Despite having one too many lame puzzle games and not enough bullet hell shooters or Sega Saturn ports, XBLA saw some pretty drool-worthy releases last year. So many in fact, that they had to get their own Awards post rather than being lumped in with GEN’s 30 other 2008 honorees. The good thing is, it’s never too late to grab an XBLA title (unless it’s Yaris), so now is the time is to start on any you may have missed.
Geometry Wars 2
Developed by: Bizarre Creations / Published by: Activision
The original Geometry Wars was to XBLA was Halo was to Xbox, but it was basically just one mode. Geometry Wars 2 corrects that flaw by introducing several varied gameplay types, including multiplayer shenanigans for up to four players. The omission of online multiplayer is a major oversight, especially given Bizarre’s experience on the Project Gotham Racing series, but the value here for GW fans is undeniable.
Duke Nukem 3D
Developed and Published by: 3D Realms
Duke Nukem Forever may be a myth like dry land, but Duke’s classic PC adventure still sits warmly in the hearts of those who enjoy a buffet of dick jokes and blowing up strippers with pipe bombs. The XBLA version of Duke Nukem 3D includes a Halo 3-esque replay system, and online cooperative and competitive modes for up to eight players, making it an extremely welcome addition to the downloadable library. Between Duke Nukem 3D, Doom, and Marathon, all we need now is Descent and it will be like the days of dial-up modems never left.
Rez HD
Developed by: Q Entertainment / Published by: Microsoft Game Studios
Tetsuya Mizuguchi has taken a definite liking to Microsoft’s Arcade service, and we could not be more grateful. Aside from Space Channel 5, Rez HD was the most requested of the musically-inclined developer’s titles, and it certainly didn’t fail to deliver. With improved graphics, surround sound, and downloadable replays, Rez HD is the quintessential version of this Dreamcast shooter. Just remember that you haven’t actually played the game until you reach Eden.
Ikaruga
Developed and Published by: Treasure
Treasure’s famed bullet-hell masterpiece is one of the most refined, challenging arcade shooters ever made. Watching masterful gamers rack up record-breaking scores via the game’s online replay theater is a humbling, awe-inspiring experience. Ikaruga will put both your reflexes and memorization to the test, but finding new combos and more efficient coop strategies is extremely rewarding. We know everyone was hoping for Guardian Heroes, but XBLA is depressingly short on quality manic shooters, and Ikaruga is far and away one of the best.
Braid
Developed by: Number None / Published by: Microsoft Game Studios
The little indie game that could is responsible for one of the most jaw-dropping moments in gaming history, and we’re not exaggerating. Unless you don’t get it, but if you’re a n00b then you probably won’t be able to collect all the puzzle pieces needed anyway. The painterly visual style, time-shifting puzzles, and old-school platforming make the journey a worthwhile experience; but it’s the destination that makes Braid the most memorable game in recent memory.
Galaga Legions
Developed and Published by: Namco-Bandai
Following up the well-received Pac-Man Championship Edition, Namco chose Galaga as the next retro arcade game to receive a next-gen makeover, and the end result is just as much of a success, if not more so. Legions is sure to keep your ADD in check with its crazy-fast action and screen-covering enemy hordes. The pulse-pounding original soundtrack is like espresso for your ears, and we can’t wait to see which of Namco’s nostalgic library is next.
Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
Developed by: Backbone Entertainment / Published by: Capcom
Capcom has been committed to XBLA like no other developer this generation, and SSF2THDR is by far their most ambitious project yet. The classic visuals were completely redrawn in HD by hand at Udon, the studio responsible for many Capcom comics and art books. The gameplay has also been rebalanced with the help of championship Street Fighter players across the world, and the online multiplayer stability has been vastly improved over Capcom’s first SF outing on XBLA. We know it was a ton of work with plenty of hurdles to overcome, but we hope Capcom seriously considers Darkstalkers for its next HD Remix. Morrigan needs a makeover!
January 30th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
I LOVED Braid. It was so well thought otu and executed. I wish more companies would put out great games like this for XBLA
January 30th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Bionic Commando Rearmed and Age of Booty were also pretty great, so yeah Capcom definitely hooked us gamers up last year! Mega Man 9 was shite though, if I wanted to pull my hair out due to cheap frustration I would go back and play the NES.
January 30th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Duke Nukem had tits. end of comment.
January 30th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
The puzzle quest expansion came out in 2008, you forgot that. It was the best XBLA game, well, aside from Duke Nukem of course.
January 30th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Puzzle Quest is excellent, but like the many good games that didn’t make this specific list, the expansion was not notable enough to be a must-buy, which all of these are. Now when Galactrix comes out, that’s a different story…
January 30th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
No Castle Crashers?! Seriously? WHAT THE F*** HALEY!
January 31st, 2009 at 12:59 am
No Castle Crashers? My Niece and I beat it together. That game was so much fun! Especially with friends. The cartoon graphics and cute characters and the weapon upgrades. The leveling up. Unlocking new characters. All amazing! It had an old school feel about it too, with tons of different levels and music tracks. I’m surprised It’s not on the list.
Yeah Braid was awesome, but when I got to that level, that has enemies rewinding every time you move. I lost interest. It became an exercise in frustration.
January 31st, 2009 at 7:54 am
Castle Crashers? WTF? Where is it. No Puzzle Quest? Braid was overrated in my opinion. I do love love love Res HD.
January 31st, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Orion, I think you pretty much explained why Castle Crashers isn’t on this list yourself. Online multiplayer was far and away the game’s most overhyped feature, FOR YEARS, and when the game was finally released-as one of the most expensive XBLA titles to date, no less-it was completely broken.
Not to mention that more than a few people were affected by a game-erasing glitch in addition to the unplayable online coop, neither of which was fixed for MONTHS while The Behemoth sat on their mountain of Microsoft Points and did nothing. Then of course, just in time for the game’s first premium DLC, they finally fix the problems. THat’s just bad business, and I know from reading a few message boards and game sites that they have permanently lost a truckload of future buyers because of it. So I commend GEN for not giving in like so many others have.
Also, Orion, if you haven’t played Braid through to the end, then you might as well have not even played it in the first place.
January 31st, 2009 at 8:38 pm
One of these days you’re going to have to show me how to play these games, I pretty much suck at all of them. But they are definitely pretty!
Castle Crashers was pretty too, but not everyone wants to come over and play coop at 4 in the morning so I’m glad to see it’s not on the list too.
February 1st, 2009 at 1:36 pm
You mentioned some great titles in there I must have missed. I will have to check them out.
February 1st, 2009 at 4:44 pm
No Kingdom for Keflings? I still can’t believe I wasted like 12 hours on that game.
February 1st, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Geometry Wars 2 and Braid were it for me. I am not a huge arcade gal myself, but I am trying to go out of my way and download more. I love The Maw! But that came out this year.
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:33 am
Castle Crashers?!?
February 6th, 2009 at 11:17 am
/sigh
Btw William, I can sense that you like to shoot things.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:49 am
No this game? No that game? What the hell is wrong with you man?
Just joshin’. I did really dig Castle Crashers and Bionic Commando Rearmed though. BCR in particular was extremely enjoyable for the price point. It ticked my retro bone just the right way, and I can only hope to see more of this in the future (that R-Type release looks about right). Whatever your game of choice, I guess the prevalent idea here is that there was just about something for everybody this year on XBLA and that the trend isn’t going to be bucked anytime soon.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:52 am
Wait until you actually play the new R-Type. Bionic Commando was a great game, and I hope that other developers continue to follow Capcom and Namco’s lead with high quality remakes.