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Top 10 Last-Gen Gems to Play on Your Xbox One

Top 10 Last-Gen Gems to Play on Your Xbox One

Xbox One’s backward compatibility list is finally starting to pick up steam since its initial launch in November of last year. If you’ve been living under a rock for the past few months, Microsoft has finally allowed us to play a select few Xbox 360 games on the Xbox One. Microsoft not only allows gamers to play some of the old 360 titles but also grants them access to old game saves, add-ons, achievements, as well access multiplayer options regardless of which Xbox console they are on. Let’s take a look at the ten best Xbox One backwards compatible games available thus far.

Halo Reach

Halo Reach

Halo: Reach will forever be known as Bungie’s sendoff for the beloved Master Chief before riding off into the sunset and leaving 343 Industries at the helm. When it was first announced, it left many gamers feeling as if the series had all but run its course. That notion couldn’t have been farther from the truth in 2010 as Reach became one of the best games to feature the Halo franchise tag – it was far from just another rehash and essentially became the icing on the cake for one of the greatest video game franchises ever.

Super Meat Boy

Super Meat Boy

Super Meat Boy will forever go down as an Xbox 360 game in my book, regardless of how many port-overs the developers have released over the years. The PS4 version in particular just didn’t quite feel the same as it did on the Xbox 360 and the original soundtrack was something to marvel at. Thankfully, gamers can fire up their Xbox One and download their 360 version of Super Meat Boy without shelling out an extra dime and without having to endure alterations in the tunes that complement gaming’s most intense platformer ever.

Gears of War 3

Gears of War 3

Definitely one of the best series to ever grace the Microsoft platform, Gears of War 3 saw Marcus and his ragtag crew of misfits attempt one last-ditch effort to save to human race from the terribleness of the Locust plague. The third installment came together in perfect fashion as developer Epic Games provided gamers with a flawless offering that clearly outdid its processors. Reliving this gem on the Xbox One brings back all those warm and fuzzy feelings of laying waste to hordes of enemy fighters just as is it did in 2011.

Assassin’s Creed 2

Assassin’s Creed 2

Assassin’s Creed 2 will forever go down in my book as the single best offering from the flagship franchise, despite it’s somewhat primitive and immature controls. Nonetheless, Ezio Auditore stole the hearts of gamers in 2009 and became responsible for the birth of a highly successful franchise. Gamers finally have the opportunity to jump back into the complex life of Auditore and remember exactly why they fawned over this great title and more importantly, why they continue to buy the newest Assassin’s Creed release each and every year.

Fable 3

Fable 3

Fable , much like Gears of War , seemed to finally hit its stride during the third installment – it was better than its predecessors in just about every possible way. Players finally grasp some sense of purpose and direction in Fable 3 as they rise to become King or Queen of Albion, with every action directly affecting the outcome of the player’s experience. Gamers can now relive the glory of rising to the throne and experience the open world of Fable 3 all over again on the Xbox One.

Mass Effect

Mass Effect

Lets be honest, Mass Effect was pretty frickin’ awesome when it launched on the Xbox 360 back in 2007. Unfortunately, the game got lost in the shuffle with so many ground-breaking titles featured during that year, otherwise it could have easily been a staple of the early 2000’s. Nonetheless, Mass Effect is definitely a title worth doubling back on your Xbox One. If anything, it will remind you just how awesome the year 2007 was for gaming.

Braid

Braid

It’s still a shock to me that Braid was essentially designed and funded singlehandedly by its developer, Jonathan Blow. The indie puzzle platformer was not only a sheer masterpiece when it was released in 2008, but it also paved the way for indie developers to launch their titles on the console platform. If you haven’t yet unearthed its secrets, Braid should most certainly be on your list.

Borderlands

Borderlands

Borderlands was an instant classic in 2009 and spawned a following that rivals the likes of just about any first-person shooter. Developer Gearbox strapped on several RPG-like elements to give the game a unique feel so it wouldn’t appear as just another first-person shooter with guns blazing and enemies dropping like flies. The ability to relive this awesome piece of gaming history on the Xbox One is a welcome sight.

Fallout 3

Fallout 3

There’s a reason Fallout 3 won numerous awards during its heyday and regarded by many as one of the best games to ever be created. Bethesda showed the world the true power of the open world RPG when it shook up the gaming world in 2008 with this epic title. Xbox One users can finally experience this piece of living art all over again.

Portal: Still Alive (The Orange Box)

Portal: Still Alive (The Orange Box)

I still find it hilarious that developer Valve launched Portal alongside Half-Life 2 and Team Fortress 2 in the Orange Box bundle in 2007. In retrospect, it makes perfect sense, but this game will forever go down as one of the best video games of the modern era. Thankfully the title received its own launch in 2008 via the Xbox Live Arcade and featured an additional 14 puzzles to entice newcomers. If you haven’t had a chance to check out Portal, now’s your chance to understand what true game development is all about.

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