It was a magical time when Halo, Gears of War, and Forza had multiple follow-ups and extensive respect. Even before Microsoft slowed down on the exclusives and delved further into Kinect, the Xbox 360 generation offered some legendary releases. Here are our picks for the top 15, as of 2024.

Grand Theft Auto 4

Going from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas to Grand Theft Auto 4 on a new generation of consoles wasn’t easy for Rockstar. However, while the latter had its shortcomings, it’s still a phenomenal entry in the series, with Niko Bellic’s rise through crime showcased in grim, unrelenting fashion. Its improvements to character models and motion capture, the sheer amount of dialogue, the increased scale of Liberty City, and more all made for an incredible sequel.

#12. FORZA STREET

An easy pick for the lowest spot in this list. Forza Motorsport has consistently offered excellent simulation mechanics, while Horizon is an incredible arcade series, but Forza Street is really neither here nor there. It doesn’t help that it’s a mobile-only title, which means that it’s lacking in the sort of mechanical perfection, polish, and visual fidelity the series has traditionally been known for. It’s an extremely simplified experience that doesn’t do much of anything you’d expect a Forza game to do. Thankfully, it’s not technically a mainline entry, so it’s rather easy to completely overlook.

#11. FORZA MOTORSPORT 5

As the first Forza game to release for the Xbox One, Forza Motorsport 5 was well-positioned to really leverage the new console to deliver an excellent experience, but the game turned out to be a bit of a letdown, especially coming off of the excellent Forza Motorsport 4. It looked great, the audio design was typically excellent, new features like Drivatars and Forzavista were introduced, and the cars felt really good to drive, but the game was crippled by a shockingly small roster of vehicles and a disappointing lack of track variety at launch.

#10. FORZA MOTORSPORT

The one that started it all. The first Forza Motorsport’s legacy is impossible to oversell, and for fans of racing sims, this was a landmark release. At a time when Gran Turismo ruled the roost, Forza Motorsport came along and defied all expectations by not only delivering an excellent racing sim, but one that was genuinely great enough to be able to go up against Gran Turismo and provide some meaningful competition. Being 16 years old and having been improved upon by numerous sequels, it’s a little hard to go back to now, but the game deserves massive props for setting down solid foundations for the franchise.

#9. FORZA MOTORSPORT 6

After the backlash that Forza Motorsport 5 received at launch for its issues, Turn 10 Studios knew they needed to come back strong with a proper statement- Forza Motorsport 6 wasn’t exactly a strong statement that could make people sit up and take notice, but it was an improvement. The selection of vehicles and tracks was much better, the visuals were beautiful, and the career mode and online were a blast. Mechanically, Forza Motorsport 6 wasn’t as polished in terms of its sim aspects as some other games in the series, which made it a bit of an inconsistent experience, but by and large, this was a really good game.

#8. FORZA HORIZON

Forza Horizon was an interesting and risky experiment for Microsoft’s racing series. After having made a name for itself with four excellent racing sims, with Forza Horizon, the series decided to do something different, delivering a more arcade style of racing in an open world environment. It’s fair to say that the experiment worked out, thanks to excellent driving mechanics and a world that was an absolute joy to simply drive around in. The first Forza Horizon has been improved upon by all of its successors, so by default it feels a little aged, but even so, it’s still a blast to play even today.

#7. FORZA MOTORSPORT 2

Forza Motorsport 2 had a lot of expectations to live up to, not only because it had to build on the success of its groundbreaking predecessor, but also because it was the series’ debut on the Xbox 360, and it succeeded very nearly in everything that it set out to do. It looked and sounded gorgeous, its tracks and cars were brimming with details, the roster of vehicles was vast and varied, and the mechanical polish and sheer range of customization options in the game were staggering, especially for its time.

#6. FORZA HORIZON 2

Forza Horizon 2 didn’t have the novelty factor of the first Horizon game, which meant it didn’t make nearly as big of a splash as its predecessor did, but it was more than a worthy successor, and an excellent evolution of the series’ open world arcade racing branch. The freedom and arcade-style racing that Horizon 1 established were taken to even greater heights in the sequel, while the open world featured here was also absolutely gorgeous and just a pleasure to drive around in. Sadly, the Xbox 360 version of the game as a bit of a mess, to the extent that it almost felt like a completely different game.

#5. FORZA MOTORSPORT 3

As great as the first two Forza games were, it was with Forza Motorsport 3 that the series really came into its own. Turn 10 established the formula that the series would continue to be built on for years to come, and it was with Forza Motorsport 3 that the franchise really solidified its identity and emerged as a true and proper contender to the racing sim throne. Excellent cars, tracks, driving mechanics, career mode, and more came together to deliver what was and still remains one of the best racing sims of its time.

#4. FORZA MOTORSPORT 7

Forza Motorsport hit a relative slump in its Xbox One era, but at least it ended strong. Forza Motorsport 7 wasn’t perfect, no – the microtransactions at launch, for instance, were a bit of nuisance – but in most ways that matter, this might just be one of the best renditions of the Forza formula. Visually spectacular, absolutely overflowing with a ridiculously large selection of vehicles, packed full of content that could keep you busy for dozens upon dozens of hours, Forza Motorsport 7 was a great return to form for the series. Driving mechanics were more polished and refined than ever before, the career mode was excellent, the progression system was genuinely engaging, and the introduction of dynamic weather was an exciting new addition.

#3. FORZA HORIZON 3

Like Forza Motorsport, Forza Horizon really hit its stride with its third instalment. The first two Horizon games are spectacular open world racers though, so that should tell you something about how good the third one was. Australia was an excellent open world setting, not just in terms of size, but also in terms of variety, while the driving mechanics were also better and smoother than ever. It was with Forza Horizon 3 that many started wondering whether the spinoff Forza series had surpassed the mainline games, and it’s easy to see why- this is easily one of the best racing games ever made.

#2. FORZA MOTORSPORT 4

The absolute pinnacle of the Forza Motorsport line of games. Turn 10 kept on consistently improving on the formula with each progressive game in the series’ earlier years, and with Forza Motorsport 4, ended up crafting a veritable masterpiece. Excellent variety in tracks and cars, a ridiculous level of detail that exhibited a true love for the craft, the most polished driving mechanics the series had ever had up until that point- for all of these reasons and more, Forza Motorsport 4 is not only the best Motorsport game, it might even arguably be the best racing sim ever made. It’s that good.

#1. FORZA HORIZON 4

When Forza Horizon spun off from the mainline series, no one could have expected that it would go on to surpass the Motorsport line of games. By the time Horizon 3 came out, the subseries did start hinting at that level of quality- and with Horizon 4, it just blew everyone out of the water. Open world Britain is beautiful, massive, full of varied sights and sounds, and densely packed with a vast variety of consistently enjoyable activities, from excellent racing events to buying houses to competing against Drivatars to just aimlessly driving around the open world. Add to that the ingenious seasons mechanic, which completely changes the world in fundamental ways, and you also get an insane amount of dynamism in the experience. Forza Horizon 4 is easily one of the best racing games ever made, if not the best, and we’d be lucky to see Horizon 5 coming anywhere close to that level.

Crash Bandicoot 1

For all the flak that Crash Bandicoot gets about its difficulty, Naughty Dog weren’t complete sadists. If you die too many times, the game will begin removing environmental hazards and shifting checkpoints near obstacles to tip the scales in your favour. Bizarre? Sure but it’s the least egregious way to ensure players keep progressing.

The trailer displays the cars available, which include the 2011 McLaren 59 GT MP4-12C, 1973 AMC Gremlin X, 2012 Ascari KZ1R, 1998 Aston Martin Vantage V600, 1952 Hudson Hornet, 1954 Jaguar XK120, 2012 Spyker Aileron, 1956 Lotus Eleven, 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG, 1995 RUF CTR2.

A stellar line-up overall, but honestly, whoever thought we’d like to be driving a Gremlin of all things is beyond us. As always, each vehicle can be customized to your heart’s content.

I have reviewed a lot of DLCs for the game, and the thing that strikes me the most is the fact that quality is mostly consistent in all of them. The physics are excellent and stay true to the real-life models provided you play on a proper difficulty setting with assists disabled.

The car models are fantastic too with each model meticulously detailed and shows everything you need to see. Of course, there is a lot of aliasing in the game, which for some reason, bugged me since the vanilla game.

The Porsche DLC brings in a lot of cars: GT2 RS, 911 Carrera RS, Panamera Turbo, Cayman R and the likes. Full list with description can be found here. So the bottomline is, the DLC contains a lot of content and is priced at 1600 MSP, less if you have the VIP pack. Is it worth paying so much at such a stage in the game’s lifecycle where the community has dwindled a lot?

It basically depends if your interest levels are still high or not. Regulars are still have a lot of credits left and buying these cars won’t be that much of a hassle, but a newcomer to the game will have to invest a lot of time to get them all.

The cars themselves handle really well, and provided if you have a wheel, it will provide an authentic driving experience. Of course, that’s how all sim games should be played though! The DLC pack I believe offers a lot of content but for a steep price. Ultimately, it all depends how much interest you have in the game, and whether you own the VIP pack or not.

This game was reviewed on the Xbox 360.

Available Tuesday May 22, the Porsche Expansion Pack includes 30 incredible Porsches to add to your garage, race, collect, and customize as well as 20 new Porsche-themed career events. These events are all Porsche-centric and provide new track competitions aimed at giving Porsche lovers a multitude of new ways to appreciate their cars and Forza 4.

Furthermore, expect to see Porsche models in the AI field in career events and integrated into the Forza 4 level reward structure. The Porsche Expansion Pack for Forza Motorsport 4 includes new Xbox LIVE Achievements (for a total of 250 Gamerscore points) all centered around Porsche!

Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Turn 10 has revealed a new DLC for Forza 4 which brings new cars to the game. The DLC will be available on April 3rd exclusively for Xbox 360 and we have the images for the 10 cars, which look fantastic.

The game was released last year for the Xbox 360 and has received a lot of DLC so far. You can check out our complete coverage of the game over here.

You can check out the screenshots below. It looks fantastic and boosts the amount of cars in the game by a lot when you consider the total amount of DLC cars released till now.

You can check the complete description of these cars over here. Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Turn 10 has released a new DLC called the March Pirelli Pack, and if you know the drill by now, every month there will be a new DLC for Forza Motorsport 4. The pack adds 10 new cars, and no tracks, much to my dismay.

You can check out our review for the February Pack titled “AMLS” over here. The DLC costs 560 MSP, and is free if you own the Season Pass.

Description:

• 2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato (Villa d’Este): Built to honor the 50th anniversary of the Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato, Aston Martin designed this updated Zagato full of the latest automotive tech. Featuring elegant stylistic and performance flourishes throughout, the Zagato will be a cherished addition to any “Forza Motorsport 4” fan’s garage.
• 1971 Ferrari #2 Ferrari Automobili 312 P: With its wedge-scoop design and the unmistakable post-mounted rear-view mirror, the 1971 Ferrari #2 Ferrari Automobili 312 P is a unique piece of race craft, one that was piloted by all-time greats like Jacky Ickx and Mario Andretti.
• 2012 Ultima GTR: The Ultima GTR is one of the world’s fastest accelerating cars-and you can build one for yourself in your own garage. This kit car’s high performance comes from its 7.0 liter engine–which manages an astonishing 565 hp–and a very light frame.
• 1969 Chevrolet Nova SS 396: The ’69 Nova-which features a big 6.5 liter, 375 horsepower V8 engine pushing a relatively light 3,400 pounds of steel–is pure American Muscle from headlight to that unmistakable Nova nameplate.
• 1995 BMW 850CSi: Some call the 850CSi the closest BMW ever got to making an actual M8 model. It’s a high-tech bit of German muscle that certainly won’t disappoint BMW fans. It even made its way into the heralded BMW Art Car program when American artist David Hockney added a bold pop art-inspired print to an 850CSi; the fourteenth BMW model to be honored in this way.
• 1986 Alfa Romeo GTV-6: Sporting bodywork penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro from Italdesign-Giugiaro, the Alfa Romeo GTV6 was heralded by automotive journalists for excellent handling, outstanding brakes, and the SOHC V6 2.5 liter engine that made for a thoroughly fun driving experience.
• 1969 Chevrolet Corvair Monza: The Monza coupe was a more powerful version of the standard Corvair compact. The Corvair’s unique rear-mounted air-cooled engine led to some interesting stylistic choices, including a lower overall profile and the absence of a front grille, making it a handsome collector’s item for Chevy enthusiasts and muscle car fans alike.
• 2010 Renault Clio RS: A 2.0 liter 16-valve engine powers the Clio RS; resulting in a zippy ride that perfectly complements the hatchback’s aggressive trim. Good fuel consumption numbers and a relatively affordable price make the Clio RS an attractive value for those who are looking for some zip in their day-to-day commute without having to break the bank.
• 1966 Ford Country Squire: The Ford Country Squire is mid-60s family style personified. The Squire’s classic wide body construction and its confident gait on the track should make it a favorite of those looking for something different in “Forza Motorsport 4” on the track, or looking for a new type of artistic palette when playing with the livery editor.
• 2011 Wiesmann GT MF5: The Wiesmann brothers’ coupes and roadsters are “manufaktur der individualisten,” and truly it takes an individualist to fully appreciate their unique creations. Combining retro proportions with state-of-the-art BMW-sourced running gear, the GT MF5 is a sporting coupe that certainly means business.

Screenshots:

Trailer:

There’s not much to write about when it comes to monthly DLC that adds new content to the game. What makes this one stand out is the fact that one of my favourite cars – Mazda 787B makes its way to Forza Motorsport 4. Its implementation in Gran Turismo 5 was an audio-visual spectacle, so how does it fare in Forza 4?

It’s simply ravishing – the handling, modelling, and the general sounds, are a fitting representation of the real-life model of the car. Although, the lack of night racing in Forza 4 doesn’t allow people to fully experience it in all its glory. The monthly DLC that the game gets is quite cheap – costing 560 MS points, or if you have a season pass, you don’t have to bother with buying them individually.

If you’re new to the game, then I suggest you to read my review of the full game over here, as it will give you an idea of how the core content is. Hint: it’s good. This February DLC for Forza titled the ‘AMLS’ pack, adds ten new cars to the game – and they aren’t unlocked, you need to have credits to purchase them.

The cars are all nicely designed – especially the Mazda 787B. Oh, the sounds, the spectacular sounds of the motor whirring is something Turn 10, the developer of the game, has managed to recreate very well. Every car is modeled quite accurately, and the selection is quite exotic and well worth the money asked.

• 2011 #2 Audi Sport North America R18 TDI
• 2011 Panoz #050 Panoz Racing Abruzzi
• 2010 Dodge Quinton “Rampage” Jackson Challenger SRT8
• 1991 Mazda #55 Team Mazdaspeed 787B
• 2011 Bentley Platinum Motorsports Continental GT
• 1986 #2 Audi Sport quattro S1
• 1992 Alfa Romeo 155 Q4
• 1995 Ford Mustang Cobra R
• 2011 Holden HSV GTS
• 2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI

I’d have to say that the Mazda 787B and Mustang Cobra R were my favourites, as I ended up using them a lot. The hatchback called Polo GTI was surprisingly very nifty, and brought a smile to my face.

The car pack is well worth the cash, only if you still play the game religiously, otherwise you are better off waiting for an, err, GOTY edition or something, which includes all the DLC. The lack of new tracks is a serious downer. Come on Turn 10, where’s SPA Francorchamps? Tracks are equally important, you know?

This game was reviewed on the Xbox 360.