The PS2 dominated this console generation with the Xbox and GameCube falling a bit behind. Microsoft was at a bit of a disadvantage when they released the original Xbox in 2001 since it was their first console and it debuted a year after the PS2. They did have a killer app though via the first Halo game which sold like gangbusters.
By 2005, the original Xbox was pretty much done as the year led to the launch of its successor, the Xbox 360. Between the two systems, Microsoft and others helped produce and launch quite a few key titles in 2005. Let’s get through the best ones to celebrate in 2025 for their 20th anniversary.
Call of Duty 2was one of the launch games for the Xbox 360 in November 2005. It did grace other consoles too but this was definitely the premiere version of the classic setting of World War 2. Compared to modernCall of Dutygames, this one may seem archaic but it still plays well especially emulated via the backwards compatibility options on the Xbox Series X. Players could command soldiers with the Russian, British, and American forces which gave the war a more diverse voice. The series would go back to WW2 often even after the modern games, but this one may still be among the best adaptations.
The original Xbox did not get the first 3D entry in this era of the series,Castlevania: Lament of Innocence, which was a PS2 exclusive. They did get the next one though,Castlevania: Curse of Darkness, which tied in directly following the events of Dracula’s defeat inCastlevania 3: Dracula’s Curseon the NES. The game stars Hector, an alchemist who can forge both weapons and demons. He’s on a quest to avenge his beloved one monster at a time in an evolving Metroidvania RPG adventure. The game was made available digitally later on the PS3 but Xbox fans can’t emulate it on modern hardware despite there being a plethora ofotherCastlevaniagamesavailable.
Condemned: Criminal Originswas another launch game for the Xbox 360. This one was developed by Monolith, creators of theF.E.A.R.franchise, so they were getting to be well-known for horror games at this time. It’s also in first-person but instead of emphasizing shooting, players get more melee weapons.
It was the type of horror experience that one could liken to theSawfilm franchise. It was brutal and grotesque which also helped it stand out. It’s never been remastered but the original game is available to buy and enjoy easily but the sequel is a bit lost to time on consoles.
Jade Empirewasa BioWare RPGthat followedStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republicon the original Xbox. Instead of turn-based combat with automatic actions, characters could fight in real-time. The setting was a fantastical version of China likeCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragonbut unfortunately with less wire-fu. The game can be played via backwards compatibility on modern Xbox systems and it’s on PC too. It’s never been enhanced and ported to other consoles though despite its quality and relevancy to BioWare as it was their last project right before beginningMass Effectfor the Xbox 360.
Kameo: Elements of Poweris the last big launch title worth bringing up for the Xbox 360. It was made by Rare who also put outPerfect Dark Zeroon launch day. Both games had divisive responses at the time and they still have wildly varied opinions now.Kameo: Elements of Poweris the more interesting of the two because it took along time for this action-adventure gameto come out. Planning began on the N64 which then shifted to the GameCube, then the original Xbox, and finally the Xbox 360. Amazingly, it turned out well at all but despite it not getting a sequel,Kameo: Elements of Powerstill has its fans and it can gain new ones too because the game is easily accessible on Xbox consoles.
Oddworld: Abe’s Oddyseewas the first game in the seriesthat hit the PS1, among other systems, in 1997. Eventually, the series went to the original Xbox whose fans were treated with one of the franchise’s best offerings,Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath.
Instead of a puzzle-based platformer, this one was a platformer with first-person shooting. As the titular Stranger, players would go out and hunt bounties with live ammo including bees and spiders. The technology was wildly inventive and the game did receive an HD upgrade in 2013 but never a direct sequel.
Psychonautswas one of those late console games that took a while to heat up. As a platformer, it got its fans right away but for a decade it was kind of one of those niche hidden gems. It always seemed like the developer, Double Fine, wanted to make a sequel and then the motions finally started to get on track in the mid-2010s. First, there wasPsychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruinwhich began as a PSVR exclusive in 2017 and thenPsychonauts 2was finally released in 2021. It reviewed incredibly well, higher than the original, so it just goes to show that patient fans will get rewarded. For those who missed these games the first time around, it’s a good time to celebrate the 20th anniversary.
Star Wars: Battlefront 2is an incredibly easy game to get into in 2025 because it was just remastered in 2024 via theStar Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection. Originally, this game got on major consoles like the PS2 and original Xbox in 2005 and then Xbox fans could emulate it on the Xbox One and beyond. For a while, that’s all that seemed possible as EA was more preoccupied with the future of this series instead of the past. Thankfully, that collection preserved what was great about the series even with some hiccups at launch. It’s still fun to jump into the game and fight as various factions likethe Rebel Allianceor Clone Troopers either offline or online.
