The Xbox roared onto the scene in 2001 and captured the video game world by storm. While Nintendo and Sony (and Sega) ruled the 1990s, the Xbox proved when it arrived that Microsoft had a strong plan to take over their share of the gaming world.
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With their main titles in theHaloandTom Clancy’s Splinter Cellseries, Xbox soon developed a strong core of loyalists. These fans soon turned their back on Sony and Nintendo over the next two decades. Xbox also produced the best live online gaming experience of any console, and that pushed them even further into dominance in one vital sector of the gaming world. With a ton of titles relying on that live experience, here is a look atthe best Xbox gamesbased on Metacritic scores.
Updated on July 20, 2025, by Jack Pursey:Believe it or not, it has now been over 20 years since the original Xbox first hit stores. Many people were skeptical about the console at first, as Microsoft were clearly trying to cash in on the success of the PlayStation 2, but the Xbox brand has gone on to become one of the most recognizable and respected names in all of gaming.
For those wanting torevisit some classic gamesor are just curious as to what were the console’s strongest releases, we’ve updated this list to include some more ofthe best Xbox games,according to critics.
15Soulcalibur 2 (92)
Soulcalibur 2was first released in arcades in 2002 before releasing on Xbox, PlayStation 2, and GameCube the following year. Despite what the name suggests,Soulcalibur 2is the third entry in theSoulcaliburseries, following 1998’sSoulcaliburand 1995’sSoul Blade(known asSoul Edgein Japan).
The weapon-basedfighting gameintroduced a handful of new features to the franchise, including guard break attacks and wall-specific moves.
14SSX 3 (92)
Before EA decided to focus on theirFIFAandMaddenfranchises, thanks to the money-machine that isUltimate Team, the company used to release a wide range of different sports games. Many of these games were released by the company’s EA Sports Big label, which was active between 2000 and 2008 and focused specifically onextreme sports gameslikeFIFA Street,NBA Street, and of course,SSX.
Along with the excellent snowboarding gameplay,SSX3is remembered fondly for its open-world design, which was ahead of its time in 2003.
13Madden NFL 2004 (92)
It should come as no surprise that two EA Sports games make it on this list, as the company was on fire in the 2000s, releasing hit after hit across their many sports franchises.
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Madden NFL 2004was a highlight of this golden age, as it nailed the gameplay formula that EA had been improving upon for years while also adding excellent features that are still around today like the owner mode that puts players in charge of an NFL franchise.
12Forza Motorsport (92)
Forza Motorsportwas released exclusively on Xbox in May 2005 and was the first entry in theForzafranchise that includes both theForza MotorsportandForzaHorizonseries.
Turn 10 Studios’Forza Motorsportkicked off the franchise in style with a superbly designed simulation racer that implemented numerous licensed cars and real-world courses that raised the bar for visuals in the genre.
11Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (92)
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Timewas released in 2003 and stood out with its unique combination of the action-adventure and platforming genres. Another stand-out feature of the game is the player’s ability to manipulate time, a tricky mechanic to implement but one that Ubisoft seamlessly integrated into the game’s combat.
A remake ofPrince of Persia: The Sands of Timewas announced in 2020, thoughnumerous delayshave made it unclear when the game will release.
10Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (93)
To understand how great the original Xbox was,Grand Theft Auto: San Andreaswas one of the top-selling video games of all time. Even a decade after its release, it was still topping the bestseller lists. However, even with the immense popularity of the game, it is the only one in the franchise to make this list and down at 10th best.
The story sees a former gang member return home after his mother’s murder. He arrives and tries to reunite with his family and his old gang while dealing with rival gangs and corrupt cops, all leading to the revelation of why his mother died. Reviews called the game a masterpiece, taking what worked in the first twoGTAgames and combining them into one near-perfect game.
9Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell (93)
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cellmay not have reached the dizzying heights ofMetal Gear, but it’s a much-beloved stealth series that fans can’t get enough of. In this opening game in the series, the U.S. sets up the Third Echelon division, which they send in to find out why two CIA officers disappeared.
Splinter Celloffers a new twist on the action genre, with players expected to work in the dark anduse stealth over all-out attacks. Reviews praised the game’s realistic scenarios and environments and the creative storytelling within this world of espionage.
8Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 (93)
Every game console, from PlayStation to Nintendo to Xbox has at least one version of aTony Hawk’s Pro Skatergame on it. The best Xbox version of this game isTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, which hit in 2002. This version has 12 of the top skaters in history, including Tony Hawk himself, that players can choose from to perform tricks.
According to Metacritic reviews, this is the definitive version of the skateboarding game. The career mode also unlocks a bonus level, and the multiplayer is still one of the best in the game. It is massive when it comes to environments and the range of tricks to pull off and perform.
7Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow (93)
The second release in theTom Clancy’s Splinter Cellseries wasPandora Tomorrow. This hit stores two years after the first game in the series, adding some difficulty in the fact that the AI in the game adjusted to the skill level of the players, instead of just creating more realistic threats.
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The new threat inPandora Tomorrowhas a terrorist cell threatening to release a smallpox virus through biological warfare. It is up to the players to head in and take them out before it is too late. Reviews praised the multiplayer system of the game and praised it as a more refined version of the original release.
6Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (94)
When it comes to multiplayer games on the Xbox,Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republicremains one of the most beloved to owners of the popular console. The story takes place in theStar Warsuniverse, 4,000 years before the Galactic Empire forms. The player is a Jedi who has to travel to various planets to battle Darth Malak.
This game is an RPG and reviews on Metacritic praise its battle system, which is a perfect mix betweenturn-basedandreal-timebattles (possibly the best of its kind). There are also large environments to explore, with hours of fun to be had for anyone who wants to get lost in this world.
