There have been four generations ofXboxsince Microsoft first launched the platform in 2001. But while each iteration has a collection of fans, one of the most beloved eras for the company was theXbox 360era. This is thanks to a variety of factors, including its emphasis on multiplayer and digital games.
Related:Forgotten Xbox 360 Games Deserving Of A Remake Or Reboot
The wideXbox 360library was also a big reason why the console became so popular, especially as there was a ton of games spread across all possible genres. One genre that was well-represented on the platform wassimulation. But there were afew Xbox 360 simulation games that stood out above the rest.
8Dance Central 2
With the prolonged success of the Xbox 360, one device that Microsoft decided to release for the platform was the Kinect, which had the ability to track body movements as a way to move forward through a game. One popular Kinect game was dancing simulatorDance Central 2.
There are several modes in the game, which range from just performinga dance routinefrom a song to going head-to-head with another person. The Crew Challenge is a single-player campaign that is about nailing songs to increase reputation. There is also a Fitness mode that tracks burned calories.
7Fight Night Champion
There are many sports video games with annual releases, but there are some sports that don’t get as much love in video games as they maybe should. Boxing is one of these sports, with not many major titles released in recent years. One of thebest boxing gamesto come out on Xbox 360 wasFight Night Champion.
The final entry in theFight Nightseries, this one introduced a new Champion Mode that tasks the player to fight in a specific way to fit to a match that is presented to them. In addition, there is a brand-new control scheme called the “Full-Spectrum Punch Control” that allows use of the right analog stick to throw punches.
6Pinball FX 2
It’s rare to see pinball machines while out and about in real life nowadays, butPinball FXhas been continuing the ability to experience the game of pinballthrough video games. On the Xbox 360, Microsoft helped developer Zen Studios publishPinball FX 2on Xbox 360, specifically Xbox Live Arcade.
The gameplay is about what players would expect from a normal pinball machine. Along with a handful of original tables, there are also a ton of licensed properties that players could either play automatically or purchase. This includes tables themed afterStar Wars,The Walking Dead, and variousMarvelproperties.
5Hitman: Blood Money
Simulators tend to be non-violent in nature, but theHitmanfranchise has almost always been about simulating scenarios where the player must seek out a person and take them out, most times using the environment to sneak around or as methods for conducting the murder.
Related:Ranking Every Hitman Game From Worst To Best
One of the better installments of the franchise isHitman: Blood Money. Launching on the Xbox 360 in 2006, the entry continues Agent 47 as he continues his work with the International Contract Agency and attempting to destroy a rival organization called the Franchise. The stealth simulator introduced new concepts like disposing of bodies and upgradable gear.
4Skate 2
There are a couple of big names that make up theskateboarding simulation genre. One of the major names isSkate, which debuted on the Xbox 360 in 2007. While the trilogy was beloved by many,Skate 2is often talked about as the best of the series.
Set in the fictional San Vanelona, the game is an open world where the protagonist is tasked with making skateboarding popular again after an earthquake put the city in the hands of a corrupt corporation who doesn’t want to see anyone with a skateboard. Along with the career mode, there is also a mode where players can just freely skate with world parameters they set.
3Viva Pinata
There were not manylife simulation gameson the Xbox 360, but one of the major ones released was actually made by Rare a few years after it was acquired by Microsoft.Viva Piñatawas released in 2006 from the same team behindBanjo-Kazooie.
Taking place on the fictional Pinata Island, players are tasked with growing a garden that attracts up to 60 different types of pinatas. While the goal is to grow the pinata community, players will also need to look out for “Ruffians” who will look to destroy the garden and various pinatas.
2Forza Motorsport 3
TheForzaseries has been one of Xbox’s hallmark franchises, with the Xbox 360 seeing the debut ofForza Horizonalong with multiple entries fromForza Motorsport. While almost any of the Xbox 360 era Forza games are worth checking out,Forza Motorsport 3may be the best racing simulation.
The franchise continues the tradition of being a more traditional racing game, with various tracks to race on and a plethora of vehicles to choose from, including the new additions of SUVs and stock cars. This is the first gamefromForza Motorsportthat introduced a first-person view as well as drag racing.
1Rock Band 3
Harmonix has been behind some of the best rhythm games ever made, including the aforementionedDance Central 2. But one of their best achievements wasRock Band 3as it took the series to the next level with Pro mode, which made it easier for people to learn actual instruments.
The final mainlineRock Bandentry on the Xbox 360,Rock Band 3features gameplay for vocals, lead guitar, bass guitar, drums, and keyboards, the last of which was brand newto the series. While 83 songs were launched with the game, over 2,000 were available through various downloadable methods.
