Franchises That Xbox Needs to Bring Back ASAP

For several years, Phil Spencer has been the head of Xbox, which is part of Microsoft Gaming. Now, he’s stepping down and Asha Sharma, who is new to the gaming industry, will be taking over as the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, marking a new chapter for the brand.

Recently, many Xbox fans have voiced worries about the appointment of Sharma, primarily because she doesn’t have a background in gaming and has been involved in some contentious AI projects.

To ease concerns from fans, Sharma recently answered questions on X about her vision for Xbox. She specifically responded to user Alejandromp66, acknowledging their point about how important exclusive Xbox games are for building the brand’s identity by simply saying, “Hear you.”

Now that Sharma is CEO, one of his main aims is to bring Xbox back to its former glory. Here are some of Xbox’s older, exclusive game series that he should consider bringing back to help the brand thrive in today’s competitive gaming world.

10. ‘Splosion Man

Xbox’s Explosive Arcade Mascot

During the time of the Xbox 360, Microsoft released a lot of excellent digital games on Xbox Live Arcade, and one of the most popular was Splosion Man by Twisted Pixel Games.

Splosion Man is a fast-paced 2D platformer where you play as a character literally made of explosive material. After escaping from a research lab, you use his ability to explode off walls and platforms to navigate challenging levels.

Playing Splosion Man was really enjoyable, though it took some skill to get good at. It was fun whether you played alone or with others. The sequel, Ms. Splosion Man, built on that fun with even better gameplay and a lot of humor.

Even though both Splosion Man games were critically acclaimed and sold well, the series hasn’t had a new installment. However, Microsoft could partner with Twisted Pixel to create one, potentially using a 3D style like the planned Super Meat Boy 3D.

9. Ori and the Blind Forest

A Stellar Metroidvania Series

The Xbox One generation was a challenging period for Xbox. The console faced difficulties satisfying loyal fans, keeping up with the PlayStation 4, and creating must-have exclusive games. However, one standout success was Ori and the Blind Forest developed by Moon Studios.

Blind Forest is a beautiful, 2D platforming adventure in the style of a Metroidvania. You play as Ori, a spirited forest creature, on a quest to save the world of Nibel and its inhabitants, aided by a glowing companion named Sein.

I was completely blown away by how beautiful Ori looked and how captivating its story was! It immediately jumped to the top of my list as one of the best games you could get on Xbox One. And the developers, Moon Studios, didn’t stop there – they followed it up with Ori and the Will of the Wisps, which was just as amazing and got tons of praise too!

Although Will of the Wisps provides a satisfying conclusion to Ori’s adventure, it would be wonderful to return to that world sometime. This feels even more appealing now that Metroidvania games have gained so much popularity, particularly with the anticipation surrounding Hollow Knight: Silksong.

8. Killer Instinct

Rare’s Fighting Game Legacy

Since Microsoft bought Rare in 2002, their relationship has been complicated. Many of Rare’s popular game series were neglected or canceled, and the studio was often required to focus on games for the Kinect. However, one series that did well under Microsoft’s Xbox brand was Killer Instinct.

I remember Killer Instinct being a pretty big deal back in the day – arcades and consoles in the mid-90s were full of it! But honestly, it felt like it disappeared for a long time. Then, Double Helix Games, working with the original creators at Rare, brought it back in 2013 with a reboot that actually launched alongside the Xbox One. It was awesome to see a classic fighting game get a fresh start!

I remember when Killer Instinct came out in 2013 as a free-to-play game – it didn’t have a ton of stuff at first. But it quickly became a huge hit, especially with serious fighting game players like me! It was all about the deep gameplay, and they kept adding awesome content over time. I was so excited when they announced DLC characters like Arbiter from Halo and General RAAM from Gears of War – they really made the game something special.

The fighting game Killer Instinct, originally rebooted in 2013, hasn’t had a significant update since 2017. With rumors suggesting a new Xbox console is coming in 2027, now would be an ideal time to release a highly anticipated sequel to this popular game, launching it alongside the new hardware.

7. Fuzion Frenzy

Xbox’s Underrated Party Game Series

The first Xbox introduced many beloved exclusive games like Halo, Fable, and Project Gotham Racing. However, one popular game from that era, Fuzion Frenzy, hasn’t had a new installment in a long time and fans are eager for a third game.

Fuzion Frenzy was a fast-paced, futuristic party game that played a lot like Mario Party. It was one of the first games available when the original Xbox launched, alongside the popular shooter Halo: Combat Evolved.

Four players battled it out in 45 different mini-games – including challenges like Paint Panic and Falling Star – to earn the most orbs and points. They competed in both random tournaments and pre-arranged matches, with the winner determined after each round.

Fuzion Frenzy was a popular game on the original Xbox, but despite a sequel on the Xbox 360, it hasn’t been revisited since. It would be great to see it return now, particularly as a mobile competitor to games like Mario Party, especially on devices like the ROG Xbox Ally.

6. MechAssault

An Ideal Replacement for Titanfall

Xbox Live was a groundbreaking achievement for Xbox, being one of the earliest and most popular online multiplayer services for consoles. The game MechAssault, released in 2002, was created to demonstrate what Xbox Live could do.

MechAssault, a game based in the BattleTech universe, took place on the planet Helios. Players battled the Word of Blake, a fanatical group obsessed with technology, using a diverse range of powerful mechs.

MechAssault was a really fun game to play, and each giant robot, or ‘mech,’ felt unique with its own advantages and disadvantages. The online multiplayer was also excellent, showcasing the potential of Xbox Live with its engaging modes and simple matchmaking.

While MechAssault had a sequel on the original Xbox and a spin-off on the Nintendo DS, Microsoft should consider fully restarting the series for today’s consoles. It could be a great alternative to Titanfall, particularly since EA and Respawn Entertainment don’t seem interested in making Titanfall 3.

2014’s Titanfall originally launched as an Xbox 360 and Xbox One console exclusive game.

5. Jade Empire

BioWare’s Forgotten RPG World

BioWare and Xbox used to be close partners, with several games like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect launching first on the original Xbox and Xbox 360. However, one exclusive role-playing game from BioWare didn’t get the same level of recognition: Jade Empire.

Jade Empire is a role-playing game played from a third-person perspective, and its gameplay is comparable to BioWare’s Dragon Age series. However, Jade Empire emphasizes close-quarters combat, drawing heavily from kung fu styles. While players can also use magic, swords, staves, or even muskets, the core fighting experience revolves around melee attacks.

What truly set Jade Empire apart, even compared to other BioWare games, was its unique setting. The game takes place in the Jade Empire, a world richly inspired by Chinese history and mythology, blended with steampunk influences. This creates a fascinating environment filled with monks who harness chi energy, fearsome Toad Demons, and magical flying vehicles.

Man, I really loved Jade Empire, and it’s a shame we never got a sequel. EA still owns the rights, but I’m hoping Microsoft could either work something out with them to make a new game, or even buy the rights outright. That would be amazing! I’ve heard Arcanaut Studios has a bunch of ex-BioWare devs, so they’d be a perfect fit to make a sequel if they got the chance.

4. Ryse: Son of Rome

Xbox One’s Most Underrated Launch Title

The Xbox One’s launch was arguably the most difficult of all the Xbox consoles, facing many challenges. However, despite these issues, it still offered some excellent, yet often overlooked, exclusive games at launch, including Dead Rising 3 and Ryse: Son of Rome.

Originally planned as a game played using only the Kinect motion sensor, Ryse: Son of Rome ultimately launched in 2013 as a third-person action game. It’s set in ancient Rome during the time of Emperor Nero, and players take on the role of Marius Titus, a Roman soldier, fighting in key battles against barbarian forces throughout his life.

Ryse was a stunning game when it first launched on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. While relatively short, it was enjoyable and offered a unique experience, letting players team up online to fight battles and even control Roman soldiers using voice commands with the Kinect.

Although Son of Rome was meant to launch a series of games, it unfortunately never received any follow-up titles. However, a Roman Empire-based game has a lot of promise, and Xbox should consider bringing it back with Crytek. The upcoming Assassin’s Creed show on Netflix, which is set in the Roman era, could help renew interest in this type of game.

3. Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge

A Pulpy World Brimming With Potential

One of the most overlooked gems from the original Xbox was Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, a game with huge potential to become a major franchise for future Xbox consoles.

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Drawing inspiration from the 1998 board game Crimson Skies, Revenge takes place in a reimagined 20th century. Following the Great Depression, airplanes and airships became the main way people traveled, and the United States fractured into several countries and regions constantly at war with each other.

Revenge offers a captivating world and story that feels like a throwback to classic adventure tales, such as Indiana Jones. What really stood out was the gameplay: players get to fly a diverse range of fighter planes in exciting aerial combat, both during the story mode and when battling others online.

While High Road to Revenge wasn’t a huge commercial success, it received a lot of positive attention from both critics and players. It quickly gained a dedicated following and became well-known as a showcase for Xbox’s backwards compatibility feature. Many fans would love to see Xbox bring back the franchise with a new game, as its unique world and style would be perfect for a modern update.

2. Banjo-Kazooie

The Perfect Time for Banjo’s Revival

Besides the popular Donkey Kong Country games, Rare also created many other beloved Nintendo titles, such as Battletoads, GoldenEye 007, Perfect Dark, and Banjo-Kazooie.

Among Rare’s Nintendo 64 games, Banjo-Kazooie is often considered the most popular. It was a delightful 3D platformer with funny characters and imaginative worlds. However, after Microsoft acquired Rare, Banjo was one of several franchises that didn’t receive the attention it deserved.

In 2008, Rare and Microsoft surprised fans by releasing Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts instead of a traditional sequel. This vehicle-focused game proved very controversial, and no new Banjo game has been released since due to the strong division it caused among players.

With the recent success of Banjo and Kazooie in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and the positive reception of platformers like Astro Bot, now is a great time for Microsoft to consider a Banjo-Kazooie remake or the long-awaited sequel, often called Banjo-Threeie, for Xbox.

1. Viva Piñata

Rare’s Best New IP Under Xbox

While Rare has successfully launched franchises like Sea of Thieves since joining Microsoft, Viva Piñata is another series that could be very popular with today’s gamers.

Viva Piñata is a life simulation game where you play as a gardener. You grow and care for Piñata creatures on your land, attracting them to stay and grow. You also need to protect your garden from troublesome sour Piñatas and prepare healthy Piñatas for parties.

Many gamers fondly remember the Viva Piñata games from the Xbox 360. Though the series was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, no new Viva Piñata games have been released since the original games on the Xbox 360.

Life simulation games have become incredibly popular since the Xbox 360 era, with huge hits like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Given this success, Microsoft should consider having Rare develop a new Viva Piñata game. This new entry could feature unique, collectible Piñata creatures, and expand on the original with farming and multiplayer options.

2026-03-01 18:42