Top 10 Xbox Original Hidden Gems

10. The Punisher

One of the most underrated comic book games on the Xbox, The Punisher puts you into the shoes of the titular vigilante for a violent journey of justice. Using a combination of physical force and interrogation as you terrorize criminals for information, this exciting action romp tools you up with an arsenal of fierce weapons and lets you loose. With a compelling story and visceral, exciting combat, The Punisher is a truly exciting game that lives up to its title character’s legacy. 

9. XIII

This stunningly stylised mystery thrusts the player into an evil world of assassination, conspiracy, and intrigue. With gorgeous cel-shaded graphics and unique flashback visuals, this engrossing mystery puts you in the shoes of a man who lost his memory and may or may not have killed the President of the US. As the plot thickens, expect one of the most richly-detailed narratives on the Xbox and some truly unforgettable visuals. This one is a must.

8. OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast

Celebrated as the daddy of all arcade racers, SEGA’s OutRun series hit its absolute peak with the 2006 Coast 2 Coast release. With a new game engine and modern graphics, the game features the most cars ever seen in an OutRun game and is rammed with challenges and modes to test your mettle. This is a thrilling and nostalgic reminder of the good old days of the arcade and is a truly underrated modern classic.

7. Simpsons Hit & Run

This charming spoof of the Grand Theft Auto series puts players in control of the Simpson family as mysterious events plague Springfield. With seven lengthy levels – each with their own missions, subplot and playable character – the game is packed with the TV series’ beloved humour along with surprisingly effective gameplay and a staggering amount of content. This one is an absolute must, whether you’re a fan of The Simpsons or not. 

6. Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath

This action-adventure title in the beloved Oddworld series has players controlling Stranger, a fearsome bounty hunter, as he pursues and captures outlaws to earn ‘moolah’. As you’d expect from the series, Stranger’s arsenal of weapons is rather less than conventional. Instead of darts, his double-barrel crossbow fires live animals at his enemies. Yeah, you read that right. Wonderfully quirky, Stranger’s Wrath is a must.

5. Voodoo Vince

Voodoo Vince is a charming and outrageous adventure through a crazy world filled with quirky monsters. In true voodoo style, players defeat enemies by inflicting damage to the voodoo doll hero, either by jumping into blenders of leaping under falling rubble. With more than 30 voodoo attacks with increasingly insane results, this is a downright bizarre game but one full of great ideas and unique gameplay.

4. Beyond Good & Evil

A truly beloved and critically-acclaimed game, Beyond Good & Evil is a game truly packed with atmosphere. Combining one of the most compelling adventures in gaming alongside unique characters, gorgeous visuals, and an elegantly realised game world, this modern classic still holds up today as one of the finest titles of its era. It is a masterful piece of work that reminds us why we love gaming so much.

3. Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth

Set in the 1920s, Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth is a first-person horror game that combines frightening horror with intense action and adventure. With puzzles to solve, monsters to fight and a horrifying world to explore, this underrated title will surely delight fans of HP Lovecraft’s work while entertaining fans of the survival horror genre. 

2. Hunter: The Reckoning

This hack-and-slash horror puts you in control of hunters as you fight hordes of demonic enemies with weapons and magic. With support for up to four players, Hunter: The Reckoning lets you choose between four hunters with different abilities and skills and unleash hell on armies of the undead across 23 levels – so get your friends and get ready to fight. The fate of the world rests in your hands…

1.  Star Wars: Knights of The Old Republic

Taking place almost 4,000 years before the formation of the Galactic Empire, Knights of the Old Republic is an epic RPG set in the world of Star Wars. Immersive and action-packed, this unforgettable adventure spans ten different worlds as your choices and actions determine the outcome of the war – and your destiny as a Jedi. An absolute treat for fans and newcomers to the Star Wars universe alike.

Top 10 Xbox One X Games

10. Call of Duty: Vanguard

How is it enhanced: 4K, HDR

Taking the Call of Duty experience back to the battles of World War II and the birth of the Special Forces across four global fronts, this immersive shooter offers a deeply engaging single-player campaign alongside the series’ signature multiplayer experience and an exciting new Zombies mode with unparalleled visual fidelity and gameplay. This one is an incredible testament to the legacy of Call of Duty.

9. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

How is it enhanced: 4K, or 60fps, with HDR

Whilst one of the oldest titles on this list, it still truly deserves its place. The enormous fantasy adventure looks and plays better than ever on the X, with two options: either a full 4K resolution with a 30fps framerate or a dynamic resolution with 60fps. Both offer HDR, which truly bring the game’s dynamic and colourful world to life. A remarkable achievement, and a fresh coat of paint on an already gorgeous title.

8. Far Cry 6

How is it enhanced: Native 4K and HDR

With an expansive open world to liberate and one of the series’ most chilling and authentic villains to date (impeccably brought to life by Breaking Bad’s Giancarlo Esposito), this visually stunning action epic offers the most memorable Far Cry experience to date with possibly gaming’s most adorable dog ever. If little Chorizo doesn’t melt your heart, you probably don’t have one.

7. Forza Motorsport 7

How is it enhanced: 4K, HDR, 60fps

Fasten your seatbelts for an absolutely unbelievable visual feast in Forza Motorsport 7. With 4K resolution at 60 fps with HDR, this is the best of all worlds and the result is an absolute marvel to look at and play. Tiny details in a car’s upholstery are photorealistic to a staggering level make the entire playing experience all the more immersive and unbelievable. This is a phenomenal wake-up call to the power of the Xbox One X.

6. Doom Eternal

How is it enhanced: HDR

While Doom Eternal certainly looks incredible on the Xbox One, when played on the X it exceeds the standard console’s power thanks to stunning HDR support. This high dynamic range brings the game’s blood-soaked visuals to life, while optimised performance courtesy of the X gives the game a more explosive power. This one is an absolute must.

5. Gears 5

How is it enhanced: 4K and HDR

Putting players into the shoes of Kait Diaz for the first time, this stunning entry in the Gears of War franchise feels fresh – and looks particularly beautiful on the Xbox One X. Famed for the blood-soaked visuals, the Gears franchise has always been visually stellar, but on the X it’s a whole other bag. Every drop of blood, every blade on the chainsaw, it is all so horrifyingly vibrant and immersive. A real demo of what the X is capable of.

4. Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla

How is it enhanced: 4K and HDR

One of the most stunning and immersive Assassin’s Creed adventures to date, Valhalla takes players into the dark and violent Viking era. Whether you’re customising your settlement, taking on side quests or journeying through the main campaign, Valhalla is absolutely packed with things to do. Ridiculously lengthy and layered, the game is the biggest and boldest experience yet in the beloved series - and it looks absolutely gorgeous, especially on the X.

3. Forza Horizon 5

How is it enhanced: Native 4K and HDR (3840x2160 at 30fps or 1920x1080 at 60fps)

Building upon everything that Forza Horizon 4 did so well, this fivequel proves itself as the champion of open-world racing with another grand and expansive entry packed with things to see and do. This time taking the action to a fictionalised representation of Mexico (the largest map in the series to date, 50% bigger than in the fourth entry), this is one of the most diverse and exciting games in the entire Forza catalogue.

2. Red Dead Redemption 2

How is it enhanced: 4K and HDR

The Xbox One X’s power is at its strongest with Red Dead Redemption 2, which looks nothing short of phenomenal in 4K. Exploring the Wild West in the boots and spurs of Arthur Morgan has never felt so immersive, with the game’s snowy opening especially remarkable. A masterpiece of gaming in any format, but more stunning than ever in 4K with beautiful HDR. It will take your breath away.

1. Halo Infinite

How is it enhanced: 4K, HDR

It's been a while since we've seen Master Chief on top form, but Halo Infinite is here to rectify that, and then some! This is a near-perfect homage to everything we loved from the Bungie series with a modern twist. You are set loose to traverse a vast and open world with heaps more autonomy and a wide arsenal of iconic vehicles, guns and foes. The single-player campaign shines best in the heat of battle when you really remind yourself why this game deserves to be in the run for best new shooter.

TOP 10 Xbox One Racing Games

10. Burnout Paradise Remastered

It really doesn’t get any better than speeding down the track listening to Welcome to the Jungle. Boasting beautifully updated visuals, Burnout Paradise Remastered reminds players why Burnout were once the leaders of the racing genre. The game plays ridiculously well today and is still one of the most bad-ass racers out there – quite simply, a good old-fashioned arcade game. A hell of a lot to love here.

9. Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered

It’s time to reignite the pursuit. Easily the greatest entry in the acclaimed Need for Speed series, Hot Pursuit has been given a fresh coat of paint with this passionate remaster that has it looking, sounding and playing better than ever. Giving players the chance to unleash a savage sense of speed as both outlaws and cops, this thrilling racing title is an absolute beast that will have you feeling the need for speed.

8. WRC 10

Packed with 20 legendary cars to drive over 120 special stages, 6 historic rallies and 4 2021 rallies, WRC10 is a real goldmine of four-wheeled delights for fans of the series. This is a thrilling and fast-paced racer that acts as something of a love letter to 50 years of the World Rally Championship, with addictive gameplay and mesmerising visuals that pull the player right into the action.

7. Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled

Definitely the most nostalgic entry on this list, the remastered CTR is an absolute delight for all ages. Kicking the gameplay into a higher gear than ever before, Nitro-Fueled brings all the modes, characters, tracks and power-ups that you remember, while adding additional content from Crash Nitro Kart. The result is a colourful, exciting and accessible game for players of all ages and skill levels to enjoy. A masterpiece of fun.

6. MotoGP 20

In this thrilling entry into the MotoGP gaming series, players can experience all the excitement of the richly detailed Managerial CAreer mode or hit the tracks themselves with their fully customisable bike and suit. With realistic physics, improved visuals and historic content allowing players to relive MotoGP history and compete with legendary riders, this remarkable racing title is an absolute must for anyone who wants to feel the power of Moto GP.

5. Project CARS 2

Marketing itself as the pinnacle of authenticity, Project CARS 2 was fine-tuned by pro drivers, making the game’s precision physics, weather conditions and vehicle handling feel stronger than they ever have in the genre. With over 170 licensed cars and a staggering track roster, Project CARS 2 combines stunning realism with racing fun, and the result is one of the finest racing games available on the Xbox.

4. DiRT 5

This bold off-road racing title puts players behind the wheel of an eclectic and exciting roster of cars - from rally icons to trucks - and allows them to hit the tracks in over 70 unique routes across 10 different locations. With local split-screen support of up to four players, DiRT 5 is the perfect couch racing game to battle for victory with your pals - or, you can fly solo in the game’s Career Mode featuring beloved gaming voice talents Troy Baker and Nolan North.

3. Forza Motorsport 7

As one of the leading franchises in the racing genre, it’s no surprise that Forza makes multiple appearances on this list. The 7th part of the flagship Motorsport series is a passionate and beautiful game that boasts over 700 customisable cars, including the largest collection of Ferraris, Porsches, and Lamborghinis ever. With over 30 famous destinations and 200 ribbons, this is a comprehensive epic for petrolheads. 

2. F1 2021

With cutting-edge visuals, solid customisation and a compelling story mode to enjoy, F1 2021 is an incredible introduction to the series - and indeed the sport - for newcomers, while also offering enough new features over previous instalments to please longtime fans. The game looks and plays stunningly, resulting in one of the best and most realistic racing titles in modern gaming.

1. Forza Horizon 5

Building upon everything that Forza Horizon 4 did so well, this fivequel proves itself as the champion of open-world racing with another grand and expansive entry packed with things to see and do. This time taking the action to a fictionalised representation of Mexico (the largest map in the series to date, 50% bigger than in the fourth entry), this is one of the most diverse and exciting games in the entire Forza catalogue.