Best games
Best Xbox 360 games of 2012
The 87 best Xbox 360 games released in 2012, ranked from 38,124 critic and player ratings.
The best Xbox 360 game of 2012 is Mass Effect Trilogy, with a critic score of 93/100 — 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: 2012.
- 50 games are listed on this page, carrying 38,124 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 50
01
S
Mass Effect Trilogy
Experience all three award winning Mass Effect titles at an amazing value with the Mass Effect Trilogy. As Commander Shepard, rise to become the galaxy’s most elite soldier and lead an all-out war to stop an ancient and ruthless enemy: the Reapers. With over 75 hours of content and more than 300 awards, one of gaming’s most acclaimed franchises is available for the first time in a premium foiled box set. Heart-pounding action meets gripping interactive storytelling where you decide how your unique story unfolds. Assemble and lead your team aboard the SSV Normandy, the most advanced ship in the galaxy, and travel to distant and unexplored star systems. On your journey, meet a cast of intriguing characters each with their own story to tell. Wield devastating weapons and customize them with upgrades to create new and devastating attacks. All the thrilling action and your decisions culminate into a heroic battle against the greatest threat ever known. The fate of the galaxy lies in your hands—how will you chose to fight for it?
93
/100
02
Mark of the Ninja
Mark of the Ninja is a side-scrolling action stealth video game developed by Klei Entertainment and published by Microsoft Studios. It was announced on February 28, 2012 and later released for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade on September 7, 2012. A Microsoft Windows version was released on October 16, 2012. It follows the story of a nameless ninja in the present day, and features a themed conflict between ancient ninja tradition and modern technology. Cutscenes for the game are rendered in Saturday morning cartoon animation style.
91
/100
03
Batman: Arkham City - Game of the Year Edition
91
/100
S
Mass Effect Trilogy
Experience all three award winning Mass Effect titles at an amazing value with the Mass Effect Trilogy. As Commander Shepard, rise to become the galaxy’s most elite soldier and lead an all-out war to stop an ancient and ruthless enemy: the Reapers. With over 75 hours of content and more than 300 awards, one of gaming’s most acclaimed franchises is available for the first time in a premium foiled box set. Heart-pounding action meets gripping interactive storytelling where you decide how your unique story unfolds. Assemble and lead your team aboard the SSV Normandy, the most advanced ship in the galaxy, and travel to distant and unexplored star systems. On your journey, meet a cast of intriguing characters each with their own story to tell. Wield devastating weapons and customize them with upgrades to create new and devastating attacks. All the thrilling action and your decisions culminate into a heroic battle against the greatest threat ever known. The fate of the galaxy lies in your hands—how will you chose to fight for it?
93
/100
02
Mark of the Ninja
Mark of the Ninja is a side-scrolling action stealth video game developed by Klei Entertainment and published by Microsoft Studios. It was announced on February 28, 2012 and later released for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade on September 7, 2012. A Microsoft Windows version was released on October 16, 2012. It follows the story of a nameless ninja in the present day, and features a themed conflict between ancient ninja tradition and modern technology. Cutscenes for the game are rendered in Saturday morning cartoon animation style.
91
/100
03
Batman: Arkham City - Game of the Year Edition
91
/100
04
B
Mass Effect 3
Earth is burning. The Reapers have taken over and other civilizations are falling like dominoes. Lead the final fight to save humanity and take back Earth from these terrifying machines, Commander Shepard. You'll need backup for these battles. Fortunately, the galaxy has a habit of sending unexpected species your way. Recruit team members and forge new alliances, but be prepared to say goodbye at any time as partners make the ultimate sacrifice. It's time for Commander Shepard to fight for the fate of the human race and save the galaxy. No pressure, Commander. Fight smarter. Take advantage of new powers and combat moves. Shepard can now blind fire at enemies and build tougher melee attacks. Plus, when you fight as a team you can combine new biotic and tech powers to unleash devastating Power Combos. Build the final force. Build a team from a variety of races and classes and combine their skills to overcome impossible odds. You'll be joined by newcomers like James Vega, a tough-as-nails soldier, as well as EDI, a trusted AI in a newly acquired physical form. Keep an eye out for beloved characters from your past, but beware. Some may not survive the final battle... Face off against friends. Enjoy an integrated co-op multiplayer mode and team up with friends online to liberate key conflict zones from increasingly tough opponents. Customize your warrior and earn new weapons, armor, and abilities to build war preparedness stats in your single player campaign.
91
/100
05
S
Dishonored
Dishonored is an immersive first-person action game that casts you as a supernatural assassin driven by revenge. With Dishonored’s flexible combat system, creatively eliminate your targets as you combine the supernatural abilities, weapons and unusual gadgets at your disposal. Pursue your enemies under the cover of darkness or ruthlessly attack them head on with weapons drawn. The outcome of each mission plays out based on the choices you make.
90
/100
06
Spelunky
Spelunky (also known as Spelunky HD) is a remake of Spelunky (now known as Spelunky Classic), an open source indie platformer video game created by Derek Yu and originally released as freeware for Microsoft Windows. The player controls a spelunker who explores a series of caves while collecting treasure, saving damsels, fighting enemies and dodging traps. The caves are procedurally generated, making each run through the game unique. Spelunky is one of the first examples of a roguelike-like, borrowing concepts from the roguelike genre, and was the influence for many later roguelike-like games.
90
/100
07
Max Payne 3
Max Payne 3 is a third-person shooter in which the player assumes the role of its titular character, Max Payne. A new feature to the series, introduced in Max Payne 3, is the cover system, which allows players to gain a tactical advantage, and avoid taking damage from enemies. To progress through the linear story, players take on enemies throughout levels. The game features interactive cutscenes which transition seamlessly into continuing gameplay; there are no loading screens across gameplay and cutscenes.
89
/100
08
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
XCOM: Enemy Unknown will place you in control of a secret paramilitary organization called XCOM. As the XCOM commander, you will defend against a terrifying global alien invasion by managing resources, advancing technologies, and overseeing combat strategies and individual unit tactics. The original XCOM is widely regarded as one of the best games ever made and has now been re-imagined by the strategy experts at Firaxis Games. XCOM: Enemy Unknown will expand on that legacy with an entirely new invasion story, enemies and technologies to fight aliens and defend Earth. You will control the fate of the human race through researching alien technologies, creating and managing a fully operational base, planning combat missions and controlling soldier movement in battle.
88
/100
09
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings - Enhanced Edition
All existing owners of The Witcher 2 received free upgrades to the Enhanced Edition, and could pre-load the update starting 11 April 2012. All new copies on PC and Xbox 360 shipped with the additional content on board. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings - Enhanced Edition added over 10GB of new content, including four hours of gameplay, arena mode, new tutorial, 36 minutes of cinematics including a new intro created by Platige Image and an outro, as well as a host of fixes to gameplay and the interface.
88
/100
10
A
Far Cry 3
Explore an island playground as stunningly beautiful as it is diverse – from mountain ranges to swampy grasslands and white sandy beaches. Fight your way through the island’s towns, temples, river ports and more. Encounter a diverse and realistic cast of characters, including one of Far Cry’s most notorious villains: Vaas Montenegro. Dive into this deep and enriching story where morals are questionable and hope is all but abandoned.
88
/100
11
Diablo III
88
/100
12
Halo 4
88
/100
13
Trials Evolution
86
/100
14
Darksiders II
86
/100
15
Fez
86
/100
16
Dark Souls: Prepare To Die Edition
85
/100
17
B
Forza Horizon
85
/100
18
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
85
/100
19
S
The Walking Dead
84
/100
20
A
Diablo III
83
/100
21
Tekken Tag Tournament 2
83
/100
22
Need for Speed: Most Wanted - A Criterion Game
82
/100
23
Dust: An Elysian Tail
82
/100
24
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Dragonborn
82
/100
25
Joe Danger 2: The Movie
82
/100
26
A
Assassin's Creed III
81
/100
27
C
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
81
/100
28
Sleeping Dogs
81
/100
29
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
81
/100
30
Borderlands 2
81
/100
31
Assassin’s Creed III
80
/100
32
LEGO The Lord of the Rings
80
/100
33
Hitman: Sniper Challenge
80
/100
34
SoulCalibur V
80
/100
35
B
Hitman: Absolution
79
/100
36
Chivalry: Medieval Warfare
79
/100
37
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
79
/100
38
Soul Calibur V
79
/100
39
Skullgirls
79
/100
40
S
Call of Duty: Black Ops II
78
/100
41
Deadlight
78
/100
42
Awesomenauts
78
/100
43
Strider
78
/100
44
FIFA 13
78
/100
45
TRANSFORMERS: Fall of Cybertron
78
/100
46
Divinity II: Developer's Cut
77
/100
47
Quantum Conundrum
77
/100
48
Sine Mora
77
/100
49
Dead or Alive 5
77
/100
50
The Darkness II
77
/100
B
Mass Effect 3
Earth is burning. The Reapers have taken over and other civilizations are falling like dominoes. Lead the final fight to save humanity and take back Earth from these terrifying machines, Commander Shepard. You'll need backup for these battles. Fortunately, the galaxy has a habit of sending unexpected species your way. Recruit team members and forge new alliances, but be prepared to say goodbye at any time as partners make the ultimate sacrifice. It's time for Commander Shepard to fight for the fate of the human race and save the galaxy. No pressure, Commander. Fight smarter. Take advantage of new powers and combat moves. Shepard can now blind fire at enemies and build tougher melee attacks. Plus, when you fight as a team you can combine new biotic and tech powers to unleash devastating Power Combos. Build the final force. Build a team from a variety of races and classes and combine their skills to overcome impossible odds. You'll be joined by newcomers like James Vega, a tough-as-nails soldier, as well as EDI, a trusted AI in a newly acquired physical form. Keep an eye out for beloved characters from your past, but beware. Some may not survive the final battle... Face off against friends. Enjoy an integrated co-op multiplayer mode and team up with friends online to liberate key conflict zones from increasingly tough opponents. Customize your warrior and earn new weapons, armor, and abilities to build war preparedness stats in your single player campaign.
91
/100
05
S
Dishonored
Dishonored is an immersive first-person action game that casts you as a supernatural assassin driven by revenge. With Dishonored’s flexible combat system, creatively eliminate your targets as you combine the supernatural abilities, weapons and unusual gadgets at your disposal. Pursue your enemies under the cover of darkness or ruthlessly attack them head on with weapons drawn. The outcome of each mission plays out based on the choices you make.
90
/100
06
Spelunky
Spelunky (also known as Spelunky HD) is a remake of Spelunky (now known as Spelunky Classic), an open source indie platformer video game created by Derek Yu and originally released as freeware for Microsoft Windows. The player controls a spelunker who explores a series of caves while collecting treasure, saving damsels, fighting enemies and dodging traps. The caves are procedurally generated, making each run through the game unique. Spelunky is one of the first examples of a roguelike-like, borrowing concepts from the roguelike genre, and was the influence for many later roguelike-like games.
90
/100
07
Max Payne 3
Max Payne 3 is a third-person shooter in which the player assumes the role of its titular character, Max Payne. A new feature to the series, introduced in Max Payne 3, is the cover system, which allows players to gain a tactical advantage, and avoid taking damage from enemies. To progress through the linear story, players take on enemies throughout levels. The game features interactive cutscenes which transition seamlessly into continuing gameplay; there are no loading screens across gameplay and cutscenes.
89
/100
08
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
XCOM: Enemy Unknown will place you in control of a secret paramilitary organization called XCOM. As the XCOM commander, you will defend against a terrifying global alien invasion by managing resources, advancing technologies, and overseeing combat strategies and individual unit tactics. The original XCOM is widely regarded as one of the best games ever made and has now been re-imagined by the strategy experts at Firaxis Games. XCOM: Enemy Unknown will expand on that legacy with an entirely new invasion story, enemies and technologies to fight aliens and defend Earth. You will control the fate of the human race through researching alien technologies, creating and managing a fully operational base, planning combat missions and controlling soldier movement in battle.
88
/100
09
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings - Enhanced Edition
All existing owners of The Witcher 2 received free upgrades to the Enhanced Edition, and could pre-load the update starting 11 April 2012. All new copies on PC and Xbox 360 shipped with the additional content on board. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings - Enhanced Edition added over 10GB of new content, including four hours of gameplay, arena mode, new tutorial, 36 minutes of cinematics including a new intro created by Platige Image and an outro, as well as a host of fixes to gameplay and the interface.
88
/100
10
A
Far Cry 3
Explore an island playground as stunningly beautiful as it is diverse – from mountain ranges to swampy grasslands and white sandy beaches. Fight your way through the island’s towns, temples, river ports and more. Encounter a diverse and realistic cast of characters, including one of Far Cry’s most notorious villains: Vaas Montenegro. Dive into this deep and enriching story where morals are questionable and hope is all but abandoned.
88
/100
11
Diablo III
88
/100
12
Halo 4
88
/100
13
Trials Evolution
86
/100
14
Darksiders II
86
/100
15
Fez
86
/100
16
Dark Souls: Prepare To Die Edition
85
/100
17
B
Forza Horizon
85
/100
18
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
85
/100
19
S
The Walking Dead
84
/100
20
A
Diablo III
83
/100
21
Tekken Tag Tournament 2
83
/100
22
Need for Speed: Most Wanted - A Criterion Game
82
/100
23
Dust: An Elysian Tail
82
/100
24
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Dragonborn
82
/100
25
Joe Danger 2: The Movie
82
/100
26
A
Assassin's Creed III
81
/100
27
C
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
81
/100
28
Sleeping Dogs
81
/100
29
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
81
/100
30
Borderlands 2
81
/100
31
Assassin’s Creed III
80
/100
32
LEGO The Lord of the Rings
80
/100
33
Hitman: Sniper Challenge
80
/100
34
SoulCalibur V
80
/100
35
B
Hitman: Absolution
79
/100
36
Chivalry: Medieval Warfare
79
/100
37
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
79
/100
38
Soul Calibur V
79
/100
39
Skullgirls
79
/100
40
S
Call of Duty: Black Ops II
78
/100
41
Deadlight
78
/100
42
Awesomenauts
78
/100
43
Strider
78
/100
44
FIFA 13
78
/100
45
TRANSFORMERS: Fall of Cybertron
78
/100
46
Divinity II: Developer's Cut
77
/100
47
Quantum Conundrum
77
/100
48
Sine Mora
77
/100
49
Dead or Alive 5
77
/100
50
The Darkness II
77
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Xbox 360 game of 2012?
Mass Effect Trilogy currently tops the ranking with a score of 93/100 across 674 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.