With the entry of Microsoft into the gaming console business, a steadily increasing variety of games are flooding the market with a large selection of action, strategy, and sports games. However, despite the eagerness of the Xbox enthusiasts, Microsoft is still lagging behind Sony and Nintendo in terms of game sales.

Xbox 360 games

Xbox 360 games have created for themselves a reputation of high quality and very real and life-like experience. New Xbox 360 games continue to be released weekly, and including the current list of to be released titles, the total count is over 300. Madden NFL 07 proved to be extremely popular, and sold over 2 million copies during its first week of release in late August 2006. The newest version of one of Xbox’s signature games, Halo, is scheduled to be released as Halo 3 for Xbox 360 in early 2007.

Xbox 360 games features

Both the Xbox 360 wireless and wired game controllers features an Xbox guide button, circled by the ring of light. The guide button is located in the center of the controller. It can be used to control the Xbox 360 settings, turn the console on and off, start the Xbox guide, and start the Xbox dashboard.

The four best and most prominent features of Xbox 360 games are:

AI or Artificial Intelligence - This enables non-playing characters to play or behave like real players. Your enemies will seem so real and lifelike that you’ll love to hate them and destroying them will seem that much sweeter. Your NPC friends are so realistic that you will be automatically compelled to respond to their needs and help them, and they likewise intuitively know how to best assist you. This sophisticated artificial intelligence will enable you to control large numbers of non-playing characters in realistic ways.

High definition compatibility - Unlike the older Xbox console where the game developer is not required to provide high definition graphics, all Xbox 360 games come with a high definition option. The high definition system setting option is available through the Xbox 360 dashboard. To enjoy high definition graphics you will need an Xbox 360 component HD audio video cable or VGA cable. The high-definition support for Xbox 360 is dynamic, so even if a game is designed with high definition in mind, but your TV only supports a lower resolution, the Xbox 360 will run the game in the best resolution your output device offers.

Wide-screen compatibility - Xbox 360 games are created to support wide screen graphics. Xbox 360 games can also display in non-widescreen resolution.

Highly functional programming - Since these games include very high quality graphics and controls, programming skills required for them is also very high, naturally resulting in higher game quality.

Some of the best Xbox 360 games

Some of the most popular and highly rated Xbox 360 games are:

1. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Role-playing Game)
2. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (Modern Tactical Shooter)
3. Perfect Dark Zero (Sci-Fi First Person Shooter)
4. Project Gotham Racing 3 (GT / Street Racing)
5. Dead or Alive 4 (3D Fighting)
6. Kameo: Elements of Power (Fantasy Action Adventure)
7. NBA 2K6 (Basketball Sim)
8. MotoGP 06 (Motorcycle Racing)
9. Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved (Shoot-‘Em-Up)
10. Hitman: Blood Money (Adventure)