Xbox 360 Consoles
If you are looking to buy a new Xbox 360 system, you have several options. I would suggest first to take a look at our Xbox 360 System Buyer’s Guide so you can find out all about what the system offers and what you can do with it besides just play games. Next, you need to decide what system is right for you or the person you are buying it for. There are several different configurations available.
Games
Games are the most important part of a game system, and the Xbox 360 has the best lineup available out of the three consoles on the market right now. We list the best games of 2008 right here with review links, and their ESRB ratings (check out the official ESRB website for more info) so you can find the best games that are appropriate for your loved ones with ease. Also, this list covers our recommendations for the best of the best in each genre but definitely doesn’t cover every game released in 2008. For full reviews of all of the Xbox 360 games released in 2008 as well as 07, 06, and 05, see our Xbox 360 Reviews Page.
Racing
Racing games are all about blazing fast speed and doing things you probably won’t ever do in real life. 2008 was a slow year for racing games, but the handful we did get are all pretty good.
- Burnout Revenge – “E”
- GRID – “E”
- NASCAR 09 – “E”
- PURE – “E”
- Need for Speed: Undercover – “T”
- Midnight Club: Los Angeles – “T”
Shooters
Shooters are pretty self-explanatory. You play as a character and shoot enemies. All of them are rated “T” for Teen or “M” for Mature, which means they are definitely NOT for kids. It is always ultimately up to the parents to decide what their kids can or can’t play, however, so I would recommend viewing gameplay videos of “T” or “M” rated games on GameTrailers.com and making a decision whether your kids should play it based on what you see there.
- Unreal Tournament III – “M”
- Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 – “M”
- Frontlines: Fuel of War – “M”
- The Club – “M”
- Battlefield: Bad Company – “M”
- Gears of War 2 – “M”
- Call of Duty: World at War – “M”
- Far Cry 2 - “M”
- Left 4 Dead – “M”
RPG and Strategy
RPGs and Strategy games are much slower paced than other videogames and require you to plan ahead and really think through strategies in order to win. They also provide some of the best bang for your gaming buck as most of them offer dozens of hours of gameplay. Truth be told, many of the best Xbox 360 games of 2008 are listed right here in this section.
- Culdcept Saga – “T”
- Lost Odyssey – “T”
- Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm – “T”
- Operation Darkness – “M”
- Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath – “T”
- Civilization Revolution – “E”
- Tales of Vesperia – “T”
- Infinite Undiscovery – “T”
- Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 – “T”
- Fallout 3 –“M”
- Fable 2 – “M”
- Last Remnant – “RP”
- Tom Clancy’s EndWar – “T”
Action
Action games cover a pretty broad spectrum of genres. From open world Grand Theft Auto-style games to hack and slash beat-em-ups. Like shooters, most of them are rated “T” or “M” due to excessive violence or adult themes, so please keep the ESRB ratings in mind.
- Star Wars: The Force Unleashed – “T”
- Mercenaries 2 – “T”
- Ninja Gaiden 2 – “M”
- The Bourne Conspiracy – “T”
- Grand Theft Auto IV – “M”
- Condemned 2: Bloodshot – “M”
- Bully: Scholarship Edition – “T”
- Saints Row 2 – “M”
- Spider-Man: Web of Shadows – “T”
- Dead Space – “M”
- James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace – “T”
- Destroy All Humans 3 – “RP”
- Mirror’s Edge – “T”
- Tomb Raider: Underworld – “RP”
- Prince of Persia – “RP”
Fighting
Fighting games are just as the name implies. Head-to-head combat between two or more individuals.
- WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 – “T”
- Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe – “T”
- TNA IMPACT! – “T”
- Soul Calibur IV – “T”
- Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit – “T”
Family Friendly / Party Games
Don’t mistake these family friendly games as being just for kids as they are great fun for gamers of all ages. Even better, many of them are great ways to get non-gamers interested in videogames. They are easy to pick up and play and really shine when there are more people around to play them.
- LEGO Indiana Jones – “E”
- Rock Band 2 – “T”
- LEGO Batman – “E”
- Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts – “E”
- Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise – “E”
- Guitar Hero: World Tour - “T”
- LIPS – “RP”
- Scene It: Box Office Smash – “T”
- You’re In The Movies – “E”
- Dance Dance Revolution Universe 3 – “E”
Sports
Sports games are also pretty self-explanatory. We have the very best football, hockey, basketball, and soccer games listed here.
- NHL 09 – “E”
- Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 – “E”
- Madden NFL 09 – “E”
- NCAA Football 09 – “E”
- FIFA Soccer 09 – “E”
- Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 – “E”
- NBA Live 09 – “E”
- NBA 2K9 – “E”
Bottom Line
This guide covers our recommendations for the best of the best in each genre but definitely doesn’t cover every game released in 2008. For full reviews of all of the Xbox 360 games released in 2008 as well as 07, 06, and 05, see our Xbox 360 Reviews Page. You can also find reviews of Xbox 360 accessories such as controllers, steering wheels, headphones, or arcade sticks on our Xbox 360 Accessories Review Page.
