Official Xbox Live Arcade Thread

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TxdoHawk said:
I would have settled for 16:9 support, but they've got to give us something, especially with Mission Mode gone. Scaled graphics do not equal something.

Oh yeah, lack of 16:9 was another reason but honestly, I could have forgiven them if there was online.

This is one of maybe 3 fighting games I actually enjoy (I hate the genre) and they butcher it.
 
http://www.gamerbytes.com/2008/07/geometry_wars_retro_evolved_2.php

Some time ago we broke that Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 would be coming to the Xbox Live Arcade. Now X360A.org has gotten its hands on the achievement list of this unannounced, unseen title.

From the achievement list, we can determine a few things:

- Game Type 1 - 'Waves', which was the game in Project Gotham Racing 4. We can assume this is either the same, or a tweaked version of it. The achievements also mention 'zones', which were a king of enemy in Waves

- The game will contain Geoms - much like Geometry Wars Galaxies for the Nintendo Wii and DS and Geometry Wars Waves in Project Gotham Racing 4. An achievement is to collect 500 of them in a single game.

- Game Type 2 - 'King', new to Geometry Wars, appears to use the 'gate' enemies quite a bit.

- Game Type 3 - 'Deadline', which also uses gates. Little else is known.

If the achievement list is now out there... maybe this will be Microsoft's "secret" release like last years Golden Axe / Sonic duo.

The game also seems to contain.. well, a lot of animals? The achievement's graphical style is completely different to those in the first Retro Evolved. Maybe they're taking the whole 'Waves' concept a little seriously, making the game a blue beach like scenario? Certainly would be a huge change from the... well, Geometry the game has been known for. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

Souce: Xbox360Achievements.org
 
Good choice. I think I have dozens of hours logged on the Tony Hawk demos alone. Never bought one, never needed to. Restart ftw :D
 
Is the DLC for Puzzle Quest about to release or something? I'm seeing 250 max achievements points for it and three new achievements when I see it on my list on xbox.com.
 
Rlan said:
What Needs To Be A Downloadable Game? #9 - Tony Hawk Classic (1 & 2)

http://www.gamerbytes.com/2008/07/not_done_what_needs_to_be_a_do_1.php
Oh god, TH2 would be amazing, being British, I never played the Xbox 1 TH2 that only came out in America, so I'd love that to be released, though straight ports of 1 and 2 with acheivements would be fantastic too.

I have TH2 on my pc and I still play it occasionally, best soundtrack of all of them, best levels, far more memorable than the others, best unlockable character in Spider-Man, just missing the revert which I do come to miss after playing some of the new ones. I wonder if 2 will work in Vista, I may have to try and find it and reinstall it this weekend.
 
Rlan said:
What Needs To Be A Downloadable Game? #9 - Tony Hawk Classic (1 & 2)

http://www.gamerbytes.com/2008/07/not_done_what_needs_to_be_a_do_1.php

Well, since we are not including the PC in this discussion, I should point out that 3 Tony Hawk Titles are available as Downloadable entities.


Tony Hawk 1 DC Version
http://www.gametap.com/play/gameDetails/130002450

Tony Hawk 3
http://www.gametap.com/play/gameDetails/000439950

Tony Hawk 4
http://www.gametap.com/play/gameDetails/000439850



Anyway, just discovered a bunch of new achievement lists

Rocketbowl

http://www.achieve360points.com/game/rocketbowl/

Xbox 360 Achievements


1. First to First
Awarded for achieving 1st place in a Tournament.
10 points
Single Player achievement

2. 300 Club
Awarded for getting 300 points during a game.
25 points
Single Player achievement

3. Star Power
Awarded for collecting every star on a course.
15 points
Single Player achievement

4. The Locksmith
Unlocked every course in the standard game.
10 points
Single Player achievement

5. The Ball Hog
Bowled with every ball in the game.
10 points
Single Player achievement

6. Filthy Rich
Earned $100,000 in cash.
15 points
Single Player achievement

7. The Journeyman
100 multiplayer games completed.
15 points
Multiplayer / Co-Op achievement (2+ players)

8. The Power Saver
Completed a game without using any Rocket Boosters.
25 points
Single Player achievement

9. The High Roller
Earn at least 50 in cash in an Xbox LIVE game.
25 points
Multiplayer / Co-Op achievement (2+ players)

10. The Streaker
Get First Place 5 times in a row in Xbox LIVE games.
10 points

11. The Super Streaker
Get First Place 10 times in a row in Xbox LIVE games.
15 points
Multiplayer / Co-Op achievement (2+ players)

12. The Invincible Streaker
Get First Place 25 times in a row in Xbox LIVE games.
25 points
Multiplayer / Co-Op achievement (2+ players)

Gin Rummy
http://www.achieve360points.com/game/ginrummy/


1. Gin Winner
Win 1 round by going Gin
10 points
Single Player achievement

2. Close Cut Match
Win 1 round by Undercut
10 points
Single Player achievement

3. Knock-out
Win 1 round by Knock
5 points
Single Player achievement

4. Rummy Bunch
Finish a 4-player game of Gin Rummy in any mode on Xbox LIVE
10 points
Multiplayer / Co-Op achievement (2+ players)

5. Setting Champ
Win 1 round with only sets
10 points
Single Player achievement

6. Well-Suited
Win 1 round with cards including deadwood from only one suit
15 points
Single Player achievement
l
7. On a Roll
Win 20 rounds by going Gin in any game mode
20 points
Single Player achievement

8. Gutsy Gin Guru
Win 1 round without drawing from the discard pile
20 points
Single Player achievement

9. Rummy Shark
Win 10 matches or games in Single Player.
20 points
Single Player achievement

10. Merciless
Win 1 Player Match hand against one player by 50 or more points
25 points
Multiplayer / Co-Op achievement (2+ players)
Xbox 360 Achievement - Rummy Master

Win 5 games/matches in each single player mode, and 25 player matches
25 points
Multiplayer / Co-Op achievement (2+ players)

12. Rummy Buff
Earn over 50,000 Total Points
30 points
Single Player achievement

Pirates Vs. Ninja Dodgeball
http://www.achieve360points.com/game/piratesvsninjasdodgeball/

1. Dish Best Served Cold
Successfully counter a shot in Story Mode.
5 points
Single Player achievement
Xbox 360 Achievement - There's Always a Catch

2. There's Always a Catch
Catch a ball in Story Mode.
5 points
Single Player achievement
Xbox 360 Achievement - Neo

3. Neo
Dodge a powershot in Story Mode.
5 points
Single Player achievement
Xbox 360 Achievement - First!

4. First!
Win a match in Story Mode.
5 points
Single Player achievement
Xbox 360 Achievement - Plunder that Booty

5. Plunder that Booty
Beat Pirates Story Mode.
15 points
Single Player achievement
Xbox 360 Achievement - Chuck rules!

6. Chuck rules!
Beat Ninjas Story Mode.
15 points
Single Player achievement
Xbox 360 Achievement - 28 Minutes Later

7. 28 Minutes Later
Beat Zombies Story Mode.
20 points
Single Player achievement
Xbox 360 Achievement - Reboot

8. Reboot
Beat Robots Story Mode.
25 points
Single Player achievement
Xbox 360 Achievement - Addicted

9. Addicted
Win 20 Ranked Matches.
30 points
Multiplayer / Co-Op achievement (2+ players)
Xbox 360 Achievement - Just Getting Started

10. Just Getting Started
Win a Ranked Match.
10 points
Multiplayer / Co-Op achievement (2+ players)
Xbox 360 Achievement - Ball Hugger

11. Ball Hugger
Catch 20 balls in Ranked Matches.
30 points
Multiplayer / Co-Op achievement (2+ players)
Xbox 360 Achievement - Untouchable

12. Untouchable
Counter 30 shots in Ranked Matches.
35 points
Multiplayer / Co-Op achievement (2+ players)
 
New Xbox.com Splash Page: Golf: Tee It Up

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/g/golfteeitupxboxlivearcade/default.htm

bannerdefault.jpg
 
Well we know:

Schizoid
Golf: Tee It Up

We know that Double D Dodgeball is getting released on the 30th, we also know that Pirates Vs. Ninjas Dodgeball will also be getting released.

And hopefully Bionic Commando Rearmed
I WANT IT NOW
 
I have off the top of my head games I'm looking forward too trying out, any out soon?

Castle Crashers
Geomerty Wars II
Dishwasher Samuria
Bionic Commando Rearmed
RoketRiot
Braid
Vigenantie 8
Go! Go! Break Steady
Golf: Tee It Up
Pirates Vs. Ninjas Dodgeball
Plunder
Gin Rummey
Schizoid

and whatever happened to

Loderunner
Galaxtrix
Puzzle Quest Expansion
and the N+ DLC
 
So I've played a few hours worth of Soul Calibur and got all the achievements and here is what I noticed.

- Sound quality looks to have taken a hit, I can notice it sometimes.
- Despite running in high res the graphics don't looks quite right, it don't seem as clear or vibrant as the Dreamcast version.
- Mission mode is gone.
- Opening movie & opening movie direction are gone.
- Slight moments where it stutters, this is very rare.
- Music starts over when it ends, no seemless looping like Dreamcast.
- Mip mapping is gone. I miss it since it gave the floor a kind of depth of field effect.
- Rumble was weak on the Dreamcast version but it's not even here at all.
- Music starts playing during the loading screen, not sure why they did this.
- Faster loading, not that the Dreamcast version was slow by any means.

It's still a great port but not a perfect one, I'd say the Dreamcast version + VGA cable is still the way to go. Lack of online mode don't bother me as fighting games are not ready to be online or shall I say online is not ready for fighting games. Lack of widescreen is a bit of a bummer. At 800 points the price is right and I'd recommend it.
 
Xav said:
So I've played a few hours worth of Soul Calibur and got all the achievements and here is what I noticed.

- Sound quality looks to have taken a hit, I can notice it sometimes.
- Despite running in high res the graphics don't looks quite right, it don't seem as clear or vibrant as the Dreamcast version.
- Mission mode is gone.
- Opening movie & opening movie direction are gone.
- Slight moments where it stutters, this is very rare.
- Music starts over when it ends, no seemless looping like Dreamcast.
- Mip mapping is gone. I miss it since it gave the floor a kind of depth of field effect.
- Rumble was weak on the Dreamcast version but it's not even here at all.
- Music starts playing during the loading screen, not sure why they did this.
- Faster loading, not that the Dreamcast version was slow by any means.

It's still a great port but not a perfect one, I'd say the Dreamcast version + VGA cable is still the way to go. Lack of online mode don't bother me as fighting games are not ready to be online or shall I say online is not ready for fighting games. Lack of widescreen is a bit of a bummer. At 800 points the price is right and I'd recommend it.
How can you even sincerely say that it's a great port when Namco has been so lazy, yet again? Especially now that you've written that list?
 
MicVlaD said:
How can you even sincerely say that it's a great port when Namco has been so lazy, yet again? Especially now that you've written that list?
Because the gameplay is still intact.

As for the the ultra hard achievement it was easy for me since I played the series starting with Soul Blade/Edge.
I personally used a powerhouse like Cervantes and went all offensive. Really all I can say is practice.
 
Soul Calibur is the easiest 200/200 I've ever seen.

Beat the game on Ultra Hard? Just set the time and health to infinite with one round to win. Now the only way to win is by ring out.

Extra Survival? Cervantes Torpedo 25 times in a row. The computer never blocks it.


I think those are the only ones people have problems with. Summon Suffering can also be done in versus mode if you keep getting knocked out of it.
 
Xav said:
Because the gameplay is still intact.
You yourself however said that a much older version (which came out years ago) beats the Soul Calibur that Namco put up on Xbox Live Arcade.

I wasn't implying that the gameplay was worse than before, but rather that Namco seemingly screwed up easy another portjob (hence why I emphasized port with italics in my previous post).
 
I'm gonna bet all my 3 socks that the mission mode will re-appear in the XBLA version as DLC you have to pay for. Namco seems to take too much pleasure from abusing DLC *glances at Ace Combat 6 and Beautiful Katamari*.

MicVlaD said:
You yourself however said that a much older version (which came out years ago) beats the Soul Calibur that Namco put up on Xbox Live Arcade.

I wasn't implying that the gameplay was worse than before, but rather that Namco seemingly screwed up easy another portjob (hence why I emphasized port with italics in my previous post).
Besides the lack of mission mode, how did they mess it up? I don't think it's fair to expect proper widescreen support or online play for something which is just an emulation. (just look at some of the awful arcade emulations on XBLA with online play and widescreen support... they might as well have not bothered)
 
Sectus said:
Besides the lack of mission mode, how did they mess it up? I don't think it's fair to expect proper widescreen support or online play for something which is just an emulation. (just look at some of the awful arcade emulations on XBLA with online play and widescreen support... they might as well have not bothered)
Look at some of the points in Xav's list. This should've been an easy port, yet Namco went out of its way to remove some features and compress the sound, among other things. And I agree with you: it's pretty likely that Namco would sell the Mission Mode as 'new' DLC too.

I personally don't care about borders in Xbox Live Arcade games (it's not hard to ignore them even if they would've bothered me), but there's no excuse why they couldn't have added an online mode. Other companies have done it for their XBLA games (granted: most are pretty bad in this regard), but they already have some experience to create an online infrastructure for a beat 'em up. See Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection, not to mention Soul Calibur IV.

I really wanted to buy Soul Calibur since I never owned the DC version, but I don't see any reason why I should quite frankly. Namco just wanted to make a quick buck instead of spending some time making a quality port, and I for one am not going to 'support' them for that.
 
MicVlaD said:
Look at some of the points in Xav's list. This should've been an easy port, yet Namco went out of its way to remove some features and compress the sound, among other things. And I agree with you: it's pretty likely that Namco would sell the Mission Mode as 'new' DLC too.

I personally don't care about borders in Xbox Live Arcade games (it's not hard to ignore them even if they would've bothered me), but there's no excuse why they couldn't have added an online mode. Other companies have done it for their XBLA games (granted: most are pretty bad in this regard), but they already have some experience to create an online infrastructure for a beat 'em up. See Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection, not to mention Soul Calibur IV.

I really wanted to buy Soul Calibur since I never owned the DC version, but I don't see any reason why I should quite frankly. Namco just wanted to make a quick buck instead of spending some time making a quality port, and I for one am not going to 'support' them for that.
Well, I did look at his list, but I don't agree with most of the points. I'm pretty sure the sound quality was equally bad in the original. If he doesn't like highres, just play in 480p like in the DC version. And the other points are so minor I don't really care.

And regarding online play, this is an emulation. Adding online play to an emulated game is pretty much a lost cause, there's really no good way to get around the inevitable latency. The best solution would obviously have been to create this as a true port and get the source code from the original to work natively with the 360, but that kind of luxury isn't something I'm expecting. I think there's only 2 old games on XBLA which are ports and not emulations (Doom and Marathon (and they even managed to mess up the netcode for Doom...))
 
Sectus said:
Well, I did look at his list, but I don't agree with most of the points. I'm pretty sure the sound quality was equally bad in the original. If he doesn't like highres, just play in 480p like in the DC version. And the other points are so minor I don't really care.

And regarding online play, this is an emulation. Adding online play to an emulated game is pretty much a lost cause, there's really no good way to get around the inevitable latency. The best solution would obviously have been to create this as a true port and get the source code from the original to work natively with the 360, but that kind of luxury isn't something I'm expecting. I think there's only 2 old games on XBLA which are ports and not emulations (Doom and Marathon (and they even managed to mess up the netcode for Doom...))
This is not true. There is an entire community centered around this (GGPO), and I've heard their new netcode is fantastic.
 
SapientWolf said:
This is not true. There is an entire community centered around this (GGPO), and I've heard their new netcode is fantastic.

Yes, but GGPO is powered by wizards. It takes a lot technical know-how to get something like that working and this goes back to Namco probably being lazy about the port.

As someone who picked up Soul Calibur XBLA, it's not a bad port at all and I think a lot of the complaints come from the ol' rose tinted glasses. This is a 9 year old game, so it's probably not going to look as good as you remember it. It's still the best playing (ie: least broken) in the series, so $10 bucks isn't a bad deal, especially if you have friends to play with. I still don't understand why Mission Mode is missing though.

And this is coming from Mr. Serious Cat :(
 
SapientWolf said:
This is not true. There is an entire community centered around this (GGPO), and I've heard their new netcode is fantastic.
After reading a bit about GGPO, even that seems to be flawed. From what I gather it works by making the client's emulation instantly react to the user's input, but once a desync is detected the client will "rollback" to the server's state. The higher the ping, the more rollbacks you'll experience. To compensate for that, you can increase "frame delay" which I'm assuming will make it play like other emulated games with online play (in other words, like crap).

There's also the chance a system like that won't work with a Dreamcast emulation at all depending on how much data is required to send for a re-sync.

Anyway, I strongly believe that any developer trying to add network code to an emulated game should slap themselves with a frying pan and just try to get the original source code instead. You can make a looooooot better netcode if you can write in the game's actual code.
 
Sectus said:
After reading a bit about GGPO, even that seems to be flawed.

It's not. Having played hundreds of matches across Street Fighter Alpha 2 and Marvel vs Capcom, GGPO is as perfect as it gets. It even uploads your replays to the website, which then plays in your browser while tapping into your emulation files.

I wasn't joking when I said it was made possible by wizards :(
 
Mr Jared said:
It's not. Having played hundreds of matches across Street Fighter Alpha 2 and Marvel vs Capcom, GGPO is as perfect as it gets. It even uploads your replays to the website, which then plays in your browser while tapping into your emulation files.

I wasn't joking when I said it was made possible by wizards :(
Capcom needs to hire/kidnap them for SFIV/SSFHD. Valve had the right idea when they started hiring members of the mod community.

The fact is, arcades are dead and the fighting community is scattered in the wind. So the only chance at getting some decent comp is through online, unless there is some underground fight club I don't know about in my neighborhood.
 
Mr Jared said:
It's not. Having played hundreds of matches across Street Fighter Alpha 2 and Marvel vs Capcom, GGPO is as perfect as it gets. It even uploads your replays to the website, which then plays in your browser while tapping into your emulation files.

I wasn't joking when I said it was made possible by wizards :(
What kind of ping do you usually play with? Do you feel you're able to properly react to the opponent's moves at close range or do you predict the opponent's moves? How often do you experience rollbacks?

Sorry for being skeptical, but good netcode for an emulation just isn't supposed to be possible even when wizards are involved. :p
 
Rlan said:
Well we know:

Schizoid
Golf: Tee It Up

We know that Double D Dodgeball is getting released on the 30th, we also know that Pirates Vs. Ninjas Dodgeball will also be getting released.

And hopefully Bionic Commando Rearmed
I WANT IT NOW


Also, Feeding Frenzy 2 is supposed to come out this month.
 
Sectus said:
What kind of ping do you usually play with? Do you feel you're able to properly react to the opponent's moves at close range or do you predict the opponent's moves? How often do you experience rollbacks?

Sorry for being skeptical, but good netcode for an emulation just isn't supposed to be possible even when wizards are involved. :p

I can vouch for Mr Jared and say that GGPO is un-fucking-believable! If you are on a broadboand connection with at least 3mb down, and your ping is less than 300, I kid you not 9 times out of 10 you will NOT notice lag! Whether it's MvC, KoF, SS2, or 3s, they all play as if the dude is sitting right next to you in your living room.


But a new kid on the block just stepped up to the plate and his name is *2DF* :D 2DF is arguably just as good or better than GGPO, and supports a SHITLOAD more games!

I keep telling you guys to shitcan your consoles and get into PC gaming. It's PARADISE over here!
 
steverulez said:
Why is Shard banned?!?!?

this.

EDIT:
Archie said:
For hotlinking a picture...in 2006.

Your kidding!



Also really curious about Tee it up, no previews at all???? don't know much about it or its features yet. XBLA marketing system fails at pre release again.

Guess we'll find out on Wed
 
Gowans007 said:
this.

EDIT:


Your kidding!



Also really curious about Tee it up, no previews at all???? don't know much about it or its features yet. XBLA marketing system fails at pre release again.

Guess we'll find out on Wed

Tee It Up looks like a Hot Shots Golf-type mini-golf game. I hope it's better than the current mini-golf offering that we have, which I don't care for at all. Schizoid looks like it has Robotron-esque 2D shooter potential.
 
AstroLad said:
Don't you have HSG5 Gowans? Get the new course and characters instead. :P

I know I know Astrolad, that lack of voice annoys me to know end tho as I love to dribble on in game.

I was hoping Tee it up would be a similar game with course creation etc. but nothings been released about it.

I'll check out the demo but if its just a basic clone I'll stick with Hot Shots.
 
Gowans007 said:
I know I know Astrolad, that lack of voice annoys me to know end tho as I love to dribble on in game.

This is true. Speaking of which, we have to get together and play something. My new employment-free lifestyle affords me many opportunities.
 
besada said:
This is true. Speaking of which, we have to get together and play something. My new employment-free lifestyle affords me many opportunities.

You back to living your luxurious work free lifestyle again, right see you online then sonny.

AstroLad said:
In memory of Shard, no press-release posting for one week.

:lol
 
Gowans007 said:
You back to living your luxurious work free lifestyle again, right see you online then sonny.



:lol

We laugh but that's not a bad idea. That's completely unfair. There's a statue of limitations on these things.
 
I have

Rez
N+
Symphony of the Night
Pac Man CE
Lumines
Uno

and some other stuff I can't remember.

What do people recommend? I have a lot of points left over...I'm thinking Ikaruga.
 
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