April 2009

There are roughly a bit over a hundred of backwards compatible games (games that work from the old Xbox to the Xbox 360 provided that you have downloaded the required emulator from Microsoft) that one can play on the Xbox 360. However, many of them just plain suck when crossed over. Yet at the same time there are few titles that just have never been downplayed since their glory days on the original Xbox. So, let’s take a look at my top three picks for crossover games that are still fun to play today!

Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2
One of the best skateboarding video games ever to be created—and this game added the front and rear manual tricks and the build-a-park editor. To this day I still enjoy the simplicity of this game, the tricks and the custom boards. And yes…Skate 2 rocks!

Red Faction 2
This game was perhaps the best shooter and multiplayer death match game of its time. It is now being remade into a free-world game for the Xbox 360.

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Do you ever recall all of those different virtual reality games that were out there floating around in the late nineties and throughout the first part of this new century. Well if you do, then – as the picture to upper left demonstrates – you would easily recall that such games required the wearing of rather bulky glasses, sometimes accompanied by gloves, a vest, and in extreme cases a sphere (see the video at the bottom of this blog post). But, unlike Nintendo, whom even bodes their current console on its semi-virtual reality offerings, Xbox 360 thus far has refrained. And if you ask me…they never will walk down that path!

Were Virtual Reality Games Just Lame?
These games always were limited. They had slower frame rates, bad graphics and terrible plots. Because of the propensity of the game itself, being that you had to see in 360 degrees around you at all times, they were by nature limited. So in answer, yes they were and are lame.

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This game has it all: violence, criminal enterprises, newer and more improved cars, especially the physics and how they handle, and one of the largest free-world cities to ever be created for any game. Considering that Grand Theft Auto IV is the biggest rival to this franchise, EA more than likely felt that they had to go above and beyond anything that they had ever done before in order to at least provide some form of competition to the juggernaut that is GTA and Rockstar. And guess what? They fully deliver on all levels.

Better camera angles provide much more depth to the playing field. There are more things to do, namely by allowing you to build your family, create ‘Made Men’ and constantly expand your criminal enterprise to the farthest reaches possible—not to mention plenty of new and nifty weapons to use! While the game borrows a bit here and there from the movie series, it really shouldn’t be confused as a classic game after movie title.

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Fallout 3 is a monster of a game that took nearly four years to make and has several games (two) that are a bit different which preceded it. Bethesda (the maker of the game) took their sweet time creating one of the largest and most graphically superb free-worlds to ever be designed. They didn’t stop there. Tons of different weapons enhance game play and the gore factor is at a max – you can even shoot heads off bodies, limbs from torsos and blow up your friends or foes into smithereens and goop. In short: Fallout 3 is the most exciting, graphically awesome and interactive free-world role playing game to ever hit the store shelves. If you have not played it yet, do so and soon! But wait…it gets better, there are now two expansions for this game…see below!

Operation Anchorage
While this expansion was rather lousy, in that you must enter a simulated version of a war and beat it, it does add more to the game.

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Far Cry
What made this game great was threefold. Insane online death matches with tons of people. Same console multiplayer death matches with up to four persons. And finally, the ability to create your own virtual worlds down to the smallest details—you could play them online against others on the same console versus your friends when at home! The level-builder makes this game a timeless hit for the ages!

Perfect Dark
This is one of the oldest games for the Xbox 360 and one of the best shooters ever made! You will always hear me talking great about it because it rocked, and still does! This is one of the only games that allowed you play death matches as up to four people (signed in as guest gamer tags) on Xbox Live. You could also play the solo campaign cooperatively.

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The first thing that you will notice is the graphics are amazing on this game and look even better with a high definition television set at your disposal. But what is the most tried and true conundrum of any next generation video game: great graphics do not ever equate to the game itself having much to offer. So, with that notion in mind, I do present to you a graphically superb game that pretty much sucks big time in the end! You are Kamoe and must turn into any ten flora or fauna based alter-egos—like plants, fire and so forth…bored yet?

The game moves in and out of being a strategy based, puzzle thriller to a becoming a first person ass kicker with sloppy camera angles. And fast frame rates do not help you to be able to see what you are doing any better. Popular rumors relate that this title has actually been in the development box for the better part of the past twenty years? Not sure how much truth there is to any of those.

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If you are unfamiliar with the smash hit video game, Rock Band (and yes I know that the second version is already out and selling hotter than nearly any other game ever to be released) then you may not know why it rocks so hard! And for those of you who are familiar with this smash hit title, many of you are already haplessly hooked on its solid offerings and endless hours of interactive, multiplayer entertainment. However, I felt it entirely necessary, and with good reason, to laud and tout this game as it is one of the more enjoyable games that you can play, and for oh so many good reasons. Whether you are a musician or not, a rock star or a normal person: Rock Band Rocks!

Top Five Reasons Why Rock Band is the Shizzle!
1. You can form your own virtual rock band and take over the world of music. Even Guitar Hero is limited in this capacity.

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There is so much that is constantly going on in the world of video games that keeping up with it all can seem, well difficult at times. However, this is why we are always keeping our eyes peeled and our ears to the ground—just in case we hear something, even if only a rumor at first, all to bring it to you! So this time around, we would like to speak about a few upcoming free-world games, some that are expansions and others that are newer sequels that will literally blow your minds once they are released. And you already know that we are oh so fond of those large, open level free-world boards that offer endless possibilities. So when we hear about newer games coming out from this spectrum, we get all giddy inside!

Godfather II: The first game in this bunch was actually a decent game that was loosely based upon the hit movies.

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In a constant effort to keep you all the best informed as possible, we are always striving to bring you the very best and the very worst of any games out there for the Xbox 360. That being said, it is time, as we so deem, for another edition of the Worst Xbox 360 Games Ever (this time EVER, EVER)! Because your sixty bucks are hard earned, and the economy doth truly suck right now. So, if you plan on buying or renting any Xbox 360 games in the near future, try and veer clear of these stinkers!

Eragon: This is perhaps the most boring, thumb numbing game of all time. Boasting a two player same console interface, basically hack and slash at the same enemies over and over again until your eyes pop out of your skull; seriously!

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It seemed to take quite some time for this game to really evolve, even after having a few hit movies to boast and brag about on its shoulders. However, the truth be known, Tomb Raider is one of the best selling video games in history and not because it sucks! On the contrary, it offers a more unique experience that merges first person shooters with strategy and problem solving, combined with first rate graphics and bosses that will leave most people dizzy they are so impressed.

The coolest feature that I found in Tomb Raider: Anniversary is called “Bullet Dodge.” This is similar to the Max Payne ‘Slow Time’ feature. If your power meter is charged you can literally slow down time enough that you can see bullets flying at you and successfully dodge them. The graphics are really incredible and the frame rates are fast and serene.

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If you have often stopped and thought or wondered about whether or not there will be a new Xbox system coming out soon, don’t! As it will be quite some time before Microsoft unveils their next endeavor in the next-generation consoles. And for many good reasons too my friends! In reality, it is always better this way, and no worries, I will fully explain as to why that is and just how much it matters in this day and age of developing technology as it relates to video game consoles!

Cost of Research and Development
First and foremost, Microsoft loses their asses on consoles, they typically take a few hundred dollar loss for each one that they sell, and hope to make it back with licensing royalties.

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