Best games
Best Xbox 360 games of 2009
The 94 best Xbox 360 games released in 2009, ranked from 29,525 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 August 2026.
01
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition
94
/100
02
Forza Motorsport 3
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
92
/100
03
Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition
91
/100
04
Street Fighter IV
91
/100
05
Ticket to Ride
91
/100
06
A
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
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
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
Colin McRae: DiRT 2
88
/100
12
Shadow Complex
88
/100
13
NHL 10
88
/100
14
STEINS;GATE
87
/100
15
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
86
/100
16
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
85
/100
17
Guitar Hero: Metallica
85
/100
18
FIFA 10
84
/100
19
Battlefield 1943
84
/100
20
Skate 2
84
/100
21
Torchlight
83
/100
22
Trials HD
83
/100
23
The Sims 3
83
/100
24
A
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
Overlord II
79
/100
41
Resident Evil 5
78
/100
42
Prototype
78
/100
43
Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
78
/100
44
Zuma's Revenge!
78
/100
45
Halo 3: ODST
78
/100
46
Zeno Clash
77
/100
47
Mini Ninjas
77
/100
48
Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising
76
/100
49
Might and Magic Clash of Heroes
76
/100
50
Fallout 3: The Pitt
76
/100
Street Fighter IV
91
/100
05
Ticket to Ride
91
/100
06
A
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
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
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
Colin McRae: DiRT 2
88
/100
12
Shadow Complex
88
/100
13
NHL 10
88
/100
14
STEINS;GATE
87
/100
15
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
86
/100
16
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
85
/100
17
Guitar Hero: Metallica
85
/100
18
FIFA 10
84
/100
19
Battlefield 1943
84
/100
20
Skate 2
84
/100
21
Torchlight
83
/100
22
Trials HD
83
/100
23
The Sims 3
83
/100
24
A
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
Overlord II
79
/100
41
Resident Evil 5
78
/100
42
Prototype
78
/100
43
Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
78
/100
44
Zuma's Revenge!
78
/100
45
Halo 3: ODST
78
/100
46
Zeno Clash
77
/100
47
Mini Ninjas
77
/100
48
Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising
76
/100
49
Might and Magic Clash of Heroes
76
/100
50
Fallout 3: The Pitt
76
/100
FAQ
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 August 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.