Original Xbox 10th Anniversary Thread

[Satoshi_Matrix]

In case you guys missed it, the original Microsoft Xbox turned 10 yesterday, making it now arguably at least somewhat quasi-retro. Now I know there's other threads about the Xbox, but I think it deserves its own anniversary thread.

When people think Xbox, they think the 360, not the original. As time passes, I think the original Xbox has actually become underrated by even the western public that adopted it so openly.

I mean, people widely still play the PS2, and GameCube games are still readily played if not on the GameCube then on the Wii, but when was the last time you guys in particular went back and played the Xbox 1? There's a lot of fantastic games for it that still make it worth owning even without going into its homebrew useages as a fully featured media center and emulation powerhouse.

Since its the tenth anniversary, I figured we should all give our picks for our ten favorite games for the system. Ten for ten only seems right.

So here's a personal top 10. Links to reviews I wrote are embedded. As soon as I finish up my NES top 100, expect a top 25 Original Xbox list, hopefully before the end of the year.

My picks (in alphabetical order)

Doom 3
Dead or Alive 2 Ultimate
Dreamfall: The Longest Journey
Fatal Frame
Jet Set Radio Future
Heroes of the Pacific
Metal Wolf Chaos
Otogi: Myth of Demons
Outrun 2006
Serious Sam
Feel free to chime in with your thoughts on my list and your own top 10. Happy anniversary, Xbox!

[Gamerforlife]

Panzer Dragoon Orta
Jet Set Radio Future
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Otogi - Something cool about fighting in midair and sending people flying through buildings DBZ-style that made this game memorable for me
Halo - I hate the series, but I enjoyed the first game. Say what you will but it was an amazingly well put together game and this was when Bungie cared about the single player campaign. The fact that the multi-player caught on in such a huge way was not expected. Halo 2 killed my interest in the series though, where the emphasis this time was clearly on the multi-player
Kingdom Under Fire Crusaders - Dynasty Warriors + real time strategy + squads of different types of troops to command = win
Oddworld Munch's Odyssey
Ninja Gaiden - I mean the original, not black. I have to say that while I loved the game parts of it thoroughly pissed me off and probably still would now. I miss the defense oriented combat that the series moved away from after this
Armed and Dangerous - Make a third person shooter with funny dialog and throw in some of the wackiest weapons this side of Ratchet and Clank, and I just might enjoy it. I don't normally like to include multi-platform games on lists like this but I'm a console gamer, so I never played the PC version of this
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic - and so my love for Bioware began

Those are the first ten games that came to mind, so I guess I'll call them my top ten

[Czernobog]

The original Xbox is one of the few mainstream systems I haven't owned at any point. I have been thinking about getting one for some of the Sega games that were released for it, like Shenmue II, Jet Set Radio, and Panzer Dragoon Orta. Actually, maybe I should start an oXbox Sega collection....

[BoringSupreez]

It's so weird that the oXbox is now 10 years old! Even weirder, for me, than when the DC turned 10. I can vividly remember thinking the oXbox was about the coolest console evah, and I had to have one or I would pop. It looked so hardcore, had great graphics, and even had a cool name. Of course, that hype has worn off by now. Still think it's a great system though.

My ten favorite games, in no particular order:

Knights of the Old Republic
This is the game that introduced me to RPGs. Amazing story (far superior to any of the new Star Wars movies) great characters, solid gameplay. Greatly expanded my knowledge of the Star Wars universe. The gameplay is simple enough for newbs to enjoy, but deep enough for veterans to RPGs.
Knights of the Old Republic 2
Continued the first game's story and gameplay. Not quite as good as the first, but it is harder and deeper, which made it a good second RPG for me to play.
Psychonauts
The oXbox's best 3D platformer. Created by Tim Shaefer, it has the usual humor and art style I love. Very unique. It is also available on PC and PS2, but the PC version is glitchy ( and who wants to play a 3D platformer on PC anyway?) and the PS2 version has inferior graphics and framerate.
Doom 3
This was one of the games that cemented the need for an oXbox in my mind. The gameplay is linear and dated, and the graphics don't look so close to real life as they once did (remember when they were the most incredible graphics ever?). Still fun, though.
Splinter Cell Chaos Theory
The game that made the Splinter Cell series great, and the game every new SC game is compared to (and fails to measure up). The story is still silly and cliche, as usual, but the characters and gameplay are great. The ultimate stealth game, with tons of hiding and gadgets.
Splinter Cell Double Agent
The follow-up game to Chaos Theory. Not quite as good, but it introduced an interesting morality system (making it so that there were even more ways to play each mission). Better story than Chaos Theory. Remember, this is the oXbox version I'm talking about here, not the lame 360 game.
Mercenaries
Best sandbox game on oXbox. Tons of destruction and fun missions. I always play as the Swede, because he's so disagreeable and rude. Only big flaw is the final mission, so long and boring and hard, with no checkpoints.
Halo: CE
I'd be insane not to include this game. This is responsible for what amount of success the oXbox managed to get. Great graphics for the time, and the gameplay has been aped a whole ton (meaning it was solid).
Halo 2
Not as good as Halo: CE as far as the single player goes, but it introduced online multiplayer to the series. Quite a fun game.
Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
A decently long single-player only experience in the tradition of games like Half-Life and Far Cry. The characters are well-voiced and designed, and it truly feels like an ordeal trying to escape from Butcher Bay. Definitely not a game where you feel too strong.

Honorable mention: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, Jet Set Radio Future.

I only included games I still own and play for oXbox. Stuff like Max Payne and Beyond Good and Evil and Half-Life 2 weren't included because I play those on PC or 360.

[FerretGamer]

Mmm, the Xbox had some fantastic original and exclusive games. I'm actually having a tough time picking 10 games but here goes (some available on PC):

(Random order)
1. Panzer Dragoon Orta
2. Jet Set Radio Future
3. Otogi (1/2)
4. Stubbs the Zombie
5. GunValkyrie
6. Halo (1/2)
7. Star Wars KOTOR (1/2)
8. Jade Empire
9. Outrun 2006
10. MechAssault (played the crap out of this one when XBL first launched)

Yes, I cheated a little.

[KillerJuan77]

Phantom Dust
Panzer Dragoon Orta
Fatal Frame 2
Mech Assault
Kingdom Under Fire
Halo
Stubbs The Zombie
Otogi
Jet Set Radio Future
Crimson Skies

[CD AGES]

Geez 10 years of OG Xbox. I still remember the day I bought it! It was the day the 360 launched in the US! LOL! A co worker sold me his for only $50 in amazing condition, just so he can buy the 360! What goodtimes I had with it. My selection of Xbox titles are almost as much as my PS2 catalog which is quite awesome to say the least. OH! My top 10!!!

1. Capcom vs. SNK 2: First fighter with online play in the US! (Bonus: Exhibition disc 2 has a full version sans online play)
2. Outrun 2SP Coast to Coast: One of my most favorite racer of all time, simple, beautiful, and Custom soundtrack on the system only sweetens the deal.
3. Burnout Revenge: Simply another awesome racer and my favorite of the series.
4. Doom 3: A killer app for the system and made PS2 owners sad theirs couldn't handle the sweet visuals at the time.
5. SVC Chaos: A surprise exclusive fighter from SNK NeoGeo USA, it's fun regardless of it's faults.
6. Capcom Classics Collection: A more competent port of an awesome selection of titles from Capcom.
7. Hulk Ultimate Destruction: Easily the most fun marvel licensed game and the best Hulk Video game. Awesome game worth owning.
8. Ninja Gaiden Black: Another amazing exclusive for the system and a revitalization of the series. Simply unmissable.
9. Midway Arcade Treasures 2: Easily the best port of this compilation is on xbox. Fun times playing classics in their best form.
10. House of The Dead 3: Real fun light gun game for the xbox with HOTD2 as a bonus.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Hmmm...

Outrun 2006
Morrowind
KOTOR
Fable
Forza
Jet Set Radio Future
Halo 2

Lots of great games. It's pretty hard to choose my favorites as I haven't fully explored the library yet.

[BurningDoom]

I love my XBox. After games stopped coming out for Dreamcast, XBox was my console of choice last-generation. Great exclusives, a nifty hard drive, and most of the multiplatform titles looked best on XBox. How could you not love it? And unlike most people, I actually think it looks cool. I'd rather have the "X" design than a boring black or grey box. I still play mine.

My personal top 10 games on XBox:

1. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind: Game of the Year Edition
2. Halo 2
3. Halo: Combat Evolved
4. MechAssault
5. Star Wars: Battlefront
6. Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
7. Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
8. Spider-Man: The Movie
9. Capcom Classics Vol. 1
10. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

[Weekend_Warrior]

Halo 2
Doom 3
Black
NHL 2K6
Fight Night 2004
Kung Fu Chaos
TOCA Race Driver 3
Dead or Alive 3
Project Gotham Racing
Rallisport Challenge