Top 10 Xbox Live games

I love Live... I really, really do... but am I the only one who sees #1 still being #1 on this list when it comes time for the Next Xbox?

You know what's weird about these lists? Last week's and this week's, I mean? It makes you wonder how MANY people are actually on playing - not how many subscribe, or which games are in the top 10, but rather - How many people are actually playing something other than HALO 2 in a week? A quick check on bungie's site tells us that it's nearly 370,000 Halo-ites in the last 24 hours, on a weekend. Probably less on weeknights, but surely still amazing. But aside from Halo 2...

Marble Madness made it on the list last week, and it's only for the 360 and it's not really that huge, a lot of people like it, but c'mon, only 600,000 360s are out there, right? Not every 360 is on LIVE, not every one downloads games, and yet, Marble Madness made it? Seems both Halo 2 and Marble Madness require the harddrive, so there are some core-systems that ain't in here.

It just feels like if anything other than HALO 2 is maybe on the top 10 list, it's filling the list, but not really that many actual LIVE players are playing it. If a couple of Live Arcade games exclusive to the 360 can be on the list (Marble Madness, Geo Wars, which only reports on LIVE if you've paid for it, and that number was somewhere near 60,000 last I heard a few weeks back, impressive, yes, but...) then it's telling us that the XBox LIVE community is not necessarily that huge.

I mean, hands-down, it's more pleasant and better to use than anything on the PS2, but I wonder about the numbers.

Microsoft will never tell us those numbers, but I venture to say Halo2 is probably over 90% of that top 10 list we see every week.

Hellz yeah, halo 2 still at the TOP!!!!!!!!
Ive never played GW:E Is it worth the moolah?

James, in a word YES!!!!

As long as your play Marble Blast Ultra and Geo Wars while signed into Live (demo or paid version is irrelevant), your time is tracked. And you do have to be signed in, or your scores & achievement are not recorded - no fakery and hacking for those shady types.
The Top 10/25 list from Major Nelson tallies up the total time one spends playing a game. 360 games, by default, should appear on that list because of persistent sign-in (time is counted whether you are in multiplayer, single player, or paused the game and went to bed). On the original Xbox, that time is only counted when you are playing a multiplayer game. As more 360 games with good multiplayer (ex: GRAW) launch, you'll find an absense of arcade titles and original Xbox games (save Halo 2 - my wife and I still play it religiously) on that list.

Geo Wars made the list because of word of mouth. I got it only 3 weeks ago, and the whole family has been competing for the top score ever since.

For those who say arcade titles and Halo 2 are on the list because the 360 doesn't have any good games - well, that's because you don't have one. If you did, you'd understand why Halo 2 would be on the list no matter what game is released on the platform, or what Xbox Live Arcade brings to the table, even for FPS multiplayer gamers like myself.

To wrap up - I love Geo Wars, COD2 single player and waiting on GRAW. My wife digs Spades, Zuma, Bejeweled, is also waiting on GRAW. The kids play several games, and I think we have almost all the arcade games purchased for the different 360s. But the game that takes most of this family's multiplayer time is still Halo 2. Because it did so many things well.

That is why the Top 10 list is predictable, and perfectly explainable, for those of us who have been gaming on Xbox Live since launch day.

Side note: Wanna know why Halo 2's matchmaking model works? Because it's the only game that can sustain that kind of population 15 months after release.

im soooooo tired of halo 2....

too many cheaters modders and people talken smack.....oh yeah where do i sighn up to play.....give me a break....hopfully ghost recon or gears of war will bring this game down where it belongs.....

Yeah I was having problems with HL2 when I got my 360 recently. Horrible connection with it, everything else worked fine.

Yawn, i played Halo 2 single/multi/live for a grand total of 8 hours combined and it sucks total ass. The first game was a repetitive bore, and the second takes the same repetitive bore, and just adds shit, still making it worthless. All the time i played Halo 2 in multiplayer or live, i just kept thinking back to Goldeneye and Perfect Dark and how much both Halo games don't even slightly compare to those two classics that is still play to this day. There was never a game relesed on Xbox to even remotely make me wanna purchase one, i got 2 dozen gamecube games and i play all of them all the time. My brothers have an XBOX and PS2 between them and of the hundred or so xbox games i have played, not one stood up to any gamecube games i own (maybe Ninja Gaiden). Whereas God of War, FFX and DMC 1,2,3 are all worthy of getting a PS2 for. The xbox only vaugly outsold the gamecube worldwide, not counting the people who will buy a gamecube for zelda: TP. The xbox lost the last-gen battle (including total sales and profits) and they will lose the current gen too.

Halo 2 does suck. So did the first. I really dont understand how this game has become synonomous with the Xbox. It must be the fact that the rest of their games suck even more. And if you must know I did own the xbox for about a year or so.

Live is cool and all but cmon Ive been playing online since 97 and if I want to play good FPS I will stick to my high end PC and the huge selection of titles. The only console I touch is the GameCube and soon to be Revolution. Why? because Nintendo offers good games that cant be played anywhere else.

Sony and MS are just making computers for your living room. Nintendo makes the game machine.

The PC and Nintendo is all I need.

("Christopher-Walken-on-SNL" voice) Wow-ee-wow-wow-wow!

Look at the variety of genres in that list!

I would like people to please tell me which Gamecube games are good? I don't understand it. Maybe Resident Evil 4. I can give it up to the PS2 it had some pretty solid games, but the Gamecube, I'm coming up with...Mario Sunshine...Hatchers Giant Egg, Animal Crossing, Pikimim, yeah....wait...I forgot it's a kids console. And what about that awesome 3rd party support? Oh yeah, everyone dropped because the console is lousy. Ok, maybe I'll give Zelda up, but the Gamecube sucks unless you're under 13. True innovation to kids.
As far as Halo 2, not being great online, I can't even imagine where that is coming from. It is one of the greatest multiplayer games of all time. It's not about being a fanboy or not, it's not about hating one system over another, it's about realizing yes I am mature enough to make a logical decision. The Xbox is a great console, and will always be a great console. The 360 is just getting started, and if all the rumors are true the PS3 just isn't all it's cracked up to be. While cetainly it's going to be great, it isn't the huge leap forward that they've been promisng, on the other-hand the 360 is seemingly more powerful than everyone once thought. The Revolution, while it's intriguing, I can't see myself spending $200+ on console that will play old games, I have an issue with that, that's why I have all my old consoles in boxes, I played those games....they're over with, they don't stand the test of time. A couple may, such as Galaga, Ms. Pac-Man, Virtua Fighter 1,2,3, Street Fighter 2, and some notbale others. I don't care to play Pilotwings, or F-Zero again with their "Mode-7" technology, it doesn't make sense to me. Ok, maybe Shadowrun on the SNES, that was an awesome games. And Nintendo is just going to give those games away, for free? Ha! Nintendo is the biggest money whore in the racket. Of course there still isn't any information about that console either, but the rumors once again if true, say it won't be much better than a Gamecube, that can play old games...blah. Give me a 360 or PS3 anyday of the week.

ok tiremfej, ur so wrong its crazy. heres a thought: get 3 friends (hard, but u might just do it) play some games like mario kart dd, mario party 4-8. now these games are true multiplayer mayhem e.g to win u must button bash a. its hilarious yet so simple.

nintendo are going the right way. they cant compete with sony and ms now in the power wars. they know most people [will] have either xbox or ps2, 360 or ps3. they offer something different, and most importantly, fun.

dont get me wrong, my 360 is fantastic, GRAW looks fantastic, streamin music from mac to 360 is, yep, u guessed it. but there is room for that cheap little sleek black box under my tv. no space for the hype machine though

Why is Call of Duty2 up there? COD2 single player is great but the online play come on! Only 8 players,only a few gametypes,and the pick your load out system sucks ass everyone just picks the sniper rifle since when was COD2 a sniping sim? Did I mention the server system sucks too the servers suck because it takes forever to find a game and when you find one its filled with snipers and a hell of a lot of lag. You can't even make your own game unless you use the system link cheat. Lag of Snipers2 being up there is bullshit oh well I really don't care I just won't play that peiece of shit, as for Halo2 and Perfect Dark Zero they deserve to be up there.

Why is Lag of Snipers2 still up there? That game sucks on live the single player's great don't get me wrong but COD2 multiplayer is really bad,as for Halo2 and Perfect Dark Zero they deserve to be up there.

If Counter Strike (xbox) was backwards compatible, it would be on the list. A lot of players stopped playing after the 3460 came out and CS wasn't BC. I probably won't renew my live subscription because of it, and I've been on since 2003. Call of Duty 2 is still on there because a lot of people play the single player

Guys: these stats reflect time spent playing a game WHILE connected to Xbox Live. It doesn't mean that someone was engaged in multiplayer gaming.

Basically, this is a list of games ranked by popularity amongst the segment of the population that have their Xboxes set to auto sign on.

I'm sorry. But to say that the Gamcube has better games then the Xbox is a crime.

I have had all three major consoles at one point or another in the last few years.
I curently have an Xbox and a gamecube. I bought the cube for my wife because she cant play/has no intrest in Halo, Ghost Recon, Splinter Cell, Forza, Morrowind or any other of the Xbox games I play.

I thought it would be cool to have a Gamecube so I could try out Metroid and RE4. RE4 was alright, Metroid was crap.
And now the Gamecube stits around gathering dust.

I would like to play games on my PC, but I refuse to partake in the $3000 pissing contest owning a high-end gaming PC becomes.

What's pathetic is that even after the Xbox 360 launched, Halo 2 is still at the top... which proves how people should wait for buying an Xbox 360. Did anybody notice how all of these games, except Geometry Wars Evolved, are sequels?

"ok tiremfej, ur so wrong its crazy. heres a thought: get 3 friends (hard, but u might just do it) play some games like mario kart dd, mario party 4-8. now these games are true multiplayer mayhem e.g to win u must button bash a. its hilarious yet so simple."

Get 3 friends...yes you're right is hard, I don't have videogame sleepovers anymore, I stopped that about oh I don't know 15-16 years ago. That's why I have Live. And to say Mario Kart and Mario Party are fun..and hilarious. Seriously, kid, you have no idea what you're talking about. Please explain to me what true multiplayer mayhem is. My idea is 16 people on a huge map in Halo 2 playing capture the flag, not playing some souped up version of chutes and ladders on Mario Party, give me a fu[k|ng break. Oh and Mario Kart Dbl. Dash, yeah that's much better than Gotham 3 or 2 playing with 8 other people, MotoGp 1,2,or 3, Forza, or hell I'll even add Full Auto. Get your head out of Nintendo's ass. Nintendo has bastardized games just ike Disney has family entertainment.

"I'm sorry. But to say that the Gamcube has better games then the Xbox is a crime."

No, sir, I'm sorry... but to say the Gamecube has better games than the Xbox is Preference.

I, myself, have almost 30 games for the little lunchbox. I have about eight for my Xbox. From this, it's easy to tell where my preference lies. It's pointless to make an argument for how Halo 2 is superior to Mario Kart: Double Dash(!!) or how Tales of Symphonia whups a game like Fable in every known category... it's all preference and opinion. Just because your Gamecube gathers dust doesn't mean mine does.

Then again, both my Gamecube and Xbox collect dust as my DS commands most of my attention of late.

some of you people need to learn the definition of the word opinion. Just because you disliked halo doesn't mean every one else on the planet has to agree with you.

Halo 2 is my, and many others, favorite game. Not because we haven't played game X, but because we enjoy it more then game X.

Get 3 friends...yes you're right is hard, I don't have videogame sleepovers anymore, I stopped that about oh I don't know 15-16 years ago. That's why I have Live. And to say Mario Kart and Mario Party are fun..and hilarious. Seriously, kid, you have no idea what you're talking about. Please explain to me what true multiplayer mayhem is. My idea is 16 people on a huge map in Halo 2 playing capture the flag, not playing some souped up version of chutes and ladders on Mario Party, give me a fu[k|ng break. Oh and Mario Kart Dbl. Dash, yeah that's much better than Gotham 3 or 2 playing with 8 other people, MotoGp 1,2,or 3, Forza, or hell I'll even add Full Auto. Get your head out of Nintendo's ass. Nintendo has bastardized games just ike Disney has family entertainment.

so u sit alone playing live all the time? ur friends dont come over for a couple of hours? im not gonna even bother

i never said it was better. all i said was u were wrong about the cube. theres more action and fun to be had in mario kart DD then halo by far. the only time ive had crazy action packed halo games are multi team on turf. thats one hell of an action game.

i love project but there is def more fun in mario kart. try get some friends

i have a wider choice of games than u apparently. theres more to video games than halo 2. i bet u hate PDZ.

so remove ur head from bungies asses u moron, play more games

You know, it is possible to make a point about which games you like/dislike without being a total fanboy/fangirl.

lol you guys are so funny, stop trying to say which system is better because bottom line THERE IS NO BEST SYSTEM if you like a system buy it, if not then dont. come on honestly its sad to see people (especially for those who should be mature grown men) fighting over stupid things just because they want people to think that "their system" is the best so they wont look stupid playing a system that others might think is lame. yes all 3 systems have fun games, no nintendo is not kiddie. keep an open mind. basically if you are going to be fan-boyish umm....... how do i say this. PLEASE STOP POSTING AND SAVE THE REST OF US THE HEADACH OF READING THROUGH YOUR COMMENTS!!!!!!!!!

Zoe Kunami:

I didnt even know that the GC had 30 games. (J/K... kinda)
I look at the Gamecube games when I go to the store but I never see anything that intrests me. I have Metroid Prime, RE4, Paper Mario, F-Zero and Animal Crossing. Neither my wife or I have touched any of them in over a year. What else is there?

As far as Halo 2 is concerned, I guess some people really like that game. I came to the realization that I was disapointed with it about a week after it came out.

I spend my time on Live playing a lot of Battlefield MC and Forza from time to time.

Thanks for this list, Joystiq. I just got the X360 (and a free month of live). I do look forward to checking out some of the games on this list.

So far, my experience wth XBL is pretty good, aside from the slowness of some demos that I loaded and aweful lag in my first online game (NHL 2K6). After tweaking some of my network setting (proper CAT cable and firmware updates to the router) I find everything to run much better. Afterwards, lag was almost not noticable and (surprise, surprise) not everyone that I played against was a 14yr old spoiled brat yelling like a fool.

I think we are likely to see some good things in the future, with XBL. If the developers can make games that eliminate cheating and provide a rewarding online experience... and people show even a smidgon of respect/sportsmanship... I will be looking forward to what my X360 will bring down the road/pipe.

Just one wish, Microsoft... give me more than Halo.

Neale, Neale, you have to revert to name calling? Calling me a moron? To resort to calling me a moron is way off base my friend. Yes it is true, I in fact play Xbox Live in my living room by myself. I didn't realize there was a crime in that. I grew up Neale, I got a job out of state, I moved away from my friends, so I play on Live with my friends thousands of miles away. I don't have friends who drop by after school anymore to play videogames and drink Mt. Dew, until my piss turns flourescent green. My wife wouldn't care for that too much. So my lack of friends dropping by is a moot point.

I in fact bought a Gamecube for my niece a few years back who was 8 or 9 at the time I can't remember. Yawn....I've played plenty of Mario in my life to realize that he and Nintendo are one trick ponies. While yes it's a cute little box with a couple of "grown up" games, it does not signify the leap ahead that I have experienced with a Playstation or Xbox. You play your Mario Kart 13, and your Mario Party 28, play them until your heart is content. I could honestly care less. Finally, yes Neale you are correct PDZ, doesn't do the 360 justice. I could care less about that game. It's pretty awful, not as bad as Full Auto or GUN, but it's close.

" As long as your play Marble Blast Ultra and Geo Wars while signed into Live (demo or paid version is irrelevant), your time is tracked."

I'm not sure this is true... That's why I questioned it in my original post. After lambasting my friend about not even playing GeoWars, he explained to me that he had played the demo, but had not bought it. It doesn't show up on his gamer card either.

I understand that this list is including 'LIVE-aware' games as well as actual 'online competition' games... which makes the list of Top 10 seem even more flimsy.

I'm still glad I got the 360. I'm not really into Halo2, much as an FPS fan, occassionally I'll play, but I'm sick of seeing the genre on the top of the list. What happened to the fighting genre? I like DOA4 now than it was before like DOAU. Hopefully all fighting games for the next generation will have online play. And I know about lag, but there is a way playing around it, if you know how to.

#28. When you play a demo, you have the full version of the arcade title on your HDD/mem card, but unlocked. The game will register as a played game and show up on your gamercard. However, achievements cannot be earned, and you will not earn a spot on any leaderboard until you pay for the game.

This is from experience. We have 3 360s and 6 accounts. Every arcade game is initially downloaded on the Living room 360 (so that ANYONE can play the full version), and on the other 2 consoles, only the person that bought the title can play the full game.

If you go to majornelson.com, you'll realize the "Top 10 Xbox Live games" are based on popularity ie. users logged on. This information can only be obtained from Live-aware titles (and consequently, ALL Xbox 360 titles). That list, in no way, reflects multiplayer popularity over Live.