Best Games/Hidden Gems for the Original Xbox?

[Turbo Kid]

Stubbs is a good mention, forgot about that one. Otogi is brilliant, back when FromSoftware was awesome instead of today where they just pump out endless Demon Souls clones

 

[RETRO-VETRO RETRO-VETRO]

This is a person who knows their OG XBox.

I have to add in Dead or Alive 3 as an exclusive recommendation. Made a whole thread about it, that’s how goated that game is. There’s also ports of 1 & 2 to the system in one pack, if that interests you!

Also, don’t sleep on Outrun 2/2006 on the XBox. It was released on other consoles! The XBox version is the king.
PLUS, Godzilla games. The best versions of Destroy All Monsters Melee and Save the Earth are on the Box.

You’re speaking my language. Dead or Alive 3 was basically the Xbox’s flex at launch, those stage transitions and particle effects were wild for the time. And yeah, the ports of DOA1 & 2 in that Ultimate pack are a must for fighting game historians.

Outrun 2/2006 on Xbox? Absolutely the definitive version. The bonus tracks from Scud Race and Daytona USA 2 are pure arcade gold.

And the Godzilla picks? Respect. The Xbox versions had extra content, better visuals, and AI support for 4-player chaos.

 

[Jayonnaise6105 Jayonnaise6105]

And the Godzilla picks? Respect. The Xbox versions had extra content, better visuals, and AI support for 4-player chaos.

I had so much fun back in the day playing those Godzilla arena fighting games with friends. Made me so disappointed with the PS4 Godzilla game because I thought it would be an update on that formula

 

[RETRO-VETRO RETRO-VETRO]

I had so much fun back in the day playing those Godzilla arena fighting games with friends. Made me so disappointed with the PS4 Godzilla game because I thought it would be an update on that formula

Right? Destroy All Monsters Melee and Save the Earth were pure couch chaos, tag-team beam spam, building-smashing joy, and actual movement. The PS4 Godzilla game felt like someone watched those classics, then said, “What if we made it slower… and sadder?” I wanted kaiju mayhem, not a radioactive shuffle simulator.

 

[Jayonnaise6105 Jayonnaise6105]

Right? Destroy All Monsters Melee and Save the Earth were pure couch chaos, tag-team beam spam, building-smashing joy, and actual movement. The PS4 Godzilla game felt like someone watched those classics, then said, “What if we made it slower… and sadder?” I wanted kaiju mayhem, not a radioactive shuffle simulator.

Plus any multiplayer aspect was online only! At least the diorama mode was pretty cool

 

[RETRO-VETRO RETRO-VETRO]

Plus any multiplayer aspect was online only! At least the diorama mode was pretty cool

Right? The lack of local multiplayer was such a missed opportunity, especially for a franchise built on city-leveling chaos and monster-on-monster mayhem. It’s wild that the PS4 Godzilla game leaned so hard into solo destruction and online-only battles, when the Xbox-era titles were basically kaiju party games.

That said, I’ll give credit where it’s due: Diorama Mode was surprisingly cool. The ability to pose monsters in custom scenes, recreate iconic battles, or just build your own kaiju fanfic setups? That was pure fan service. It’s like they gave us a toy box but forgot the actual playroom.

Still holding out hope for a proper revival arena combat, destructible cities, full roster, and yes, couch co-op. Until then, the OG Xbox versions still wear the crown.

 

[Jayonnaise6105 Jayonnaise6105]

Still holding out hope for a proper revival arena combat, destructible cities, full roster, and yes, couch co-op. Until then, the OG Xbox versions still wear the crown.

Some games still do local multiplayer, so it isn't out of the realm of possibility. Does feel a bit unlikely though

 

[Ryderdog1332]

This list is why I wanna buy an XBOX:

- Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge

- Phantom Crash

- Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict

- ToeJam & Earl III: Mission to Earth

- Far Cry games (They are XBOX exclusive and not to be confused with Far Cry games on PC)

- Shin Megami Tensei NINE

+ lots of old games also on PC that I wouldn't wanna bother keeping and playing on a PC at this time and age. I like to use consoles to separate how I play games.

Shin Megami Tensei on the Xbox? Holy shit.

 

[RETRO-VETRO RETRO-VETRO]

Some games still do local multiplayer, so it isn't out of the realm of possibility. Does feel a bit unlikely though

True local multiplayer isn’t extinct, but it definitely feels like it’s living in the indie scene or nostalgia zone these days. Games like Overcooked, Cuphead, and TowerFall keep the couch co-op spirit alive, but big-budget titles seem to treat it like a relic.

Still, I’m holding out hope. If kaiju arena brawlers ever make a comeback, they need split-screen chaos. No online-only nonsense, just four monsters, one city, and a whole lot of destruction.

 

[Turbo Kid]

Otogi: the only game where you can obliterate ancient demons and accidentally astral project mid-boss fight. That’s not a nap, that’s transcendence. You didn’t fall asleep, you ascended.

I still remember floaty, ethereal combat and sending enemies smashing through the environment Dragonball Z style

 

[RETRO-VETRO RETRO-VETRO]

I still remember floaty, ethereal combat and sending enemies smashing through the environment Dragonball Z style

Absolutely. Otogi had this surreal, weightless combat that felt more like mythic ballet than traditional hack-and-slash. The way enemies ragdolled through destructible environments, crashing through pagodas, shattering bridges, kicking up particle storms, it was pure Dragonball Z chaos wrapped in Heian-era mysticism.

FromSoftware really nailed that balance between elegance and destruction. It wasn’t just flashy, it felt elemental, like you were wielding the wrath of nature itself. Still wild that this kind of physics-driven spectacle was running on OG Xbox hardware.

 

[AlmaElma123]

Here's some more suggestions! Phantasy Star Online (+ the offline patch if you have means to do so.), Whacked!, Kung Fu Chaos and Cel Damage.

Phantasy Star Online is a third person action RPG that is one of my favourite games ever made. Whacked! is a third person arena game that has a crazy story, weird weapons and is super weird in a good way. Kung Fu Chaos is a Power Stone like game where you are filming a movie and trying to get 3-5 stars in each scene your in plus its super funny to boot. Cel Damage is a vehicle combat game kinda like Twisted Metal but cell shaded and can get crazy! Funny enough each of these games play even better the more people you have in it.

 

[Yousef]

OK, the volleyball game was a bit of a joke on my part but DOA2 Ultimate and DOA3 are solid fighters that are exclusive to the OG Xbox. Other games that come to mind would be Project Gotham Racing and early Forza.

Honestly I still prefer the volleyball games LOL

 

[Jayonnaise6105 Jayonnaise6105]

Here's some more suggestions! Phantasy Star Online (+ the offline patch if you have means to do so.), Whacked!, Kung Fu Chaos and Cel Damage.

Phantasy Star Online is a third person action RPG that is one of my favourite games ever made. Whacked! is a third person arena game that has a crazy story, weird weapons and is super weird in a good way. Kung Fu Chaos is a Power Stone like game where you are filming a movie and trying to get 3-5 stars in each scene your in plus its super funny to boot. Cel Damage is a vehicle combat game kinda like Twisted Metal but cell shaded and can get crazy! Funny enough each of these games play even better the more people you have in it.

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Something about the cover art for Whacked! speaks to my soul

 

[Anim8rDude Anim8rDude]

Breakdown and Metal Dungeon come to mind. Breakdown being a fantastic FPS with a great combat system, characters and story while Metal Dungeon is an RPG dungeon crawler that has a pretty solid RPG system, a good handful of classes with secret classes and a lot of fun extras too.

I don't even think I've even seen these covers & I'm not even the one looking for recommendations! Downloading these, thanks.

 

[AlmaElma123]

Something about the cover art for Whacked! speaks to my soul

Shes my favourite character to play as in the game too! And not just because she is naked with 2 blue jiggling censor bars on her

 

[Goshikk]

Stop what you're doing and go play Jet Set Radio Future already. That game ain't just a game, it's a whole ass cult of personality. Sure, it's not the most polished experience ever, but it's an incredible game artistically and environmentally.

 

[solnK!]

Maybe the Conker Remake, I´d also say PD Orta and JSRF but those are better known.

 

[NoobForPlay]

I’m able to emulate the original Xbox on my Steam Deck, which I’m pretty excited about since I’ve never owned a Xbox, but I can’t seem to find a ton of games for it. Does anyone have any recommendations for exclusives or even games whose best versions are on the Xbox? For context, here are the games I have so far:

• Burnout 3 - Takedown
• Fable
• Halo
• Halo 2
• Indigo Prophecy
• Jet Set Radio Future
• Ninja Gaiden Black
• Panzer Dragoon Orta
• Psychonaut

I’m able to emulate the original Xbox on my Steam Deck, which I’m pretty excited about since I’ve never owned a Xbox, but I can’t seem to find a ton of games for it. Does anyone have any recommendations for exclusives or even games whose best versions are on the Xbox? For context, here are the games I have so far:

• Burnout 3 - Takedown
• Fable
• Halo
• Halo 2
• Indigo Prophecy
• Jet Set Radio Future
• Ninja Gaiden Black
• Panzer Dragoon Orta
• Psychonauts

Try Metal Wolf Chaos and Phantom Dust.

 

[Turbo Kid]

JSRF is a polished and easier version of the Dreamcast original. It almost feels like a remake. It's great though some people might prefer the challenge of the first game. They're both awesome. Once you go back and play both you'll see how much Bomb Rush Cyberfunk falls short of its inspirations.

 

[Sunnyside]

Armed and Dangerous is a hilarious shooter. It's more of a "mindless fun" experience than anything with depth, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it.

Dead or Alive Ultimate 2 is the best DoA on the system. You really can't go wrong with 3 either though.

Gunvalkyrie is a third person shooter by Smilebit, same guys that made JSRF. Originally a Dreamcast game like many other Sega published Xbox titles. It's got a very weird control scheme but I liked it. Not essential, worth mentioning.

Jade Empire is insanely underrated. It's an asian-inspired RPG with an action combat system. I personally think it's better than anything else Bioware ever did. Loved the story and setting.

Otogi 1 and Otogi 2. My favorite Fromsoft series. I concur with everyone else. They deserve to be in the top recommended games for OG Xbox.

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Phantasy Star Online is a third person action RPG that is one of my favourite games ever made.

I swear I've seen more PSO fans in my short time on RGT than any other point in my internet history. Good taste.

 

[EGOMANIACKID]

I’m able to emulate the original Xbox on my Steam Deck, which I’m pretty excited about since I’ve never owned a Xbox, but I can’t seem to find a ton of games for it. Does anyone have any recommendations for exclusives or even games whose best versions are on the Xbox? For context, here are the games I have so far:

• Burnout 3 - Takedown
• Fable
• Halo
• Halo 2
• Indigo Prophecy
• Jet Set Radio Future
• Ninja Gaiden Black
• Panzer Dragoon Orta
• Psychonauts

Fromsoftware released a really good xbox exclusive, Otogi: Myth of Demons

 

[Don Patch]

The SEGA titles that are trapped on there.
There's a few FROMSOFT joints as well.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

Stop what you're doing and go play Jet Set Radio Future already. That game ain't just a game, it's a whole ass cult of personality. Sure, it's not the most polished experience ever, but it's an incredible game artistically and environmentally.

Even to own, unless you’re a weirdo who wants the stand-alone copy, it’s extremely cheap too. It was one of the first games I got with my XBox when I got it used. It was, like, $7 for a complete copy of the bundle.

 

[Cody34]

Loved the game,loved the artwork.

Post automatically merged: Today at 6:52 AM

As already mentioned,needs a remaster.

Post automatically merged: Today at 7:02 AM

Very obscure JPN realese only