Are you looking for a new gaming challenge? Or maybe you’re a collector who wants to expand your library without spending a fortune. Whatever your motivation, we’ve got some good news for you: it’s a great time to start collecting Xbox 360 games.
Why, you ask? For starters, it’s relatively inexpensive to build a collection of Xbox 360 games. Since the console was released over 15 years ago, many of the games can be found at affordable prices, especially if you shop for used or pre-owned copies. Plus, if you already own an Xbox 360 or Xbox One, you can use your existing hardware to play most of the games, which means you don’t need to invest in any new hardware to start collecting. But that’s just the beginning. In this article, we’ll explore some of the reasons why collecting Xbox 360 games is a great idea, including some lesser-known titles that are worth checking out, and some must-have games that should be in every collector’s library. So let’s dive in and discover why the Xbox 360 is still a console worth collecting for today’s gamers.
Building a collection of Xbox 360 games is a great way to experience some of the best games of the last generation without spending a lot of money. Many of the console’s most popular games, like Halo 3, Gears of War, and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, can be found for very reasonable prices, often for under £2. For example, at stores like CEX in the UK, you can pick up games like N3 Ninety-Nine Nights or Ninja Gaiden 2 for as little as £2.50. These games may not be as well-known as some of the bigger titles, but they still offer great gameplay and can be a valuable addition to your collection.
In fact, some of the lesser-known Xbox 360 games are some of the best bargains you can find. Lost Odyssey, a classic RPG from the legendary developer Hironobu Sakaguchi, can be found for around £5, which is a steal considering the game’s epic scope and emotional storytelling. Blue Dragon, another RPG from Sakaguchi’s studio Mistwalker, can be found for the same price at £5. And if you’re a fan of arcade-style racing games, you can pick up Split/Second for as little as £3-4, which is a fraction of its original retail price.
Another reason why now is the perfect time to start collecting Xbox 360 games is that the console is in a sweet spot between being old enough for games to be cheap but not quite old enough to be considered retro. This means that many of the console’s games can be found at very reasonable prices, but they’re not yet so rare or valuable that they’re difficult to find.
The abundance of available games is another reason why it’s a great time to start collecting Xbox 360 titles. With over 1,000 games released for the console, there’s no shortage of titles to choose from. And because the console was so popular, many of these games were produced in large quantities, which means they’re not rare or hard to find.
However, as time goes on, the number of available games is likely to decrease as some titles become rarer or more valuable. So if you want to build a collection of Xbox 360 games, it’s a good idea to start sooner rather than later to ensure you have the widest possible selection of titles to choose from.
While the Xbox 360 is a great console with a wide selection of games, it’s important to address the elephant in the room: the infamous “red ring of death” issue. This was a problem with the original Xbox 360 models, where the console would display three red lights on the front and become inoperable. This issue was caused by overheating, and affected a significant number of consoles during the early years of the console’s life.
If you’re looking to pick up an Xbox 360 console to play your collection of games, it’s generally recommended to avoid the original Xbox 360 models. While these consoles can still be found at affordable prices, they’re also more likely to experience the red ring of death issue. Instead, it’s better to look for one of the later models, such as the Xbox 360 Elite or the Xbox 360 Slim. These consoles were redesigned to address the overheating issue, and are generally considered to be more reliable than the earlier models.
Of course, even with the newer models, it’s still possible to experience hardware issues. However, the chances of this happening are much lower than with the original Xbox 360 models. So if you’re looking to build a collection of Xbox 360 games and want a console to play them on, it’s worth investing in a more reliable model to ensure you can enjoy your games without worrying about hardware issues.
If you’re looking to experience Xbox 360 games but don’t want to invest in an older console, there’s another option: playing the games on newer Xbox consoles. Both the Xbox One and the Xbox Series X offer backwards compatibility with a wide selection of Xbox 360 games. This means you can play many of the console’s best games on the newer hardware, often with improved graphics and performance.
Playing Xbox 360 games on newer consoles has a number of benefits. For one, you don’t need to worry about hardware issues like the red ring of death that can affect older consoles. Additionally, you don’t need to invest in an additional console just to play your collection of games. And because the newer consoles are more powerful than the Xbox 360, the games can often look and play better than they did on the original hardware.
Of course, there are some limitations to playing Xbox 360 games on newer consoles. Not all games are compatible, and there may be some issues with certain titles. But overall, playing Xbox 360 games on newer consoles can be a great way to experience the best games of the last generation without having to invest in older hardware.
One of the great things about collecting Xbox 360 games is that there are so many titles to choose from, both popular and lesser-known. While games like Halo 3, Gears of War, and Mass Effect are well-known classics, the console is also home to some hidden gems that are worth checking out. For example, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West is a standout action-adventure game from Ninja Theory that often goes overlooked. Similarly, Eternal Sonata is an RPG from Tri-Crescendo that takes place in a dream world inspired by the music of composer Frédéric Chopin. And if you’re looking for a unique gaming experience, Child of Eden is a rhythm game from Tetsuya Mizuguchi that combines music and shooting gameplay into a mesmerizing experience.
Of course, there are also plenty of popular Xbox 360 games that are must-haves for any collector. Red Dead Redemption, Bioshock, and Portal 2 are just a few examples of classic games that still hold up today. And if you’re a fan of sci-fi shooters, Mass Effect and Halo 3 are two of the best games on the console.
If you’re an achievement hunter, collecting Xbox 360 games can also be a great way to boost your Gamerscore. Many of the console’s games offer a wide range of achievements, from simple tasks to more challenging feats. However, if you’re looking for easy achievements to add to your Gamerscore, there are also plenty of Xbox 360 games that can help you quickly rack up points. The console introduced a genre of games known for their easy achievements, such as “Avatar: The Last Airbender — The Burning Earth,” which can be completed in under 30 minutes and offer 1,000 Gamerscore points for just a few simple actions. Other easy achievement games on the Xbox 360 include Madden NFL 06, CSI: Hard Evidence, Fight Night Round 3, and Open Season.
These ten games represent some of the best and most beloved titles of the Xbox 360 era, and are must-haves for any serious gaming collection.
- Halo 3 – This iconic first-person shooter is a must-have for any Xbox 360 collection, with a thrilling campaign mode and a robust multiplayer experience.
- Red Dead Redemption – This western-themed action-adventure game from Rockstar Games is often cited as one of the best games of the last generation, with an immersive open world and a gripping story.
- Bioshock – This first-person shooter from Irrational Games takes place in an underwater city called Rapture, and features a unique setting, creepy atmosphere, and immersive gameplay.
- Mass Effect 2 – This epic sci-fi RPG from BioWare lets you build your own team of characters and explore a vast galaxy full of strange creatures and political intrigue, with deep character customization and branching storylines.
- Gears of War – This third-person shooter from Epic Games puts you in the boots of Marcus Fenix as he fights against an alien invasion, with intense combat, a gripping story, and a unique cover system.
- Portal 2 – This puzzle game from Valve is often cited as one of the best games of the last generation, with mind-bending puzzles, a hilarious story, and some of the most memorable characters in gaming history.
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – This massive open-world RPG from Bethesda Game Studios lets you explore a fantasy world full of dragons, magic, and adventure, with vast world, deep character customization, and immersive gameplay.
- Alan Wake – This psychological thriller from Remedy Entertainment follows the story of a writer named Alan Wake as he investigates a mystery in a small town, with a gripping story, unique setting, and innovative gameplay mechanics.
- Left 4 Dead 2 – This cooperative first-person shooter from Valve pits you against hordes of zombies with up to three friends, with fast-paced action, memorable characters, and a range of different modes and scenarios.
- Batman: Arkham City – This action-adventure game from Rocksteady Studios lets you become the Dark Knight himself as he battles against some of his most iconic foes, with engaging gameplay, a gripping story, and an immersive open-world setting.
These ten games represent some of the more unusual and hidden gem titles of the Xbox 360 era, and offer a different experience from the more popular titles of the console.
- Nier – This action RPG from Cavia and Square Enix features a unique storyline, memorable characters, and a blend of different gameplay styles, from hack-and-slash combat to text-based adventure sequences.
- El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron – This action game from Ignition Tokyo is based on the Book of Enoch and features stunning visuals, unique gameplay mechanics, and a surreal storyline.
- Deadly Premonition – This survival horror game from Access Games is a cult classic, with a bizarre story, quirky characters, and unconventional gameplay mechanics.
- The Saboteur – This open-world action game from Pandemic Studios is set in Nazi-occupied Paris and features a unique black-and-white visual style, fun driving mechanics, and a thrilling storyline.
- Shadows of the Damned – This action game from Grasshopper Manufacture and EA features a hilarious story, over-the-top action, and a memorable cast of characters.
- Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed – This kart racing game from Sumo Digital and Sega features a wide range of Sega characters, fun racing mechanics, and inventive tracks that transform mid-race.
- Catherine – This puzzle-platformer from Atlus features a blend of block-pushing puzzles and choose-your-own-adventure style storytelling, with a unique visual style and mature themes.
- Earth Defense Force 2017 – This third-person shooter from Sandlot and D3 Publisher lets you fight against giant alien insects in a B-movie style action extravaganza, with tons of weapons and destructible environments.
- Lollipop Chainsaw – This hack-and-slash game from Grasshopper Manufacture and Warner Bros. Interactive features a cheerleader protagonist who uses a chainsaw to fight off hordes of zombies, with over-the-top action and a punk rock sensibility.
- Viva Piñata – This life simulation game from Rare and Microsoft lets you build and manage your own garden full of colorful piñata creatures, with a charming art style and addictive gameplay.
As someone who has recently started collecting Xbox 360 games, I can attest to the affordability and accessibility of the console and its games. In fact, I was able to pick up a fully functional Xbox 360 console, complete with all cables and a controller, as well as twelve games, for just £20. Among the games I acquired were a Call of Duty title and the ever-popular Skyrim. The low cost of entry made it easy for me to jump into collecting for the Xbox 360.
Finally, collecting Xbox 360 games can be a way to preserve a piece of gaming history. While many games are now available digitally, there’s something special about owning a physical copy of a game. By collecting Xbox 360 games, you’re helping to ensure that these titles are not forgotten and can continue to be enjoyed for years to come. As the console grows older, some games may become harder to find or more expensive, making it all the more important to preserve these titles for future generations of gamers. Whether you’re a serious collector or just a casual gamer, owning a physical copy of your favorite Xbox 360 game is a great way to connect with the past and help preserve a part of gaming history.