An argument could be made that Microsoft has done a good job of bringing back old classic games to Xbox Live. With titles like Pacman, Joust and Space Invaders available for download on the arcade, people interested in these older style games have had something to keep them interested.
However, most of these “old classics” for download on the XBLA are remixed versions, and while they may have hints of old gameplay stashed away, most have seen an overall change.
This mentality may very well change when Microsoft ships out the “Game Room” this Spring, allowing you to traverse a world using your Avatar, creating your own room filled with old classics. The download itself is free of charge, but don’t expect to be receiving games in this same manner. These classic games will be available in a few different payment methods. Players have the following options: 400 points ($5) will give you full access to the game for both the Xbox 360 and PC, 240 points ($3) will give you the same full access but limited to a single platform (Xbox 360 or PC), and the final method is 40 points ($0.50) for an “authentic arcade experience”. Visiting a friends “room” will allow you to try out any of the games they have purchased.
Microsoft promises the service will “ship” with 30 titles as follows:
- Finalizer – Super Transformation
- Super Cobra
- Centipede
- Lunar Lander
- Tempest
- Jungler
- Armor Battle
- Space Hawk
- Sub Hunt
- Gravitar
- Outlaw
- Red Baron
- Shao-Lin’s Road
- Asteroids Deluxe
- Space Armada
- Millipede
- Scramble
- Combat
- Astrosmash
- Mountain Madness: Super Pro Skiing
- Crystal Castles
- RealSports Tennis
- Tutankham
- Adventure
- Star Raiders
- Football
- Road Fighter
- Battlantis
- Sea Battle
- Yars’ Revenge
Along with these titles at launch, Microsoft plans for over 1000 to be available within three years. All of these games will feature achievements and online leaderboards, and you can expect some to include multiplayer.
Keep an eye out for more information as it gets closer to Spring.
“Game Room” Brings Arcade Classics Back to Xbox Live [Giantbomb]
I am Tovan, a guy that hopes to get into game journalism as a career in the future.
too bad they used the name xbox arcade already because it would be cool the have a “physical arcade” for your avatar.
Well this seems like a good idea, I’ll look forward to seeing what comes of this. Not to sure about the games on the list though.
is it only the older 8-bit games, or all the way to the end of the arcade games?
Looking at that picture, will XBL be giving us elevators or those crappy stairs and ramps? Cause we don’t like them in RL OR ingames.
If they happen to put an elevator, at least put some elevator music in there. ;P
That is awesome!
I’m gonna say 90% of these games have free ports in flash by now but it should still be fun.
For as awesome as it sounds I am just not that big of a fan of the games list nor am I really a fan of these type of retro games.
It looks like it could be fun.
i want galliga
I can get behind that.
Thats what he said.