With 2006 all wrapped up, the staff here at XboxAmerica decided to take a stab at what each of us thought were the Top 5 (or more) games that were released for the Xbox 360 last year. Obviously reflecting our gaming preferences, there were quite a few games that hit all our lists, but a few surprise entries as well.
Pastafarianism
1. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Oblivion is the greatest RPG I've ever played with the most to do, and the best graphics/appearance.
2. Gears of War - Gears of War was an awesome FPS with a killer multiplayer and single player.
3. Saint's Row - Saint's Row's single player rocked the house and made up for it's lacking multiplayer.
4. & 5. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas/Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter - The two Tom Clancy's were great tactical FPS's because one can only take so much of Gears.
Hockeypuck55
1. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter - Stunning graphics and great gameplay
2. Gears of War - Unparalleled graphics, good story, hooked millions
3. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas - Revitalized a series I thought was in trouble after Lockdown
4. Saints Row - Pushed the 360's limits further (basically no loading screens)
5. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent - Upgraded and updated multiplayer and a great single player story
Zoboa
1. Gears of War - The single most hyped title for the 360, and it did not disappoint. Stunning visuals, rocking multi-player and an intense campaign make this a challenger for game of the year on any platform.
2. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - The best RPG on the market, period. Oblivion dominated the 360 early in 2006, and Bethesda has done a wonderful job of keeping the game fresh with no less than six additional mini-expansion packs and a couple of in-game add-ons.
3. Test Drive Unlimited - This may be the most overlooked game released on the Xbox 360 in 2006. TDU is loaded with incredible graphics and enough game play options to keep you busy for months. If you happen to meet every challenge and buy everything in the game, you can still spend hours playing in free-ride, racking up more money or just trying to spin out the random player as they whiz by......
4. Xbox Live Arcade Classics - I know, I'm cheating a bit here by listing a whole block of games. However, bringing the likes of Pac Man, Galaga, Dig Dug, Frogger, Defender and Contra onto the console at an affordable price keeps us 30+ year old gamers happy. Bringing them back in their original (or better if enhanced) form scores bonus points.
5. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter - One of the first games to show off what the Xbox 360 could do. The tactical shooter provided an outlet for those looking for a quality campaign mode and decent multi-player options.
Honorable Mention: Call of Duty 3; Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas; UNO; Saint's Row; Dead Rising
Receiving Consideration: Burger King Games; Texas Hold Em; NCAA Football 07
Agree or disagree? Sound off below!
Pastafarianism
1. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Oblivion is the greatest RPG I've ever played with the most to do, and the best graphics/appearance.
2. Gears of War - Gears of War was an awesome FPS with a killer multiplayer and single player.
3. Saint's Row - Saint's Row's single player rocked the house and made up for it's lacking multiplayer.
4. & 5. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas/Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter - The two Tom Clancy's were great tactical FPS's because one can only take so much of Gears.
Hockeypuck55
1. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter - Stunning graphics and great gameplay
2. Gears of War - Unparalleled graphics, good story, hooked millions
3. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas - Revitalized a series I thought was in trouble after Lockdown
4. Saints Row - Pushed the 360's limits further (basically no loading screens)
5. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent - Upgraded and updated multiplayer and a great single player story
Zoboa
1. Gears of War - The single most hyped title for the 360, and it did not disappoint. Stunning visuals, rocking multi-player and an intense campaign make this a challenger for game of the year on any platform.
2. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - The best RPG on the market, period. Oblivion dominated the 360 early in 2006, and Bethesda has done a wonderful job of keeping the game fresh with no less than six additional mini-expansion packs and a couple of in-game add-ons.
3. Test Drive Unlimited - This may be the most overlooked game released on the Xbox 360 in 2006. TDU is loaded with incredible graphics and enough game play options to keep you busy for months. If you happen to meet every challenge and buy everything in the game, you can still spend hours playing in free-ride, racking up more money or just trying to spin out the random player as they whiz by......
4. Xbox Live Arcade Classics - I know, I'm cheating a bit here by listing a whole block of games. However, bringing the likes of Pac Man, Galaga, Dig Dug, Frogger, Defender and Contra onto the console at an affordable price keeps us 30+ year old gamers happy. Bringing them back in their original (or better if enhanced) form scores bonus points.
5. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter - One of the first games to show off what the Xbox 360 could do. The tactical shooter provided an outlet for those looking for a quality campaign mode and decent multi-player options.
Honorable Mention: Call of Duty 3; Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas; UNO; Saint's Row; Dead Rising
Receiving Consideration: Burger King Games; Texas Hold Em; NCAA Football 07
Agree or disagree? Sound off below!
