Top 10 Best Looking Xbox 360 Games

These games are gorgeous

By
Eric Qualls
Eric Qualls
Writer
Former Lifewire writer Eric Qualls has been covering the Xbox line of consoles and Xbox games since August 2004.
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Updated on February 17, 2020
Xbox controller sitting on original Xbox 360

Lifewire / Erin Huffstetler

The Xbox 360 has been around for many years now, which means it has a huge library of gorgeous looking games. Here are our picks for ten of the prettiest looking titles you can play on the system. The order of the list doesn't really matter, they all look great.

01
of 10

Gears of War 3

Soldiers take down the Locust in Gears of War 3

Gears of War set the bar for Xbox 360 graphics pretty high in 2006, but it was polished and perfected later by Gears of War 3. The third entry in the popular action franchise looks totally gorgeous, with the best lighting, particle effects, and explosions in the series. It still looks fantastic even today.

02
of 10

Alan Wake

The picturesque Bright Falls in Alan Wake

Alan Wake still stands as one of the best horror games on Xbox 360, and even now, it still looks awesome. The lighting effects are top-notch, which isn't surprising considering that light is your greatest weapon in the game. Everything else looks fantastic too, of course.

03
of 10

DiRT 3

A car does donuts around a barrel in DiRT 3

The DiRT series of rally racing games has always looked good, but it peaked on Xbox 360 with DiRT 3. The best looking car models. The best lighting. The best weather and dust and smoke effects. DiRT 3 looks absolutely gorgeous.

04
of 10

Fight Night Champion

Manny Pacquiao gets in a left hook in Fight Night Champion

We prefer the gameplay in Fight Night Round 3, but if you're looking for pretty visuals, Fight Night Champion is the clear winner (and it does play pretty well, too). The character models are simply outstanding and the animation is perfect, but details like cuts and bruises showing damage during the fight are simply awesome. Not only that, but the crowd even looks great in this game!

05
of 10

Viva Pinata

Sheep graze in Viva Pinata

It seems cute and cuddly at first glance, but don’t pass up Viva Pinata because you think it's a kids game. The fuzzy little piñatas are amazingly great looking, and the gardens they inhabit are lush and completely wonderful. The animation is also very good, and just sitting back and watching your piñatas play around in your garden is one of the simple joys of video games that's too often overlooked.

06
of 10

Crysis 3

Cysis 3's post-apocalyptic environment is beautiful

The Crysis series is synonymous with great graphics, and Crysis 3 is the best looking of the bunch. It's just great-looking all around, with amazing lighting and special effects and stunning environmental detail.

07
of 10

Forza Motorsport 4

A 1954 Jaguar XK120 in Forza Motorsport 4

It's neck-and-neck between DiRT 3 and Forza 4, but we have to give the best overall racing game visuals on Xbox 360 to Forza. This game implemented a new lighting engine that makes it look awesomely realistic. Turn 10 really knows what they're doing.

08
of 10

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

Two soldiers fire on one another in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

The Xbox One version of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare got all of the attention, but the 360 version is actually really great as well. It stands as easily the best looking CoD game on the older console, with awesome special effects and environmental details.

09
of 10

Dead or Alive 5: Last Round

Two fighters battle (and there's a tiger for some reason) in Dead or Alive 5: Last Round.

The best looking fighting game on Xbox 360 is undoubtedly one of the various versions of Dead or Alive 5. Say what you want about the female fighters' jiggling assets, the game looks amazing, with great character models with realistic skin textures and awesome environmental details. Fighters even pick up dirt and sweat as they battle, and water changes how they look as well. The game is just stunning.

10
of 10

Halo 4

Master Chief looks upwards in Halo 4

Halo was always a good-looking series but it was never on the bleeding edge of visuals until Halo 4. This game's crazy stunning. The first level will blow your mind, and it stays consistently gorgeous for the rest of the campaign. Some folks don't dig the gameplay direction the series went in with this installment, but you have to respect the visuals.

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