During its time, the PlayStation 2 (PS2) outshone both the Xbox and GameCube in terms of popularity. However, when Microsoft introduced their initial Xbox in 2001, they faced some challenges because it was their debut console, arriving a year after the PS2. Yet, they had one significant advantage with the launch of the first Halo game, which became incredibly successful.
By 2005, the original Xbox had reached its end as the year marked the debut of its successor, the Xbox 360. During this transition, Microsoft and others released several significant games in 2005. To commemorate their 20th anniversary in 2025, let’s revisit some of the top titles from that year.
8. Call Of Duty 2
A Showcase For The 360
Back in November 2005, Call of Duty 2 was one of the first games released for the Xbox 360. Although it appeared on other consoles as well, the Xbox 360 version was undoubtedly the top choice for fans of the World War 2 setting. While today’s Call of Duty games may seem outdated compared to modern standards, they still hold up particularly when played using the backwards compatibility features on the Xbox Series X. In this game, players could control soldiers from Russian, British, and American forces, adding a more multifaceted perspective to the war. Although the series has revisited World War 2 after releasing modern games, Call of Duty 2 may still be considered one of the finest adaptations within this sub-series.
7. Castlevania: Curse Of Darkness
The Xbox Gets A Metroidvania
In this era, the initial 3D installment in the Castlevania series, “Castlevania: Lament of Innocence,” was exclusive to PlayStation 2 and not the original Xbox. However, they did receive the subsequent one, “Castlevania: Curse of Darkness,” which continued immediately after Dracula’s defeat in “Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse” on the NES. The game focuses on Hector, an alchemist who can create both weapons and demons, as he embarks on a vengeful journey for his lost monster companion in a Metroidvania RPG adventure that evolves over time. Although it was later released digitally on PS3, Xbox fans cannot emulate “Castlevania: Curse of Darkness” on contemporary hardware, even though numerous other Castlevania games are available.
6. Condemned: Criminal Origins
A Brutal CIA Murder Case
Condemned: Criminal Origins was another debut game on the Xbox 360. This particular title was crafted by Monolith, a studio renowned for their horror-themed projects like the F.E.A.R. franchise at that time. Unlike many other games of its genre that focus primarily on gunplay, this one offers a variety of melee weapons to players instead.
As a gamer, I’d say that the game was like stepping into the terrifying world of the Saw film series. It was relentlessly brutal and grotesque, making it truly memorable. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been remastered yet, but you can still get your hands on the original version. However, tracking down the sequel might be a bit tricky on old-school consoles.
5. Jade Empire
BioWare’s Martial Arts Epic
Jade Empire was a role-playing game (RPG) developed by BioWare, released following Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic on the original Xbox. Unlike its predecessor, which employed turn-based combat, Jade Empire featured real-time combat with manual actions. The game’s setting was reminiscent of China as portrayed in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, albeit without the iconic wire-fu martial arts displayed in that film. Nowadays, you can play this game on modern Xbox systems through backward compatibility or on a PC. Despite its high quality and significance to BioWare, as it was their final project before embarking on Mass Effect for the Xbox 360, Jade Empire has not been upgraded or ported to other consoles.
4. Kameo: Elements of Power
A Long Time Coming
The standout launch title for the Xbox 360 that’s still worth discussing today is “Kameo: Elements of Power.” This game was developed by Rare, who also released “Perfect Dark Zero” at launch. Both games received mixed reactions initially and continue to spark diverse opinions. Among them, “Kameo: Elements of Power” is more intriguing due to its lengthy development process. The action-adventure game started as a concept on the N64, moved to the GameCube, then to the original Xbox, before finally arriving on the Xbox 360. Remarkably, it managed to be successful despite facing numerous hurdles along the way. Despite not receiving a sequel, “Kameo: Elements of Power” still has a dedicated fanbase and is easy to play on Xbox consoles, making it appealing to new players as well.
3. Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath
A Different Type Of Oddysey
The initial game in the Oddworld series, titled “Abe’s Oddysee,” was initially released on the PS1, and other platforms, back in 1997. Later on, the series made its way to the original Xbox where players were given one of the franchise’s finest games, namely “Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath“.
Instead of a platformer that incorporated puzzles, this game was primarily a first-person shooter within a platformer genre. In this title, players assumed the role of The Stranger, embarking on bounty hunts armed with live ammunition such as bees and spiders. The technology utilized in the game was groundbreaking, and it did receive an HD upgrade in 2013. However, despite these updates, a direct sequel to the game has yet to be released.
2. Psychonauts
The Mind-Bending Adventure Begins
Psychonauts was one of the console games from the late era that took some time to gain traction. As a platformer, it immediately attracted its followers, but for about ten years, it was more or less a hidden gem in the gaming world. It always felt like Double Fine, the developer, had been planning a sequel, and by the mid-2010s, things began to fall into place.
First came Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin, initially launched as a PSVR exclusive in 2017, followed by the long-awaited release of Psychonauts 2 in 2021. This game received rave reviews, even surpassing its predecessor, demonstrating that persistence pays off for dedicated fans.
For those who didn’t experience these games initially, this year marks a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their release.
1. Star Wars: Battlefront 2
Improving On The Original In Every Way
In 2025, Star Wars: Battlefront 2 remains a simple game to dive into due to its remastering in 2024 through the Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection. Initially, it made its debut on consoles such as the PS2 and original Xbox back in 2005. Later, fans of Xbox could replicate the gameplay experience on the Xbox One and beyond by emulation. For a period, it seemed that was all we could expect, given EA’s focus on the future of the series rather than its past. Fortunately, this collection managed to preserve the best aspects of the series despite some initial issues at launch. Players continue to enjoy immersing themselves in the game, engaging in combat as different factions such as the Rebel Alliance or Clone Troopers, either solo or multiplayer.
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2025-01-09 15:34