When Xbox Game Pass which was launched in 2017, no one could have predicted that it would become a selling point Xbox console for the next almost ten years. It's evolved, but the real kicker is that first-party games almost always launch on a “free” day and date on a subscription service.
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It's an incredible value, even if the new games have dwindled. As many games as there are on the service, there are some strangely missing titles from third-party and first-party studios that are tied to the Xbox family of consoles, from Call of Duty on Jade Empire. Let's go over how strange it is that these games aren't on Game Pass, especially after the price hike, and how they're still worth your time even if they require an entry fee.
Place 9 games in the grid.
Start
Call Of Duty 2
MIA
When Activision and Blizzard joined the Xbox family, Call of Duty fans were hoping that the franchise's games would be available on Game Pass. To the credit of the subscription service, new games are available every day and fans can get access to the latest five major titles such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.
However, they cannot download classics such as Call of Duty 2which is a console exclusive from the Xbox 360 days, but can be purchased. Other notable Cod games that would be fun to jump back into but aren't exclusive to Xbox include Call of Duty: World at War and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.
Ninja Gaiden Black
Ryu returns, again
Ninja Gaiden Black is an enhanced version of the original reboot from 2004, and both titles were originally Xbox exclusives. Since then, ports and remasters of the game have been released, but based on the Ninja Gaiden Sigma edition.
While Ninja Gaiden Black it's not entirely exclusive, it's closely tied to Xbox history. There are many more Ninja Gaiden games on Game Pass, like Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, Ninja Gaiden 4and Ninja Gaiden: Reboundthat lack Ninja Gaiden Black looks weird
Dead or Alive 4
Bouncing battles
Ninja Gaiden Black was developed by Team Ninja at Koei Tecmo and another great Team Ninja franchise closely associated with Xbox and worth mentioning here is Dead or alive. Dead or Alive 4 is still a fully exclusive Xbox 360 game Dead or Alive Ultimate 1, Dead or Alive Ultimate 2and Dead or Alive 3 are original Xbox exclusives.
All four games can be purchased on the Xbox Marketplace, but not all are on Game Pass. It seems like an obvious win for Microsoft to talk Koei Tecmo into getting any of these games on the service, but at least they're all backwards compatible.
Jade Empire
Crouching Tiger, Hidden RPG
BioWare had a big presence on the original Xbox thanks to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republicwhich is now also on PC and Switch. One game that doesn't get played often enough is Jade EmpireA fantasy martial arts RPG from BioWare. It's not as good as Kotorbut it's still one of the best RPGs of the 21st century.
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The game is backwards compatible on Xbox systems and available for purchase, plus it's on Steam. Newer BioWare fans would probably check this out if it was available on Game Pass, but they won't be disappointed if they spend a little money on it.
Blue dragon
The spiritual successor to Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy
Microsoft paid big bucks to get some exclusive JRPGs on the Xbox 360, including Blue dragon from Mistwalker, a development studio founded by Hironobu Sakaguchi's father Final Fantasy. The game is still available for purchase, but it never left the Xbox system.
It doesn't have the same effect as Final Fantasy or Dragon Questbut it's still fun in itself. The quirky characters, turn-based combat system, and music make it one of the most underrated JRPGs of its era and should be on Game Pass. Even if it isn't Blue dragon still worth a look.
A lost odyssey
Immortal Kombat
A lost odyssey is another Xbox 360 exclusive from Mistwalker, and of all the developer's titles, it's arguably their masterpiece. The story follows a group of immortals who are thrown into war when a fellow immortal tries to gain supreme power despite going against the order of things.
It's a challenging game. The turn-based combat system is a bit quirky and the story has a surprising maturity, similar to something like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. It would be in Microsoft's best interest to remind JRPG fans that this gem is still available on current Xbox systems by listing it on Game Pass, but a small bump in sales could speed things up in that direction.
Endless revelation
The Wind Waker
Endless revelation
- Released
-
September 2, 2008
Endless revelation is another exclusive from the Xbox 360 era, but this one was developed by tri-Ace in collaboration with Square Enix. It's an action RPG featuring Capello, a young warrior gifted with a flute that can reveal hidden passages.
Like other tri-ace games, incl Star Ocean: The Second Story, the action is satisfying, if a bit simple. It's not as good as A lost odysseybut Game Pass definitely needs more JRPGs on the service, and these exclusives make the most sense to include.
Enslaved: Odyssey To The West
Dragon Ball Apocalypse
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West it was developed by Ninja Theory, a company bought by Microsoft in 2018. It was published under the umbrella of Bandai Namco, which may be why Microsoft can't freely put it on Game Pass without making a deal, but they've done it with past games, so it begs the question if this is a real factor.
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For example, most Double Fine games were released under different companies, and many of them are on Game Pass despite that. Psychonauts and Cave are some examples, which means Microsoft should try to get Bandai Namco to play what it's all about Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, also because it's a highly underrated post-apocalyptic action-adventure. That said, its sales weren't spectacular when it launched in 2010, so perhaps signs of renewed interest from gamers will encourage Microsoft to open up this discussion.
Crash Team Rumble
Team-Based Platforming
Crash Team Rumble is the latest title in Crash Bandicoot series, although it is more of a spin-off. This license falls under the Activision umbrella, which is now owned by Microsoft, so it's strange why it's not on Game Pass while the others are Crash Bandicoot games are like Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy and Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled.
While not a necessity compared to these other examples, a collection of mini-games and multiplayer antics Crash Team Rumble worth a look, even for the price. Viewing games like this is the beauty of having a service like Game Pass in the first place.
Prey (2006)
Before Arkane there was…
Original version from 2006 Spoil followed a Native American named Tommy who became involved with alien invaders. It was almost like a spiritual successor Turk series, except for a smaller number of dinosaurs.
Arkane Studios did a reboot of the same name in 2017, a studio now owned by Microsoft. While Microsoft doesn't technically own this original game, it is available for purchase on modern Xbox systems, and it would be interesting to have both versions on Game Pass for players to compare. Still, Spoil is one of the most underrated first-person shooters of the Xbox 360 era and deserves more attention from modern gamers.
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