The original Xbox was a fascinating platform. It was Microsoft’s first foray into the video game console market, and it brought with it some of the most unique RPGs ever made.
While the original Xbox might not be the most popular system in recent years, it is still one was one of the best of all time.
Let’s talk about the absolute best RPGs made for the Xbox!
What is an RPG Game?
RPG games are video games where the player takes control of a character and guides them through a story. In the most traditional RPGs, you create the character yourself and make decisions for them throughout the game.
A Brief History of the Original Xbox Console
The original Xbox console was a groundbreaking platform that laid the groundwork for the modern console gaming industry. As with all new technologies, there was a lot of hype around this product. When it launched, it wasn’t just another gaming console — it was an entertainment device that could connect to the internet and bring you into a new world of online gaming and media streaming.
Microsoft developed the original Xbox and released it in North America on November 15, 2001. It was the first console produced by an American company since 1995’s Sega Saturn. The Xbox was designed to compete with Sony’s PlayStation 2 and Nintendo’s GameCube.
Microsoft’s Xbox was a success, even though it lagged behind Sony in sales. The original model of the Xbox remains a popular gaming system, with over 24 million units sold worldwide between 2001 and 2005.
7 Best Xbox RPGs of All Time
There are plenty of great Xbox RPG titles today, but here are some of the best you can find. This list is based on actual user ratings from Metacritic.
#7. emX-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse/em
- Choose up to 4 players from the X-Men or Brotherhood teams and send them on missions
- Each of the 16 playable characters has 10 superpowers you can use for awesome fighting, melee or ranged attacks - all upgradeable as you earn expereince & complete missions
- Online and offline multiplayer modes feature dynamic joining that lets your friends jump into the action at any time
- Flexible, open-ended storyline lets you determine the outcome of the battle -- theatrical-quality FMV move the story along
- 6 multiplayer skirmish modes offer head-to-head versus action, side-by-side battles against enemies and more
emX-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse/em is a sequel to X-Men Legends II and was released in 2005.
It features many characters from the comic book series, such as Wolverine, Cyclops, and Rogue.
The game takes place during World War II, where you have to fight against Magneto, who has teamed up with Apocalypse. Your goal is to stop both of them from taking over the world and destroying humanity. You’ll be able to explore different locations like New York City, Egypt, and London while completing quests.
If you’re looking for an action-packed RPG, this one will not disappoint. It’s got great graphics, sound effects, and music that keep you entertained throughout each level and plenty of challenges to complete along the way.
You can find it on Amazon here.
| Publisher | Activision |
| Developer | Raven Software |
| Number of Players | 4 online |
| Genre | RPG, Action |
| Release Date | September 20, 2005 |
#6. emFable/em
- In Fable, every action determines your skill, appearance, and reputation. From childhood to death, you'll age and evolve a hero or villain through the actions you choose and the path you follow--be it...
The emFable/em series was a hit for Microsoft.
The game is set in Albion, a fictional world similar to medieval Europe. You choose between good and evil and your character’s abilities. The combat system allows you to use swords, axes, and magic spells in battle. Each weapon has its own unique set of attacks.
The first emFable/em game was released on Xbox in 2004 and received critical acclaim from critics. A sequel called Fable II was released in 2008 with improved graphics and gameplay mechanics compared to its predecessor.
Check it out on Amazon here.
| Publisher | Microsoft Game Studios |
| Developer | Big Blue Box |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Genre | RPG, Action |
| Release Date | September 14, 2004 |
#5. emStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords/em
- Multiple Jedi classes to choose from, to start each game with unique Jedi abilities
- Incredible new Force powers, weapons, locations, characters and classes add to the richness of the game
- As your character makes choices through the story, you'll choose the Light or Dark sides of The Force
- Cameo appearances characters in the first game enhance the continuity and story flow
- Special content will be available for The Sith Lords via Xbox Live
The original Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic was one of the best Star Wars games ever made, so it should be no surprise that its sequel, emStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords/em, is excellent.
The setting takes place approximately five years after the events of KOTOR 1 and features a new cast of characters. You play as The Exile, who is trying to find her way back home after being exiled by Darth Traya for not agreeing with her plans for galactic domination.
Along the way, she’ll meet up with all sorts of familiar faces from both Knights of the Old Republic games, plus some new ones.
Find it on Amazon here.
| Publisher | LucasArts |
| Developer | Obsidian Entertainment |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Genre | RPG, Action |
| Release Date | December 6, 2004 |
#4. emThe Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind/em
- Choose to be a mighty hero on a great quest, or become a thief and use the scum of the city to gain power for yourself
- Explore huge game maps with over 30 unique cities & villages, all rendered realistically and loaded with secrets
- Journey to unique areas, like the inside of a volcano to complete quests & gain treasure
- Great gameplay, an immersive storyline and incredible graphics -- all that you crave in a role-playing adventure!
emThe Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind/em is the third installment in the Elder Scrolls series of RPGs. It was developed by Bethesda Softworks and released for Xbox in 2002.
The game takes place on the fictional island of Vvardenfell, located in the Dunmer province of Morrowind. Players assume the role of an unknown prisoner falsely imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. After escaping prison, players must find their way back to their homeland while dealing with various factions and creatures that inhabit Vvardenfell.
emThe Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind/em is known for its open-ended gameplay, where players can explore the world as they see fit instead of following a rigid narrative progression. Several main questlines can be completed in any order, and many side quests can provide additional rewards or story elements.
Check it out on Amazon here.
| Publisher | Bethesda Softworks |
| Developer | Bethesda Softworks |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Genre | RPG, First Person |
| Release Date | June 6, 2002 |
©Sam Bianchini/Shutterstock.com
#3. emBaldur's Gate: Dark Alliance/em
- Xbox
- Fast, furious fun with great graphics
- It's even more fun with a friend!
- Fun, wall-to-wall action hack 'n' slash adventure
- Become one of three characters: an elf sorceress, a human archer, or a dwarf fighter
- Roam free inside a huge Dungeons & Dragons world replete with dungeons, forests, and ice caves
- Acquire new weaponry, meet new monsters to fight, and gain experience points you can put into your character stats to grow even more powerful
emBaldur's Gate: Dark Alliance/em was a great action RPG. It had deep combat, a large world to explore, and plenty of collectibles.
The story follows an evil wizard named Jon Irenicus who kidnaps your wife Imoen and takes her to Baldur’s Gate. You must venture across the Sword Coast to save her and stop Irenicus‘ evil plans.
Along the way, you’ll encounter various enemies, including goblins, werewolves, and vampires. As you progress through the story, you’ll level up by gaining experience points from completing quests or defeating enemies in battle.
You can take it home from Amazon here.
| Publisher | Interplay |
| Developer | Snowblind Studios |
| Number of Players | 1-2 |
| Genre | RPG, Action |
| Release Date | October 22, 2002 |
#2. emJade Empire/em
- Create your own character -- give him a unique appearance, a custom voice set, and a powerful combination of ability scores and fighting styles
- Develop your martial arts skills and test them in a world based on mythical China - flashing steel and supernatural terror are always around
- Become a leader and recruit followers to go on missions against the Jade Empire
- Your leadership decisions will decide the rewards you receive and which followers will share in the glory
- On the path to peace there is always conflict -- face terrible monsters using only your weapons, skills and courage
emJade Empire/em is a fantasy RPG developed by BioWare and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It was released as an exclusive title for the Xbox on April 11, 2005.
emJade Empire/em follows the story of an imperial martial arts instructor named Master Li, who is exiled from his home after refusing to marry a noblewoman. After meeting up with his old friend and traveling companion, Fan Jiang, Li begins a quest for vengeance against the man who killed his master and banished him from his homeland.
The game features an extensive combat system that allows players to dispatch enemies using dozens of different moves, which can be chained together to create combos.
Find it on Amazon here.
| Publisher | Microsoft Game Studios |
| Developer | BioWare |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Genre | RPG, Action |
| Release Date | April 12, 2005 |
#1. emStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic/em
- You are a young Jedi Knight, charged with leading a group of freedom fighters across the galaxy
- Recruit droids, humans, Wookies and other races to join your resistance group -- and train them in great mini-games like racing swoop bikes or manning turret guns
- Journey to dozens to unique locations, from the Wookie homeworld of Kashyyk to the Jedi Academy of Dantooine
- Customizable and evolving characters keep the story fresh and the gameplay interesting -- especially when you have to choose between the Light & Dark Sides of The Force
The Star Wars universe is one of the most popular franchises in all entertainment, and many RPGs have been set in it. emStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic/em is easily the best.
The game takes place thousands of years before the events of any other Star Wars story and tells an epic tale set in a galaxy far, far away. You play as an amnesiac soldier named The Exile who must discover their past while fighting to save the universe from an evil Sith Lord.
emKnights of the Old Republic/em has a deep story full of memorable characters, but its combat system makes it stand out. Unlike most RPGs, where fights are just a series of random encounters, KOTOR’s fights are more like turn-based battles where you can see your enemies approaching and plan accordingly.
Take it home from Amazon here.
| Publisher | LucasArts |
| Developer | BioWare |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Genre | RPG, Third Person |
| Release Date | July 17, 2003 |
Where to Buy Xbox RPGs
Xbox RPGs have been around for a while, but they’re less popular than they were when they first came out. You’d be lucky to find these titles at your local thrift store. Luckily, there are plenty of sites where you can buy Xbox RPGs online.
An excellent place to start is Amazon. The company sells new and used games and offers various titles. Just search for “Xbox RPGs,” and you’ll find hundreds of results, including some of the most popular games in the genre.
eBay is another excellent place to find games online. Like Amazon, eBay has a department devoted to video games and consoles. You can browse by console or type of gameplay.
If you prefer to shop locally, try visiting your local gaming or thrift stores. You may not be able to find these titles, but it’s worth a look.
What to Know Before Buying Xbox RPGs
There are many different kinds of RPGs out there. Some are action-based, others are story-driven, and some are even online.
One of the essential parts of any RPG is combat. The combat system in an Xbox RPG should be engaging but manageable. The best games have a simple and intuitive combat system that makes it easy to pick up and play.
The story is another area where many gamers get lost. It’s easy to get caught up in all of the mechanics, but it’s important to remember that a good story can make or break your experience.
Final Thoughts
The Xbox has a long and storied history with RPGs. From classics like Star Wars and Elder Scrolls, there are plenty of great games on Microsoft’s original console.
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The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/luza studios.
