Microsoft Reveals Most Popular Xbox 360 Online Games For 2008

“Halo 3″ was the most played game on Xbox Live in 2008 according to a top 10 list released by Microsoft today, but gamers might be shocked at what else ended up on the list. The list of top Xbox game downloads also packs some surprises.

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There are several demos featured on Major Nelson’s list, but the most notable is “Too Human.” Other Xbox 360 releases with a multiplayer component featured on the list — “Call of Duty: World at War” and “Battlefield: Bad Company” – also had the full game show up.

That didn’t happen with “Too Human.” It at least shows people were interested in trying “Too Human,” even if they didn’t go out and buy it. As for me, I only played “Too Human” at a press event. Once.

Xbox 360 Top Live Titles (based on unique users)
1.     Halo 3
2.     Call of Duty 4
3.     GTA IV
4.     Gears of War 2
5.     Gears of War
6.     CoD: World at War
7.     Guitar Hero III
8.     Battlefield: Bad Company Demo
9.     Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Demo
10.     Rock Band
11.     Fable II
12.     Mirror’s Edge Demo
13.     Madden NFL 09
14.     BF: Bad Company
15.     Rainbow Six Vegas 2
16.     UNO
17.     Castle Crashers
18.     COD: World at War Multiplayer Beta
19.     Forza Motorsport 2
20.     Too Human - Demo

It’s a little shocking — but pleasantly surprising — to see older Xbox Live Arcade titles like “Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3,” “UNO,” and “DOOM” still selling. How are they finding these games? Word of mouth? I own nine games on the list below.

Top Arcade Titles (full versions purchased)
1. Castle Crashers
2. Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2
3. Braid
4. A Kingdom for Keflings
5. UNO
6. Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
7. Fable II Pub Games
8. Duke Nukem 3D
9. Bionic Commando: Rearmed
10. Worms
11. SOULCALIBUR
12. Portal: Still Alive
13. DOOM
14. 1942: Joint Strike
15. Bomberman Live
16. MEGA MAN 9
17. N+
18. Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3
19. Marble Blast Ultra
20. Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3

“Halo” remains king amongst Xbox gamers, but what’s “Conker: Live Reloaded” doing on that list? “Conker”’s multiplayer was… not so good.

Original Xbox Top Live Titles (based on unique users)
1. Halo 2
2. Fable
3. Star Wars: Battlfrnt 2
4. Counter-Strike
5. Fable: Lost Chapters
6. Doom 3
7. Conker: Live Reloaded
8. Splinter Cell Chaos
9. SW: KOTOR
10. SW: Republic Commando
11. Star Wars: Battlefront
12. Burnout 3
13. Guilty Gear XX #Reload
14. Gauntlet Seven Sorrows
15. Call of Duty 3
16. Ninja Gaiden Black
17. Crimson Skies
18. MechAssault 2
19. Call of Duty 2
20. Rainbow Six 3