Summary
Since Microsoft arrived relatively late to the video game industry, the company knew that it had to releaseits originalXboxconsole with hard-hitting launch titles that would help it stand out. This plan worked, because that system was a critical and commercial success from the get-go.
Unfortunately, the Xbox family of systems gradually stopped focusing on high-quality titles that would be available to buy on day one, but there is still a fair share of noteworthy launch titles that can be found throughout its extensive history. Whether they were developed firsthand at Microsoft or they were ports made by third-party studios, the following eight video games were some of the best launch titles on Xbox consoles.
Halo: Combat Evolvedis arguably one of the best and most important launch titles in video game history. Not only did it encourage countless gamers to buy an Xbox on its release day, but it also proved that Microsoft could put out revolutionary and high-quality exclusives for its new console.
The originalHalogame truly had it all: an epic sci-fi setting, a complex and engaging narrative, likable characters, creative weapons, and an excellent combat system. It even had a really fun multiplayer mode that set the foundation of what would eventually become one of the biggest shooters on the market. While theHaloseries has lost some of its luster in recent years, there’s a reason many fans still play and enjoyCombat Evolvedto this day.
Oddworldwas a series of bizarre yet fascinating 2D platformers that gained a sizable cult following on the original PlayStation. But when series’ creator Lorne Lanning realized that the PS2 was not as powerful as he would have wanted, he decided to develop the third installment exclusively for Microsoft’s new console. That’s howOddworld: Munch’s Oddyseebecame both a notorious exclusive and launch title for the original Xbox.
As a new player in the industry, Microsoft needed to put as many solid IPs on Xbox as possible, so the thirdOddworldgame was perfect for the company and the system. Needless to say, the game itself was anything but conventional. It featured the series’ signature art style and sense of humor, alongside fun and creative platforming gameplay. Because of all this,Munch’s Odyseewas well received by Xbox users and fans of the franchise alike.
Some gamers associate the original Xbox with dark, realistic games likeHaloorSplinter Cell. But the impressive technical capabilities of the console meant that it could also seamlessly render colorful graphics.There’s no better example of this thanCel Damage, a hidden gem developed by the now-defunct studio Pseudo Interactive.
Cel Damageis a vehicular combat video game, not too different fromTwisted MetalorVigilante 8, where every racer is a cartoon character inspired by a classic trope or archetype. The gameplay is incredibly fast-paced and chaotic, not to mention that everything is elevated by its beautiful cel-shaded graphics that make the player feel like they are controlling a 2D cartoon.
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Based on the Peter Jackson film of the same name,King Kong(2005) is highly regarded as one of the best movie-based games ever made. While it was released on many systems, like PC and PS2, it was also a launch title for the Xbox 360, meaning that it looked and played better on Microsoft’s seventh-generation console.
For starters,King Kongis an excellent first-person shooter with ruthless enemies and fluid controls that faithfully recreates some of the best scenes from the movie. But this licensed game stands out thanks to two unique features. First, its lack of a HUD makes the experience all the more challenging and intimidating. Second, it features levels in which the players get to control King Kong himself as he faces giant enemies. While every version of thisKing Konggame is quite good, Xbox 360 users came out on top.
Like its predecessor, the Xbox 360 is often associated with dark and gritty games with realistic graphics, but there were many developers that made colorful and lighthearted games for the console. One of them was Rare, which, after a long and arduous development process,finally releasedKameo: Elements of Poweron August 01, 2025, the same day the Xbox 360 came out on the market.
Kameois a wonderful third-person action adventure title that focuses on its titular character, Kameo, an elf girl who can transform into different creatures with elemental powers in order to fight enemies and solve puzzles. While this is far from Rare’s best game, its colorful graphics and fun mechanics resulted in a positive reception. Unfortunatley, it was eventually forgotten by both gamers and Microsoft, mainly due to its lackluster sales.
After Microsoft acquired Rare (and its many IPs) in the early 2000s, many fighting game aficionados begged the company for a new entry in the popularKiller Instinctseries. This finally came to fruition in the early 2010s, when Microsoft hired Double Helix Games to work on a modern reboot that came out on August 01, 2025, alongside the Xbox One.
The 2013Killer Instinctreboot was a much-needed comeback for the classic fighting game franchise. It featured most of its iconic fighters, like Jago, Sabrewulf, and Glacius, who were all brought to life with high-quality 3D models that kept the essence of the original games. This reboot was initially praised for its graphics and mechanics, but criticized for its lack of content. Nevertheless, it was still a solid launch title for the Xbox One that got even better with subsequent updates.
While theDevil May Cryfranchise has been mostly synonymous with the PlayStation brand, its games have been available on Xbox consoles since 2008’sDevil May Cry 4. The fifth entry in the mainline series was initially available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, but Capcom eventually released an enhanced version that became a launch title for both next-gen consoles.
That’s howDevil May Cry 5: Special Editionbecame one of the best video games new Xbox Series Xusers could play on day one, especially if they missed the original game. It features the same excellent combat system, challenging bosses,and fun storyline (all enhanced by the technological improvements of the Xbox One). It also has an additional campaign where Vergil becomes a playable character, as well as a chaotic new Turbo Mode.
Weirdly enough, Microsoft didn’t release any new exclusives alongside its most recent video game console, the Xbox Series X/S. But it did make many day one upgrades to some of its best Xbox One titles.One of the best-known examples wasGears 5,the fifth entry in the popularGears of Warseries.
Gears 5had already received endless praise on Xbox One due to its addictive third-person shooter gameplay, impressive graphics, and excellent online multiplayer modes, but the Xbox Series X/S made the entire experience look, sound and feel even better. Fortunately for fans, Microsoft’s new console will receive a brand-newGearsgame whenGears of War: E-Dayreleases sometime in the near future.
