The Xbox 360 had a troubled launch, what with the Red Ring of Death fiasco. Still, even with that issue, the console remained the most popular HD system of that era above the PS3. The year 2012 was like the final love letter to the system, since the Xbox One would launch a year later.
Some of these games were released first in Japan in 2011. However, they should still be celebrated in 2012 as their ten-year anniversary in the West approaches. Most of these Xbox 360 appeared on the PS3 as well, and even a few made their way onto PC. It should be mentioned that all eight of these games can easily be played via backwards compatibility, so now is as good a time as any to revisit these games or play them for the first time.
8 Asura's Wrath
Asura's Wrath is a game that was perhaps a little too ahead of its time. It’s like a Japanese version of God of War. There are action sections that play like those games, but it’s more about passing quick time events.
Asura’s Wrath is seemingly more interesting in telling an anime-like story complete with over-the-top action than it is with making a fun game to play. It’s a weird mashup of genres, but it worked well enough that it's worth a playthrough. It was released on February 21, 2012 for PS3 and Xbox 360.
7 Binary Domain
Binary Domain is the best Terminator- esque game to ever be created without the actual franchise's license. This title takes place in a future wherein a robot uprising has begun. It’s a third-person shooter at its core with a tactical team backing players up with AI.
The story is another example of a cliche genre being turned up a notch via anime influences. There’s nothing quite like Binary Domain, but hopefully, that won’t be the case forever. It was released on February 28, 2012 for PS3 and Xbox 360.
6 Double Dragon Neon
Double Dragon Neon was a revival of the classic series with more modern mechanics. It was an homage to the series and the 80s in general, what with its bright visuals and killer pop soundtrack. The music was actually a piece of gear characters could equip. Cassette tapes were never so powerful.
The movement speed was a bit stiffer than modern co-op brawlers are, which can make it feel a bit janky today. It wasn’t perfect, but it was certainly better than Double Dragon IV. It was released on September 11, 2012 for PS3 and Xbox 360.
5 Final Fantasy 13-2
Final Fantasy 13-2 is considered better than the core game it is based on. It sees Sarah, Lightning’s sister, assume the role of the lead protagonist. She is joined by a mysterious time traveler named Noel. The two of them are tasked with re-writing history to stop the end of the world.
Sarah also has the ability to befriend monsters to join her and Noel in battle, turning this game into a monster-catching RPG as well. It was released on January 31, 2012 for PS3 and Xbox 360, only a month after its release in Japan.
4 The Darkness 2
The Darkness 2 pays homage to the comic on which it is based, and does so better than the first title did. The original was a good first-person shooter with cool demon powers, but the colors are a bit washed out on it. The cel-shading of this sequel works better for a comic-based game.
Unfortunately, this is where the journey ended as no sequel was ever produced despite the cliffhanger. At least this game, and its predecessor, are still fun to play despite this setback. The Darkness 2 was released on February 7, 2012 for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.
3 Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed kicked the Mario Kart games at the time to the curb when it was released. It did something unexpected with the genre by introducing boat and air racing to the standard kart racer.
It was actually more of a pure racing game, since the vehicles were larger too. It wasn’t an original idea, but it was one that had not been seen in at least a decade. It was released on November 18, 2012 for PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii U.
2 SSX
SSX was a reboot of the franchise. Unfortunately, it was a one-and-done reboot as it never got a sequel. It wasn’t exactly the snowboarding game some extreme sports fans were looking for. It was still a great adrenaline rush especially on the tracks where avalanches chased players.
Now is a good time to give this game a second, or even a first, chance. SSX is great alone but better with friends. It was released on February 28, 2012 for PS3 and Xbox 360.
1 The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings was the first game in the Witcher series to hit consoles. It was released on April 17, 2012 for Xbox 360, a year after the PC release. Since it broke new ground for consoles, though, it still deserves to be celebrated this year.
Without the success of this action RPG on the Xbox 360, The Witcher 3 may have never happened. It’s hard to imagine a world like that, since it influenced so many games. It all comes back to The Witcher 2 and the success it brought to the genre.