Best games
Best Xbox 360 games of 2006
The 29 best Xbox 360 games released in 2006, ranked from 10,568 critic and player ratings.
The best Xbox 360 game of 2006 is Guitar Hero II, with a critic score of 92/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 2006.
- 29 games are listed on this page, carrying 10,568 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 29 September 2026.
Top 29
01
Guitar Hero II
Unleash your inner rock star! Unlock new songs and venues to become the ultimate rock star in Career mode, jump right in and play any song you've unlocked in Quickplay, or play with or against friends in Multiplayer, all right from your living room!
92
/100
02
Half-Life 2: Episode One
Half-Life 2: Episode One is the first of a planned trilogy of expansion packs/episodes for the 2004 first-person shooter game, Half-Life 2. The episode takes place immediately after the end of Half-Life 2, in the war-torn setting of City 17. The player is forced to deal with the effects of their actions during the main game. The episode is a stand-alone game; while a continuation of Half-Life 2, it does not require the original game to be installed or registered to a user's Steam account to play. It takes advantage of several major upgrades to the Source engine since the release of Half-Life 2, primarily its high dynamic range rendering capabilities and the upgraded facial animation system. Episode One was released together with Half-Life Deathmatch: Source, a port of the original Half-Life's multiplayer, which doubles as Episode One's multiplayer component. The retail copies of Episode One also come with Half-Life 2 Deathmatch for those who have not previously purchased the later title.
87
/100
03
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six makes its next-generation hardware debut in the most dramatic installment of the renowned first-person shooter franchise to date. Experience Las Vegas like never before – through revolutionary next-generation technology as you work against the clock to keep one of the world's most recognizable cities from utter devastation.
85
/100
Guitar Hero II
Unleash your inner rock star! Unlock new songs and venues to become the ultimate rock star in Career mode, jump right in and play any song you've unlocked in Quickplay, or play with or against friends in Multiplayer, all right from your living room!
92
/100
02
Half-Life 2: Episode One
Half-Life 2: Episode One is the first of a planned trilogy of expansion packs/episodes for the 2004 first-person shooter game, Half-Life 2. The episode takes place immediately after the end of Half-Life 2, in the war-torn setting of City 17. The player is forced to deal with the effects of their actions during the main game. The episode is a stand-alone game; while a continuation of Half-Life 2, it does not require the original game to be installed or registered to a user's Steam account to play. It takes advantage of several major upgrades to the Source engine since the release of Half-Life 2, primarily its high dynamic range rendering capabilities and the upgraded facial animation system. Episode One was released together with Half-Life Deathmatch: Source, a port of the original Half-Life's multiplayer, which doubles as Episode One's multiplayer component. The retail copies of Episode One also come with Half-Life 2 Deathmatch for those who have not previously purchased the later title.
87
/100
03
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six makes its next-generation hardware debut in the most dramatic installment of the renowned first-person shooter franchise to date. Experience Las Vegas like never before – through revolutionary next-generation technology as you work against the clock to keep one of the world's most recognizable cities from utter devastation.
85
/100
04
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter
The year is 2013 and you play as Captain Mitchell, commander of a Ghost Recon team, on a mission in Mexico City where rebels are attempting a coup, putting Mexico and the USA in danger. To deal with the different situations you have to face, taking out AA-guns or defending injured personnel until the rescue team arrives, you do not only have access to top-notch weapons like the different versions of the MR-C, but also to futuristic equipment like a drone that flies over the battlefield to spot enemy units.
85
/100
05
Gears of War
A third-person tactical shooter from Epic, running on the Unreal Engine 3. Gears of War thrusts gamers into a deep and harrowing story of humankind's epic battle for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet. Unlike other shooters, Gears of War is all about teamwork in a big way. All game modes, levels and scenarios are designed specifically to encourage co-operative play, whether it be with A.I. partners or human players (with A.I. teammates designed with specific strengths, weaknesses and personalities.) On top of that, voice recognition will be available for players, and obviously voice chat to discuss strategy with your friends. In addition to voice chat, gamers will be able to experience individualized matchmaking, view player statistics, earn player achievements, customize their games, and build and personalize their gamer profiles over Xbox Live.
84
/100
06
Prey (2006)
Prey tells the story of Tommy, a Cherokee garage mechanic stuck on a reservation going nowhere. Abducted along with his people to a menacing mothership orbiting Earth, he sets out to save himself and his girlfriend and eventually his planet.
83
/100
07
Dead Rising
Frank West, a freelance photojournalist on the hunt for the scoop of a lifetime, pursues a juicy lead to a small suburban town only to find that it is being overrun by zombies! He escapes to the local shopping mall thinking it will be a bastion of safety, but it turns out to be anything but. It's a true struggle to survive the endless stream of enemies, but with full reign over an entire shopping center, Frank can utilize anything to fight off the flesh-hungry mob and search for the truth behind the horrendous epidemic.
82
/100
08
Call of Duty 3
"Call of Duty 3" is a first-person shooter developed by Treyarch and published by Activision, released in 2006. This installment in the acclaimed series focuses on the Normandy breakout, one of the most pivotal moments of World War II, and follows the Allied forces' push to liberate Paris from Nazi occupation. Players experience the conflict from multiple perspectives, including American, British, Canadian, and Polish soldiers, each with unique missions and challenges. The game's narrative is rich with historical detail and emphasizes the diversity of the Allied effort. "Call of Duty 3" is known for its intense, fast-paced combat and enhanced gameplay mechanics, such as improved melee attacks and the introduction of close-quarters battles. It also features expansive multiplayer modes, allowing players to engage in large-scale battles online. With its high-quality graphics, realistic sound design, and compelling storytelling, "Call of Duty 3" provides a deeply immersive World War II experience that captures the heroism and horrors of the battlefield.
81
/100
09
Saints Row
Saints Row takes place in the fictional city of Stilwater, where the main character is involved in a conflict between four rival gangs. Despite the protagonist's attempts to remain uninvolved, you are drawn into the conflict and become a member of the Third Street Saints. As the game progresses, you go to war with Los Carnales, the Westside Rollers, and the Vice Kings, gaining status within the gang and taking over the city in the process.
81
/100
10
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth 2
Wage war in the North and assume command of the most storied civilizations in all of Middle-earth history - the Elven and Dwarven armies - or fight on the side of Evil with heroes and creatures that have never been seen in The Lord of the Rings films. Defend or overtake never before seen lands such as Dol Guldur, The Misty Mountains, and Mirkwood as you unleash powerful new weapons and abilities, such as summoning dragons.
81
/100
11
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
81
/100
12
B
Hitman: Blood Money
80
/100
13
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent
79
/100
14
Test Drive Unlimited
79
/100
15
Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening Special Edition
76
/100
16
F.E.A.R. Extraction Point
75
/100
17
The Godfather: The Game
74
/100
18
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
72
/100
19
Dark Messiah of Might & Magic
72
/100
20
Call of Juarez
72
/100
21
FIFA 07
72
/100
22
Need for Speed: Carbon
70
/100
23
Rayman Raving Rabbids
70
/100
24
LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
69
/100
25
Lost Planet: Extreme Condition
66
/100
26
Dreamfall: The Longest Journey
62
/100
27
Tomb Raider: Legend
60
/100
28
B
Just Cause
60
/100
29
Sonic The Hedgehog (2006)
44
/100
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter
The year is 2013 and you play as Captain Mitchell, commander of a Ghost Recon team, on a mission in Mexico City where rebels are attempting a coup, putting Mexico and the USA in danger. To deal with the different situations you have to face, taking out AA-guns or defending injured personnel until the rescue team arrives, you do not only have access to top-notch weapons like the different versions of the MR-C, but also to futuristic equipment like a drone that flies over the battlefield to spot enemy units.
85
/100
05
Gears of War
A third-person tactical shooter from Epic, running on the Unreal Engine 3. Gears of War thrusts gamers into a deep and harrowing story of humankind's epic battle for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet. Unlike other shooters, Gears of War is all about teamwork in a big way. All game modes, levels and scenarios are designed specifically to encourage co-operative play, whether it be with A.I. partners or human players (with A.I. teammates designed with specific strengths, weaknesses and personalities.) On top of that, voice recognition will be available for players, and obviously voice chat to discuss strategy with your friends. In addition to voice chat, gamers will be able to experience individualized matchmaking, view player statistics, earn player achievements, customize their games, and build and personalize their gamer profiles over Xbox Live.
84
/100
06
Prey (2006)
Prey tells the story of Tommy, a Cherokee garage mechanic stuck on a reservation going nowhere. Abducted along with his people to a menacing mothership orbiting Earth, he sets out to save himself and his girlfriend and eventually his planet.
83
/100
07
Dead Rising
Frank West, a freelance photojournalist on the hunt for the scoop of a lifetime, pursues a juicy lead to a small suburban town only to find that it is being overrun by zombies! He escapes to the local shopping mall thinking it will be a bastion of safety, but it turns out to be anything but. It's a true struggle to survive the endless stream of enemies, but with full reign over an entire shopping center, Frank can utilize anything to fight off the flesh-hungry mob and search for the truth behind the horrendous epidemic.
82
/100
08
Call of Duty 3
"Call of Duty 3" is a first-person shooter developed by Treyarch and published by Activision, released in 2006. This installment in the acclaimed series focuses on the Normandy breakout, one of the most pivotal moments of World War II, and follows the Allied forces' push to liberate Paris from Nazi occupation. Players experience the conflict from multiple perspectives, including American, British, Canadian, and Polish soldiers, each with unique missions and challenges. The game's narrative is rich with historical detail and emphasizes the diversity of the Allied effort. "Call of Duty 3" is known for its intense, fast-paced combat and enhanced gameplay mechanics, such as improved melee attacks and the introduction of close-quarters battles. It also features expansive multiplayer modes, allowing players to engage in large-scale battles online. With its high-quality graphics, realistic sound design, and compelling storytelling, "Call of Duty 3" provides a deeply immersive World War II experience that captures the heroism and horrors of the battlefield.
81
/100
09
Saints Row
Saints Row takes place in the fictional city of Stilwater, where the main character is involved in a conflict between four rival gangs. Despite the protagonist's attempts to remain uninvolved, you are drawn into the conflict and become a member of the Third Street Saints. As the game progresses, you go to war with Los Carnales, the Westside Rollers, and the Vice Kings, gaining status within the gang and taking over the city in the process.
81
/100
10
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth 2
Wage war in the North and assume command of the most storied civilizations in all of Middle-earth history - the Elven and Dwarven armies - or fight on the side of Evil with heroes and creatures that have never been seen in The Lord of the Rings films. Defend or overtake never before seen lands such as Dol Guldur, The Misty Mountains, and Mirkwood as you unleash powerful new weapons and abilities, such as summoning dragons.
81
/100
11
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
81
/100
12
B
Hitman: Blood Money
80
/100
13
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent
79
/100
14
Test Drive Unlimited
79
/100
15
Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening Special Edition
76
/100
16
F.E.A.R. Extraction Point
75
/100
17
The Godfather: The Game
74
/100
18
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
72
/100
19
Dark Messiah of Might & Magic
72
/100
20
Call of Juarez
72
/100
21
FIFA 07
72
/100
22
Need for Speed: Carbon
70
/100
23
Rayman Raving Rabbids
70
/100
24
LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
69
/100
25
Lost Planet: Extreme Condition
66
/100
26
Dreamfall: The Longest Journey
62
/100
27
Tomb Raider: Legend
60
/100
28
B
Just Cause
60
/100
29
Sonic The Hedgehog (2006)
44
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Xbox 360 game of 2006?
Guitar Hero II currently tops the ranking with a score of 92/100 across 106 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.