Even though it fell into a casket when the Xbox 360 launched in 2005, the original Xbox still holds a special place in our heart. Hater's thoughts aside, Xbox had a pile of impressive software in its library that ultimately stands forgotten in time due to poor sales numbers. Don't believe us? Count how many of these studios have been either closed or are in financial trouble.
From Crimson Skies to Jet Set Radio Future, here are our picks for Ten Forgotten Games that Deserve a Sequel on the Xbox 360. Jump into the comments and tell us what games you'd like to see return to the current HD-era, such as honorable mentions: Metal Arms, MechAssault and Shenmue.
Reader Comments (95)
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 3:54PM (Unverified) said
I totally agree with a possible release of new versions for JSRF, Crimson Skies and Panzer Dragoon. And you can add the vote from my 7-year old kid, which accomplished the feat his father couldn't do and beat JSRF completely during Christmas.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 6:43PM Demon G Sides said
You have the best kid, ever. JSRF is amazing, I love it, and will continue playing this excellent game for the rest of my life. I even hunted down the individual songs from the game (Scouring iTunes and the internet) to make a full compilation of all songs featured.
I'd also suggest throwing out more sequels to Otani.
Also, anyone notice how many game Smilebit put out in the Xbox's lifetime? They were a good company too, lots of niche favorites.
Reply
I'd also suggest throwing out more sequels to Otani.
Also, anyone notice how many game Smilebit put out in the Xbox's lifetime? They were a good company too, lots of niche favorites.
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 7:24PM stukorn said
JSRF, Crimson Skies are both great games. Jet Set Radio is one of my favorite games. The original on the Dreamcast was better, but I would love to see a new JSR. Did you know they were actually going to make it fo the Wii!?! But it got scrapped, as, well it's not really the platform such a visually stunning game could excel on, you can find something on the net about it.
I think JSRF was good on the xbox, I would love to see a new JSR is HD! Yum!
Crimson Skies was awesome on live, I never thought i'd like plane games until I picked that up.
Reply
I think JSRF was good on the xbox, I would love to see a new JSR is HD! Yum!
Crimson Skies was awesome on live, I never thought i'd like plane games until I picked that up.
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 3:59PM (Unverified) said
I have actually played every single one of those games, and I agree that each of them should have sequels... most importantly Call of Cthulhu, Psi-Ops and JSRF. Oh... I could just picture a high def version of JSRF... mmmm.....
Call of Cthulhu was supposed to have a sequel on Xbox, but it was canceled. :(
Reply
Call of Cthulhu was supposed to have a sequel on Xbox, but it was canceled. :(
Posted: Jan 15th 2009 12:23AM (Unverified) said
Headfirst went bankrupt soon after completing the Cthulhu game for the Xbox. I hear that they did early rough work on the sequel (Destiny's End) before they went under. But the plans weren't for one game but for two. "Destiny's End" and "Beyond the Mountains of Madness". Now that the developers have scattered to the four winds, I wish others would take up the series.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:04PM Morgon said
While I would agree with most of this list, you're missing Gladius!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladius_(video_game)
While a relatively no-name title, it was created by LucasArts - and I hear they've done a few good games before.... ;)
It's literally the one title that I've actually gone out of my way to re-connect my Xbox to play.
Reply
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladius_(video_game)
While a relatively no-name title, it was created by LucasArts - and I hear they've done a few good games before.... ;)
It's literally the one title that I've actually gone out of my way to re-connect my Xbox to play.
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:06PM Xav de Matos said
Actually, Gladius fought hard for Crimson Skies' spot on this list. You're right, it does deserve a comeback.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:08PM SugarDaddy said
I've never played most of those games. But I would definitely like to see another MechAssault and possibly a Crimson Skies. Great multiplayer games they were, eh?
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:09PM (Unverified) said
I heard something before that Jet Set Radio 2 might be going to the Nintendo Wii.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:10PM Xav de Matos said
Read the bottom of the JSRF page, we talk about what happened to that rumor.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:09PM urbantek said
I haven’t read this article yet but X3F needs more "features". I read too many cut and paste, throw away, news postings on here that i can read just as well on joystiq or kotaku.
I want an article that I can read, make me think, maybe argue against or agree with and then comment on.
Catch my drift? I like you guys but I’m just not enjoying this site as much as I used to...maybe I’m just getting older. whatever.
Keep it up Xav. I disagree with a lot of stuff you say on the fancast but I still like what you have to say.
Reply
I want an article that I can read, make me think, maybe argue against or agree with and then comment on.
Catch my drift? I like you guys but I’m just not enjoying this site as much as I used to...maybe I’m just getting older. whatever.
Keep it up Xav. I disagree with a lot of stuff you say on the fancast but I still like what you have to say.
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:12PM (Unverified) said
No Gladius?!
I'm right there with Morgon... I re-bought an original Xbox when I realized it wasn't backwards compatible...
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
Reply
I'm right there with Morgon... I re-bought an original Xbox when I realized it wasn't backwards compatible...
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:15PM Xav de Matos said
Well, I would have loved to add Galdius, Metal Arms, MechAssault... but I picked 10 games that didn't make a splash at retail when (in most cases) they were expected to.
Reply
Posted: Jan 15th 2009 11:19AM (Unverified) said
Sequels I want:
Panzer Dragoon: Orta
Crimson Skies
Psychonauts
Breakdown
KOTR
Jet Set Radio Future
Stubbs The Zombie
Phantom Dust
PRZZZZZZZZZ
Reply
Panzer Dragoon: Orta
Crimson Skies
Psychonauts
Breakdown
KOTR
Jet Set Radio Future
Stubbs The Zombie
Phantom Dust
PRZZZZZZZZZ
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:14PM Gillfigno said
Eh. I'm not sure what half of these are even on the list. Most of them are all ready a sequel (Crimson Skies, Thief, Jet Set Radio, Panzer Dragoon), so it's not like it's a great injustice to the world of gaming that we never get to see any more games in the series. Most of them had their shot a few times and proved that they were too niche for a huge audience to really appreciate.
I mean, most of them would still be under appreciated and just serve to alienate the fan base (like Nights) if a sequel were made. Nights has proven that sequels many years later just tend to cause a legendary game to lose a bit of it's luster when it enters todays play-it-safe, big-budget market.
In other words, no these great games don't deserve a sequel, but it's for their own good.
Reply
I mean, most of them would still be under appreciated and just serve to alienate the fan base (like Nights) if a sequel were made. Nights has proven that sequels many years later just tend to cause a legendary game to lose a bit of it's luster when it enters todays play-it-safe, big-budget market.
In other words, no these great games don't deserve a sequel, but it's for their own good.
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:15PM (Unverified) said
advent rising great game great story and was set up for a sequel but the company merged with someone else and the sequel was canceled
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:35PM PlayaCDubb said
I agree with you. I know alot of people hated the game but I enjoyed it. Sad the sequel never got made.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:27PM (Unverified) said
any mention of Armed and Dangerous, XII, and Kabuki Warriors?
Well ok, I am kidding about Kabuki Warriors. But Armed and Dangerous and XII were great games that deserve some love.
Reply
Well ok, I am kidding about Kabuki Warriors. But Armed and Dangerous and XII were great games that deserve some love.
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:50PM Morgon said
Nicely done, sir. Although in a word of Burnouts and GTA4's, that gameplay's nearly covered.
Not to say that it shouldn't still be released, as I remember them covering the best of both worlds as far as open driving.
Speaking of driving, I still miss the original Driver .. and I mean the original one (PC) with the messed up physics.
There was nothing better than saving a recording of you smashing a car against a guardrail and watching it fly off into the sunset...
That's why I always liked Burnout Takedown, and was sad when Paradise removed the ridiculous(ly awesome) punting when you Traffic-Checked.
Reply
Not to say that it shouldn't still be released, as I remember them covering the best of both worlds as far as open driving.
Speaking of driving, I still miss the original Driver .. and I mean the original one (PC) with the messed up physics.
There was nothing better than saving a recording of you smashing a car against a guardrail and watching it fly off into the sunset...
That's why I always liked Burnout Takedown, and was sad when Paradise removed the ridiculous(ly awesome) punting when you Traffic-Checked.
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:21PM cuteSAVAGE said
Excellent list, just needs more Breakdown. I'd also nominate Second Sight, because unlike Psi-Ops, it was wholly satisfying and fun to play for more than half-hour bursts.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:28PM cuteSAVAGE said
Also, didn't realize they dropped online play in Phantom Dust. Didn't know they could even do that for games without dedicated servers. That sucks, I really wanted to give it another go at some point... loved that game!
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:41PM cuteSAVAGE said
No, the single player is actually kind of fun (the soundtrack is wicked!), and it supports system link too. Split-Screen play is really awkward though, your viewing area is too small (surrounded by huge black bars) and you can see each others skill slots.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:47PM Xav de Matos said
Actually Phantom Dust DOES still work online. In my research I mistakenly took canceled future features as the cancellation of the service. The game still works online. The feature has been updated.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 5:47PM NukeAssault said
Black was awesome! I rememebr reading they were going to make another. http://tinyurl.com/black2 after that they said they weren't working on one and then last December this popped up. http://tinyurl.com/black-second-mission . Who knows whats going on! If they are making one.. please... please no more live action cut scenes.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:38PM (Unverified) said
JSR/F is my FAVORITE GAME EVER!! Every time I see a news post about it I hope someone at SEGA sees it and then revives the series. If it had a sequel it would just need great of music as the first two or it would be a joke to compare it to the previous 2. (And bring back the joystick commands like on the DC please?)
We sort of got a half game Sega Superstars Tennis where you could see the levels but you could only play Tennis.. Oh well. In other words, they should bring ALL the Sega Superstars Tennis character/games back on the Xbox 360 ala XBLM and I'm sure I would buy every single one.
Reply
We sort of got a half game Sega Superstars Tennis where you could see the levels but you could only play Tennis.. Oh well. In other words, they should bring ALL the Sega Superstars Tennis character/games back on the Xbox 360 ala XBLM and I'm sure I would buy every single one.
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:50PM (Unverified) said
I didnt play all of those, but many of them I did...one that didnt make the cut in the article is whiplash...You just cant go wrong with a game that the main character is a lunatic weasel who uses an invincible bunny rabbit as a weapon and tool...unfortunately its not backwards compatible...great game though.
push the button get a cookie....
Reply
push the button get a cookie....
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:40PM (Unverified) said
Sudeki!.. I would have loved a sequel to that, even though it seems everyone hated it.
I have to agree with that list, those would be great games.
Reply
I have to agree with that list, those would be great games.
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 6:20PM NukeAssault said
Id of liked to of finished it buy my disc got scratched. I enjoyed what i did play though.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:42PM (Unverified) said
Um. . . . just to put it out their Phantom Dust still works online and the community is still alive and kicking and the game is still the best cult classic game eva XD
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:47PM Xav de Matos said
Yeah, you are correct. In my research I mistakenly took canceled future features as the cancellation of the service. The game still works online. The feature has been updated.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:44PM MIAMIdolphins13 said
JSRF and Shenmue. I got the original Xbox so that I could play those Dreamcast sequels, and they were amazing just like the first games. It would be nice to see more, Dreamcast had the best games. Another Crazy Taxi would be cool. Ecco the Dolphin, Skies of Arcadia, Space Channel 5, Ooga booga, chu chu rocket are also fun & unique games.
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 7:30PM (Unverified) said
*sigh*
No mention of breakdown? If any game deserves a sequel, or re-make, that's it.
Reply
No mention of breakdown? If any game deserves a sequel, or re-make, that's it.
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:44PM urbantek said
Yes! JSRF and Crimson Skies definitely need some sort of follow-up. I remember playing JSR on the Dreamcast all the time too.
I didn’t even know a Thief game was released on the Xbox.
Good job on including if the games are Backwards Compatible or not. I can probably pick up most these games on eBay for less than 10 bucks each.
Reply
I didn’t even know a Thief game was released on the Xbox.
Good job on including if the games are Backwards Compatible or not. I can probably pick up most these games on eBay for less than 10 bucks each.
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 4:58PM (Unverified) said
wow, all of those games sucked. that's why the studios closed or are in financial trouble. None of those deserves a sequel. The only game worth playing on the Xbox for more than 10 minutes was Halo:CE. All the other good stuff was on the Gamecube ( or occasionally the PS2)
Reply
Posted: Jan 14th 2009 5:08PM Karuto said
Needs some Otogi love. Personally one of the best action-adventure games ever released didn't get the love it deserved. Anyone who owns an original Xbox (since it is STILL not backwards compatible (damn you Microsoft!)) needs to pick up either the original or the sequel -- Otogi 2 preferable. It is truly a landmark game! If anyone cares, you can check my review here: http://xbox.rpgsite.net/reviews/17/4.html
Reply
Sorry, you must be logged in to leave a comment.
Featured Stories
The most popular posts
in the last 7 days
- Vita 'UMD Passport' won't be offered in US 221 comments
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning review: A tempting fate 161 comments
- Blizzard taking Valve to court over 'DOTA' trademark 117 comments
- David Jaffe leaves Eat Sleep Play, layoffs hit developer [Update] 107 comments
- Don't call it a remake: Final Fantasy X is a 'remaster,' to be clear 95 comments









