Xbox Live Arcade
Note: Games with a Metacritic below 60% will not be included
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A Kingdom for Keflings-November 19th 2008
Developer: Ninjabee
Publisher: Microsoft
360 Exclusive
79 out of 100
A Kingdom for Keflings puts players in the shoes of a giant who has the ability to design and construct an intricate city for the local Keflings. Each giant starts out with a small handful (literally!) of helpful Keflings who follow the giant's every command. These Keflings can be trained to become lumberjacks, miners, transporters, sheep shearers, scholars, and various other professions as they help build the kingdom from the ground up.
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Aces of the Galaxy-June 4th 2008
Developer: Artech Studios
Publisher: Sierra
360/PC
71 out of 100
Take control of the gun turret on an AI-driven spaceship aiming the reticule to vaporize waves of enemies. Featuring pick-up-and-play game play with optional co-operative multiplayer, the user is thrust into epic space battles in the ultimate struggle to survive.
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Assault Heroes 2-May 14th 2008
Developer: Vivendi Games
Publisher: Vivendi Games
360 Exclusive
75 out of 100
Re-envisioned for an even more action-packed arcade shooter experience, Assault Heroes 2 expands its horizons into outer space. New features also include hi-jackable enemy vehicles, more levels and enhanced on-foot and co-operative gameplay modes. Whether attacking on foot or piloting all-new spacecraft, players will enjoy optimum mobility in the most dangerous situations.
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Banjo-Kazooie-December 3rd 2008
Developer: Rare
Publisher: Microsoft
360 Exclusive
79 out of 100
Rare's classic adventure game is now available on Xbox Live Arcade!
You are Banjo, a honey bear on the hunt for your kidnapped sister, Tooty. By your side or actually on your back is your trusty friend, the red gull Kazooie. You'll have to travel through 10 different worlds, but to unlock the doors to those worlds, you'll need to find jigsaw puzzles and musical notes. Banjo and Kazooie each have different abilities to help you on your quest, and you can switch between the two in order to get the job done.
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Braid-August 6th 2008
Developer: Number One Inc.
Publisher: Number One Inc.
360 Exclusive (PC version may arrive sometime in 2009)
93 out of 100
Braid is a platformer/puzzle game with unique elements that aim to provide a mind-expanding, filler-free experience. The player journeys across seven worlds to rescue a princess; in each world, time behaves in its own peculiar way. The player must cleverly manipulate the flow of time to solve puzzles.
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Buku Sudoku-May 28th 2008
Developer: Absolutist
Publisher: Microsoft
360 Exclusive
60 out of 100
Experience the excitement of the world's hottest number game sensation. Buku Sudoku takes the pen-and-paper puzzler high-tech with HD graphics, helpful tutorials, single- and multiplayer game modes, multiple grid sizes, and the option to display hints, highlight errors, undo moves, and even solve puzzles. 1,200 puzzles give you plenty of opportunity to challenge your own brain, play cooperatively with friends, race head-to-head to see who can complete a board first, or compete in the new battle mode, where completing a line, row, or square will remove numbers from your opponent's board. It's Sudoku however you like to play it.
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Castle Crashers-August 27th 2008
Developer: The Behemoth
Publisher: Microsoft
360 Exclusive
82 out of 100
This four player RPG adventure will let you hack, slash, and smash your way to victory. Featuring hand-drawn characters, Castle Crashers delivers unique hi-res illustrated visuals and intense gameplay action. Play with up to three friends and discover mind-boggling magic and mystery in the amazing world created just for you!
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Chessmaster Live-January 30th 2008
Developer: TBA
Publisher: Ubisoft
360 Exclusive
76 out of 100
A downloadable version of the master's game, Chessmaster Live allows players to connect online to players of all skill levels as well as test their skills against AI opponents. The game features five original chess variants, including the all-new Message Chess option, which will allow players to engage in a match over the course of days, weeks or even months. Players can tune their skills by competing against hundreds of AI opponents to play in ELO-ranked matches. Online, gamers can go head-to-head in matches that allow voice-chat and LIVE Vision picture display. New 3D chess sets are added inspired by luxury board designer, House of Staunton.
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Commanders: Attack of the Genos-Februay 13th 2008
Developer: Southend Interactive
Publisher: Sierra
360/PC
72 out of 100
Commanders: Attack! is a turn-based tactical game with a combination of strategic troop placement and entertaining head-to-head warfare. Featuring a 1930's art deco look and feel, players will use missile launchers, bombers and infantry to amputate the enemies' defenses and conquer the land. Players can choose to challenge the computer AI in a 15-mission campaign across three different landscapes or battle against three friends either locally or online in four intense multiplayer modes - Versus, Team Play, Player vs. CPU or same-system Skirmish.
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Duke Nukem 3D-September 24th 2008
Developer: 3D Realms
Publisher: 3D Realms
360/PC
80 out of 100
Duke Nukem on Xbox 360? Bring it on, baby. In this classic game, you assume the role of Duke Nukem, arguably the most recognized and most beloved character in the 3d game genre! Travel in deserts, duke it out in movie theaters, and toughen it up (in all senses) in the red light districts! Shoot, blow up, shrink, or freeze your enemies, and bring them their ultimate destruction!
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Feeding Frenzy 2:Shipwreck Showdown-September 17th 2008
Developer: Sprout Games
Publisher: PopCap Games
360/PC
65 out of 100
In Feeding Frenzy 2, you start as a tiny fish striving for ocean supremacy in a sea full of predators. Eat your way to the top of the food chain, from tiny butterfly fish to a great white shark. A new storyline finds the ocean in chaos, with some fish species missing and others out of place. Assume the role of six different fish on your mission to discover the cause of the problem and defeat it in order to save the sea. A wide range of new creatures (both friendly and unfriendly), power-ups, super abilities and food provide surprises around every coral.
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Galaga Legions-August 20th 2008
Developer: Namco
Publisher: Namco Bandai
360 Exclusive
74 out of 100
The arcade shooter Galaga has captivated players all over the world, and now the legend lives on with Galaga Legions. Featuring table-turning game dynamics, updated graphics and vast waves of ferocious enemies, Galaga Legions was created by the same team that developed the best-selling Pac-Man Championship Edition” for Xbox Live Arcade.
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Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2-July 30th 2008
Developer: Bizarre Creations
Publisher: Activision
360 Exclusive
90 out of 100
Following the amazing success of the 2005 blockbuster Xbox LIVE Arcade launch title Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved, Bizarre Creations thrusts players back into the pilot's seat and introduces Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2. Featuring all the signature eye-popping visuals, lightning-quick action and mesmerizing music that fans have come to know and love, gamers can now test their skills and prove their prowess in up to six different gameplay modes. Providing a complete package, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 offers an all-new adrenaline rush to gamers of all shapes and sizes with the opportunity to compete either head-to-head, or blast enemies cooperatively with up to four players in multiplayer pandemonium.
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Gin Rummy-September 3rd 2008
Developer: Sierra
Publisher: Sierra
360 Exclusive
63 out of 100
A downloadable version of the classic card game, Gin Rummy features a number of different modes, including classic, 100, Hollywood, three-hand and Oklahoma varieties. Gin Rummy supports the Xbox Live Vision camera so players can see each other while playing, and different skins and tables are also available.
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Go! Go! Break Steady-July 23rd 2008
Developer: Little Boy Games
Publisher: Microsoft
360 Exclusive
68 out of 100
Take on DJ Scruffy and his Beatniks in the "All City Break Steady Tournament". The debut title from independent developer Little Boy Games, Go! Go! Break Steady combines music breakdancing and puzzle gameplay for crazy block-rocking play beats.
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Golf: Tee It Up!-July 9th 2008
Developer: Activision
Publisher: Activision
360 Exclusive
69 out of 100
Few things can compare to getting together with a group of friends and hitting the links on the mini-golf course. Especially in the hot summer months when strenuous activity that leaves no room for alcohol consumption is a slightly less attractive option. Luckily Xbox Live has an alternative that will not only keep you out of the sweltering sun, but it also lets you join up with your buddies for some arcadey golf action. Titled Golf: Tee It Up (lame, I know), Activision's latest downloadable release performs similarly to Hot Shots Golf, but at less than half the price.
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Lost Cities-April 23rd 2008
Developer: Sierra
Publisher: Sierra
360 Exclusive
66 out of 100
True to the original adventurous card game, Lost Cities transports players to exotic destinations where riveting adventures await. Before players embark on their trips they must choose how much to invest in the expedition in hopes of increasing their investment. Players then play their cards with the goal of amassing the most points and making prosperous expeditions through the various lost cities: the Himalayas, the Brazilian rain forest, the ever-shifting desert sands, ancient volcanoes and the mystifying depths of the oceans.
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Meteos Wars-December 10th 2008
Developer: Q Entertainment
Publisher: Q Entertainment
360 Exclusive
71 out of 100
Take a ride through this intergalactic journey where you slide, stack and ignite your blocks to blast away the world-ending meteors! Only you can stop them from falling and crushing your planet. Master the combo links and power-ups to challenge your friends in intense multiplayer sessions!
Meteos Wars features several gameplay modes and tons of unlockables with a focus on both single and multiplayer play. The game has received an audio and visual facelift and picked up a few new features along the way, keeping the Meteos experience fresh and creating hours of excitement.
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Omega Five-January 9th 2008
Developer: Natsume
Publisher: Hudson Soft
360 Exclusive
72 out of 100
Face your enemies with a hail of bullets in Omega Five, a high-definition shooter. As you fly through entirely dangerous 3D environments in this side-scroller, enemies come at you from all sides, even the background. Grab an extra controller, choose your merc, and engage in 2-player local co-op, too.
The gameplay follows the tradition of past side-scrolling shooters: as the screen scrolls from right to left, you move your character in two dimensions, either shooting or dodging enemies and their attacks. As you proceed, you can collect both weapon upgrades for your normal attacks and chips to power-up your special attacks.
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Poker Smash-February 6th 2008
Developer: Void Star Creations
Publisher: Microsoft
360 Exclusive
81 out of 100
An action packed puzzle game with next-gen 3D graphics, Poker Smash is a blazing fast puzzle game with a poker twist.
In Poker Smash, players rush to clear rows of cards by arranging them into poker hands. To keep things interesting Poker Smash offers card-blasting bombs and a super slow-motion trigger for players caught in a bind.
The game features over 30 minutes of original music set against stunning visuals, and contains seven unique game modes, including: action, timed, puzzle, practice, custom playlist, split screen head-to-head and multiplayer tournaments. For the Achievement junkies, Poker Smash contains 12 Achievements with a total of 200 points, including: Score of the Gods, which requires gamers to reach 1,000,000 points; The Thinker, which requires gamers to unlock all puzzle groups; and Pack Rat, which is awarded after gamers unlock all 11 in-game themes.
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Portal: Still Alive-October 22nd 2008
Developer: Valve
Publisher: Microsoft
360 Exclusive (Map Pack available free on PC)
89 out of 100
Portal: Still Alive features the full award-winning Portal single-player game from Valve plus a new challenge mode.
A unique take on puzzle gameplay by the makers of Half-Life. Portal is unique that changes how players approach, manipulate, and surmise the possibilities in a given environment in a manner similar to how the Gravity Gun changed our approach to how an object may be leveraged in any given situation. Solve physical puzzles and challenges by opening portals to maneuvering objects, and yourself, through space.
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Schizoid-July 9th 2008
Developer: Torpex Games
Publisher: Microsoft
360 Exclusive
68 out of 100
A co-op oriented action game (played either with AI or with a friend), Schizoid will try your mind as brilliantly fast enemies come at you in barrages and you must work with your partner to stay alive.
Shotest Shogi-September 10th 2008
Developer: Rubicon Development
Publisher: AI Factory
360 Exclusive
65 out of 100
Experience a new kind of shogi, Japan’s top board game, which encourages complex tactical play and strategic sacrifices. Set in an elegant Japanese room, this beautifully rendered game features 16 challenging artificial intelligence opponents as well as an online multiplayer mode*. For beginners, Shotest Shogi on Xbox LIVE Arcade also offers an advanced tutorial that guides and tests players as they progress through the game.
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Shred Nebula-September 3rd 2008
Developer: CrunchTime Games
Publisher: CrunchTime Games
360 Exclusive
66 out of 100
Shred Nebula is a top down shooter in the same vein as Asteroids, created by a James Goddard, best known for his work on the Street Fighter series for Capcom.
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Soulcalibur-July 2nd 2008
Developer: Namco
Publisher: Namco
360/Dreamcast
79 out of 100
The highest rated console fighting game ever is back again for a new generation! Sharpen your blades and relive old grudges against classic adversaries in high definition. Prove your mettle against the world with a variety of leaderboards spanning every character and mode. Match your wits and fighting instincts in Arcade, Training and Survival modes, or challenge a friend in local-play Versus mode.
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Ticket To Ride-June 25th 2008
Developer: Playful Entertainment
Publisher: Microsoft
360 Exclusive
70 out of 100
Developed by Playful Entertainment, Ticket to Ride challenges players to plan cross-country rail routes across North America and visit all the city stops in-between, racking up points as they race to reach the most destinations. The game supports play with up to five people on Xbox Live or four people on the same console and supports the Xbox LIVE Vision Cam for hours of family-friendly fun.
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Triggerheart Exelica-February 27th 2008
Developer: Warashi
Publisher: Warashi
360 Exclusive
63 out of 100
A vertical shooter based on the NAOMI arcade board title (and last seen on the Dreamcast before this Xbox 360 version), featuring intense single-player shooting through realtime 3D worlds and AI-adjusted boss challenges. The game is a vertical scrolling shooter that makes use of a three button system -- one button for shooting, one for releasing a bomb, and one for using an "anchor shot." The anchor shot allows you to capture enemies in the air and lock on to enemies on the ground. When you've captured an enemy, you enter "capture mode," and can move it around and release it as a special type of bomb.
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Wits and Wagers-May 7th 2008
Developer: Hidden Path Entertainment
Publisher: Hidden Path Entertainment
360 Exclusive
63 out of 100
Party and trivia fun! Even if trivia isn’t your thing, the first trivia and party game to hit Xbox Live Arcade is one in which players can win by making educated guesses, playing the odds or just knowing the interests of other players, whether they are local or online. Break out the Big Button Pad controllers or play couch vs. couch on Xbox LIVE for a trivia party extravaganza.
Tag: Became a freaking mod and a complete douche, coincidentally, at the same time.
