List of cancelled Xbox 360 games

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This is a list of cancelled Xbox 360 video games. The Xbox 360 is a video game console released by Microsoft in 2005. It was their second console, following the original Xbox's 2001 release. The platform was a success, and went on to being the best selling Western-developed console to date, with rich software support from third party game publishers. Despite this, factors like increased budget and scope involved with the move into high-definition video game development lead to the cancellation of games. This list documents all known games that were confirmed for the Xbox 360 at some point, but did not end up being released for it in any capacity. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Games

Title(s)Notes/ReasonsDeveloperPublisher
Alhambra A video game adaption of the Alhambra board game was announced for the Xbox 360 in 2006, but was cancelled due to "unforseen circumstances" by 2008. [5] [6] Microsoft Microsoft
Banjo-Kazooie remakePrior to developing Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts (2008), members of Rare's team proposed creating a remake of the original Banjo-Kazooie where the characters became aware they were in a remake and were repeating actions they had already done in the original game, which in effect would lead to characters acting differently, with the remake eventually branching off into very different events from the original game. The idea was rejected by management due to fears of how the game would be perceived; concurrently worrying that some would be unhappy that it wasn't completely a new game, while others would never play far enough to realize how much it differed from the original game. [7] [8] Rare Microsoft
Beyond Good and Evil 2 Announced in 2008 as a sequel to the original Beyond Good and Evil (2003) in development for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 platforms. As of 2024, the game is still in-development and unreleased on any platform, though the developers announced that development had moved on to more powerful hardware, as both of its original platforms were deemed too under-powered for their ambitious plans for the game. [9] [3] Ubisoft Montpellier Ubisoft
Black WidowAn action game in which players battled aliens using a giant spider mech capable of climbing most objects and surfaces. The game never moved beyond the prototype phase, but the Black Widow itself was planned to be reused in Kameo 2, which was also never released. While not officially announced prior to its cancellation, the game's existence was publicly revealed through a retrospective documentary featuring concept art and development footage, released as a bonus feature in Rare's anniversary compilation game Rare Replay (2015). [10] Rare Microsoft
Call of Duty: Devil's Brigade A Call of Duty entry by Underground Development was cancelled after nine months of development in March 2008. While no one reason lead to its cancellation, the massive success of Infinity Ward's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare , the Activision Blizzard merger, and Underground Development's closure shortly afterwards all complicated plans for its release. [11] [12] Underground Development Activision
Cipher Complex First announced in 2006 as Edge of Reality's first attempt to create their own IP after many years of creating licensed games or ports for other companies. The game was described as a new sort of stealth-based game for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, but the game never materialized and Edge of Reality eventually went out of business. [4] [5] [13] Edge of Reality Sega
Dead or Alive: Code Chronos Announced by Team Ninja head Tomonobu Itagaki in 2005 as a prequel game to the Dead or Alive series that explored the origin stories of characters Kasumi and Ayane. Itagaki left the company in 2008, and the new lead, Yousuke Hayashi announced in 2010 that the team had ceased work on the project five years prior. Formal development had not started, and they had only created a basic framework for its design prior to its cancellation. [14] [3] Team Ninja Tecmo
Division 9 A first-person shooter game announced for the Xbox 360 and PC platforms. The game involved survival horror elements where the player would havet avoid zombies, with gameplay similar to the Left 4 Dead series. The game was cancelled due to a lack of faith in the popularity of its premise. [4] Irrational Games Take Two Interactive
Epic Mickey Development for the game was originally started as a PlayStation 3, PC, and Xbox 360 release. The rise of the popularity of Nintendo's Wii platform lead to Disney reps asking if a Wii version could be developed too. When developers expresed concern with getting a Wii version up and running as well due to its very different hardware, after further review, they felt a Wii release was most important, and cancelled all other versions before releasing the game on the Wii in 2010. [15] [16] Junction Point Studios Disney Interactive Studios
The Fast and the FurriestA proposed racing video game by Rare for the Xbox 360 as a spiritual successor to Diddy Kong Racing (1997). The game would have featured various playable characters from other Rare games, such as Joanna Dark and Banjo & Kazooie, and would have allowed players to customize their vehicles and alter the track during a race. While concept art and assets were created, the game never entered full production. While not officially announced prior to its cancellation, the game's existence was publicly revealed through a retrospective documentary featuring concept art and development footage, released as a bonus feature in Rare's anniversary compilation game Rare Replay (2015). [10] [17] Rare Microsoft
Untitled Halo MMO / Project Titan An entry in the Halo franchise that would have played as a massively multiplayer online game was in development for the Xbox 360. While never officially announced, many details were leaked in 2008, and reported upon by the video game press after the fact. The game was reportedly in development across 2006 and 2007. The game was prototyped, but only screenshots of gameplay were leaked onto the internet. The game was confirmed as cancelled by 2008, and Ensemble closed down the following year. [4] [18] Ensemble Studios Microsoft
Harker A video game based on Bram Stoker's Dracula . Announced in 2007, the game was placed on hiatus, and later cancelled, so the team could focus on developing Silent Hill: Homecoming (2008) instead. [19] [3] Double Helix Games Konami
Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings A video game in the Indiana Jones franchise was in development for the Xbox 360 for 5 years between 2004 and 2009. The plan had been to create a high budget version of the game for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC platforms as a collaboration between LucasArts and Bethesda Softworks, and outsource different low-budget versions for weaker platforms such as the Wii and PlayStation 2 to smaller developers. Development issues lead to many delays and a full reboot of the project, and the lack of progress, combined with the company's fear of being unable to compete with the critically acclaimed Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (2007), lead to the eventual cancellation of the high-end versions of the game, while the low-end budget releases ended up being the only ones to release. [20] [4] Bethesda Softworks LucasArts
Kameo 2 A sequel to Kameo: Elements of Power (2005) was in development by Rare for the Xbox 360 following the completion of the original title. The title would have featured a darker fantasy world, now upgraded with industrial revolution-era technology. A playable prototype was created, but the game was ultimately cancelled for undisclosed reasons. While not officially announced prior to its cancellation, the game's existence was publicly revealed through a retrospective documentary featuring concept art and development footage, released as a bonus feature in Rare's anniversary compilation game Rare Replay (2015). [17] Rare Microsoft
Killing Day A first-person shooter announced by Ubisoft as a showcase of what was possible with the then-new Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 hardware. First announced and shown in video form at E3 2005, Ubisoft went quiet on the project shortly afterwards, and it never materialized in an capacity. The game was cancelled midway through development, though patent renewals for the name still occurred well after the fact in 2009 and 2013. [3] [21] Ubisoft Ubisoft
The Lord of the Rings: The White Council Announced in 2006 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 as Electronic Art's answer to Skyrim utilizing the AI from The Sims's games. However, it was cancelled in the following year, with EA reportedly unhappy with initial progress with the game. EA partnered with Pandemic Studios to create The Lord of the Rings: Conquest (2009) instead. [22] [3] EA Redwood Shores Electronic Arts
Necessary Force A new IP announced in 2009 to help set apart the financially struggling Midway Games from other video game companies during the poor economy of the time. The game was to combine aspects of Grand Theft Auto's open world with element of film noir. However, Warner Bros buyout of Midway resulted in the company's closure and the game's ultimate cancellation. [23] [24] [4] Midway Studios Newcastle Midway Games
The Outsider First announced in 2005 as a showpiece of what was possible with the then-upcoming Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 hardware, the game experienced a protracted 5-6 years of development time, followed by years of limbo status, before it was declared "stopped" and "probably gone for good" by a head developer in 2014. The was centered around a CIA Agent who was wrongly accused of a crime, and his efforts as a fugitive to clear his name. While no official reason was given for its cancellation, reports indicated that the developers may have struggled with the game's open ended nature, as the game was to present the player with many ways paths and endings through the game. They struggled to find a publisher for the game as well. [3] [25] Frontier Developments
Untitled Road Rash rebootA reboot of the franchise was announce in 2006 — the first new entry in 16 years — for the Xbox 360. The game never materialized, though some early concept art for the game leaked onto the internet in the following years. [4] [26] [27] Electronic Arts Electronic Arts
Star Wars Rogue Squadron: X-Wing vs. Tie Fighter After the cancellation of the Star Wars: Rogue Squadron compilation for the original Xbox, the team moved on to creating a new title in the series as a launch title for the Xbox 360. The title would have emphasized online multiplayer, a first for the series. However, publisher LucasArts was concerned about the financial risk of creating a launch title, and cancelled the game. [28] [29] Factor 5 LucasArts
SundownA survival horror game set in a post-apocalyptic world, with players gathering weapons and supplies during the day and having to defend themselves from infected mutants at night. A prototype was produced during a company game jam, but the project ultimately did not enter full production. While not officially announced prior to its cancellation, the game's existence was publicly revealed through a retrospective documentary featuring concept art and development footage, released as a bonus feature in Rare's anniversary compilation game Rare Replay (2015). [10] Rare Microsoft
TailwindA flight-based game in which players control a courier piloting an aircraft to make deliveries, using their money earned to purchase new aircraft and access new contracts. The game never moved beyond the prototype phase. While not officially announced prior to its cancellation, the game's existence was publicly revealed through a retrospective documentary featuring concept art and development footage, released as a bonus feature in Rare's anniversary compilation game Rare Replay (2015). [10] Rare Microsoft
This Is Vegas An open world video game centered around the activities in Las Vegas. Announced in 2008, it was cancelled in 2010 after Midway Games went bankrupt and their assets were acquired by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. No official reason was given, but the game's budget up to that point was already at 50 million USD, a massive amount for a game at that time. [30] [3] Surreal Software Midway Games/Warner Bros.
WarDevil / Project Kane Originally announced as WarDevil in 2004 for the PlayStation 3, an Xbox 360 version was later announced as well. The game was planned to be similar in concept to the Dynasty Warriors by Digi-Guys, a newly created developer subsidiary by publisher Ignition Entertainment. The game went through a lengthy and difficult 7 year development period, including a brief rebrand/reworking of the game as Project Kane to salvage work done on it, but it was ultimately cancelled, with Ignition going out of business shortly afterwards. [31] [3] Digi-Guys Ignition Entertainment

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<i>Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts</i> 2008 video game

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References

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  2. ↑ Parijat, Shubhankar (July 6, 2021). "What Made the Xbox 360 an Amazing Console?". GamingBolt. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Hartup, Andy (July 18, 2013). "12 cancelled Xbox 360 and PS3 games (that we actually miss)". GamesRadar+ . Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Sayed, Rashid (September 8, 2010). "15 cancelled Xbox 360 games that should have never been cancelled". GamingBolt. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  5. 1 2 Hilliard, Kyle (January 4, 2013). "The Expanding Database Of This Generation's Canceled Games". Game Informer. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  6. ↑ Sanders, Kathleen (August 24, 2006). "GC 2006: Revered Board Games Coming to XBL Arcade". IGN. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  7. ↑ Devore, Jordan (September 14, 2015). "Rare had a cool idea for a Banjo-Kazooie remake". Destructoid . Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  8. ↑ Green, Andy (March 30, 2013). "Grant Kirkhope Wishes He Could Make Banjo-Kazooie 3 For Nintendo". Nintendo Life. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  9. ↑ Romano, Sal (May 28, 2008). "UbiDays '08: Beyond Good & Evil 2 announced". Gematsu. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Machkovech, Sam (August 5, 2015). "Canceled Rare game details emerge thanks to Rare Replay achievement hunters". Ars Technica. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  11. ↑ Hill, Owen (February 23, 2012). "Call of Duty: Devil's Brigade was in development by a secret team. Got secretly cancelled". pcgamer. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  12. ↑ Totilo, Stephen (May 14, 2010). "What Was Call of Duty: Devil's Brigade?". Kotaku. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  13. ↑ Burnes, Andrew (June 23, 2006). "Edge of Reality Announces Cipher Complex". IGN . Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  14. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (November 5, 2010). "Team Ninja's Project Progressive and Dead or Alive Cronus Cancelled". Andriasang. Archived from the original on November 8, 2010. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  15. ↑ Fletcher, JC (October 28, 2009). "Epic Mickey was originally an epic PC, PS3 & 360 game". Engadget . Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  16. ↑ Wilkinson, Matthew (March 5, 2021). "10 Most Infamous Canceled Xbox Games, Ranked". Screen Rant . Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  17. 1 2 Phillips, Tom (August 5, 2015). "Rare Replay reveals the Kameo 2 we never got". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Exclusive: Ensemble Studios' Canceled Project Was Halo MMO". Game Developer . September 23, 2008. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  19. ↑ Purchese, Robert (April 22, 2008). "Harker put on indefinite hold". Eurogamer . Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  20. ↑
  21. ↑ Dunham, Jeremy (March 3, 2006). "Killing Day Killed?". IGN. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  22. ↑ Remo, Chris (January 5, 2007). "LOTR: The White Council Cancelled, Producer Gray Let Go". Shacknews . Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Midway's UK studio reveals new IP, could be RIP by July". GameSpot . June 16, 2009. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  24. ↑ Thorsen, Tor (July 16, 2009). "Midway's Chicago HQ closing, final buyout price $49 million". GameSpot . Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  25. ↑ Purchese, Robert (September 11, 2014). "David Braben says The Outsider "probably is gone for good"". Eurogamer . Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  26. ↑ Purchese, Robert (February 23, 2011). "Road Rash 2006 game art found". Eurogamer . Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  27. ↑ Purchese, Robert (October 9, 2009). "Road Rash, Flash video footage appears". Eurogamer . Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  28. ↑ Moser, Cassidee; Otero, Jose (October 10, 2014). "More Cancelled Star Wars Games Revealed". IGN . Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  29. ↑ Maiberg, Emanuel (October 12, 2014). "Canceled Star Wars Rogue Squadron Game Details Emerge". GameSpot. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  30. ↑ Wilde, Tyler (August 25, 2010). "This is Vegas cancelled, $50 million lost... lol". GamesRadar+ . Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  31. ↑ Geddes, Ryan (March 31, 2011). "Life Support: Games in Danger". IGN . Retrieved May 1, 2024.
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