Our recommended picks for diving deeper into the Xbox and Xbox 360 library

For every triple-A blockbuster release on Xbox, there are hundreds of games that get overlooked at the checkout counter. Most for good reason (they’re terrible), others for less discernible ones — the graphics weren’t mind-blowing enough, it released during a flood of high-profile titles, and so on. But rather than let these underdogs go quietly into the night, we’ve borrowed from our friends — the video store clerks — and have created our own OXM Employee Picks wall.

Conker: Live and Reloaded

Xbox, 2005; OXM Score: 8.0

A hi-res remake of Rare’s controversial N64 platformer, Conker’s Bad Fur Day, the Xbox version pulled no punches in bringing the furry, foul-mouthed squirrel to a new audience of Live-enabled gamers. And in the early days of 360 and a retooled Xbox Live, its multiplayer shooter options showed off the service as much as Conker’s tail flaunted “fur-shading.”

Deathsmiles

Xbox 360, 2010; OXM Score: 8.0

You can’t get more sub-sub-subculture-y than a sidescrolling shmup featuring a cast of Gothic Lolita characters. But once you get past the heaping piles of J-pop quirk and its short-form duration, there’s enough depth and strategy to keep arcade shooter addicts pleased as punch.

Breakdown

Xbox, 2004; OXM Score: 8.5

A first-person beat-’em-up with a trippy sci-fi storyline that forever found a home in our hearts. At the tail end of the life-cycle of original Xbox, its wildly unmarketable “dude with a glowing, super-strong arm who keeps seeing imaginary cats” premise didn’t click with gamers — but its cool gameplay ensured its influence was felt well into the 360 generation.

Deadly Premonition

Xbox 360, 2010; OXM Score: 7.5

Games on 360 don’t get any more cult-favorite than the $20 quasi-open-world, J-horror–meets–Twin Peaks mash-up that is the weird and wonderful Deadly Premonition. The game’s off-kilter pacing, janky controls, and outdated graphics do it no favors, but underneath lurks an ambitious game with some of the most iconic characters this side of sanity.

WET

Xbox 360, 2009; OXM Score: 7.0

Oh, Rubi Malone. You’re such a tough, potty-mouthed, gun-slinging chick! You always shoot, swing, grapple, and swan-dive first, then ask questions later! Sure, charisma alone did not a fantastic action-game make, but Wet had enough charm, style, and ease of control to make us wish for a sequel. Anybody with us?

Phantom Crash

Xbox, 2002; OXM Score: 7.3

Okay, we’ll admit that this arena mech-shooter defines the meaning of niche. With its poorly localized text and the ability to install different animal personality “chips” — like Salsa the Cat — into your mech, it appealed to no one outside of its intended audience. But it did offer a peek into the wild, wooly weirdness of a fledgling Japanese Xbox development community. Plus, mechs.

Earth Defense Force 2017

Xbox 360, 2007; OXM Score: 6.0

“Hardcore” doesn’t even begin to describe this 53-level, giant-alien-ant-invasion–themed shooter. With a grueling set of Achievements, no online co-op (though it does support two-player offline co-op), and simple visuals, the public at large said “No thanks” to EDF 2017 even at its budget price. We say it’s a cheap way of living out a giant monster flick with a friend.

Ninja Blade

Xbox 360, 2009; OXM Score: 6.5

Poor Ninja Blade. With little to no marketing, Microsoft quietly snuck this action hack-and-slasher onto shelves like, well, ninjas. Xbox already had its black-cloaked Far East hero in Ninja Gaiden’s Ryu, resulting in a shoulder shrug from most system owners. But NB’s powerhouse, old-school swordplay and tough-as-nails boss fights eventually deliver, despite its initial derivative trappings.

Naruto: The Broken Bond

Xbox 360, 2008; OXM Score: 8.0

Ubisoft’s double-dose of fisticuff-laden adventures (which includes 2007’s Rise of a Ninja) not only looked like a sublime manga-come-to-life, but also paid so much fan service to Naruto diehards that it might’ve scared off anyone else. But mini-games, side quests, and an interesting — if slightly convoluted — fighting system made it so much more than that.

Brütal Legend

Xbox 360, 2009; OXM Score: 7.5

A heavy-metal fantasy world populated by Jack Black and Ozzy Osbourne failed to ignite the mainstream audience’s imaginations. Too bad. Despite its unwieldy real-time-strategy–style combat, Brütal’s core universe was a deep, fascinating, pitch-perfect love letter to rock ’n’ roll — without requiring plastic instruments.

Guilty Pleasures

We know these aren’t going to bring home any awards, but for every face only a mother could love is a game that only the right gamer will cherish. So, excuse us while we let a few skeletons out of our gaming closets…

50 Cent: Blood on the Sand

Xbox 360, 2009; OXM Score: 6.5

Way more fun that it ought to be with its dumb-as-rocks protag and shallow shooter mentality. We ran it roughshod for all of its nitwit flaws in our review, but damn if it didn’t have that certain je ne sais quoi possessed only by the most outrageous hare-brained action movies that kept us playing with a co-op buddy in tow.

Conan

Xbox 360, 2007; OXM Score: 6.5

Nothing’s better than actually playing as one of geekdom’s original ass-kickers, right? Well, this bawdy slice of the Hyborean sword-wielding life may have fallen short in polish and creativity, but that didn’t keep us from enjoying the ride, despite ourselves. Gratuitous female toplessness be damned. Brainless fun, FTW.

SAW: The Videogame

Xbox 360, 2009; OXM Score: 4.5

Scary, dark rooms filled with weaksauce traps, a cash-in storyline, and serviceable gameplay didn’t exactly set our world on fire. But we don’t grade for Achievements or that ineffable kitsch factor — which would give SAW an edge. We’ll admit it: we played it for Achievements and had a blast doing so — tongue firmly in cheek.

Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball

Xbox, 2003; OXM Score: 8.4

Scantily clad DOA girls running amok in a manufactured paradise, with the lone objective of playing beach volleyball? It could’ve been wildly exploitative (and it certainly had its moments), but instead it offered up a goofy, harmless multiplayer “sports” game with a campy, gift-collecting mini-game to boot. Pure cheese.