Originating on Microsoft’s first console and really as no more than a place to download old arcade classics, X-box Live Arcade has now truly evolved into a complete gaming experience all of its own, second to none in terms of quality, quantity and affordability. Nowhere else can a console gamer have such a large variety of new HD games, old arcade classics and past console favorites to download and enjoy. And at a fraction of the cost of a full retail title, X-box Live Arcade games can very often be absolutely great gaming experiences. On a recent episode of our very own video game Podcast “Wonderpod” we briefly discussed some of the best downloadable games of the year, and that gave me the idea to create my own list. Thus, with no further ado, I give you “Pat Man’s top X-box live arcade titles.”
Fifth Runner up- Pac-Man Championship Edition.
I truly feel this title is a victim of its own poor naming. Many a casual gamer probably passed upon downloading the demo for this great and addictive title based solely on its boring name. And if you are one of those gamers who did pass up on this free demo, go back and give the demo a try, you can thank me later. The game is a great update to the original classic game with crazy changing maps, speed boosts and countdown timers. The only downside I can think of this game at all is at time you will be moving too fast for your own good, and can’t make those sharp turns when you need to avoid those ghost monsters. Luckily, if you play the game right, you will have many a free life to keep you going. Pac Man CE is probably the best update to an old arcade classic I have ever played.
So, THIS is what playing pac man on drugs is like....
Fourth runner up- Banjo-Kazooie
Super Mari 64 revolutionized video games in many ways, and really the title was in a class all of its own for a very, very long time in video game history. The only other title ever made in that golden generation of 3D gaming that even came CLOSE to the magic that was Super Mario 64 was a game made by the once legendary developers known as Rare. Banjo Kazooie took the formula created by Nintendo and made their own classic 3D platform game, one that was as addictive and as fun as its plumber inspired predecessor, and in some aspects, especially visually, even surpassed it. When the game was released on XBLA many a Nintendo fan boy had a heart attack, and yet at the same time many an X-Box gamer had a great title to play. Even thought I have completed the game in the past on the N64, I love the title so much that with its HD upgrade Banjo Kazooie is my personal “fourth runner up” for best XBLA title.
Third Runner up– Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix-
Do yourself a favor will you? Don’t even bother with the original XBLA Street Fighter game. Sure, it’s a quality title and at cheaper price to boot, we all know that, but when compared to its HD big brother, it pales dramatically in comparison. SSF2HDR, no I am not ever going to fucking call it by its full title again, is an awesome update to one of the greatest fighting games ever made. The HD visuals and musical remixes bring new life to the king of old school 2D fighters. You can play as many of the classic characters you loved and enjoyed both online and off line. I have to admit that I always sucked at the game, and to this day I still do, but that doesn’t stop me from loving it. And so will you. It’s the best version of Street fighter I have ever played so, go play it I say!
Second Runner up– Castle Crashers-
Are you looking for an XBLA title with action, adventure, multiplayer, online co-op, a humorous story and cool visuals? Castle Crashers has all that, and a bag of chips. One of my first ever downloaded titles, Castle Crashers didn’t disappoint me one bit. To be honest it exceeded my expectations, and I should thank this title because it really started me off with my love of X-box Live arcade. What a funny title with great 2D beat ‘em up gameplay. The audio and soundtrack is superb as well. One of the best aspects of this title is how the main characters combine cute and bad ass in a hilariously awesome way that you have to play to truly experience. There is a reason why this title is still on the top downloaded list every week, even when it has been out for such a long time. Castle Crashers was one of the first big XBLA titles and very deservedly my “second runner up” XBLA title of all time.
Is THIS what Bruce looked like after recording the infamous Wonderpod Episode 4?
First runner up- Shadow Complex
What happens when you take the bastard love child of the Unreal engine and the classic game play of the old school 2D Metroid franchise? You get Shadow Complex, that’s what. The title is an amazing single player XBLA title that feels very similar to Super Metroid from back on the SNES, but with the audio and visual power of a current gen HD system. I could go on about how the old school 2D gameplay and the new technology mix so well together, but really I don’t even have to do that, do I? If you haven’t played the demo, go do that now. And then, do buy the thing, its well worth the small price tag. Probably the best looking XBLA title available and a great single player experience, Shadow Complex is a must buy and damn nearly good enough to be my number one downloadable game on XBLA.
Pat Man’s Number one X-box Live Arcade title is… Battlefield 1943!
One of the most technically impressive Xbox live titles to date, Battlefield 1943 can easily be mistaken for a full fledged X-box 360 shooter. And, as a matter of fact, it actually has been mistaken as one by some gamers. A quick visit on You Tube will show you that some of the comments compare the game play and the graphics of this great XBLA title to that of Call Of Duty, usually stating that COD is the “better looking title”. Only when corrected are these posters amazed that the game is actually a download only $14.99 game, and not the $60 dollar full title they imagined it to be. If the games destructible environments, great visuals and sounds are not enough to entice you to play, its great online team play will have you addicted. Playing this game with friends in a squad is personally one of the most fun online experiences I have ever enjoyed. The game has no single player mode, only a single player tutorial, and the maps are updated versions of the old PC title 1942, however for only the fraction of the cost of a $60 online shooter, Battlefield 1943 is my top choice on XBLA. For under 15 dollars, where else could you and your friends fly planes, drive jeeps off a cliff, take control of a tank, capture flags, be a sniper, man an anti aircraft gun or just defend a location in a destructible world?
Battefield : Haiti Earthquake fun pack, downloaded!
So, what do you boys and girls of the intrawebs think are the best XBLA titles out there??
Tags: arcade, ass, Battelfield 1943, Pac Man, penis, Tits, videogames, X-box 360, X-box live, XBLA
Love the list and have played all of them except Shadow Complex. On my own personal list Castle Crashers or possible Carnival Show time would sit numero uno instead of BF43.
While the addition of the frostbite engine mechanics and the fun of playing with friends over XBL is nice it’s still just BF42 with exploding buildings. An awesome way to introduce someone to the battlefield genre as you found out, but not my personal number 1. Still nothing wrong with putting it number one for you as I know how much you loved the game. I just love the two I mentioned more.
No Shadow Complex? OR HARDWOOD HEARTS? Pat…I am disappoint. :p
Wait…shit.
@gunsage hooked on phonics didn’t work for you. Don’t feel bad didn’t work me either.
I learned good at college summin’ fierce.
I don’t know all the games listed, so I can only comment on what I know. Banjoo and Kazooie is/was an excellent title. Can’t go wrong here if you are a fan of the Mario style games (and I am). On the other hand, as much as I love the Street Fighter titles… I guess I am still inclined to want to play this in an arcade which are rarely found anymore. Probably a result of nostolgia and bias on my behalf.
@G I agree on the Street Fighter thing. I have very fond memories of playing that at a local pizza place as a kid.
There are other great XBLA titles that I didn’t mention in my post, mostly because of 2 very important factors.
1- Most people on the intrawebs now have the attention span of a goldfish and adding 4 more paragraphs would have made their heads explode.
2- Patman is a lazy ass hole.
Otherwise, I would have gone with a top 10 list and added games like Braid, Bionic Commando rearmed, Peggle and Comix Zone!
I remember collecting bottles, shovelling snow, etc. and saving forever as a kid for the original Bionic Commando… that was a great NES title… maybe I should check out the rearmed?
@PatMan, see you could of gotten away with four more paragraphs as you have pretty pictures for them to drool at. Now if you went the fuck it route like I do and write a 800-1000 word post with no pictures you would of been boned.
@G Check it out my man ( Bionic Commando), its very hard just like the original but it has some very cool visuals and sounds and is a 2.5 D remake. I really need to get back to that game, but Im a pussy now and hard games make me cry like a little girl….
Remember G you can download playable demos for all the XBLA titles… including a 30 min trial for BF 1943 if you ever wanna play let me know.
This is an interesting post. It was a really good read. Keep up the good work.
Thanks a bunch ..” Lena ” , I am blushing as I type this because I am sure that you don’t tell this to ALLLL the random posts you do in order to promote your Porno Site!
It means a lot, really. Also, you need more picks of your tits & twat and less of your towel, if your going to get any traffic at your stie….