Official Xbox Live Arcade Thread

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Really lovin' Switchball:

~ A slower, more puzzle-centric and thought provoking version of Marble Blast

~ Loads of varied ball type, gameplay and puzzle elements - gets better and better

~ The physics are friggin' ace! The way you interact with stuff and the way the wooden boards, cloths and other surfaces move is insane. Has to be played to be believed.

~ Despite the tearing, the graphics are beautiful. Wonderful use of colour, lighting, textures and depth of field effects.

~ The audio is awesome. Despite is missing the odd ball-drop sound here and there, the way the audio works with the different type of balls rolling on different type of surfaces, banging in to blocks, moving objects etc, is really good


Overall, extremely impressed.
 
pswii60 said:
Really lovin' Switchball:

~ A slower, more puzzle-centric and thought provoking version of Marble Blast

~ Loads of varied ball type, gameplay and puzzle elements - gets better and better

~ The physics are friggin' ace! The way you interact with stuff and the way the wooden boards, cloths and other surfaces move is insane. Has to be played to be believed.

~ Despite the tearing, the graphics are beautiful. Wonderful use of colour, lighting, textures and depth of field effects.

~ The audio is awesome. Despite is missing the odd ball-drop sound here and there, the way the audio works with the different type of balls rolling on different type of surfaces, banging in to blocks, moving objects etc, is really good


Overall, extremely impressed.
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Nice impressions. I was actually going to ask how was it different from Marble Blast. I have about 1400 pts and was looking to get a 400 and 800 point game. I guess my next 800 point game will be Switchball.

DCX
 
Screwjumper! is coming next week, from the Joystick

crewjumper descends onto XBLA Nov. 14

1 Comment by Alexander Sliwinski Nov 7th 2007 2:55PM
Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Action
Screwjumper, part of THQ's Xbox Live Arcade lineup which caught us off guard a couple weeks ago, is ready to drop onto XBLA November 14. As you can see from the video above, Screwjumper gameplay involves dropping down a giant mineshaft, defusing bombs and racking up bonuses along the way. The single player mode features four different selectable characters and 20 levels. There's also a two-player offline multiplayer mode and support for four players across Xbox Live.

The game was created by Frozen Codebase, an indie studio in lovely Green Bay, Wisconsin, made up of designers and artists from companies you've definitely heard of. Frozen Codebase is currently working on another announced XBLA game called Elements of Destruction, also being published by THQ.
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Screwjumper! Gameplay video

http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/16040
 
Switchball seems good, but the tearing is annoying at times. Played some more exit and whilst it's cool there's two things I'd really like from the game.

1: Let me turn off the annoying voices. Does he really say he's stinky or is it my imagination? :O
2: Needs 2x AA or something... seems really odd to have jaggies on such a graphically simple game.
 
Achievements: Screwjumper!

Time Challenge Successfully complete the first level within par time. 10

Scrutonian Savior Complete levels 1-5 in normal mode. 10

Libitino Liberator Complete levels 6-10 in normal mode. 15

Floratone Freedom Complete levels 11-15 in normal mode. 20

Screwjumper First Class! Complete levels 16-20 in normal mode. 25

Triple-Digit Destructo Destroy 100 or more objects in a single level. 15

Untouchable Take no damage for the duration of an entire level. 10

Multiplayer Madman Attain first place in an Xbox LIVE game. 10

The Iron Screwjumper Complete endurance mode. 40

Speed Freak Complete levels 1-20 in Time Trial Mode. 15

Leader of thePack Complete levels 1-13 in race mode. 15

Mayhemius Maximus Achieve a score of 50,000,000 in any mode. 15
 
SPE said:
Bliss Island is by Pom Pom (makers of Mutant Storm) and has been out on PC and PSP for a while now.
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By PomPom? Hmmm i read Codemasters everywhere, also in the USK rating. Anyway, so we will get a PSP game on the 360? Cool. :)
 
It's too bad Word Puzzle's presentation and gameplay suck. XBLA really needs some kind of word game, be it Bookworm, Scrabble, Boggle, Crosswords, or something new.
 
radjago said:
It's too bad Word Puzzle's presentation and gameplay suck. XBLA really needs some kind of word game, be it Bookworm, Scrabble, Boggle, Crosswords, or something new.
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Agreed, but preferably it would be something that didn't require a kb, like Bookworm.
 
Is there any word on Sega continuing to support XBLA?

I think Streets of Rage 2 was the last we saw from them. I'd like to see more of the games they've put on the Virtual Console come to XBLA. Something like Gunstar Heroes with online co-op. Sega and Treasure are both on-board XBLA, make it happen!
 
Why aren't there games like emu'ed 16-bit RPG's on XBLA? Surely a high quality 30+ hour romp - say Phantasy Star 4 - would sell like hot cakes at 800-1200 points.
 
a Master Ninja said:
Switchball's technical issues really bother my eyes for some reason. If they patch it I'll probably buy it.
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Like what? I heard complaints of tearing, but I didn't see that (or anything else complaint worthy) in the trial version.
 
SEGA had an odd announcement a month or so ago that Crack Down and ESWAT would make their way to the XBLA. Both weird and obscure games that I don't think ANYONE actually cares about.

Crack down especially, since it would confuse people with the name, plus it looks like ass. Two thirds of the screen is taken up by data and maps, and the leftover square looks like a half-assed Gauntlet with guns.

Games like Golden Axe: Death Adder [Arcade Only game], Ristar, Streets of Rage 3, Cyborg Justice would make great additions. If they could find a way to get some Master System / Game Gear games on the service too. Maybe two in one, like putting Alex Kidd Miracle World & Alex Kidd in Shinobi World on the service for 400 points. More arcade games like Virtual Racing and Virtual On would also be nice, and some Disney games would certainly help :)

Sonic 3 & Knuckles is what needs to be up though.
 
Beavertown said:
What news of Commanders or War World?
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War World's being localized into umpteen different languages but it otherwise ready to go, I believe. Not sure what that means for its release schedule, but I can't imagine it will be too much longer.
 
Omega Five looks awesome, Forgotten Worlds on crack.

PARANO1A said:
Why aren't there games like emu'ed 16-bit RPG's on XBLA? Surely a high quality 30+ hour romp - say Phantasy Star 4 - would sell like hot cakes at 800-1200 points.
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I wish Sega would put the first two Shining Force games on there, I'd be all over them in a flash.
 
Rlan said:
SEGA had an odd announcement a month or so ago that Crack Down and ESWAT would make their way to the XBLA. Both weird and obscure games that I don't think ANYONE actually cares about.

Crack down especially, since it would confuse people with the name, plus it looks like ass. Two thirds of the screen is taken up by data and maps, and the leftover square looks like a half-assed Gauntlet with guns.

Games like Golden Axe: Black Adder [Arcade Only game], Ristar, Streets of Rage 3, Cyborg Justice would make great additions. If they could find a way to get some Master System / Game Gear games on the service too. Maybe two in one, like putting Alex Kidd Miracle World & Alex Kidd in Shinobi World on the service for 400 points. More arcade games like Virtual Racing and Virtual One would also be nice, and some Disney games would certainly help :)

Sonic 3 & Knuckles is what needs to be up though.
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I actually liked Crack Down. ESWAT was crap though. But you're right. SEGA has such a huge back catalogue of awesome games, they don't need to be pushing their mediocre stuff.
 
pswii60 said:
~ Despite the tearing, the graphics are beautiful. Wonderful use of colour, lighting, textures and depth of field effects.
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I just played the demo and ...WTF on the tearing? It's something I hate in games.. and I loved the demo so much! Is it a huge issue in the full game?
 
Rlan said:
SEGA had an odd announcement a month or so ago that Crack Down and ESWAT would make their way to the XBLA. Both weird and obscure games that I don't think ANYONE actually cares about.

Crack down especially, since it would confuse people with the name, plus it looks like ass. Two thirds of the screen is taken up by data and maps, and the leftover square looks like a half-assed Gauntlet with guns.

Games like Golden Axe: Death Adder [Arcade Only game], Ristar, Streets of Rage 3, Cyborg Justice would make great additions. If they could find a way to get some Master System / Game Gear games on the service too. Maybe two in one, like putting Alex Kidd Miracle World & Alex Kidd in Shinobi World on the service for 400 points. More arcade games like Virtual Racing and Virtual On would also be nice, and some Disney games would certainly help :)

Sonic 3 & Knuckles is what needs to be up though.
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Yea, Sega also has a little game called Rez HD coming out next year as well as an orginal game called Happy Tree Friends: False Start.

Also, Review Round-Up: IGN XBOX 360 on Word Puzzle. (Mediocre)
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/833/833629p1.html?RSSwhen2007-11-07_171300&RSSid=833629
 
I played the first 5 levels of Switchball and didn't notice any tearing or other problems.

Word Puzzle seems fairly useless from the trial.
How about some XBLA games that make use the messenger pad?
 
radjago said:
It's too bad Word Puzzle's presentation and gameplay suck. XBLA really needs some kind of word game, be it Bookworm, Scrabble, Boggle, Crosswords, or something new.
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Yeah!

AstroLad said:
Agreed, but preferably it would be something that didn't require a kb, like Bookworm.
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NOO! Messenger pad! I paid good money for that thing and I never get to use it.
 
Bit of an update on THQ's stable of XBLA Arcade titles.

http://www.xboxic.com/news/3958#more-3958

Yes, most of the info presented here has already been posted but the new bit is at the end of the article.

ScrewJumper, SpongeBob SquarePants: Underpants Slam!, and Elements of Destruction are all set to hit the Arcade before the close of November, with Rocket Riot pencilled in soon after.
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Specfically the part about Elements of Desruction hitting this month, far sooner then expected
and I assume Rocket Riot will be hitting in December then.

Anyway, from the looks of things, this month is going to contain to have two games per month for the rest of the month and moreover all games slated for this month is, barring delays, known.

The list looks like this.

ScrewJumper!
SpongeBob SquarePants: Underpants Slam!
Elements of Destruction
Omega Five
Senible World of Soccer
Undertow

all that is left to know is the exact order.
 
Mar_ said:
I actually liked Crack Down. ESWAT was crap though. But you're right. SEGA has such a huge back catalogue of awesome games, they don't need to be pushing their mediocre stuff.
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If its the arcade version of ESWAT, I'd buy it. Its a heck of a lot better than the Genesis version.
 
Shard said:
Bit of an update on THQ's stable of XBLA Arcade titles.

http://www.xboxic.com/news/3958#more-3958

Yes, most of the info presented here has already been posted but the new bit is at the end of the article.



Specfically the part about Elements of Desruction hitting this month, far sooner then expected
and I assume Rocket Riot will be hitting in December then.

Anyway, from the looks of things, this month is going to contain to have two games per month for the rest of the month and moreover all games slated for this month is, barring delays, known.

The list looks like this.

ScrewJumper!
SpongeBob SquarePants: Underpants Slam!
Elements of Destruction
Omega Five
Senible World of Soccer
Undertow

all that is left to know is the exact order.
Click to expand...


Come on Undertow, finally get to put some points to use.
 
I wish Sega would announce Streets of Rage 3 for XBLA already. I'm so tempted to buy it on the VC but really want it on Live, had a blast playing SoR2 coop and using the Hori stick.
 
xbhaskarx said:
Yeah!



NOO! Messenger pad! I paid good money for that thing and I never get to use it.
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I use my Messenger pad all the time. Entering names, sending text messages while in a game lobby, chatting on MSN. Don't you use it for that? Also, I wouldn't want a game that relies heavily on the keyboard. Poor controller users would have a fit.
 
Latest list from Major Nelson:

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)
1 4 Mutant Storm Empire
2 1 Battlestar Galactica
3 5 EXIT
4 - Pinball FX
5 - Word Puzzle
6 - Switchball
7 - 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures
8 3 Bomberman LIVE
9 - Speedball 2
10 7 Every Extend Extra Extreme
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Edit: corrected list (no Omega Five).
 
Shard said:
Specfically the part about Elements of Desruction hitting this month, far sooner then expected
and I assume Rocket Riot will be hitting in December then.
Click to expand...

Elements of Destruction is certainly not coming out this month, don't know where they got that from.
 
The other day I downloaded sonic 1, I was going to buy it when it first got released on live but since there was like no extras at all I skipped it, but I got an urge to replay sonic without level selects and the achievements realy made me play the game correctly :D

Short but sweet, this is a time where I love achievements because beforehand I have never tried a speed run back in the day playing it on my megadrive because I saw little point apart, and no death runs also. I guess back then I use to just play the game with friends for fun instead of attempting this kind of things.

I'm seriously looking foward to sonic 3 (and knuckles?) to come out with achiements now, I have beat the game before in the past but never with knuckles attached and all 14 emeralds in one run.
 
LakeEarth said:
Oh my god... WORD PUZZLE IS 5TH!!! What the hell is wrong with people?
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Casual gamers taking over xbla?

But look... it's just all the newest released games. I guess it's just due to everyone downloading the games to give them a try (I personally play every demo).
 
Psychotext said:
Casual gamers taking over xbla?

But look... it's just all the newest released games. I guess it's just due to everyone downloading the games to give them a try (I personally play every demo).
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The Major Nelson list is the most bought game that week, not downloaded.
 
LakeEarth said:
The Major Nelson list is the most bought game that week, not downloaded.
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Ahh... I didn't know that. My original option stands then! :lol

[For the record I told my better half that there was no way I was going to pay 800 points for Word Puzzle and she looked at me like she was finding an appropriate place to store her knives. I think I might be adding another purchase to the game...]
 
I'm on the fence with Switchball - can anyone gimme some deeper impressions byond the demo? I should probably do a search too :lol
 
xblarcade said:
Elements of Destruction is certainly not coming out this month, don't know where they got that from.
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Yea, though that was a little odd, especially with Rocketmen supposed to be coming out this month.
 
robot said:
I'm on the fence with Switchball - can anyone gimme some deeper impressions byond the demo? I should probably do a search too :lol
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Very entertaining, a little easy, and the tearing is pretty bad. If you are looking for another MBU, this isn't it. If you want a fairly easy puzzle game with great graphics, this is it
 
Brakara said:
Latest list from Major Nelson:



Edit: corrected list (no Omega Five).
Click to expand...

The best thing about this list is the bump for Pinball FX. It shows developers that releasing free content can give a big bump in sales. Anything that signals more free content is a good thing.
 
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