The original Xbox was released in 2001 and it had a very short lifespan. It was discontinued in 2006, but that didn’t stop many people from enjoying some of the best multiplayer games on the console.
The 30 best multiplayer games for the original Xbox is a list of 30 games that are great for playing with friends.
The original Xbox was a game-changing device.
It was by far the most powerful system of the sixth generation, with higher graphics, more direct PC connections, and Xbox Live, the first dependable internet gaming infrastructure.
It also featured some fantastic multiplayer games, such as the hugely influential Halo — as well as some lesser-known but as fun titles like Kung Fu Chaos.
So grab a cold one, get some pizza, and join me as we look at some of the best multiplayer games on the original Xbox that are worth replaying.
MechAssault is the thirty-first game in the MechAssault series (2002)
MechAssault, a spectacular huge robot third-person shooter set in the 31st century, was one of the first games to fully exploit the Xbox’s online features.
Unfortunately, the online multiplayer component has been removed.
The two-player co-op Grinder mode, on the other hand, is still available. You and your 2P are pitted against infinite waves of more difficult opponents in this game.
If shootouts between 40-foot towering Metal Gears are your thing, MechAssault is a game worth checking out.
Red Dead Revolver is the 29th game in the Red Dead Revolver series (2004)
There was Red Dead Revolver for the original Xbox before Red Dead Redemption on the Xbox 360.
But, at least in this game, you won’t be able to play the thrilling campaign with a buddy…
However, the multiplayer component more than makes up for that.
Across the majority of the campaign’s situations, up to four players may shoot it out amongst themselves (or against bots).
Almost every character returns with their own set of beginning weapons and skills, which you must unlock by completing quests or buying certain goods.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 is the 28th game in the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series (2002)
I’ve always been too scared of breaking a leg or an arm when skating to attempt anything other than “not falling off the skateboard in the first 10 seconds.”
In Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, on the other hand, I can skate like a legend.
This is one of the Xbox’s most thrilling and approachable games.
In a matter of minutes, anybody can take it up and start doing grinds, ollies, and kickflips.
There’s a character for everyone, too.
You may also play as Wolverine, Darth Maul, or Doomguy if you don’t like any of the 13 professional skaters.
If you choose to go that way, you may even make your own unique skater.
Karaoke Revolution Party (#27) (2005)
In a tough Dance Dance Revolution battle, not everyone has the coordination to keep up with the speed.
Everyone, on the other hand, can pick up a microphone and belt out hit tunes at the top of their lungs.
You don’t even have to know the words in Karaoke Revolution Party!
Simply hum along or speak nonsense at the appropriate pitch, and you’re good to go.
You’ll also make anybody watching the game laugh out loud.
It’s ideal for setting up at parties or having a good time with a few close pals after a few beers.
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance II is the 26th game in the Baldur’s Gate series (2004)
Try Baldur’s Gate II: Dark Alliance if you don’t want the intellectual action of a pen-and-paper DnD adventure and would rather get right to the action.
The game is designed to be played with a close friend who will bring out your finest qualities as you fight numerous undead abominations in over 80 levels of nonstop action.
If you haven’t played the original Dark Alliance, you’re in for a double dose of material.
If you’re a fan of the series, you should definitely check it out.
Brute Force (number 25) (2003)
Brute Force is an excellent third-person shooter with stunning visuals and a wide variety of interesting weapons to try out.
The game emphasizes squad-based gameplay, with each character specializing in a certain function. Tex is a heavy-weapons assault trooper, Flint is a cyborg sniper, Brutus is a muscular lizardman capable of charging opponents, and so on.
This makes it ideal for playing split-screen with three pals or pitting two teams of four against each other through System Link.
Super Monkey Ball Deluxe (number 24) (2005)
The Xbox wanted to portray itself as a masculine system with a mature look in order to appeal to new audiences who may have been turned off by Nintendo’s constant emphasis on family-friendliness.
And I suppose it worked.
It does, however, offer its fair share of bright and entertaining activities for the whole family.
In Super Fool Ball Deluxe, there are two methods to monkey about.
You may either compete by collecting bananas as you go through the Challenge Mode stages or play one of the numerous mini-games available right away.
Among the mini-games are Monkey Race, which is similar to kart racing, Monkey Fight, in which you attempt to knock other primates off the stage, and Monkey Bowling, which is self-explanatory.
007: Nightfire (23. 007) (2002)
GoldenEye 007 on the N64 is one of the most thrilling competitive multiplayer experiences since the beginning of gaming, according to any gamer born before 1995.
While 007: Agent Under Fire didn’t quite make it, 007: Nightfire was a step in the right direction.
The graphics are stunning, and the four-player multiplayer mode offers a diverse cast of Bond characters to select from, including Goldfinger, Baron Samedi, and Jaws.
This is the kind of game that almost anybody can learn to play.
Mashed: Fully Loaded (#22) (2006)
When I first saw the title, I assumed Mashed: Fully Loaded would be a spud gun shooter.
Fortunately, I was mistaken.
Up to four players may fight in ultra-violent death races in this thrilling automotive combat game, where both driving abilities and devious tactics are essential for success.
The strange camera angles are the only thing preventing this game from a better position in our rankings.
They’re supposed to provide a theatrical feel to the game, but they simply make certain turns more difficult than they should be.
XIII. 21. (2003)
This unusual first-person shooter utilizes cel-shaded visuals to resemble a comic book.
During gaming, it will even display the player close-ups of their impressive kills — mainly headshots – in the style of comic panels.
It also seems to be fantastic.
While the secret agent narrative and exciting gameplay in the single campaign are great in and of itself, the multiplayer is also a highlight.
In a variety of locations, you and up to three teammates may play in modes including Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Sabotage, and more. If you host a LAN party, the number of players increases to 16.
Far Cry Instincts #20 (2005)
Far Cry was one of those games that the creators couldn’t seem to get enough of.
Far Cry, Far Cry Instincts, FCI Evolution, FCI Predator, and so on… What the hell is going on?!
While the original Far Cry Instincts has a superior single-player experience, if you’re looking for a multiplayer game, I’d suggest Evolution.
It allows you and up to three friends to compete for survival using abilities that are comparable to those used in the campaign. There are a variety of maps to choose from, as well as a sophisticated Map Editor where you can build obstacle courses, mazes, and other imaginative situations for you and your friends to hunt in.
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (1999) (2005)
Ubisoft’s response to Konami’s Metal Gear Solid got a lot right.
It has a more realistic narrative, more difficult stealth techniques, and excellent multiplayer.
The majority of Splinter Cell games are good, but Chaos Theory is the greatest on Xbox.
The Spies vs. Mercs mode from Pandora Tomorrow returns with even more features, but the co-op mode is the greatest way to play Chaos Theory with a buddy.
You’ll go through a series of missions that run concurrently with the main narrative, in which players must work together to pull off combo moves and solve riddles.
It’s a lot more enjoyable to play than you may believe.
Def Jam: Fight for New York (2004)
Every time I write about Def Jam, I’m struck by how inventive the idea of hip hop artists/rappers exchanging blows for dominance of the underground music scene is.
When a celebrity was added as an unlockable character in games like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater or Ready 2 Rumble Boxing, we all went wild – so why not make the whole roster renowned musicians?
Making Snoop Dogg the campaign’s ultimate boss was the cherry on top.
Fuzion Frenzy is number seventeen in the Fuzion series (2001)
Fuzion Frenzy is a four-player party game that ditches Mario Party’s playful design in favor of a dark, adult look more akin to XBOX launch games.
In Tournament Mode, the game includes over 45 dynamic mini-games distributed over six City Zones, including a Downtown region, a Military Zone, and a Power Station, among others.
You must go through up to six of these zones in each battle and gather “orbs” by winning mini-games. You may wager your gathered orbs in the unique Fuzion Frenzy mini-game at the conclusion of a round to try to earn some extra points.
In the Mini-Game Frenzy mode, you may also jump in for some fast action.
Crash Tag Team Racing (#16) (2005)
It’s doubtful that the Crash Bandicoot series will ever achieve the same level of popularity as Nintendo’s Super Mario.
The marsupial, on the other hand, puts up a good fight in kart racing.
Crash Tag Team Racing is the Xbox’s version of Mario Kart: Double Dash (2003) for the GameCube, including a vehicle “clash” mechanism that allows two karts to merge into one.
This unique feature encourages players to create coalitions on the fly.
When used wisely, it has the potential to radically alter the result of a race.
Players may also step out of the vehicle and explore various locations for collectibles/unlockables in the game’s platforming portions, which are reminiscent of previous Crash games.
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon 2: Summit Strike (Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon 2: Summit Strike) (Tom Clancy’ (2005)
During the Xbox’s lifetime, Tom Clancy’s squad-based tactical shooter was all the rage.
It’s still a fantastic choice for both co-op and competitive shooting.
Summit Strike is a cross between a Ghost Recon 2 expansion and a full sequel.
It’s amazing, whatever it is.
Even if you’ve already cleared the original, it’s well worth the money.
It comes with a new narrative, new weaponry, new multiplayer skins, and a slew of new levels to play with up to three pals.
The majority of the 24 multiplayer battlegrounds are large and well-designed. There’s also a lot of cover, which encourages intense and fast-paced battles.
Playing through the difficult campaign with your team is a once-in-a-lifetime event that will need communication and faith in one another’s abilities.
It’s the thing that makes friendships last.
Death Row (#14) (2002)
Sports have never been one of my favorite pastimes.
Even I can’t say no when they’re as inventive and hilariously brutal as Deathrow.
In this unique game, you and your pals will participate in the future sport of Blitz, which is a kind of hyper-violent Ultimate Frisbee played by technologically augmented juggernauts who have no regard for their opponents’ safety.
There are 18 themed teams to select from, as well as a large number of courts to paint red with up to four people in local split-screen and up to 16 players through LAN party.
Deathrow’s refined graphics and realistic characters make it a standout game.
The techno soundtrack from the early 2000s is also a standout.
Kung Fu Chaos (#13) (2003)
Kung Fu Chaos is a great alternative to Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. for Xbox if you’re looking for something different.
The timeless appeal of 1970s Kung Fu films like Bruce Lee’s Return of the Dragon (1972) and Jimmy Wang-Master Yu’s of the Flying Guillotine (1976) is combined with the naturally frenetic action of a 3D brawler in this four-player game.
Each of the nine characters is based on various martial arts legends and archetypes, and you’ll witness them execute outrageous stunts right out of Jackie Chan’s fantasies.
#Reload: Guilty Gear X2 (2004)
Arc System Works makes excellent 2D fighters, according to one of the universe’s fundamental principles.
Guilty Gear X2 #Reload is an upgraded version of GGX2 with several excellent bonuses and slightly better graphics.
There are 26 characters in all, ranging from a cruel guitar-playing bombshell to a bite-sized pirate brandishing an anchor nearly as big as she is.
GGX2 #Reload will appeal to fans of excessively complex hyper-technical 2D fighters that are completely unreachable to novices.
Battlefront 2 is the sequel to Star Wars: Battlefront (2005)
The sequel to the original Star Wars: Battlefront expands on the strong foundation established by the first game, with enhanced visuals and new features like super-powerful hero troops and space warfare.
There’s nothing quite like spawning as Mace Windu and wielding your purple lightsaber to bring the hammer of justice down on unsuspecting droids.
It’s also thrilling to board a Tie Fighter or an X-Wing and battle far above the atmosphere of a disputed planet.
At debut, the game’s online component was the primary draw.
The service is now no longer available.
However, the Galactic Conquest and Instant Action modes may still be played locally with a buddy through split-screen.
Hunter: The Reckoning is the tenth installment in the Hunter series (2002)
The Xbox 360 version of Left 4 Dead wouldn’t be released until 2008.
But it doesn’t rule out the possibility of spending your weekend in 2002 with your team fighting zombies.
Hunter: The Reckoning is a hack-and-slash/TPS game in which you and up to three companions fight hordes of zombies, vampires, and other supernatural monsters who have overrun the Ashcroft Penitentiary.
A biker, a prison chaplain, an ex-cop, and even a rave girl are among the characters that fight the macabre danger with axes, swords, shotguns, crossbows, and even magic spells.
It’s a little on the short side. However, every minute is jam-packed with action and dark comedy that any zombie-killing team would enjoy.
TimeSplitters 2 is the ninth game in the TimeSplitters series (2002)
You’ll like TimeSplitters 2 if you enjoyed the style and spirit of the original 007: GoldenEye but wished it was a little quicker.
It’s right up there with Halo in terms of pure pleasure and replayability.
There’s a lot to see and do, including an action-packed co-op narrative and a slew of competitive game modes with over 100 characters to select from.
The Arcade Custom option allows you to customize every aspect of a match, from the number of bots to the game’s pace.
You may select whether one-shot kills are allowed, if character powers are active or not, and which weapon players start with, if any.
This game’s sequel (TimeSplitters: Future Perfect) is also a good multiplayer option.
8. Glitch in the System: Metal Arms (2003)
Metal Arms: Glitch in the System, a game with a humorous narrative and excellent gameplay that seems like a violent TPS version of the 2005 cartoon feature Robots, is my favorite non-Halo shooter on the Xbox.
In split-screen, up to four players may attempt to dismantle each other using exciting guns including rocket launchers, mining lasers, saw blade launchers, and various grenades.
My only suggestion is to locate a 100 percent save file before trying to play, since most of the multiplayer maps and characters must be unlocked in single-player by collecting hidden chips.
7. The High Road to Revenge: Crimson Skies (2003)
Crimson Skies is set in a parallel world in which aircraft and zeppelins were ubiquitous in the 1930s.
The creators were able to mix the amazing aerial combat of games like Blazing Angels with a more lighter and exciting narrative reminiscent of Indiana Jones and adventure serials like The Perils of Pauline because to this unique environment.
It has a variety of planes to select from as well as a variety of situations to fly through as you attempt to bring your opponents down.
The simplified controls are simple to master even if you’re a complete novice.
So don’t miss out on this four-player dogfighting frenzy.
Dead or Alive 3 is the sixth installment in the Dead or Alive series (2001)
Dead or Alive 3 was an Xbox-only sequel to one of the most popular and unusual fighting games ever made.
For two primary reasons, the franchise excels.
On the one hand, there’s the unique fighting system, which functions similarly to rock, paper, scissors but with blows, throws, and holds instead.
On the other hand, there’s the abundance of beautiful women that make up the majority of the cast.
Significantly improved visuals, interactive destructible levels, and one of the first examples of “boob physics” in gaming – brought to you by the Xbox’s greater horsepower – are among the game’s major enhancements over prior editions.
Quantum Redshift No. 5 (2002)
Quantum Redshift is the Xbox’s response to the PS2’s Wipeout Fusion, and it’s superior in nearly every aspect.
This underappreciated zero-gravity racing is a joy to play.
The visual effects are also stunning, and they do a better job than anything else at capturing the sensation of moving at rapid speeds.
With these amazing graphics, taking on any of the 16 racing courses in split-screen with up to three players is still a great experience today.
The characters are one area where Quantum Redshift falls short.
They’re promoted as a key component of the experience, yet they’re dull and unremarkable.
Their ships, on the other hand, are quite amazing.
Unreal Championship 2 is number four (2005)
If you care about visuals in any way, you should check out Unreal Championship 2.
You may switch between first-person shooting and third-person melee combat on the fly in this hero-based shooter.
In a game where movement is crucial and large distances may be closed in a matter of seconds, flexibility is essential.
Players may battle over 40+ multiplayer maps as one of 14 badass heroes with distinct kill streaks.
Unfortunately, the game only supports split-screen co-op for two players.
To get the most out of System Link, you’ll need to utilize it across several consoles. However, if you like this kind of game, it may be worth your time.
3. Dust of the Phantom (2005)
Phantom Dust, a game with an edgy style that combines fast-paced action with intellectual deck-building, is a must-try for something really unique.
Each player gets to select which spell cards they want to use on the battlefield.
Once on the battlefield, they’ll engage in active tactical warfare with up to three other warriors.
As you play, you’ll learn what tactics work best for you and modify your decks appropriately.
Every match is full of surprises because to this continuous adaptability.
The game was great as an online title, but it’s also enjoyable in four-player split-screen mode.
Halo: Combat Evolved is the sequel to Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)
Halo is without a doubt the most impactful game in the Xbox catalog.
And this series is one of the reasons for the success of the console.
Combat in this game evolved significantly.
Its famous multiplayer featured numerous new features that quickly became mainstays in the FPS genre, and nothing came close until Halo 2.
It also introduced Master Chief to the world, laying the groundwork for the series’ ever-expanding mythology that we know and love today.
You can’t go wrong with Halo if you want something that everyone will immediately fall in love with – particularly if you have four XBOX systems to build up a beautiful 16-player Slayer LAN party.
1. The game Halo 2 (2004)
And now comes the amazing sequel to Halo: Combat Evolved, the gaming revolution.
It has the same action as before, but with improved visuals and additional multiplayer modes.
Halo 2 adds Assault, Juggernaut, and Territories to the original’s five modes (which include Slayer and Capture the Flag).
It also includes a new split-screen co-op option, allowing you and a buddy to work together to complete the narrative mode.
It’s a fantastic method to get someone familiar with the game’s fundamental principles before putting them in multiplayer.
Halo 2 is also a great way to spend a weekend in general.
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