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With no more new games coming out for the Xbox, it’s time to do a post on the best co-op games for the Xbox. I’m not going to include any games on the 360 platform mainly because I don’t have one and I’m jealous.

But playing co-op is THE reason I switched from a PS2. Getting a bunch of guys together and saving the universe is not just great fun but it is the greatest perk of being a youth pastor. Especially when you have 16 guys on 4 boxes in your house.

So before I post my favorite co-op games, a couple of disclaimers.

DISCLAIMER 1: Xbox Live and System Link are awesome but not everyone has the opportunity to use them. So for the purposes of this list, I’m only talking about games that you can play co-op on the same box.

DISCLAIMER 2: Just because it’s on my list, doesn’t mean it’s kid friendly. You can read more about my opinion on game ratings and the like on the post The Halo Rants.

DISCLAIMER 3: This is my list. These are the games I like to play. I’m not getting any endorsement money for this. Wanna add a game - go ahead. Wanna critique my pics - I’ll let you speak with my rocket launcher (or lightsaber).

6. Lego Star Wars 2 - Yes, there are two of them. And this one is cool because it deals with the original trilogy but it’s not as intuitive as the first one. Still worth picking up if you have kids that love Star Wars and love Legos.

5. Return to Castle Wolfenstein - Great use of WWII weaponry, the “demonic part” of the game is a bit creepy. The major bad side of the game is that you can’t save co-op missions. The cool thing about it is that it names your xbox after the first profile you put in on it. So when you hook to do system link, instead of one of those lame names like “Wilshire”, your box is “G Luv”….or whatever your profile name is.

4. Lego Star Wars - When it first came out, I laughed thinking there is no way this is going to work. Then I rented it and immediately went out and bought it. What an awesome game to play with your kids. Funny and intuitive. We still play this game.

3. Halo 2 - graphics and music and story just all one upped the first one. Double welding weapons and using the sword…SWEEEEEEET. The couple of critiques I have is that the shotgun is not as powerful as in Halo 1.

2. Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory - This is just a kickin’ game but the co-op is stunning. The bad news - it’s only got 6 levels of co-op. The good news - they are hard enough that you’ll have to play them multiple times to get a 100% rating. Never gets boring.

1. Halo - It has to be first because for years it was THE REASON to own an Xbox. Long levels, entire game can be play co-op. Best co-op weaponry: P1 - rockets and pistol, P2 - sniper and shotgun and stick together.

Love to hear your additions…