The Best of XBLA

[Jason Tandro]

Okay folks, list your favorite XBLA titles here. Ports of existing games are alright if they make significant changes (such as additions) in the XBLA version.

Braid
Anybody who is anybody on XBLA has probably already heard of Braid. The time-manipulation platformer is unlike any other game you've ever experienced and yet it still seems very familiar somehow. Complete with beautiful level design and amazing music, your XBLA library is simply not complete without this game.





Limbo
Limbo is a bit more obscure, but it, like Braid, is an incredibly artistic experience. However while Braid was bright, colorful and cheerful, Limbo is monochrome, chilling, and brilliantly atmospheric. While it is essentially just a linear puzzle-platformer it is a game where the ambiance alone sells the experience.





Raskulls
Raskulls is a fun game for all ages. Again, it's a puzzle platformer, but what the hell that's what XBLA does best. This game is different from the other two however, in that it's essentially a party game. Along with the main quest, there is a multiplayer mode where you perform a series of races with your friends in local and online matches. While the cartoon graphics are cute, my favorite aspect is actually the music.





Portal: Still Alive
Portal: SA is just the original Portal which you can find on Steam, only with additional challenge maps. What's interesting is in these challenge maps you see elements that were used in Portal 2. Definitely worth it just for the privilege of playing Portal without having to put in a disk. Oh, and the challenge maps are quite aptly named. They're damned difficult.

[SoulBlazerFan]

Perfect Dark. What else can I say?

If you loved the original, there's alot more here. Everything you remember from the original is back- the entire campaign, Co-Op Campaign, Counter-Op Campaign- you name it, it's back.

Whats new?

Well, aside from a complete graphics overhaul, the game retains its same feel. One of the smaller, neater additions that was added was new control schemes for modern shooter players- for instance, are you so used to the Call of Duty layout you couldn't imagine playing any other shooter? Just choose the button config "Duty Calls." And of course, since it is on XBLA, the obvious addition is the Halo controls- so go ahead and choose "Spartan."

Big additions include 16 man multiplayer over live, Campaign over live, and finally, the addition of the Goldeneye guns into the multiplayer experience.

Finally, one of the coolest additions is the aptly named "Leaderboard Crowns." Each level includes a "hidden objective" that must be completed on a specific difficulty. For instance, in one speicific level, you must complete all three objects at the exact same time on co-op, and the entire level in under 30 seconds. Sounds challenging? Most of them are.

It's a great classic title and completely affordable at 800MSP. Always looking for other players, as I just got back into it again.

I'll post more when I don't have to rush off to work.

[Jason Tandro]

@SBF: I'll be getting my DSL hooked up during this week and be able to come back on XBL. I'll have to keep that in mind.

[SoulBlazerFan]

Jason: Sent you a friend request... unless there is another XB Live player named Jason Tandro.

If you play Halo 3 or Reach, I'm totally down to game on that as well.
Some other arcade favorites:

The new Castlevania HD for XBLA arcade seems like it could be fun- the only thing is, multiplayer is practically REQUIRED if you haven't played it before and don't have a decent character leveled up.

[Jason Tandro]

You're half right. Jason tandro is my account but its my old one. My current account is SoulSchismGames. Halo 3 and CoD anyday man.

[Binarynova]

XBLA:
Braid
N+
Rez HD

PSN:
Flower
Outland (also available on XBLA)

Overall winner for me:
Flower (but Braid is a close second)