Halo 3, Mass Effect and PGR4: each one is an absolutely must-have Xbox 360 title, and now Microsoft has generously decided to slap a budget price tag on them and flog them as a new Xbox 360 Classics range. Xbox 360 Classics will be £19.99 a pop when they re-launch in their new boxes this Friday, 20th March.

On the off chance that you just returned from a hermit-like existence in a distant ice cavern and somehow haven’t heard of these blockbusting games, nor why they deserve Xbox 360 Classics status, here’s the skinny:

Halo 3 is, as the numerical name implies, the third outing for Xbox mascot Master Chief. The leap to Xbox 360 brought with it stunning HD graphics, all new enhanced multiplayer arenas, four player co-op mode, Forge map customisation, three sets of DLC, and lots of other stuff that Halo fans have been justifiably excited about for the last 18 months. To this day, it remains the most played game on Xbox LIVE.

Mass Effect, meanwhile, is a an action-packed futuristic RPG from the makers of Star War: Knights of the Old Republic. It’s got a clever and intricate conversation mechanic, opportunities to explore the vast emptiness of the universe in your high tech spaceship, the SSV Normandy. And it has a twisted, engaging plot that is right up there with the most entertaining space pulp.

Mass Effect is due to get a sequel fairly soon, so it’s new Xbox 360 Classics pricing might be a good excuse to brush up on your Commander Shepard and his unusual crew’s back stories before Mass Effect 2 shows up.

Last, but not least, Project Gotham 4 is the latest instalment in Bizarre Creations’ Xbox racing franchise. The latest version boasts new weather, motorcycles as well as cars and new game modes.

All good, solid games that are well worth a shot, and certainly so at less than £20. Bargain. Now can we have Gears of War in the Xbox 360 Classics range, please?

Out Friday | £19.99 | Xbox 360 (available at HMV: Halo 3, Mass Effect, PGR4)

  • MarkG

    I wouldn’t call Mass Effect and PGR4 classic, they are both pretty horrible, with really bad framerate problems and screen tearing (the former particularly).

  • Greg Strachan

    Hmm, well you’re right about the graphical issues with Mass Effect, but when the Xbox isn’t fighting a losing battle against the Unreal Engine, it can look amazing. I’d still call it a classic – there was a superb plot and the game had a really decent sense of scale. Reminded me very much of the brilliant PC space sim Freelancer for some reason.

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