The end of a video game console era has arrived.

Microsoft has announced that it will no longer manufacture the Xbox 360. What this means is that there will be no more brand new products made and shipped all over the world. However, current new and used systems will continue to be sold and Xbox Live will still be accessible for existing users.

The video game consoles of the newer generation have already been released for over two years, so this day was expected to come sooner or later. The Xbox 360 had a successful run for 10 years while it supported many of the world's favorite video game franchises. The end of its manufacturing is a good time to recollect some of the best ones.

1. "Call of Duty"

It is needless to say that the "Call of Duty" franchise is probably the most popular set of games available on the Xbox 360. 12 installments were released for the console.

In my opinion, the three "Modern Warfare" games are the best ones in the franchise. This is because of the enduring and suspenseful story that is told over its entirety, as well as the multiplayer modes that never made me put the controller down. Yet, I could never turn down a game of zombies in the "Black Ops" series.

2. "Halo"

An Xbox exclusive franchise, "Halo" is no exception to this list.

It is about the interstellar war between humanity and the Covenant, an alliance of aliens. "Halo 3" and "Halo 4" focus on the experiences of the Master Chief, who is the protagonist of the main series. The first game ever released in the franchise, "Halo: Combat Evolved," was also remade for the Xbox 360 as "Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary."

Several of the Xbox 360 installments have focused on other main protagonists and story lines including a "Halo 3" expansion titled "Halo 3: ODST," a strategy game, "Halo: Wars," and a prequel, "Halo: Reach."

Ah, I remember the good old days when I used to spend countless hours playing "Halo 3" on Xbox Live with my friends, where we would create our own custom games and have loads of fun with them.

3. "Left 4 Dead"

Although there are only two installments in this series, the "Left 4 Dead" games are a good choice for the Xbox 360, especially for zombie lovers. In both editions, the player is in the shoes of one of the four so-called, "Survivors." The object is to fight their way through the hordes of the dead with up to three other players.

4. "Grand Theft Auto"

"Grand Theft Auto IV" and "Grand Theft Auto V" are my two favorite video games ever. Period.

One reason is because of the lengthy, yet powerful stories. "Grand Theft Auto IV" tells the story of a former soldier in the Yugoslav Wars named Niko Bellic, who has arrived in Liberty City in search of the man who betrayed him and almost killed him in the Wars. On the other hand, the plot of "Grand Theft Auto V" consists of not one, but three playable characters named Michael, Trevor, and Franklin, who commit a series of heists together while under pressure from the government agency known as the FIB. The story also focuses on Michael's tight situation that he went through nine years earlier and has kept as a secret from Trevor, who has been his best friend.

Another reason why I am in love with these games is because you have complete control in the city, whether you are playing alone or with your friends. I mean, who wouldn't want to play a game where you can roam around with millions of dollars in your pocket but still steal cars and cause chaos for the heck of it? Just don't try any of that at home.

5. "Fallout"

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a post-apocalyptic world? Well, the first-person experience in "Fallout 3" and "Fallout: New Vegas" has the answer for you.

"Fallout 3" is from the eyes of the playable character who is forced to flee from the Vault 101 and the Vault Overseer in search of their missing father, while "Fallout: New Vegas" is about Courier Six, who must travel across the post-apocalyptic Mojave Wasteland in search of the man who shot him, left him for dead, and took off with his valuable and mysterious package.

In both games, the player's decisions directly impact the world and everything within by bringing hope or destruction. It's too bad these games do not have multiplayer because the destruction would probably be endless.

6. "Assassin's Creed"

The Xbox 360 is one of the systems that started this long-lasting series. In seven games on the console, the player assumes the role of an assassin in fictional history who can literally climb anything while using amazing stealth and martial arts skills. Each main protagonist fights for peace with free will against the Templars, who believe in peace with authority.

The multiplayer modes, which began to appear starting with "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood," take place in a training program used by the fictional Abstergo Industries in which the main goal is to hunt and assassinate a target while avoiding other enemies.

7. "Gears of War"

In this series, the conflict is between the Human race, the reptilian hominids called the Locust Horde, and their mutated counterparts, the Lambent. I personally like the series for the combat system, where you can use objects to protect the playable characters and safely approach enemies.

8. "Battlefield"

The franchise is often compared to "Call of Duty," but I find that it is nothing like it. Yes, the focus is on warfare (with the exception of the most recent release, "Battlefield: Hardline"). However, it has an even bigger focus on maps, teamwork, vehicles, and weapons, which makes it unique as well as better to some players.

9. "Just Cause"

"Just Cause" and "Just Cause 2" follow Rico Rodriguez, an operative for the Agency, as multiple clans battle for authority over a small-scale fictional nation.

The "Just Cause" games are somewhat similar to "Grand Theft Auto" in the sense that you can free roam and fool around, but if you are all for more extreme chaos and a less city-like setting, then the former is for you.

10. "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band"

The reason these franchises are listed together is because they are extremely similar to each other.

These are the perfect Xbox 360 games to play for your parties. There are 11 "Guitar Hero" games and six "Rock Band" titles, so you could say that the music video game category was expansive in the era of the Xbox 360. You can only play as the guitarist with a guitar controller in "Guitar Hero 2," "Guitar Hero 3: Legends or Rock," "Guitar Hero: Aerosmith," and "Guitar Hero: Live." As for any other "Guitar Hero" title and any "Rock Band" installment, you can have a full band experience with the guitar, bass, drums, and microphone. Rock on!

11. "BioShock"

This series tells stories about what living off of land is like. In the first two games of the series, "Bioshock" and "Bioshock 2," the player is in the fictional underwater city known as Rapture in the 1960's, where the ominous secrets of its origins are revealed the respective main protagonists

The third title, "Bioshock: Infinite," is not a direct sequel nor prequel. It is set in 1912 and in the air, both of which are completely different aspects of the setting from the first two installments. However, the gameplay, features, and concepts are similar.

In addition, "Bioshock 2" contains a multiplayer mode that serves as a stand-alone plot, titled "Bioshock 2: Fall of Rapture," which is set roughly a year before the events of "Bioshock."

Thank you, Microsoft, for producing a video game console that will be remembered. Someday, I will go up to my attic and smile when I find my old Xbox 360 just sitting there in the corner. I can't wait to see what you have planned for the Xbox One and Windows in the near future.