The Steam Deck is a fantastic system that can emulate many other current and last-generation consoles. One of the most popular consoles to ever have an emulator made is the Xbox 360. If you know how to emulate Xbox 360 on the Steam Deck, you’ll open an even larger library of games to enjoy.
The Xbox 360 has a variety of games that you can play and have an amazing time doing. But we’ve condensed this list down to only those that you can’t reasonably play on the Steam Deck natively. If you learn more about each of these games, then keep reading on!
This guide details some of the best games you can run on the Steam Deck without issues. This will allow you to enjoy some of their favorite games from the last decade. In addition, newer players can enjoy the comfort of these games without getting a decade-old console.
9. Burnout Revenge
Considered one of the earliest and immensely favored vintage racing games in the XBOX community, Burnout Revenge was released in 2005. You can emulate this game easily on your Steam Deck through an Xbox emulator.
You do not just compete against other racers and test your racing skills. Rather, it allows you to play different types of races, such as circuit racing. You are allowed to use their vehicles as a weapon, as well.
You feel like less of a traditional racer, as you might in Need for Speed, and instead feel like an acrobatic tank. Rushing through the field, bulldozing, and styling on other racers when required. Additionally, you receive extra fun by navigating through hindrances due to the heavy traffic, created as a buffer to the race cars.
Revenge is the third game in the Burnout series, following Burnout: Takedown. Using the four tactics of racing: road rage, eliminator, burning lap, and crash, you are supposed to Traffic Check (nudging a car forward, moving in the same direction) and may be able to use it to Takedown a rival car.
If the traffic hits them. In addition, the process of “checking” bears rewards. This seems like one of the ideal games to run on a hand-held device, such as Steam Deck.
8. Metal Gear Solid
Many players have run Metal Gear Solid on the Steam Deck and have procured incredibly satisfactory results. It is considered a stealth game that utilizes technology and science fiction. The first game was released in 1987 but was since remastered in HD for Xbox 360 players in 2011.
This game brings a coagulation between the events of World War II and the fictional “Cobra Unit”, which makes this game ideal for alternate history and science fiction fanatics. I think you’ll love to watch the narrative alternate between Raiden, Snake, and the Boss, giving the roleplay in this game a lively impact.
7. Red Dead Redemption
A tale that begins with betrayal and sets you out to go against your friends to save your family from national forces. This is the beauty of Red Dead Redemption’s story, and it is a thrilling ride from start to finish. You’ll enjoy every second, but the story in Rockstar games hooks you and never lets you go.
Red Dead Redemption is a critically acclaimed survival game, first released in 2010. Running this game on the Steam Deck is now possible, so you can go through the pain of John Marston as he goes against his criminal ex-friends, one at a time.
Even though the game has a linear narrative, you are supposed to go on predetermined missions. You can roam around the world and do whatever you like most of the time.
Whether you want to catch horses or round up some thugs or beat someone in dice, it’s all possible. Regardless of how much time you spend away from the main plotline, the game’s deep concepts of morality, righteousness, and decision-making will be waiting for you to experience.
Which is why it is the perfect game to play.
6. Fable II
Fable II was released for Xbox 360 in 2010 (over a decade ago) and is an open-world role-playing action game. We can say that the availability of this game on Steam Deck has revived the spirits this game used to raise (pun intended).
This game takes its inspiration from the late colonial era in terms of economy, social interactions, and even weapons. It is cited as the “best game ever made” because you can control the appearance and movement of your characters and their choices.
The plethora of accessibility and intractability features within the game make it a joy to go through your first or fourth time. And that is in addition to its amazing plot line. It used to be one of the best games within the RPG games industry, and if you can experience it as it was on the Xbox 360 all those years ago then it’s a must for your Steam Deck.
5. Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2
DBZ won the world over with its anime and manga a while ago, making it one of the best games based on Manga and one of the best games available a decade ago. It allows you to revisit your favorite anime/manga and play as your favorite characters.
This is because you are not restricted to one or two characters but can choose between almost all the characters in the anime/manga. The game has various modes, such as Galaxy Mode, World Tournament Mode, Battle mode, etc.
In Galaxy Mode, every character is represented by a planet in the game’s galaxy. Within these planets are several mission paths containing various advantages or handicaps that will affect the fight. In the Battle Zone, you take on fighters from different zones.
You assume control of one of the available characters and use numerous basic, melée, or distinctive ki-fighting tactics to combat another character from the anime/manga. Raging Soul is a fighting maneuver that prevents players from using ki attacks while enhancing physical strikes, which is an interesting mechanic in the game.
A spectacular old Dragon Ball game for your Steam Deck? I’d say yes, please, and thank you.
4. Condemned 2: Bloodshot
Released for the Xbox 360 in 2008, Condemned 2 Bloodshot is one of the most controversial vintage games you should be able to run on your Steam Deck. Although, viewer discretion is advised. This was one of the games indexed in Germany, eventually banned due to its violent gameplay.
Condemned 2 is essentially a psychological thriller and horror survival game. If you love to engage in horror content, you would love this game. This is especially true if it’s on the Steam Deck because something is engrossing about having the game stay with you no matter where you go.
I seriously suggest that you be mindful of the psychological impacts this game may have. But those who can digest the immense psychological impacts have the most intense gameplay experiences to look forward to.
3. Call of Duty 2
COD 2 was released for the Xbox 360 in November 2005. The game is incredibly fun and is one of the earliest Call of Duty released.
Currently, you can easily play the game on an emulator. Call of Duty 2’s main story is the account of ordinary soldiers. These soldiers go through battle after battle trudging through World War II.
The game is considered to be more intense that the first rendition of the game. The graphics are very beautiful and realistic. Even though the frames per second on Steam Deck may not be a lot, playing this game there would still be a rewarding experience.
The game has everything an army or wartime fanatic would expect, including guns, tanks, troops, and on-screen explosions. This game allows you to rely on their squad and every fellow officer aware of their surroundings. The game makes the wartime experience that much more realistic.
2. Lost Odyssey
The next game we recommend playing on the Steam Deck is Lost Odyssey. Lost Odyssey was released for the Xbox 360 for the first time in 2008. And you can emulate the game easily on the Steam Deck right now.
It’s an original Japanese Role-Playing game that you’ll enjoy a lot. Especially if you love navigating a large open world and an engaging battle system.
The game has a turn-based combat system with really fun mechanics. The game works incredibly well on the Steam Deck. Many emulators run it at precisely the pace you’d expect from the original system.
I’d suggest that if you want to run this game, play it in hand-held mode. This is because it adds much to the experience just to enjoy Lost Odyssey on the go.
1. Gears of War
The last game on our list is the fantastic Gears of War. Perhaps one of the best original franchises on the Xbox. Gears of War has been a stable of every Xbox 360 library for a long time. It’s a third-person shooter that would delight everyone who enjoys the new Doom games.
The game has an over-the-shoulder shooting perspective. Its story follows the fabled Delta Squad, who must fight an alien race called the Locust Horde. There are many firearms that your team can equip and many different strategies that you can apply.
It is ideal for Steam Deck owners because shooting games can comfortably be played on it.
And that’s our list, folks. I hope you find at least one new game from this list that you can try playing on your Steam Deck. Several Xbox 360 games can be played on the Steam Deck. And the Xbox 360 has no shortage of great games.