The Xbox 360 era was a golden age for Xbox gamers, with countless amazing titles, and even more amazing expansions that made these legendary games even better.
But with the Xbox 360 marketplace now closed down, many fantastic Xbox 360 DLC packs are slipping into the shadows, a few which haven’t been remastered along with their original Xbox games, and might not get the recognition they deserve.
The Hidden DLC Gems of the Xbox 360 Era
The Xbox 360 had a lot of DLCs that enhanced gaming experiences beyond their base games. Many gamers might have overlooked these additions, focusing solely on the base games.
These DLCs not only extended the lifespan of the games but also offered fresh adventures, perspectives, and deeper dives into beloved game worlds. As the marketplace has shut down, it’s the perfect time to look back and appreciate them.
Mass Effect 2 – Lair of the Shadow Broker
Mass Effect 2’s Lair of the Shadow Broker brought back a fan-favorite character, Liara T’Soni, and gave her some much-needed character development as an independent character.
It was a more linear expansion, and players got to explore new locations and engage in thrilling battles. The ending, which resulted in Liara becoming the new Shadow Broker, had big implications in Mass Effect 3. The narrative was gripping and enriched the overall base game, making it a must-play.
GTA 4 – Episodes from Liberty City
Episodes from Liberty City for Grand Theft Auto IV brought two substantial stories into the world of Liberty City. This compilation combined The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony, each offering unique perspectives with new protagonists and characters, and new gameplay mechanics.
The dark and gritty biker gang story of The Lost and Damned had a nice contrast with the flashy nightlife vibe of The Ballad of Gay Tony. Together, they made Liberty City feel more alive than ever.
Borderlands 2 – Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep
Borderlands 2 had plenty of great expansions. In Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep, players were treated to a magical, fantasy-themed adventure. Tiny Tina led a tabletop RPG game within the game, mixing Borderlands’ signature humor with a new setting full of dragons, elves, dwarves, and knights.
This DLC was packed with creative storytelling and unique gameplay elements, making it stand out as one of the most memorable expansions in the series, and a fitting final main expansion.
Bioshock Infinite – Burial at Sea
Bioshock Infinite’s Burial at Sea transported players back to the underwater city of Rapture, blending both the worlds of Bioshock and Bioshock Infinite, and completing Infinite’s parallel dimension, multiversal storytelling.
This two-part DLC reintroduced players to iconic characters and locations while weaving a complex narrative that connected the two games. The return to Rapture was nostalgic and thrilling, although some purist fans of the original Bioshock found it contrived and filled with plot holes.
Red Dead Redemption – Undead Nightmare
Undead Nightmare for Red Dead Redemption flipped the Wild West on its head with a zombie apocalypse, something that was very unique and interesting. This DLC transformed the open world into a zombie playground with horror themes.
The storyline was engaging and full of dark humor, giving players a completely different experience from the main game. It’s a shame that no such DLC was added to Red Dead Redemption 2.
Which one of these legendary, critically acclaimed expansions from the Xbox 360 era is your favorite? Let us know in the comments.
