Now that Microsoft has detailed the ways they are optimizing even original Xbox games for the Xbox Series X, we can’t stop thinking about what we’d like to see! And yes, we are totally using this as an excuse to talk about Genma Onimusha for the Xbox Series X, we’re not ashamed – we’re not proud.
Original Xbox Games We’d Like to See Optimized On Xbox Series X
There were many gems that started out the Xbox brand back in the day and many of those adventures we’d love to see revisited. Nostalgia seems high since we’re in the age of remasters, but Microsoft’s dedication to improving framerates and adding HDR features to older games makes us even more excited for the future ahead now that we know it’s not firmly the past in the rearview mirror.
So, without further ado, let’s talk about the original Xbox games we’d like to see make that Xbox Series X jump!
Blood Wake
Blood Wake is a great game for those that enjoy a little Naval combat action long before World of Warships crashed onto the scene. This game first launched back in 2001 as part of Xbox’s launch lineup and the Stormfront Studios adventure definitely delivered.
Set in a fictional world inspired by Asia, Blood Wake was much more than ships; it was heavily narratively driven and offers players high-stake missions to keep the blood pumping. While the game did receive mixed reviews, this game was massively underappreciated during its time. It’s basically Twisted Metal in water, what’s not to love about that?
Steel Batallion
If you like Titanfall, Steel Batallion is always a good pick. This Capcom title relied heavily upon the Vertical Tanks in-game, a bipedal mecha that packs a serious punch. These machines are also super tricky to master at first due to the many features they house, but all of those details are what made it so great back when it launched in 2002.
I remember playing this game 15 years ago and thinking that I just felt like such a badass. Controlling such a powerful machine as a pilot was addictive and to see this make the Xbox Series X jump would be a dream come true.
Syberia
Syberia is a little tricky because it did also come out on later consoles, both for the Xbox 360 and the present-day Nintendo Switch platforms. Players take on the role of Kate Walker, a lawyer that is involved in a major corporate sale that sees this American trailing across the expanse of Russia and all over Europe in an effort to find the brother of the deceased company’s owner.
This story was touching in ways that I never thought possible in a game surrounding a lawyer, but learning more about Walker’s personal life hit home in a lot of ways. She was relatable and her story mattered and the experience as a whole was widely unique in terms of what else was on the market during this time back in 2002.
Shadow of Memories
If there is one thing Konami knows, it’s how to make a stellar horror experience, though this particular one leans more into the mystery genre than anything else. If this one doesn’t sound familiar to you, there’s a reason. It originally launched for PlayStation 2 in 2001 but later made its way over to Xbox in September, but only for Europe. That being said, a PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and a PC release was available for NA gamers, which would make this optimization even better since so many had to miss out on it.
The game itself saw Eike Kusch in a fictional German town as he time travels in order to uncover who murdered him. The game starts out with the main character dying, which is a unique narrative spin that was mind-blowing for its time, and seeing his journey was an incredible storytelling experience that deserves a second lease on life.
Genma Onimusha | Onimusha Warlords
This is basically Resident Evil in Feudal Japan and if that doesn’t hook you, I don’t know what will. Some may know this title as Onimusha Warlords, but it was Genma Onimusha when it first launched on the original Xbox. The mechanics of this game was very reminiscent to that of any Resident Evil title, but what made it different was that players wouldn’t be taking on dangers with guns and automated weaponry. Nope, you get a sword. A badass sword. And it was awesome.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly
Disclaimer: I am a massive wimp. I love horror games, much more than I should, but I’m not good at actually playing them. It turns out you need to keep your eyes open when playing a game, whoddathunkit? Anyway, Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly was heckin’ terrifying in all of its Japanese horror glory. This was an adventure that crept under the player’s skin and stayed there. It felt suspenseful, terrifying, and almost stressful at times and I absolutely loved every minute of it.
Playing as Mio Amakura as she explored a ghost town with her sister Mayu was teeth crunching. Like Silent Hill, this game hid secrets hidden all within its world with a very paranormal twist that made progressing vital but hard to do when you keep feeling like you might shit yourself.
Related: The Xbox Series X Will Unlock Automatic HDR and Better Framerates for 360 and OG Xbox Titles
And there you have it! Those are our picks for which original Xbox games we’d like to see optimized for the Xbox Series X!
- The Xbox Series X Will Unlock Automatic HDR and Better Framerates for 360 and OG Xbox Titles
- How Xbox Series X Optimization Works
- Limited-Edition Cyberpunk 2077 Xbox One X Even Glows in the Dark
Feel like we missed your favorite? What’s an original Xbox game that you’d love to see make its way into the next generation? Sound off with your thoughts over on Twitter @PrimaGames, we’d love to hear what you think!
