X Marks The Box Edition 5

Emily takes a closer look at her game collection and picks out an Xbox Top 10 in

Xbox Top 10
Inspired by an Xbox all time Top 25 that I came across last month, I decided to hit the site with my very own Xbox Top 10. These games haven't scraped in based on hype or titles. They are bare essentials in my opinion. The 10 games I would take with me on a desert island. Suspiciously sport-free and with a decidedly feminine touch, these are the cream of my Xbox crop.

10. Oddworld Stranger's Wrath (Oddworld Inhabitants)

A game involving swearing chipmunks and a chicken-filled wild west would never be described as normal, but it isn't called Oddworld for a cryptic reason. This game blew away all my expectations I might have had after previous Oddworld encounters, and proved that some things do in fact get better with time and practice. A truly peculiar title that has managed to charm its way into my top ten. This is the Paris Hilton of games - so outrageous you can't help but take another look.

9. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 (Neversoft Entertainment)

Although my wall now has a controller shaped dent in it, Tony Hawk 4 remains a solid favourite among my entire household. The style of play is easy to adapt to, and the free skating mode ensures plenty of time away from the sometimes horrific pressure of completing level goals. Tony Hawk 4 is an effortless mix of crazy skating and highly satisfying missions without the added annoyance of a plot trying to squash its way in.

8. Jade Empire (BioWare)

BioWare's excellent sense of humour really started to show through in Jade Empire and this game has enough hidden adult references to make a porn star blush. A strong plot can make the difference between an attractive game and an enjoyable game. Thankfully, BioWare went all out with Jade Empire and did a great job on both the look and feel of the game. Every now and then this game will demand to be played, and who am I to resist such charm?

7. Lego Star Wars (Traveller's Tales)

There can be no better combination than Lightsabers and Lego. The two player drop-in/drop-out co-operative play is ideal for entertaining strangers that might happen to pass through your room. Star Wars Lego gives back just as much pleasure being played for five minutes as five hours. Unlimited character lives will all but guarantee the need for occasional mutiny and stealth attacks between the two playing characters.

6. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (Rockstar North)

The wait endured by loyal Xbox users to play San Andreas was almost too much to bear. Thankfully I was able to get through the years wait unscathed to be rewarded with this utterly addictive game. If for some unknown reason anyone should get bored with San Andreas, a huge array of fantastic cheats should rekindle the passion within the relationship. Don't look at me like that - I just happened to find that jetpack on the side of a road!

5. Halo 2 (Bungie)

Do not attempt to adjust your screen. There is no mistake. The almighty Halo 2 has indeed been banished to the bottom of the top five. Plasma swords, duel wielding and hijackable vehicles, among other things, gave this game a bite usually absent in sequels, but failed to impress me on the level that the original Bungie masterpiece did. In my mind, Halo 2 built on an amazing game rather than starting from scratch and setting an unthinkably high bar, a la Halo.

4. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (Bethesda Softworks)

One of the first games I ever played on Xbox, and still one of the most frequent, due mainly to the excessive length. But as we all know, length isn't everything, and Morrowind manages to pad out the lengthy plot with enough side quests to keep even the most fickle of gamers playing. If the cost of a game was divided by the playable hours, this would be in every bargain bin around. RPG fans that haven't touched this yet should be ashamed. My continual joy playing Morrowind is only eclipsed by my excitement over the upcoming sequel, Oblivion.

3. Knights Of The Old Republic (BioWare)

Presenting another BioWare favourite that has impressed me to no end. The excitement of being able to steer plot lines in totally different directions hasn't yet worn off, and shows no signs of dwindling. Sometimes the urge to be bad simply can't be helped and Knights Of The Old Republic totally understands this need. Become a true and just Jedi Knight, or throw yourself into the depths of darkness taking as many loyal party members with you as you can. Being bad has never been so good.

2. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory (Ubi Soft Montreal)

Chaos Theory is without a doubt the game that pushed me into completely embracing the stealth genre. The graphics and gameplay in the third Splinter Cell have taken such a giant step past its predecessors it would be forgivable to assume this was entirely separate from the first two. This is a game you will be sitting on the edge of your seat for. Best played alone in the dark with the volume turned up. Anyone who thinks stealth can't be nerve-racking is in for a shock.

1. Halo (Bungie)

In a move sure to anger a chunk of the gaming community, I've given the pole position to the now often-overlooked Halo version 1. Even in the wake of the excellent sequel, I've never forgotten my first time aboard the Pillar of Autumn. This was the game that truly kicked off the rise and rise of the Xbox, and the first game I ever spent a whole night playing without a single break. Another day thereafter, I was 5kgs lighter, my eyes were bleeding and it was finished. Long live the Master Chief.

So why not put down those pitchforks and create your own Top Ten list here in the forums? As always, feel free to email me with any questions or game recommendations.

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