Top 10 Best Xbox Multiplayer Games

As one of the very first Xbox Live titles, it was vital that this battle mech game made a good first impression. It did precisely that by running seamlessly on the new service and even though some thought it wasn’t too faithful to the genre, the fast-paced gameplay and all-out carnage you could cause were ideal for new gamers taking their first steps in online gaming. There were a couple of kinks in the online interface but apart from that it was the perfect start to a whole new era for the company and players alike.

Another game that was released near the start of the Xbox’s lifespan, this rollerblade title eventually came as a bundle with the console. It was one hell of a game to get as it’s unique tone, easy accessibility and brilliant level design made it a game worth buying on it’s own. The five multiplayer modes added even more depth and though not quite as good as the single player, was a great way to show off your new console to your pals while you save up for the next game.

With every iteration of the skateboarding franchise, small but definite improvements were made in a series that had brushes with perfection. Even though this game lacked Xbox Live, it still received rave reviews as the best game of it’s kind. The usual multiplayer modes of trick attack, graffiti and king of the hill returned and were exceptional enough to ensure the omission of online play did not ruin the game. This was the last Pro Skater title until 2015, and considering how broken that one was, we should be happy that this game was so damn good.

The first Soulcalibur game went rather under the radar as it’s limited release on the Dreamcast prevented the fighting game from reaching a wider audience. There was no such problem for the sequel however as it launched on a variety of consoles, allowing millions of gamers to experience the wonderfully detailed arenas and flowing fight choreography for the first time. It was the best 3D fighting game at the time and it’s well balanced characters put more emphasis on your ability as a player. Whether you choose Taki or Nightmare, it’s ultimately a test of skill between you and your opponent.

When first looking down the mountain you might be intimidated by all the different ways you can descend, whether that be in on piste events or in the un-groomed off-the-cuff backcountry tracks. Once you realize you’re playing the best snowboard game ever, you’ll be thankful there is so much to unlock and complete. Everything in the single player is available in split screen and you’ll be able to plunge hours into fully exploring the expertly animated environments. With endlessly customizable characters, you won’t even notice that you can’t go online.

A often forgotten gem that was enjoyed immensely that those who got to play it, TimeSplitters lived a comfortable if humble existence in the shadow of Halo and other better-known titles. Single player, co-op, split-screen and online play are all available in a shooter, that has drawn comparisons with Goldeneye and for good reason, as Developer Free Radical Design were made up of former Rare Employees. You could design your own levels and share them online with thousands of others who love Virus mode just as much as you. It’s comedic tone may have prevented it from being taken too seriously by some but for the regular gamer, it was a refreshing change of pace.

As a way of experiencing the Star Wars universe first hand this shooter had no equal: you are able to wield a lightsaber or fly a spaceship in environments that are familiar yet still feel like a brand new experience. Up to 32 players can join huge online battles for unrivalled carnage on Endor, Geonosis or even in the skies above Coruscant. With so many players in online games there was the odd problem with lag but it managed to continue a legacy that made fans and gamers desperate for the latest in the series for over a decade.

This stealth title is graphically one of the darkest games ever – figuratively and literally - but there sure is beauty in the darkness. The visuals themselves are advanced for the era but it is the co-op gameplay that made it one of the best on the console at the time: map elements can only be completed with two players and if you make too much real life noise, in-game enemies will suddenly be all over you. Even if your buddy loves to go in all guns blazing and you like to hide in the shadows, together you can pull off acrobatic moves worthy of hero-spy Sam Fisher.

Realism can take a back seat when arcade racing is this enthralling. Even today few racers can recreate such a sense of speed but it is the takedown mechanic that changed the racing landscape forever. Regardless of whether you like racers or not, crashing into your friends and enjoying their destruction in slow motion is a universally satisfying experience. It might almost be best described as a realistic kart racer but instead your weapons of choice are buses, trucks and anything you can ram your opponent in to.
Before we reveal our top pick, let’s take a look at some honorable mentions.

Conker: Live & Reloaded (2005)
Forza Motorsport (2005)
Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2003)

Come on, were you expecting anything else? I mean the new features that the sequel included became the foundation of one of the most successful Xbox Live games ever. Dual wielding and vehicle boarding were introduced alongside new maps that rivaled those of Combat Evolved and by 2007, avid gamers had logged over 700 million hours play time. It’s appeal even carried over to the next generation of consoles: when the servers were meant to close in 2010, 51 dedicated players refused to have their final match and, for a whole month, would not turn off their consoles on the definitive Xbox Live title.

Do you agree with our list? Which Xbox game could you not resist switching on for hours with your best friend? For more top 10s that are best enjoyed with friends, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.