hero unique abilities, while the Clash system lets players bet their super meter in dramatic comeback battles; bet more than your opponent and you either recover health or deal extra damage. Stage-destroying environmental interactions and multi-level arena transitions deliver pure comic book spectacle. Winner of multiple Best Fighting Game awards in 2013, Injustice proved DC characters could carry a tournament-viable fighter with a killer story. The Ultimate Edition is the best version of the game on the 360.
Rayman Legends (Ubisoft)
Rayman Legends wakes up Rayman and friends to rescue Barbara and the Teensies from the Bubble Dreamer’s nightmares. Ubisoft delivered a virtually perfect hand-drawn platformer with rhythm-synced music stages where every jump matches the beat. The musical levels are pure genius—running through Castle Rock to Black Betty or Eye of the Tiger creates magic other platformers can’t touch. Inventive stealth sequences and creative variety across dozens of levels kept everything fresh.
Rayman Legends showed that 2D platformers could stand as prestige titles in the HD era when the industry obsessed over 3D. Its pioneering rhythm-platforming fusion raised expectations for what side-scrollers could achieve, delivering over 120 levels plus 40 full remastered Rayman Origins stages. Silky-smooth controls make this a masterpiece that still plays better than most modern platformers. The hand-drawn art style hasn’t aged a day, making it essential for anyone who values gameplay elegance over graphical horsepower.
XCOM: Enemy Within (Firaxis Games)
XCOM: Enemy Unknown is the Xbox 360’s turn-based strategy masterpiece. As Commander, you guide XCOM from investigating crash sites to uncovering the Ethereals’ galaxy-spanning experiments, with Earth as their final test. Every turn is a gamble: flanks, overwatch, and destructible cover create tense encounters. Permadeath makes soldiers’ stories matter, while base building and research turn small wins into global momentum.
Enemy Within is the best version: MEC troopers, gene mods, EXALT covert ops, extra maps, and bundled DLC create the definitive package. It still holds up because it rewards planning, improvisation, and hard choices—not twitch reflexes. Enemy Unknown single-handedly revived turn-based strategy, proving tactical games could find massive success on consoles.
2014
Diablo 3 Ultimate Evil Edition (Blizzard Entertainment)
Diablo III transformed Blizzard’s loot-driven masterpiece into the 360’s premier co-op experience, proving console adaptations could improve on the original. When a fallen star crashes into Tristram Cathedral, the Nephalem must hunt down the Prime Evils across Sanctuary’s dark fantasy world. The twin-stick controls let you dodge-roll and move freely, feeling way better than point-and-click. Streamlined loot ensures every session delivers upgrades without auction house nonsense.
The Ultimate Evil Edition is the complete version: base campaign, Reaper of Souls expansion, Act V, the Crusader class, Adventure Mode, and cross-save. Diablo III proved PC legends could thrive on consoles, becoming one of the greatest action-RPGs on the platform. The loot grind still hooks players today, and couch co-op demon-slaying is still the best for anyone craving satisfying progression without complicated MMO commitments.
South Park: The Stick of Truth (Obsidian Entertainment)
South Park: The Stick of Truth isn’t just a licensed game, it’s an interactive South Park season. Players control the New Kid in a fantasy war between Cartman’s humans and Kyle’s elves for the all-powerful Stick of Truth. Obsidian’s turn-based combat transforms jokes into gameplay through timing-based attacks. Fart attacks require button precision, while summoning Jesus or Mr. Slave as special attacks turns mechanics into punchlines.
Exploration rewards curiosity with hidden references across every corner of South Park. Critics called it one of the greatest licensed games ever made, earning a place on IGN’s Top 25 Xbox 360 Games. The Stick of Truth proved licensed games could achieve greatness when creators control the vision. The humor hasn’t aged a day, and the combat remains accessible for anyone who wants a really funny RPG without grinding. It’s a buttload of fun.
Ultra Street Fighter IV (Capcom, Dimps)
Ultra Street Fighter IV is the culmination of the fighting game renaissance that Street Fighter IV started in 2008. Focus Attacks allowed players to absorb hits and counter, while Ultra Combos delivered devastating comeback potential. Combined with online play, SFIV single-handedly revived competitive fighting games. EVO grew from hundreds to thousands of participants, and dormant franchises like Mortal Kombat and Killer Instinct returned because SFIV showed there was still hunger for the genre.
Ultra perfected the formula with 44 characters, Red Focus mechanics, and tournament-level balance. It’s not just the best fighting game on Xbox 360—it’s the definitive version of the title that revived an entire genre and established modern FGC culture. The tight mechanics and deep roster still attract competitive players today, making it essential for anyone wanting to understand why fighting games matter or experience the genre at its peak.
Okay, that concludes the best multiplatform games released on the Xbox 360 that still hold up well today. If you think I included something that shouldn’t be, or want to chew me out for not including games I should have, let me know in your comments.
I intentionally did not include console-exclusive titles or XBLA titles. Click below for the console showcase games post, or my main game page. More great Xbox 360 content is coming.
Xbox 360 Best Console-Exclusive Games
Games That Were Not Included
Saints Row: The Third (2011). The 2020 Remastered version is what you want.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011). The Anniversary Edition is incredibly better. It’s not even close. This game won over 200 GotY awards for good reason, find a way to play it.
Grand Theft Auto V (2013). Buy the Xbox One, X or PC version instead. It surpasses the 360 version in every way.
Metro: Last Light (2013). Metro: Last Light Redux is completely superior.
Tomb Raider (2013). Get the Definitive Edition instead, it’s miles better.
Dark Souls II (2014). Play Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin on the Xbox One, don’t buy the 360 version.
Far Cry 3 and 4 (2014). Get the PC, Xbox One or X/S versions. No console at the time could handle these games well, but they are great games.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015). Play the Xbox One version