Best games
Best Xbox 360 games of 2009
The 74 best Xbox 360 games released in 2009, ranked from 28,549 critic and player ratings.
The best Xbox 360 game of 2009 is The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition, with a critic score of 94/100 — 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: 2009.
- 50 games are listed on this page, carrying 28,549 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 29 September 2026.
Top 50
01
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition
94
/100
02
Forza Motorsport 3
Forza Motorsport 3 is a racing video game developed for Xbox 360 by Turn 10 Studios. It was released in October 2009. It is the sequel to Forza Motorsport 2 and the third installment in the Forza Motorsport series. The game includes more than 400 customizable cars (More than 500 cars in the Ultimate Collection version) from 50 manufacturers and more than 100 race track variations with the ability to race up to eight cars on track at a time. These cars vary from production cars to race cars such as those from the American Le Mans Series.[1]
92
/100
03
Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition
91
/100
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition
94
/100
02
Forza Motorsport 3
Forza Motorsport 3 is a racing video game developed for Xbox 360 by Turn 10 Studios. It was released in October 2009. It is the sequel to Forza Motorsport 2 and the third installment in the Forza Motorsport series. The game includes more than 400 customizable cars (More than 500 cars in the Ultimate Collection version) from 50 manufacturers and more than 100 race track variations with the ability to race up to eight cars on track at a time. These cars vary from production cars to race cars such as those from the American Le Mans Series.[1]
92
/100
03
Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition
91
/100
04
Street Fighter IV
Street Fighter IV brings the legendary fighting series back to its roots by taking the beloved fighting moves and techniques of the original Street Fighter II, and infusing them with Capcom’s latest advancements in next generation technology to create a truly extraordinary experience that will re-introduce the world to the time-honored art of virtual martial arts. Newcomers: - Abel - C.Viper - Rufus - El Fuerte - Gouken
91
/100
05
Ticket to Ride
91
/100
06
S
Assassin's Creed II
Discover an intriguing and epic story of power, revenge and conspiracy set during a pivotal moment in history: the Italian Renaissance. Experience the freedom and immersion of an all new open world and mission structure with settings such as the rooftops and canals of beautiful Venice. Your options in combat, assassination and escape are vast, with many new weapons, settings and gameplay elements.
90
/100
07
S
Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age: Origins is a third-person role-playing game described as a spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights franchises. Players create their own character by customizing gender and appearance as well as choosing a race and class. Combat is in real time with the ability to pause at any moment: tactical options include an editor which allows the player to give the AI detailed instructions on how to behave in every possible situation. Although the main storyline is the same for every character created, the game features six unique prologues, two for each race. Dragon Age: Origins received critical acclaim upon release, with praise mostly directed at its story, setting, characters, music and combat system.
90
/100
08
Bayonetta
A member of an ancient witch clan and possessing powers beyond the comprehension of mere mortals, Bayonetta faces-off against countless angelic enemies, many reaching epic proportions, in a game of 100% pure, unadulterated all-out action. Outlandish finishing moves are performed with balletic grace as Bayonetta flows from one fight to another. With magnificent over-the-top action taking place in stages that are a veritable theme park of exciting attractions, Bayonetta pushes the limits of the action genre, bringing to life its fast-paced, dynamic climax combat.
90
/100
09
A
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Batman: Arkham Asylum is an action-adventure game developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Released in 2009, it follows Batman as he battles the Joker, who seizes control of Arkham Asylum and frees its inmates. The game features stealth, combat, and detective elements, with players using Batman's gadgets and skills to subdue enemies and solve puzzles. Set in a dark, immersive version of Gotham, the story explores Batman’s psychological battle with his foes, including Harley Quinn, Bane, and Scarecrow. The game received critical acclaim for its gameplay, atmosphere, and storytelling, becoming a defining title in superhero video games.
89
/100
10
S
Left 4 Dead 2
Left 4 Dead 2 is a cooperative first-person shooter video game, the sequel to Valve Corporation's Left 4 Dead. The Game builds upon cooperatively focused gameplay and Valve's proprietary Source engine, the same game engine used in the original Left 4 Dead. Set during the aftermath of an apocalyptic pandemic, Left 4 Dead 2 focuses on four new Survivors, fighting against hordes of the Infected, who develop severe psychosis and exhibit zombie-like tendencies. The Survivors must fight their way through five campaigns, interspersed with safe houses that act as checkpoints, with the goal of escape at each campaign's finale.
89
/100
11
The Beatles: Rock Band
88
/100
12
Colin McRae: DiRT 2
88
/100
13
Shadow Complex
88
/100
14
STEINS;GATE
87
/100
15
S
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
86
/100
16
FIFA Soccer 10
86
/100
17
Pro Evolution Soccer 2010
85
/100
18
FIFA 10
84
/100
19
Battlefield 1943
84
/100
20
Skate 2
84
/100
21
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City
84
/100
22
Torchlight
83
/100
23
The Sims 3
83
/100
24
S
Minecraft
83
/100
25
Need for Speed: Shift
83
/100
26
Red Faction: Guerrilla
82
/100
27
Final Fantasy XIII
81
/100
28
Borderlands
81
/100
29
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2
81
/100
30
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
81
/100
31
Fallout 3: Broken Steel
81
/100
32
Risen
80
/100
33
Brütal Legend
80
/100
34
The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition
80
/100
35
Worms 2: Armageddon
80
/100
36
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
79
/100
37
Overlord II
79
/100
38
Tropico 3
79
/100
39
Fallout 3: Point Lookout
79
/100
40
B
Resident Evil 5
78
/100
41
S
Prototype
78
/100
42
Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
78
/100
43
Zuma's Revenge!
78
/100
44
A
Halo 3: ODST
78
/100
45
Zeno Clash
77
/100
46
Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising
76
/100
47
Might and Magic Clash of Heroes
76
/100
48
Fallout 3: The Pitt
76
/100
49
MX vs. ATV Reflex
76
/100
50
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
75
/100
Street Fighter IV
Street Fighter IV brings the legendary fighting series back to its roots by taking the beloved fighting moves and techniques of the original Street Fighter II, and infusing them with Capcom’s latest advancements in next generation technology to create a truly extraordinary experience that will re-introduce the world to the time-honored art of virtual martial arts. Newcomers: - Abel - C.Viper - Rufus - El Fuerte - Gouken
91
/100
05
Ticket to Ride
91
/100
06
S
Assassin's Creed II
Discover an intriguing and epic story of power, revenge and conspiracy set during a pivotal moment in history: the Italian Renaissance. Experience the freedom and immersion of an all new open world and mission structure with settings such as the rooftops and canals of beautiful Venice. Your options in combat, assassination and escape are vast, with many new weapons, settings and gameplay elements.
90
/100
07
S
Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age: Origins is a third-person role-playing game described as a spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights franchises. Players create their own character by customizing gender and appearance as well as choosing a race and class. Combat is in real time with the ability to pause at any moment: tactical options include an editor which allows the player to give the AI detailed instructions on how to behave in every possible situation. Although the main storyline is the same for every character created, the game features six unique prologues, two for each race. Dragon Age: Origins received critical acclaim upon release, with praise mostly directed at its story, setting, characters, music and combat system.
90
/100
08
Bayonetta
A member of an ancient witch clan and possessing powers beyond the comprehension of mere mortals, Bayonetta faces-off against countless angelic enemies, many reaching epic proportions, in a game of 100% pure, unadulterated all-out action. Outlandish finishing moves are performed with balletic grace as Bayonetta flows from one fight to another. With magnificent over-the-top action taking place in stages that are a veritable theme park of exciting attractions, Bayonetta pushes the limits of the action genre, bringing to life its fast-paced, dynamic climax combat.
90
/100
09
A
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Batman: Arkham Asylum is an action-adventure game developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Released in 2009, it follows Batman as he battles the Joker, who seizes control of Arkham Asylum and frees its inmates. The game features stealth, combat, and detective elements, with players using Batman's gadgets and skills to subdue enemies and solve puzzles. Set in a dark, immersive version of Gotham, the story explores Batman’s psychological battle with his foes, including Harley Quinn, Bane, and Scarecrow. The game received critical acclaim for its gameplay, atmosphere, and storytelling, becoming a defining title in superhero video games.
89
/100
10
S
Left 4 Dead 2
Left 4 Dead 2 is a cooperative first-person shooter video game, the sequel to Valve Corporation's Left 4 Dead. The Game builds upon cooperatively focused gameplay and Valve's proprietary Source engine, the same game engine used in the original Left 4 Dead. Set during the aftermath of an apocalyptic pandemic, Left 4 Dead 2 focuses on four new Survivors, fighting against hordes of the Infected, who develop severe psychosis and exhibit zombie-like tendencies. The Survivors must fight their way through five campaigns, interspersed with safe houses that act as checkpoints, with the goal of escape at each campaign's finale.
89
/100
11
The Beatles: Rock Band
88
/100
12
Colin McRae: DiRT 2
88
/100
13
Shadow Complex
88
/100
14
STEINS;GATE
87
/100
15
S
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
86
/100
16
FIFA Soccer 10
86
/100
17
Pro Evolution Soccer 2010
85
/100
18
FIFA 10
84
/100
19
Battlefield 1943
84
/100
20
Skate 2
84
/100
21
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City
84
/100
22
Torchlight
83
/100
23
The Sims 3
83
/100
24
S
Minecraft
83
/100
25
Need for Speed: Shift
83
/100
26
Red Faction: Guerrilla
82
/100
27
Final Fantasy XIII
81
/100
28
Borderlands
81
/100
29
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2
81
/100
30
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
81
/100
31
Fallout 3: Broken Steel
81
/100
32
Risen
80
/100
33
Brütal Legend
80
/100
34
The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition
80
/100
35
Worms 2: Armageddon
80
/100
36
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
79
/100
37
Overlord II
79
/100
38
Tropico 3
79
/100
39
Fallout 3: Point Lookout
79
/100
40
B
Resident Evil 5
78
/100
41
S
Prototype
78
/100
42
Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
78
/100
43
Zuma's Revenge!
78
/100
44
A
Halo 3: ODST
78
/100
45
Zeno Clash
77
/100
46
Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising
76
/100
47
Might and Magic Clash of Heroes
76
/100
48
Fallout 3: The Pitt
76
/100
49
MX vs. ATV Reflex
76
/100
50
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
75
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Xbox 360 game of 2009?
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition currently tops the ranking with a score of 94/100 across 681 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.