8 Greatest Xbox 360 Shooters That Changed the Genre Forever

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The Xbox 360 is particularly remembered for its amazing selection of shooting games. While shooters were becoming popular on consoles like the original Xbox and PlayStation 2, they really exploded in popularity with the release of the Xbox 360. Many of the best-selling and most highly-regarded shooters ever were released on this console, fundamentally changing both single-player and multiplayer gaming experiences in the genre.

Before we get into the details, it’s important to note that many popular game series could have multiple titles on a list like this. However, we’ve limited ourselves to just one game per series. Keeping that in mind, here are what we consider the eight best shooter games released for the Xbox 360.

8. Portal

Although *Portal* isn’t a typical shooting game, it’s hugely important for the genre. Initially seen as a fun extra included with Valve’s *The Orange Box*, *Portal* became a massive cultural hit and changed how we think about puzzle games.

Beyond its popular villain, GLaDOS, and memorable lines like “the cake is a lie,” *Portal* showed that first-person shooters could offer more than just fast-paced action. The game’s clever puzzles and unique setting were further developed in *Portal 2*, but the original *Portal* remains significant for its groundbreaking impact on the genre.

7. Left 4 Dead

Valve’s *Left 4 Dead* stood out as a truly unique multiplayer shooter on the Xbox 360. Both in cooperative (PvE) and competitive (PvP) modes, the game heavily emphasized teamwork. Surviving the constant waves of zombies required players to work closely together.

Even now, many years after their release, both *Left 4 Dead* and *Left 4 Dead 2* remain incredibly popular games. While newer titles like *Back 4 Blood* have attempted to recreate the experience, a lot of players still prefer the original two. Remarkably, *Left 4 Dead*, released almost 17 years ago, continues to be played regularly and shows no signs of losing its appeal.

6. Borderlands 2

The first *Borderlands* and its sequel, *Borderlands 2*, both initially launched on the Xbox 360. However, *Borderlands 2* was a significant improvement, greatly refining the core gameplay of shooting and collecting loot. This success inspired many similar games in the years that followed.

Beyond its fun and engaging gameplay, *Borderlands 2* offered a great story and characters that people still remember, helping to make *Borderlands* a popular franchise. Even with newer games like *Borderlands 3* and *Borderlands 4* available, many fans still consider *Borderlands 2* the best in the series and a gold standard for all ‘looter-shooter’ games.

5. Battlefield 3

I loved *Battlefield: Bad Company 2*, but for me, *Battlefield 3* on Xbox 360 was where the series really hit its stride. The huge maps were amazing, and being able to destroy buildings added so much to the gameplay. But what really made it special was how much the game encouraged teamwork – it created some of the most fun and memorable multiplayer moments I’ve ever had on that console.

EA is still striving to recreate the success of *Battlefield 3*. That’s why they’ve announced that the next *Battlefield* game, *Battlefield 6*, will be heavily inspired by it, more so than any other game in the series. If the new game can even approach the quality of *Battlefield 3*, it will be a truly remarkable achievement.

4. BioShock

Okay, I’ll be real – *BioShock* is, hands down, the best game on this list for me. The story is just incredible, and still one of the greatest I’ve ever experienced in a game. When it came out, it was so fresh mixing RPG elements with shooting – it wasn’t something you saw all the time like it is now. And Rapture? Forget about it. That city is iconic – seriously, it’s the benchmark for creating totally original and stylish game worlds. It’s just unforgettable.

While *BioShock* is a fantastic game, it doesn’t quite reach the same heights as some others because it’s only a single-player experience. Though that’s not a criticism, its impact on the gaming world wasn’t as significant as those that also introduced groundbreaking multiplayer modes. Hopefully, we’ll see a *BioShock 4* in the future.

3. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Choosing the best Call of Duty game from the Xbox 360 era is tough. This generation was when Call of Duty really took off and became incredibly popular. It’s where major series like *Modern Warfare* and *Black Ops* first appeared, and the beloved Zombies mode debuted in *World at War*. These Xbox 360 games laid the foundation for everything Call of Duty is today.

If I had to choose just one, I’d pick *Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare*. It completely reinvented the *Call of Duty* series by moving away from World War II, and its success exceeded all expectations. The game features some of the most iconic campaign missions ever created-like the unforgettable “All Ghillied Up”-and its multiplayer was incredibly addictive and groundbreaking. While other *Call of Duty* titles might be more widely played, *Modern Warfare* was the most impactful and redefined first-person shooter games for years.

2. Gears of War 2

Coming in close second is *Gears of War 2*, the only third-person shooter on this list. It successfully built upon the incredible success of the original *Gears of War*, improving and expanding in almost every way, and ultimately becoming the best game in the series.

Beyond its compelling story and exciting multiplayer, *Gears of War 2* introduced Horde mode, a cooperative wave-based survival experience. This hugely popular addition kept players coming back for more and even influenced other major franchises like Mass Effect, Halo, and Call of Duty to create similar modes. *Gears of War 2* offered incredible value and cemented its place as one of the best shooting games on the Xbox 360.

1. Halo 3

Of course, Halo is at the top. What else could it have been?

For many, *Halo 3* was the main reason to buy an Xbox 360 when the console first came out, and it’s often considered the best game in Bungie’s original *Halo* trilogy. It was such a huge release that it even inspired a special edition Mountain Dew flavor-a rare feat for any game!

What truly makes *Halo 3* stand out, even today, is its Forge mode. At a time when creating custom content in games, especially on consoles, wasn’t common, Bungie gave players the tools to build their own maps and game types. This meant *Halo 3* always felt fresh, with something new to play. Combined with a story that successfully delivers on its promise of “Finish the Fight,” *Halo 3* remains the gold standard for shooter games, and a benchmark that developers are still striving for nearly twenty years later.

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2025-09-22 20:49