X's And No's
Every gaming console has its heroes and zeros. Xbox built its legacy on amazing exclusives that changed how we play, but not every title struck gold. Behind the blockbusters lurk forgotten flops gathering digital dust. So, let's look through Xbox's disappointments and champions based on audience reviews.
1. Scalebound
Platinum Games had Xbox fans drooling over dragon-commanding gameplay footage for years. This excitement made it all the more devastating when Microsoft pulled the plug after pouring money into development. The relationship between the companies gradually soured as creative differences mounted. Deadlines slipped repeatedly until January 2017.
SCALEBOUND - GAMEPLAY COOPERATIVO E3 2016 by Eurogamerspain
2. Crackdown 3 (2019)
Even the five years of development work could not give this game the fanfare that the company had hoped for. The finished product delivered none of that promised innovation upon release. Bland environments, repetitive missions, and outdated gameplay mechanics felt straight out of the Xbox 360 era. 
Crackdown 3 Was Underrated In 2019 by Game Informer
3. Ryse: Son Of Rome
Visually, Crytek's Roman hack-and-slash dazzled everyone who saw it at launch. Xbox One needed a graphical showcase, and Ryse delivered spectacularly on that front. Sadly, players quickly discovered these visuals masked extremely repetitive combat. "Press X to win" became its unfortunate legacy as gameplay depth floundered.
Image creditRyse: Son Of Rome - 4K 60FPS Gameplay by Ozone
4. ReCore
Development pedigree alone had many gamers automatically pre-ordering this promising exclusive. How could the team-up of Mega Man legend Keiji Inafune with Metroid Prime veterans disappoint? The answer came in a frustratingly incomplete final product that was rife with technical issues that made it feel like it was rushed to market.
ReCore - Ep. 1 - Meeting Joule and Mack! - Let's Play ReCore Gameplay - Xbox One by Blitz
5. Kinect Sports Rivals
The six-month delay past Xbox One's launch meant this motion-control showcase missed the critical holiday window. Microsoft had positioned Kinect as central to their console vision, making this title particularly important. When it finally arrived, skeptical reviews highlighted accuracy issues that undermined the entire experience.
Kinect Sports Rivals Full Gameplay Walkthrough (Longplay) by XCageGame
6. Fighter Within
Ubisoft's ambition to craft the Kinect fighting game resulted in possibly the worst-reviewed Xbox One launch title ever. Gaming outlets couldn't find much to praise, scoring this disaster in the 20-30% range. The fundamental concept proved deeply flawed as players reported exhausting, unresponsive controls.
Fighter Within - Gameplay Trailer [ES] by Ubisoft
7. Quantum Break (2016)
Microsoft put enormous resources into this experiment, casting Hollywood actors like Shawn Ashmore and Aidan Gillen. Unfortunately, the expensive live-action episodes disrupted the pacing and felt disconnected from player choices. Sales fell short of their projections despite the budget, effectively killing plans for any sequels or follow-ups.
Quantum Break (2016) // First Level // XBOX One Gameplay by First Levels
8. Powerstar Golf
Here, colorful characters and power-ups should have connected with casual players seeking lighthearted fun. However, the marketplace didn’t give it much attention, despite some reviews praising its accessible gameplay. Microsoft's desperate conversion to a free-to-play model failed to generate interest from players.
Powerstar Golf Developer Commentary by IGN
9. State Of Decay (2013)
Undead Labs promised the ultimate zombie survival simulation but delivered a technical mess that should have stayed buried. The open world suffered from game-breaking bugs that erased player progress or corrupted save files entirely. Characters clipped through floors while vehicles launched randomly into the sky during scavenging runs.
State of Decay (2013) - PC Gameplay 4k 2160p / Win 10 by FirstPlays HD
10. Bomberman: Act Zero
Konami's attempt to reinvent the Bomberman franchise as a gritty, dystopian experience baffled longtime fans and newcomers alike. The cartoon aesthetics were replaced with cold, metallic environments and cyborg characters straight from a B-movie. Gone was the series's signature chaotic multiplayer fun, replaced by punishing single-player challenges.
Bomberman: Act Zero (Xbox 360 Gameplay) | Forgotten Games by NeoGamer - The Video Game Archive
Despite these commercial and critical failures, Xbox's history isn't all doom and gloom. Let's shift our focus to the legendary titles that defined the brand and kept players coming back for more.
1. Halo: Combat Evolved
Master Chief's debut singlehandedly justified Microsoft's entry into the console market. Without this sci-fi shooter, the original Xbox might have failed entirely. Bungie delivered unprecedented AI enemies that actively flanked and coordinated attacks against players. Also, their blend of vehicular combat with tight gunplay created a noteworthy formula.
HALO Combat Evolved Gameplay Walkthrough (Full Game) by GameRiot
2. Forza Horizon 4
Playground Games transformed the United Kingdom into the ultimate automotive playground with stunning seasonal changes. These dynamic weather systems weren't just visual—snow, rain, and autumn leaves directly affected how cars were handled across the massive map. Thanks to weekly challenges establishing a live-service model, players returned long after release.
Forza Horizon 4 Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 - SUMMER TO AUTUMN (Full Game) by GameRiot
3. Fable
The original Xbox desperately needed its own distinctive RPG to compete with PlayStation. Peter Molyneux's ambitious answer promised players unprecedented freedom. Through the innovative morality system, every choice visibly transformed the character's appearance. Villagers remembered the player’s actions, reacting with fear or adoration depending on their reputation.
Fable Official Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2024 by GameSpot
4. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Bethesda's open-world masterpiece hit home consoles exclusively on Xbox 360 (until a PS3 port was later released) at the right moment to demonstrate next-gen RPG potential. Players could spend hundreds of hours exploring a vast fantasy world filled with countless quests and activities. The advanced Radiant AI system gave every NPC an individual schedule, creating the illusion of a living world.
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Let's Play Ep 1 Getting Started (2024) by Spartan-85
5. Gears Of War
Xbox 360 wanted a graphical showcase, and Epic Games delivered with their Unreal Engine 3 "destroyed beauty" aesthetic. This technical achievement paired perfectly with cover mechanics that changed third-person shooters forever. Players connected emotionally with Marcus Fenix's gravelly voice as they chainsawed through Locust hordes in visceral combat.
Gears Of War 5 - Official Cinematic Announcement Trailer | E3 2018 by GameSpot Trailers
6. Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
BioWare's Star Wars epic represented Xbox's strategy of securing major third-party exclusives to compete with PlayStation. It set the story years before the films granted creative freedom to craft original characters and conflicts. In this game, the player’s choices influence dialogue, force powers, and companion relationships throughout the journey.
STAR WARS: Knights of the Old Republic - Launch Trailer - Nintendo Switch by Nintendo of America
7. Sea Of Thieves
What kicked off as a basic version turned into a super fun multiplayer experience. This is because regular updates kept players coming back for years. The water physics is on point, making sailing feel genuinely tough with waves and storms that mess with how you handle your ship.
Official Sea of Thieves Gameplay Launch Trailer by Sea of Thieves
8. Ori And The Blind Forest
Moon Studios proved that Xbox would support artistic indies alongside blockbusters with this emotionally resonant Metroidvania. The forest came alive through hand-painted backgrounds. Besides, players connected with the touching story despite the minimal dialogue. Thoughtful accessibility options ensured gamers of all skill levels could experience this artistic triumph.
Ori And The Blind Forest - Gameplay Part 1 - Beautiful (Let's Play) by Pyropuncher
9. Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved
Bizarre Creations delivered with their neon-soaked twin-stick shooter, which began as a Project Gotham Racing minigame. The deceptively simple design masked incredible depth, keeping players chasing high scores for years. Competitive friends became obsessed with leaderboard positions, pioneering social features that are now standard in gaming.
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved - Let's Play: Ep. 1 - (Xbox 360/Xbox Series X) by pewDmew
10. Dead Rising
The game really pushed the hardware to the max by throwing hundreds of zombies on the screen at once. Players had to juggle a 72-hour deadline while dealing with non-stop zombie attacks. Plus, there were photography elements that encouraged players to pay attention and time their shots.
