Welcome gamers, here's my personal top 10 original Xbox games. I have not played every original Xbox game so this will miss some classics and pardon the lack of RPG's. However, the Xbox games on here are relevant and stand up to todays modern games. These Xbox games have stood the test of time and will continue to do so. They also express the greatness of the original Xbox, some of these games are only on Xbox.
Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike
Fight for the Future
from Street Fighter Anniversary Collection (2005)
*similar recommendation: capcom vs. snk 2: eo, guilty gear x2: #reload
The most hardcore Street Fighter game to date. Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike was released in arcades in 1999 didn't gain too much popularity in the arcade days but the hardcore fans appreciated it. What's new in the Street Fighter III series is the parrying system which brought an entirely new approach on the combat system.
HALF-LIFE 2 (2004)
*similar recommendation: black, halo series
Half-Life 2 is arguably the most immersive FPS shooter around. What makes Half Life 2 immersive is the sound and feel of the weapons. It packs a story, amazing physics and intelligent A.I. Half-Life 2 doesn't hold your hand, therefore having that retro difficulty.
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JSRF: Jet Set Radio Future (2002)
Jet Set Radio Future is the most sought after original Xbox exclusive. JSRF has not been re-released and is only playable on the original Xbox. The game is backwards compatible on Xbox 360 but has noticeable slow down in some stages and other issues according to wikipedia. The Sega GT 2002/JSRF combo disc is not backwards compatible on the Xbox 360, thats also unfortunate because the combo disc is also the most affordable version of the game.
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Ninja Gaiden Black (2004)
While the PS2 had God of War the Xbox had Ninja Gaiden. The series reinvented themselves on the Xbox as an exclusive title at the time. Ryu Hayabusa has a variety of weapons, combos and shurikens to kick everybody's ass, and speaking of this game is no cake walk. It takes gaming back to the old days when you had to figure it out for yourself and the lack of preparation could leave you fighting a boss battle nearly unequipped. Ninja Gaiden black upgraded the camera control, extra chapters and eased the difficulty (a bit). Shop Ninja Gaiden Black at eBay
Shenmue II (2002)
The Shenmue series is so overdo for another sequel. There are dedicated twitter fan pages and more than enough requests for the game. Shenume II left a great impact for those who played it on the Sega Dreamcast and original Xbox.
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Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005)
*similar recommendation: burnout 3, forza motorsport
This is Need For Speed: Most Wanted and you're the most wanted. Escape from cops during races, ignite a chase to gain bounty, tune up and style up your car for the streets. You were on your way to the top and got dragged down to a start all over. Now you have a blacklist of 15 street racers to leave is the dust to get back what was taken from you. With each person taken off the blacklist you move one step closer and the may the pink slips to their car make it all that much more enjoyable.
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Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2005)
*similar recommendation: grand theft auto: vice city,
Arguably the best Grand Theft Auto game, San Andreas is set in the 1990's in San Andreas which is really Los Angeles. Although vice city was amazing in its own scope, San Andreas took the sandbox idea to the next level. There's more than enough action, missions, helicopter flying to do in GTA: San Andreas.
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Dead or Alive 2
from Dead or Alive Ultimate (2004)
Back in the day this was the #1 fighting game to play on Xbox Live. Dead or Alive 2 (2000) was first ported to the Sega Dreamcast and has had many ports since then. However, Team Ninja went above and beyond making this enhanced remake. The graphics engine was revamped using the same engine found in Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball (2003) and Hitomi from Dead or Alive 3 was added as a playable character. The hardcore fans prefer Dead or Alive 2 over Dead or Alive 3, the counter system in the Dead or Alive series is what sets this fighting game apart from Tekken or Virtua Fighter, just a few reverse counters could K.O. your opponent.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (2005)
*similar recommendation: metal gear solid 2: substance,
Hands down a must play, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory is the greatest stealth game I've ever played. While being a multi-platform game the graphics on the original Xbox are superior with no contest. The stages are all unique and the precise control and ambience of the game are superb, this game must be played at night and I also recommend playing on the DUKE controller for extra precision.
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ESPN NFL 2K5 (2004)
*also recommend: nba street v3, nfl 2k2
Learn How To Download the Latest Rosters for ESPN NFL 2K5
Since this was the last NFL 2K game released, NFL 2K5 has been getting roster updates since. There is a very active community for NFL 2K5, this game did so much well and it still holds up today, the animation, ESPN presentation, the passing, rushing and overall gameplay is a blast. I can say that I've played this game out and retired it, two years later I updated the rosters and it gave the game a fresh new coat.
Learn How To Download the Latest Rosters for ESPN NFL 2K5
Shop ESPN NFL 2K5 at eBay
