X-Box 360 Console Review | X-Box Overview

 X-Box 360 Console Review

User Interface (latest update)
For the most part, the GUI for the 360 is easy to use. After booting the system and selecting your user profile, you'll be taken to the dashboard. From the dashboard you have 7 different sections: home, social, games, movies & tv, music, apps and settings. Under home you'll see if a game is loaded in the disc tray, pins and your recent history. Recent will show the last 12 games or apps you've used in order to get back into it quickly. Pins allow you to view whatever you've selected to pin to the front page. The pins are a nice idea but in execution they're pretty useless. It takes forever in order to add something to the pins (at least on my consoles) therefore I just don't bother with them anymore.

The social area allows you to view your friends and visit the avatar store. Under games you'll be able to view your game library and visit the store to purchase games (assuming you have an online connection). Under my games you're able to select between viewing everything, full games, demos, kinect, arcade, indie or game videos. You also have an option to sort by title or most recently used. The games library is basic but gets the job done. Under movies & tv you'll be able to view any videos you've downloaded and access the store. This is an area I hardly ever used on my console as I bought it strictly for gaming, though I imagine there are many people who get some good use out of this section.

Next is the apps tab, where you can access your apps and download new apps. Under my apps you'll be able to access the system music player which allows you play music you've ripped to your hard drive. If you choose to play music while playing a game, the system will mute the in-game music so you'll be able to hear whatever you've selected. The apps are likely the second most commonly used section after games, largely due to apps like Netflix and YouTube. Last but not least we have the settings, which allows you to adjust various console/Kinect/network settings and access your storage device. 

I've always found the storage on the 360 a bit cumbersome to use. This is where you manage all of your files and game-saves. Seeing that this is from the same company that makes Windows, you'd think they'd have an easy way to select multiple files to copy but instead you're forced to either copy all files within the folder or one at a time. This has caused just merely transferring saves to become a drawn-out chore at times. This is something that could have easily been added in any of their numerous patches they've released over the years.

Another area where the 360 struggles is with offline play and at times the profile usage. I've encountered several titles that I had purchased digitally that appear as only the trial version while playing offline. Unfortunately, in some instances the only way I was able to play the games was to connect online, sometimes even when the game has no online functionality. I've run into issues with the profiles where other users on the same system can't play digitally purchased titles, even though they're playing it on the same console I bought the game on! Overall, Microsoft's strict DRM can create some issues for the user, though I suppose it does help cut back a bit on software piracy.

Last but not least I would have appreciated the option to select the dashboard layout style. I know I'm not alone in wanting to use the old "blade" dashboard from the early days of the system but there is no such option to do so other than to mod your system. Overall the user interface on the 360 is rather basic but it is easy to use and find what you're looking for.

Console Varieties
Throughout the lifespan of the Xbox 360, Microsoft would release three different versions of the console. There were of course numerous variants of each console type for special edition bundles and such, but here we are just focused on the three different varieties of the systems.

The Original "Fat" Xbox 360

Originally launched worldwide in 2005-2006, the original Xbox 360 system was sold in several different packages. The biggest difference between the console packages is typically the hard drive space. These are risky to buy these days due to the infamous red-ring of death these commonly suffered from. If you can find one of the later models you should be okay, so make sure to do some research in order to help you identify these before purchasing. This version did not have wireless functionality built in, so if you can't hook it up via cable you'll have to purchase a wi-fi adapter separately (unless of course you intend to just play offline). These older 360's are quite loud, but if you tend to play your games loud like I do it won't be much of an issue.

My first Xbox 360 that I ever owned was the "fat" model, but I was not an early adopter and didn't purchase mine until 2010 so it was well after Microsoft had begun creating more reliable consoles. If I recall correctly it was the Elite model (120 GB hard drive) and was bundled with Resident Evil 5. I was a bit letdown there wasn't any Resident Evil artwork on the console or controller, though they were both at least colored red. This console is still running after all these years, though it has had its share of issues and seems to run a bit slower than the later models. Any video game system that uses a loading tray for the discs is something that is prone to malfunction at some point. These consoles are also prone to overheating issues, so make sure you have it set somewhere it can breathe. These systems can generate enough heat to almost double as a space heater!

Xbox 360 S

The revision of the 360 console, dubbed the "S" or slim model, was released in 2010. These consoles would feature a re-designed motherboard in addition to having wi-fi capabilities built into the system. The console is quite a bit smaller and due to the more efficient innards it operates much more quiet than the original model. There are also a few additional USB slots on the back in addition to the Kinect sensor input. Changing out your hard drive isn't quite as simple as the old systems, but using one of the USB ports you can easily hook up an external drive for extra storage space.

Xbox 360 E

In 2013 Microsoft would release the final revision of the 360 with the "E" model of the system. This is a revision of the "S" model and ditched the angular design for a more rectangular shape. There are a few differences, this model features one less USB port than the S, no YPbPr component or S-video connections and no S/PDIF audio output. The internals are similar to the S, so performance-wise it's going to be mostly the same as that model.

Final Verdict: The Xbox 360 has an incredible library of games and is definitely still worth spending some time with. If you're in the market for the console, I'd recommend the S model first, but if you're unable to find one of those the E model works great too. Buy the old fat models at your own risk, and if you have to go with one of them try to make sure the system at least turns on first!

Related Links:
List of Xbox 360 Retail Configurations - Wikipedia

Explosionade (XBLIG, 2010)

Explosionade
Developed by Mommy's Best Games
Released for Xbox Live Indie Games (10/2010)
Also on PC

Explosionade is the third release from Mommy's Best Games (MBG) for XBLIG. After Weapon of Choice and Shoot 1Up, it was clear that these guys were putting out some of the best games on the service, and Explosionade doesn't disappoint. The game is a 2D run 'n gun with some platforming, where you'll play as a dude in a mech suit blasting everything while working your way to the exit. The game features the same art style as MBG's other efforts and looks far better than your average offering on XBLIG.

In Explosionade players take control of a mech suit while blasting your way through 40 short but action packed levels. The presentation is nice overall with detailed graphics and a zoom feature to help you see more of the playfield when needed. There's some written dialogue before stages every now and then, containing the kind of silliness we've come to expect from the developer. The title allows for a second player to join in on the action for some nice couch co-op. With this being an XBLIG release, there are no options for online co-op.

Explosionade features three difficulty modes: chilled, normal and serious. Different difficulties will have their own enemy arrangements, making for some decent replay value. After choosing a difficulty you also have the option to pick the game speed, ranging from 25% to 200%. Most levels are quite small and can be completed within a few minutes, though there are some secrets tucked away for those who like to explore. There are a total of 40 levels with the option to resume from whatever level you left off on when coming back. There are also 4 boss encounters throughout the game. The game isn't terribly challenging but is still a fun play, and they do have some nice options provided to help boost the difficulty if you so wish. Explosionade is easy to pick up and play due to the fact you're allowed to continue from the last stage you left off at via the main menu.

In addition to your regular firearm, which is conveniently mapped to the right analog stick for easy aiming, you also have a grenade launcher. You're allowed to fire up to three at a time, at which point you'll have to reload. In Explosionade you'll find gold bars scattered about and for every ten collected you'll earn temporary infinite grenades for some real explosive action. The grenades can blow up destructible walls, which will often open a new path in the stage. The game also has the Mommy's Best Games pies scattered about (sometimes hidden) on some of the levels, serving as the games collectibles.

The main menu offers a high score table which keeps track of the top 10 scores. There is also an awards menu, serving as the in-game achievements, but since this is an indie title you won't earn gamerscore for completing these objectives, but it is still a nice feature. The options mode allows you to customize your controls as well as a few various hud and brightness settings. In 2015, five years after the game's initial release on the 360, Explosionade would see a release on Steam, preventing this one from getting completely lost in time. The Steam version also has achievement support, so if you're into 2D mech-shooters you may want to give this one a look.

Final Verdict: Explosionade is a fun 2D mech-shooter/platformer offering up 40 levels of blasting action. Mommy's Best Games were easily some of the best devs putting out games for XBLIG!

Related Links:
Buy Explosionade - Steam
Explosionade - Official Mommy's Best Games Site
Explosionade Dev Delaying Release - Engadget.com
Explosionade - GameFAQs

Battlefield 4 (Xbox 360/One, 2013)

Battlefield 4
Developed by DICE
Published by Electronic Arts
Released for Xbox 360 (10/2013) & Xbox One (11/2013)
Also on PC/PS3/PS4

It's no understatement to say that Battlefield 4 had one of the worst video game launches in recent years. Early on, there were issues even getting into a match and there were numerous bugs. Many people passed up this title completely due to this, which is a shame because as years went by DICE did a great job repairing the game and crafting another excellent shooter. We'll start off talking about the Xbox One version of the game, but the 360 version will also be addressed at the end of this review.

The look and feel of Battlefield 4 is very similar to the third installment, though if you've been playing these games on consoles up to this point then this game is going to be a major upgrade. The player count on conquest has been expanded to 32v32 rather than the 12v12 you'd find on the old consoles. The frame-rate is much smoother when compared to the 360 Battlefield games but the One still struggles to hold a steady 60 fps. Overall the game is much closer to its PC counterpart this time around, at least on the PS4 and the One.

While Battlefield 4 does feature a single-player campaign, it's basically the same old stuff you usually find in military shooter campaigns, following the same routine of shooting waves of enemies before moving to the next checkpoint and doing more of the same. It's not bad, but it doesn't really do much to stand out. I encountered some issues with the game losing my progress in this mode, but I played it back when the game came out and these issues have likely been patched by now. DICE did not include the co-op missions that were featured in Battlefield 3, which is a bummer as I would have liked to see those expanded on. Don't let the so-so single player deter you from trying the game, as the multiplayer is always the main attraction in any Battlefield title.

For some reason DICE feels the need to slightly change up the control scheme with every Battlefield game with quite minimal configuration options, which can make going back and forth between games a bit more of a pain than it should be. The sprint, knife, spot and crouch have all been re-mapped and to players of Battlefield 3 it will take some getting used to. They also felt the need to change up the progression system a bit with the introduction of "battlepacks" to the series. As you level up you'll earn battlepacks which will contain random accessories for your guns and XP boosts. Using a particular weapon will also unlock battlepacks for that specific gun. When an XP boost is used, they only grant the bonus experience to the individual player that activated rather than your entire squad. There is also the option to pay real world money to unlock battlepacks, but don't fall for it as you'll unlock plenty of these through regular play and they mostly just give you the worthless XP boosts anyways..

The squad perk system has changed up quite a bit in this entry as well. In Battlefield 3, you could equip your chosen spec and receive the perks the whole time you play. In Battlefield 4 you now have a meter that is filled by completing "squad actions" such as healing, spotting, reviving, etc. The spec meter has four tiers and each time you fill the bar to a tier you'll receive one of the perks. When all squad members are dead simultaneously the bar will deplete. I never cared for this system since I often play with random people who love running straight into death.

Despite all the numerous issues with Battlefield 4 (especially in the game's first year), there are several aspects of the game that were improved from the previous versions. You are now allowed up to five members per squad where the previous titles would allow only four. Commander mode has made it's return to the series, which has been missing in action since Battlefield 2142 from 2006. The commander is able to issue squad orders and when certain objectives are held they are able to assist the team with supply drops, vehicle drops, UAV scans, radar jams and even drop a missile down.

Soldier classes feature some interesting new gadgets to mess around with. This time around there are some excellent vehicle additions, including the powerful heavy boats and mobile artillery launchers. The LAV and tanks don't seem quite as effective as in the previous game but are still a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately the tanks can no longer seat three players like in Battlefield 3, now allowing only a driver and gunner (the third seat allowed a player to spot and laser paint targets). The helicopters and jets are still extremely deadly in capable hands. There's a great variety of vehicles to use and it really helps keep the game fresh so you're not always doing the same thing. There's a new feature that allows you to counter-attack while being knifed and is one of my biggest gripes about this game. It's not very reliable and it really sucks to sneak up behind a guy and have him dead to rights yet you end up getting knifed thanks to this stupid counter-attack.

Battlefield 4 included ten maps in the base game and in many respects these maps were more of a return to form for the series, featuring sprawling maps as opposed to the somewhat cluttered maps of Battlefield 3. Zavod 311 is a tank graveyard of sorts, with a warehouse in the center of the maps for some intense firefights. Lancang Dam is one of the less enjoyable maps with a rather boring layout featuring a dam, an island and a few buildings. The scout choppers and boats do help salvage the map a little bit though. Flood Zone is an interesting map that takes place in a shantytown where a dam can be blown open to flood the map. Golmud Railway is a large map with one of the capture points on a moving train. Paracel Storm is an excellent naval focused map featuring boats and scout helicopters (in my opinion one of the best maps in the game). Operation Locker is the "meat-grinder" map of the bunch with infantry only and tons of choke points for lots of kills. Hainan Resort takes place on the shores of Hainan and features a large hotel in the center for teams to battle over control of. Seige of Shanghai takes place in downtown Shanghai and contains a large skyscraper in the center. Rogue Transmission has a very large radio telescope in the center and has some excellent tank/helicopter/jet warfare. Dawnbreaker is set in downtown Hong Kong right in the middle of a sprawling city. Dawnbreaker is definitely one of my least favorite maps, due a large part to a lack of destructible environments. None of the buildings can be taken down and you can barely even damage the walls on a majority of them. Overall this is a solid map lineup in the core game.

In addition to the the standard conquest mode, Battlefield 4 features several other modes of play, but these days the only ones besides conquest that you're likely to find a game on are rush and team deathmatch. Rush is still a fun objective-based mode, with one team attacking while the other defends. The firefights are bit more confined than conquest and it can get pretty intense at times (player count is reduced to 32). Team deathmatch can a good time if you don't feel like having to mind any objectives and want to just shoot at people. Personally, I don't play much other than conquest but I know there are players out there that enjoy these three particular modes.

Battlefield 4 uses DICE's Frostbite 3 engine, and one of the big new features here is the "levolution" events that can be triggered within the maps. When key events are triggered (usually blowing up a certain support spot) there will be some sort of event that drastically change up areas of the map. For instance, on the Siege of Shanghai map typically the skyscraper has a capture point on the rooftops. If you blow out the support columns at the base of the building it will topple over and the capture point will now be in the rubble. These are all admittedly pretty cool the first couple of times you experience them. The main problem with "levolution" is that these are all predetermined, so if you've seen that skyscraper topple over once it'll be exactly the same every time after. Hopefully in future Frostbite engine updates the games will have more dynamic destruction physics. DICE did a good job adding in some interactivity in the maps, featuring elevators that can be used, doors that can be open/closed and bollards that can be activated to block vehicle entry.

I must say, the Battlefield games in general (and many online competitive games for that matter) can be either incredibly rewarding or frustrating, and much of that depends on your squadmates. If you can function as a unit it can be a grand ol' time, but if everybody wanders off just trying to do their own thing the game can become a miserable experience at times. I give DICE credit for stabilizing everything after the game's rocky launch, providing multiple updates to the title pretty much up until Battlefield 1 launched. They were even kind enough to offer a few new maps outside of the DLC so all players would have access regardless of whether they've purchased the season pass.

The Xbox 360 Port
Battlefield 4 came out for the Xbox 360 a month before it would come out for the One, but it never felt very optimized to run on the aging hardware. The game was plagued with some pretty bad issues for the initial months after release and while some were fixed in patches there were many that stayed with the game. The Operation Dawnbreaker and Hainan Resort maps were a guaranteed system-freeze every time making the maps virtually unplayable, fortunately these were fixed in later patches and are now playable. Sometimes the game struggles to load the assets in at the start of rounds, not only with the graphics but also with the audio. Spawning in a tank at the beginning of the round will often be presented in low-res blocky polygons, taking around a minute before the proper graphics load in. While in low-res mode the tank also bobbles around for no apparent reason other than poor optimization. Another glitch happens upon spawning in there is a strange delay before your character pulls up their weapon. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've died spawning in and unable to defend myself because my gun hadn't loaded in yet!

The game's overall performance definitely feels like a step down from Battlefield 3 and even the Bad Company games. The frame-rate definitely doesn't keep up as well and your soldier at times has major issues jumping over objects in your path. It's another one of those cases where the company was more concerned with the newer consoles as far as development goes and the old console ports were more of an afterthought. The game is by all means still playable it's just not optimized as well as the Xbox One version of the game. I also want to mention that the game will take up a massive amount of hardware space compared to your typical 360 game. Once you've downloaded all of the patches and updates, the game will take around 22 GB without installing the disc, so make sure you have the required drive space if you intend on getting this game!

Final Verdict: Battlefield 4 is a solid squad-based online FPS on the One, but if you're still gaming on the 360 I'd suggest going with one of the older Battlefield titles for a better experience.

Battlefield 4 Premium Pass/DLC

Just like Battlefield 3 (and likely every entry after), Battlefield 4 featured a Premium Pass you could purchase to gain access to all DLC released for the game. These can be purchased individually but are priced so you get the best value just getting the pass. If you're looking to purchase a physical copy of the game there are Premium versions with the pass included. There were five different map packs released for Battlefield 4 and I'll go into each of them briefly.

Second Assualt gives you four maps that were all featured in Battlefield 3. These were all excellent additions and it was great seeing some of the Frostbite engine's new features implemented into them. The China Rising map pack features four more maps, several of which were quite large and allowed for some nice vehicular warfare. Naval Strike was the third map pack, featuring four naval-themed maps to set itself apart from the other packs. Next came Dragon's Teeth, featuring four China maps each with urban settings. The last map pack would be Final Stand, which had four large maps set in Russia with lots of snowy landscapes. These maps showcase some of the futuristic tech that was seen in Battlefield 2142. Overall DICE did an excellent job with the map packs, providing a nice variety to the map design and with only a few stinkers among the bunch (personally I didn't care for Final Stand but enjoyed all the others). Unfortunately it can be quite rare to find anybody playing the DLC maps so it's hard to really recommend the Premium Pass.

Late in the game's life span, DICE was nice enough to give players a few free maps. First was Zavod: Graveyard Shift. It's the same map as Zavod 311, but at night-time, giving you a good chance to finally use those thermal optics on your tank. The final map released for Battlefield 4 was Operation Outbreak. This map was developed by letting the community vote on the map layout, and the end result was a fun jungle map. The problem with these last two maps is that they were always placed in server rotations by themselves, and players quickly grew tired of playing the same map over and over.

Final Verdict: While the maps included in the Premium Pass are good fun for the most part, finding active servers for these is pretty rare these days. Worth it only if you can find it cheap.

Purchase Links:
Buy Battlefield 4 (Xbox One - Digital) - Microsoft Store
Buy Battlefield 4 (Xbox 360 - Digital) - Xbox Marketplace
Search Battlefield 4 (Xbox One - Disc) - eBay
Search Battlefield 4 (Xbox 360 - Disc) - eBay

Related Links:
General Battlefield Tips & Tactics - X-Box Overview 
Battlefield 4 - Official Site 
Buy Battlefield 4 on Xbox One - Microsoft Store 
Buy Battlefield 4 on Xbox 360 - Xbox Marketplace 

Zombie Estate II (XBLIG, 2013)

Zombie Estate II
Developed by JeremyVerchick48
Released for XBLIG (4/2013)
Also on PC

Zombie Estate II plays and looks much like the original title (review here), but this time around you have four different environments to choose from for some needed variety. Levels include the estate, high school, shopping mall and skyscraper rooftops. There are tons of unlockables this time around, including characters and hats that will grant you bonus stats. These will be unlocked by spending points earned from playing well. There are also over eighty guns to mess around with. The game takes what was good about the original and piles on quite a bit more content. There is still support for up to four-players local and a much better variety of enemy types this time around, in addition to much more detailed environments to do your zombie blasting in. The pixelated gore is pretty nasty as zombies satisfyingly get reduced to bloody chunks as you mow them down. The game offers three difficulties (casual, hard and insane) that go for fifteen waves and there is also an endless mode. Zombies will drop ammo and money as you kill them, which can be spent between rounds to purchase new weapons. The game is simple yet fun and offers up a decent challenge at the same time. The Zombie Estate series is, in my opinion, one of the better zombie shooters available on XBLIG. The game would later see a release on Steam with some additional content.

Final Verdict: Zombie Estate II is an excellent sequel and delivers quite a bit more content than the original. The four-player mode is a blast with some buddies!

Related Links:
Zombie Estate I & II - Official Site
Zombie Estate II - Steam
Zombie Estate II Official Trailer - YouTube
Zombie Estate - Xbox Overview
Zombie Estate II - GameFAQs
Zombie Estate II - Steam

The Little Acre (Xbox One, 2016)

The Little Acre
Developed by Pewter Games
Published by Curve Digital
Released for Xbox One (12/2016)
Also on iOS/Linux/Mac/PC/PS4

The Little Acre is a point & click style adventure game with some very nice looking HD artwork. It looks very much like an old-school cartoon from before the CGI takeover. The game packs a ton of charm and offers some fun puzzles though it is very short in length.

As already stated, the graphics in the Little Acre look like an old-school cartoon featuring a style I'd compare to something from Disney or Don Bluth back in the day, but presented in HD glory. The voice acting and music are both very well executed and compliment the visuals nicely. As for the game's puzzles, some of the solutions here are a bit odd but there's nothing you can't figure out with a little messing around. The controls are simple and responsive, making it easy to interact with stuff and your inventory. The game switches up between characters quite a bit, but their fates are intertwined and it will come together by the end of the game. The story is a bit strange and involves teleporting to another dimension, but I'll leave the details out of this review as I don't want to spoil the game for those who might go on to play it.

The biggest issue I can see most having with the Little Acre is that it ends too fast. The game has an achievement for completing the game in less than an hour so this should be a clear indicator of just how short this title is. If you go about playing the game on your own with no guide you can expect anywhere between 2-5 hours of gameplay. Personally I didn't find short length of the game to be an issue as I got it dirt cheap but I can see those who paid full price perhaps feeling a bit burned. While more would have been nice what is here plays well and I enjoyed my time with the game. I did run into one part of the game where the sprites had some minor clipping issues, but other than that the game ran smooth. If you're a big point 'n click adventure game fan I recommend giving the Little Acre a look. I hope we see more from Pewter Games in the future, I'd really like to see some more games done with this style of animation.

Final Verdict: The Little Acre is a short but sweet point 'n click adventure game. The graphics are pretty, the characters are likable and game oozes with charm. Recommended for fans of the genre, but you may want to wait for a sale price due to the game's short length..

Related Links:
The Little Acre - Microsoft Store
The Little Acre - GameFAQs
Pewter Games Studios - Official Website

Solitaire HD (Xbox One, 2017)

Solitaire HD
Developed by Bernardo Zamora
Published by Iron Apps
Released for Xbox One (7/2017)
Also on PC/Mobile

 

The Creators Program (formerly known as the Creator's Collection) storefront on the Xbox One hasn't really made much noise (most Xbox users probably don't even know it exists), and with just a quick browse through the titles available it's easy to see why. For the most part, the games look like low-end mobile games with very simple game-play. So among the many uninteresting titles on the service, somehow Solitaire HD stands out a bit. I've always enjoyed a good game of solitaire every now and then, so let's take a look and see how this version plays.

Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection (XBLA, 2011)

Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection
Developed by Midway/Other Ocean Interactive
Published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Released for Xbox Live Arcade (8/2011)
Also on PC/PS3

Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection (why not Arkade) was released in 2011 and boasted to have the original arcade versions of the first three entries in the series. Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 was previously released on XBLA but had since been de-listed, so it was nice to see that game make a return in some form. The games all featured support for both local and online versus battles. Let's start off with a brief look at each game:

The original Mortal Kombat game came out way back in 1992. I remember thinking this game looked pretty sweet all those years ago, but looking at it in modern times the first entry in the series really hasn't aged all that well. While the game does seem pretty accurate to the arcade version, the move-sets are quite limited and the characters all play alike except for a few special moves. There's only seven fighters to choose from, and while they are a colorful crew it just feels a bit lacking. Thanks to nostalgia, I'll personally always be able to play and enjoy the original Mortal Kombat but its simplicity will probably bore most of those who didn't grow up with it.

Mortal Kombat II hit arcades in 1993, just one year after the first title. Midway went all-out on this sequel and added in a bunch of new characters, fatalities and secrets. The new characters were all welcome additions and everything about the gameplay just felt better the second time around. There were more moves, better graphics and nastier gore. In my opinion, the second game was always the best in the series when it came to the original arcade Mortal Kombat games and the version included here is a solid port of the arcade.

Mortal Kombat 3 (for some reason they didn't use roman numerals this time) would release in 1995 and would receive an update that same year, titled Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. The Ultimate version of the game added in some fan-favorites and is considered by many to be the best version of MK3. The version included in the XBLA trilogy doesn't feel like it was ported from the original arcade code, feeling more like one of the console ports of the time. The character sprites look low-resolution and the colors feel a bit washed out. The game looks quite a bit worse than the previous two and I'm sure that wasn't the case with the arcade version of this game. Personally I was never a big fan of the third game but if it was your favorite beware this is no perfect port. It's still totally playable if you're willing to use the goofy run button and memorize lengthy combo chains.

The games all feature support for both local and online versus competition. While it can be tough to find a random lobby, if you have a friend with the game on Xbox Live and are able to play it the netcode is above average. You'll want to play against a friend for maximum enjoyment as the computer AI in all three games can be downright brutal and cheap. The options and settings are bare minimum but it does at least have a graphics filters and screen-size options. While definitely not a perfect compilation, Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection is still a nice blast of nostalgia for those '90's folks that remember these games. I would have liked to have seen the inclusion of Mortal Kombat 4, which was the last MK title to release as a proper arcade, but for some reason they never bother (likely due to emulating the 3D hardware of the time). The standard Xbox controller isn't the best for these types of games, which are definitely best experienced with an arcade joystick.

Final Verdict: If you're a fan of the original trilogy of Mortal Kombat games, you will enjoy Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection. Nostalgia member-berries galore with this one.

Related Links:
Buy Mortal Kombat Arcade - Xbox Marketplace
Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment - Official Site 
Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection - Metacritic
Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection - GameFAQs
Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection Achievement Guide - Xbox Achievements
Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection - True Achievements

Pill Mania HD (Xbox One, 2018)

Pill Mania HD
Developed by Sprakelsoft
Released for Xbox One (3/2018)
Also on iOS

Pill Mania HD is a port of a mobile game released way back in 2013, and to be quite frank that's exactly what it feels like. The game comes from Sprakelsoft, the same folks who brought us the underwhelming Croc's World. The game is a blatant Dr. Mario rip-off, to the point Nintendo might be able to take legal action should they choose to do so. Just being a rip-off alone doesn't make a game bad, but unfortunately Pill Mania HD just doesn't measure up to the game it mimics.

L.A. Noire (Xbox 360, 2011)

L.A. Noire
Developed by Team Bondi
Published by Rockstar Games
Released for Xbox 360 (5/17/2011) | Xbox One (11/14/2017)
Also on PS3/PS4/Switch

L.A. Noire puts you in the shoes of police officer Cole Phelps as you investigate the seedy underbelly of 1947 Los Angeles. The game had a rocky 7 year development cycle and it became known after release that the business practices at Team Bondi weren't exactly ethical. Despite all the issues plaguing the game during its creation, the final product turned out quite well. The title feels right at home under the Rockstar Games label and in 2017 would see an updated port to newer systems. However this review was written while playing through the Xbox 360 version.

L.A. Noire features a nice sized chunk of Los Angeles for you to explore. The environment is well detailed as you'd expect from an open-world Rockstar published title. According to the developers, 1947 Los Angeles has been 90% recreated in accurate detail. The characters in the game feature some of the most realistic facial features that had been seen in a game at the time of the release. The voice acting is superb and the sound/music design fits the action perfectly. Radio stations play music proper to the '40's, and fans of the Fallout games will recognize a few of these tracks. Overall, the visual and sound design is rock solid.

While L.A. Noire is an open-world game, it tends to be more linear than most others in this genre. The cases generally have a set path you're going to follow, sometimes with a few options as to where to go next. You do have the option to answer your radio during a case to take on street crimes which serve as side missions, but these are completely optional. As you work your way through each case, you'll usually begin by investigating the crime scene. Here you'll search around and examine clues, which will usually give you a lead as to where to go next. You'll also frequently be able to interrogate witnesses and suspects and will have to decide whether you believe what they're saying. You have the option of truth, doubt or lie during the interrogation sequences. If you accuse somebody of a lie you'll be able to select from a list of all the evidence from the case to back it up. The game has distinct musical cues to let you know if you made the proper assumption.

Cases in L.A. Noire will also feature action segments and you'll engage if fist fights, shootouts, tailing missions and chases. These are all well done and are diverse enough so that it doesn't feel like you're constantly doing the same thing. If you fail an action sequence a couple times, the game will give you the option to skip ahead so the game should be accessible to anybody. My only gripe with the action segments would be a few of the tailing missions aren't that fun, but I don't really enjoy these types of missions in general so it's just my opinion. As you complete cases you'll move up in rank, staring as a patrol officer and moving up to traffic, homicide, vice, etc. Each time you're assigned a new desk you'll also receive a new partner who will follow you around and provide assistance. For an NPC they do a good job of staying out of the way and I never once had any issues with them walking in front of my gunfire or anything like that.

Scattered around the city are a few types of collectibles in the form of golden film reels, hidden vehicles and landmarks. The hidden vehicles will be revealed on the map as you level up, however the landmarks and golden film reels you'll have to seek out on your own (or with a guide of course). In order to obtain a full 100%, you'll also have to operate each type of vehicle in the game, of which there are 95. This will no doubt prove to be a bit lame as many vehicles look the same, making them hard to distinguish from one another, not to mention it feels a bit out of place with a detective hi-jacking civilian vehicles all over the place. Also required for completion is to obtain a 5-star rank in every case, which means you'll need to find all clues and correctly branch most questions during interrogations. Those expecting to run around in free roam causing chaos like the Grand Theft Auto games will likely be a bit letdown as there's not really a whole lot to do in the world except look for cars and collectibles. You can cause some damage and injure civilians, but these will affect your case ranking and are therefore discouraged.

L.A. Noire is a fresh, fantastic experience in the realm of open-world games, but no game is without its flaws so I'll take this section to point out the issues I had with the game. The framerate is constantly dipping under the 30 FPS mark, especially easy to notice when driving around. While it is annoying and does detract a bit from the overall presentation, the game is still very playable as is and I never really had any issues lining up shots or anything like that. Still, it does feel like the game could have been optimized a bit better, but I suppose that's what the re-release on the newer systems is for. There is a bit of graphic pop-up in the distance while driving around but after playing for a while you'll hardly notice. While the facial animations on the characters are very impressive, a few of them are a bit over-exaggerated and look a bit silly. Whenever a character is out of focus they look quite pixelated, likely a sign of the hardware limitations. Many textures look low-res, even when close up, and clash with the surrounding environment. Civilian cars occasionally disappear into thin air, though this was not a frequent occurrence. The dithering effect used for shading is quite tacky and stands out, though this is a common effect developers used during this console generation. These issues are for the most part minor in the grand scheme of things, and none of them diminished my enjoyment of the game but I did want to at least point out the issues I had with the game.

L.A. Noire is definitely one of the more unique open-world titles I've played and does a commendable job in creating a world with believable characters and interesting scenarios. The 1947 time period is wonderfully represented and there's an air of realism to the whole ordeal. The rank progression system works well in delivering some variety with the cases. If you somehow skipped over this one like I did and you enjoy open-world/detective/cop games, do yourself a favor and give this one a go!

Final Verdict: L.A. Noire is a fantastic open-world cop/detective game where you take on the criminal element in 1947 Los Angeles. Don't miss out on this one!

Rockstar Season Pass

L.A. Noire would receive downloadable content in the form of four additional cases. If you purchased the Rockstar Season Pass then you are granted access to each of them or they can be purchased individually. The cases fit right into the main story to the point where it feels like they were just chopped out at some point to make a few extra bucks. The cases themselves are all fun however so at least the content is worth playing. While it does bother me a bit these weren't just included in the game, in this generation of video games DLC is pretty much standard for big-budget releases like this. If you see the Season Pass on sale for cheap I'd definitely recommend giving these a go!

Final Verdict: The Rockstar Season Pass provides four additional cases that fit right in with the original material. If you like the core game you'll enjoy these too!

Purchase Links:
Buy L.A. Noire (Xbox One Digital) - Microsoft Store
Buy L.A. Noire (Xbox One Disc) - eBay
Buy L.A. Noire (Xbox 360 Digital) - Xbox Marketplace
Buy L.A. Noire (Xbox 360 Disc) - eBay

Related Links:
Open-World Games - Xbox Overview
Rockstar Games - Xbox Overview
Rockstar Games - Official Site
Whistleblowing at Team Bondi - Games Industry
L.A. Noire - Metacritic
L.A. Noire - GameFAQs
L.A. Noire Achievement Guide - Xbox Achievements
Handy Vehicle Loactions Thread - Playstation Trophies

Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage (Xbox 360, 2010)

Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage
Developed by Koei
Published by Koei Tecmo Games
Released for Xbox 360 (11/2/2010)
Also on PS3

There have been several efforts over the years to make a video game from the popular anime/manga series Fist of the North Star, but most were either disappointing or never left Japan. Koei seems like a good candidate to develop the game, given their track record with the long-running Dynasty Warriors franchise. Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage is incredibly faithful to its source material. If you are a fan of the story and characters you will definitely find something to appreciate here. There's a sizable cast here and all are easily recognizable, the story remains true to the original and the voice acting is quite good in both the English and Japanese variations.

The menus, stage and character select screens are all well composed and attractive. The in-game graphics themselves are a bit of a mixed bag. The characters are well detailed and look nice, though you will tire of beating up the same handful of thugs hundreds of times over. The environments are somewhat detailed, though suffer from some drab design which we'll get into shortly. The gore effects are quite detailed and are pleasing to look at, as you'll constantly see groups of thugs exploding into blood and guts in appropriate Fist of the North Star fashion.

The gameplay in Ken's Rage is basically a beat 'em up, or hack 'n slash as they like to call it these days, but that term feels a bit out of place as you'll be pulverizing your enemies with your fists here. You beat up everybody in a particular area and then move on to the next area where you'll beat up some more dudes. Every now and then the game has some light platforming or random obstacle but it always reverts back to beating up waves of thugs quickly. You have punch, kick and jump attacks in addition to your spirit meter you'll fill up as you hand out beatings. Once you have enough spirit meter you can activate a signature move or go into "spirit aura" mode where your attack is temporarily boosted.

The bulk of Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage lies in the legend and dream modes. There is also a tutorial, challenge and gallery mode option as well. Legend mode follows the story of the original manga and will let you select from Kenshiro, Raoh, Toki, Rei and Mamiya. Dream mode features new "what-if" stories based on the manga characters, and allows you to select from Kenshiro, Raoh, Toki, Rei, Mamiya, Jagi, Thouzer and Shin. Some of these are fun and it's interesting playing from the side of some of the villains. Challenge mode offers two different challenges, one where you'll face off against the guardians of Hokuto and the other where you'll take on the five guardians of Nanto. These feature ranked leaderboards so you can compete with other Xbox 360 players for high scores. The gallery mode will let you look at an encyclopedia which has entries for all of the game's characters, moves, locations, etc. There is also a movie and music gallery which you'll unlock content for as you play. Options allow you to tweak the difficulty, adjust subtitles, change the violence level, turn the life gauge on or off and change the voices between English and Japanese. Overall, the game provides a wealthy amount of content particularly for a game of this nature.

Both legend and dream mode feature cut-scenes before and after each level explaining the plot. These are all quite well done but the amount of them can become a bit overbearing at times. Luckily they can all be skipped with a press of the start button. Dream mode differs a bit in that there are way more characters on the battlefield at once, resulting in some clutter and frame-rate stutters here and there, but nothing game-breaking. Dream mode also offers two-player coop.

There's a good variety of characters to choose from as you play through Ken's Rage, each of them featuring their own expansive skill tree. As you progress through the game, you'll earn spirit points that you'll use to unlock skills, perks and upgrades for your character. Each skill tree is massive and I'd estimate it'd take upwards of 20+ hours to max just one of them out! This is a bit overboard and I really wish your characters would start off with at least some of the skills unlocked. You do start off with a single signature move at least, but all the rest is up to the player to upgrade themselves. It seems more like a cheesy way to try to force replay value out of the game, which really isn't necessary, since if the gameplay is good enough people will keep playing it.

The stage design is probably the weakest aspect of Ken's Rage. The surroundings are all composed of drab browns and grays, which is intentional as the game takes place in a post-apocalyptic world. However, hardly any of the levels are discernible from one another so none of them really stand out. The stages are rarely linear, and while you do have a mini-map that will point out where your objectives are, most levels are filled with branching paths with power-ups laid out to reward exploration. I feel that the length of the levels in general is a bit too long, and some tightening up in the stage design aspect would have benefited the game a lot. In general it will take anywhere from 30-60 minutes just to clear a single scenario, which add ups to a really long game when you take into account how many different stages are offered.

While I enjoyed my time with Ken's Rage, it's not a game I'd recommend to everybody. Hack 'n slash and Fist of the North Star fans should definitely give it a look, but outside of that I couldn't see many others playing it through to the end. It's repetitive nature definitely makes it a good game to play inebriated, where you can just kind of zone out with all of the body parts and blood flying all over the place as you beat down wave after wave of punks. The game is well-designed in the sense that it never froze or glitched on me at any time which is a bit of a rarity these days. The main knock against Ken's Rage is that it's extremely repetitive and very grindy by nature, but if you enjoy these types of games that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Final Verdict: Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage will definitely appeal to fans of the anime/manga and beat 'em up/hack 'n slash junkies, but most others will likely find it far too repetitive.

DLC

Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage would receive seven additional DLC packs, some featuring new characters and missions with others featuring new costumes for existing characters. Overall the grand total is just under $40 if you wish to access all the extra content. This is quite ridiculous and in previous generations this is the type of content would have been included in the base game as a bonus for meeting certain conditions. While it's cool that they added additional characters (Heart & Outlaw) and new costumes for several characters, by the time I'd achieved 100% on the base game I'd honestly had my fill and certainly didn't want to invest any additional money into the game as I'd rather just move on to the sequel (which will be covered later when I get around to snagging a copy). There is no additional gamerscore attached to this DLC so you won't need it to unlock all the of the game's achievements.

Purchase Links:
Buy Ken's Rage (Digital) - Xbox Marketplace
Buy Ken's Rage (Disc) - eBay

Related Links:
Koei Tecmo - Official Site
Ken's Rage - Metacritic
Ken's Rage - GameFAQs
Ken's Rage Achievement Guide - Xbox Achievements
Ken's Rage - True Achievements
CGR Reviews Ken's Rage - YouTube

Xbox 360 Standard Controller (Xbox 360, 2005)

Controller Review | Xbox 360 Standard Controller
Developed by Microsoft
Original Controller Released in 2005
Revised Controller Released in 2010

Microsoft got the controller right (for the most part) the first time with the 360, as opposed to the original Xbox controller which received a drastic makeover during that console's lifespan. The standard 360 controller design remained mostly the same throughout the consoles almost decade-long lifespan. There were some variants with d-pads more suited to 2D games that were released in 2010, but the stick and button layout stayed consistent for better or worse while also laying the groundwork for the Xbox One controller.

Microsoft's controller obviously borrows some inspiration from Sony's design, containing the same amount of buttons in a similar layout with the main differences being the analog stick positions and the back "trigger" button styles. While the PlayStation's back buttons are more like actual buttons, the 360's triggers give these a different feel that seems a bit tacky at first, but is quite nice once you warm up to it. Being very familiar with the PlayStation stick layout and with the 360 being my first console from Microsoft, I initially was very skeptical of the analog stick positions. After a few months of consistent gaming on the system I failed to even really notice any difference and the analog stick position works just fine if not even better with this layout. All of the face buttons are responsive as well as the triggers. I've been through many of these controllers over the years but the buttons are never a point of failure. The first thing to go will typically be the analog sticks as they experience the most wear and tear over time.

Microsoft would of course release a ton of variants in the form of controller colors, some with designs and in limited quantities, making them something that could be a collectible if  you're into that kind of thing. There were also two standard variations: wired and wireless. The advantage of using a wired controller, other than not having to use batteries of course, is the ease of use with your PC. The ports on the 360 are USB so you can plug it right up on your computer and start playing a good majority of PC games. The wireless controller will eat up your AA batteries pretty fast, so you'll likely want to purchase one of the rechargeable batteries which is sold separately. Be weary of buying the play & charge kits second-hand since these batteries do still die out and you never know how much those used ones have been through.

While these are solid first-party controllers for the most part, of course everything isn't perfect. It's common knowledge at this point that the d-pad pretty much sucks. It's more of a disc rather than a cross which makes it very difficult to have any kind of precision, particularly in 2D titles where the pad will get the most use. Later releases of the controller feature a transforming d-pad that actually rectified this problem but these are nowhere near as common as the standard disc d-pad. My other issue with these controllers is that the rubber material used for grip on the analog sticks is really not that durable, and this is most always the first thing on a controller to show deterioration. While this is understandable considering how much action the sticks will see, I just wish they were a bit more durable. Microsoft did a great job making the analog sticks a lot more sturdy on the Xbox One controller.

Other than my somewhat minor gripes with old standard 360 controller, overall it's a good product that's comfortable to use and works great with all the 3D titles and games that use both sticks. It's biggest weakness is the d-pad (unless you have the transforming d-pad), so it's not optimal for your 2D action but there are other solutions for that available on the 360. The controller can also be great to use for your PC gaming and is often as easy as just plugging it in and playing!

Final Verdict: A good first-party controller that will also work with your PC. You definitely need to have a few of these around if you have a 360.

Related Links
Buy it at the Microsoft Store
Microsoft Xbox 360 Controller Variations at ConsoleVariants
Every 360 Controller on XBLA Fans
Xbox 360 Controller on Wikipedia
33 Xbox 360 Controller Variants by Metal Jesus Rocks - YouTube
Evolution of Xbox Controllers by PapiGFunk - YouTube

8-Bit Adventure Anthology: Volume One (Xbox One, 2017)

8-Bit Adventure Anthology: Volume One
Developed by Abstraction Games
Original Games by Icom Simulations/Kemco
Released for Xbox One (10/2017)
Also on Linux/Mac/PC/PS4

8-Bit Adventure Anthology: Volume One features the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) versions of three different point & click adventure classics: Déjà Vu, Uninvited and Shadowgate. These were all originally developed by ICOM Simulations and released for the Macintosh in the '80's. Kemco Seika would later port these titles over to the Famicom/NES, and these ports are the versions offered here in this collection. The games are all presented in their 8-bit glory, pretty much exactly how you would have played them on your NES back in the day.

When you first boot the game up you'll be greeted with some nice chiptune music and a menu where you'll choose which game you'd like to play. There is also a settings menu which allows to use a few different filters and adjust the volume. The available display options are CRT, old TV, terminal and black/white filters. Saving and loading your games are done within each title, giving you the option to come back later and resume from where you left off (this was still a pretty rare feature back in those days).

Gameplay-wise, all three titles in 8-Bit Adventure Anthology play similarly and feature the same user interface. On the bottom of the screen you have a list of commands, the upper left shows the current location and the upper right shows your inventory. While these games obviously play most intuitively with a mouse, Kemco Seika did a commendable job setting everything up for a controller, especially considering how long ago these were released. The cursor movement still feels a bit clunky, but there aren't really any quick reactions required that make it much of an issue. The analog stick moves the cursor quickly while the d-pad is slow making it easy to line up your pointer. I found the analog stick difficult to use and the d-pad, while slow, definitely made everything a bit easier. There are also some shortcut commands new to this version, making it easy to quickly open doors and move without having to access the open and move commands at the bottom of the screen.

Déjà Vu begins with your character awakening in a toilet stall with blood on his hands and complete amnesia. The story will slowly unravel as you explore the environment around you. There's some excellent chiptune music, which is important as you will hear the same handful of songs repeatedly throughout your time with the game. There's not much for sound effects except for a few here and there, but the music does a good job of setting the mood. There's a good variety of locations to explore and lots of items/people to interact with. The game is a bit easier than the other two featured in the compilation, but is still quite challenging if not resorting to a guide or walkthrough. The game is also a bit more grounded in reality than the other two games and I feel is a good entry point for somebody who wants to check out these style of games.

Uninvited has your character start out in a crashed car with his sister missing. Now it's up to you to explore the area and find out what happened to her. The game features some unsettling music and some genuinely creepy moments. Some of the puzzles here are a bit tough and I don't think I'd ever have figured some of these without a guide. There's quite a bit to see and do in this one and I always enjoyed figuring out what the next gruesome way to die would be. The game deals a lot with the supernatural, and your character will even learn spells he can cast in the game! This one's a good time and there are some gruesome deaths you can get yourself into.

Shadowgate is the third and final title included in the anthology, and this is another one that's really tough to crack without a guide of some sort. I remember thinking this game was impossible as a youth when I only had access to a few hints in an issue of Nintendo Power. Now playing through it with a guide makes it feasible, but it's pretty insane the amount of stuff the developers assumed the player would be able to figure out. One unique feature to Shadowgate is the fact that you have to carry around a lit torch and if at any point the torch goes out you die. It sounds much worse than it actually is, since there are ample torches available for pickup and even if you die you can just continue from the previous screen with a freshly lit torch. This is yet another solid port from Kemco and probably the hardest, most involved of the three.

These point 'n click titles were a niche genre back when these originally came out (especially on the NES) and still remain as such to this day. I think most people can tell pretty quick if they're going to have the patience for these types of games. These being such text-heavy games also require the use of your imagination quite a bit and I know that's something many people just don't want to mess with these days. However, if you're the type that enjoys a good retro point 'n click adventure you definitely want to get this one! I'm interested to see if they intend to release a volume two of this anthology, and wonder what could be included? Deja Vu 2 was ported to the Game Boy Color later on down the road, so I suppose that's a possibility.

Final Verdict: If you're looking for some 8-Bit point 'n click adventure style retro gaming goodness, 8-Bit Adventure Anthology Volume One should fill that void.

Related Links:
Buy 8-Bit Adventure Anthology - Microsoft Store
8-Bit Adventure Anthology - GameFAQs
Abstraction Games - Official Site
8-Bit Adventure Anthology Achievement Guide - Xbox Achievements

Uncraft Me! (XBLIG, 2013)

Uncraft Me!
Developed by Team Shuriken Studio
Released for Xbox Live Indie Games (6/2013)

Uncraft Me! is a tough 2D-platformer with a touch of that perversity that the XBLIG platform is often associated with. The in-game graphics are rendered in 3D blocks, similar to Minecraft, though the illustrated babes that make up the background are composed of high-def artwork. The women look like something you'd see in a Japanese anime and the game offers an option to switch the art from "goddesses" to kitties, which will replace the busty women with digitized kitty pics. This can be nice if you genuinely enjoy the gameplay and just want to play the game without being made fun of for doing so by onlookers, though it's arguable if the kittens in the background will necessarily prevent this.

Each level, of which there are a total of nine, features a unique picture which will be blocked at the beginning of the level. Each checkpoint you reach is a cannon that will blast out a portion of the concealed backdrop until you reach the final one at which point the entire picture will be exposed. The pics themselves are suggestive but there really isn't anything that racy, plus as mentioned before you do have the option to view kittens if you so desire. The stage layouts are well done for the most part, though there are some irritating sections in the later levels. Instead of a double-jump, your character in Uncraft Me! has a jetpack with a limited boost that recharges upon setting foot on solid ground. This gives the challenges a bit of their own flavor and makes for some very difficult stage designs especially when you get towards the end of the game. You will die a lot in this game, but the checkpoints are quite generous so you're never placed too far back and you're quickly respawned upon death. Along the way through the stages you'll face various obstacles, like giant laser beams and lava all over the place.

The soundtrack for Uncraft Me! is fantastic, composed of some hard-hitting chiptune tracks from Fantomenk. Fans of YouTuber Keith Apicary will recognize the name as he's used several of their tracks for his videos. The game allows you to view unlocked pictures for the stages you've completed, giving at least some incentive to play each stage. The challenge ramps up considerably towards the end, to the point that only the most persistent will be able to finish the final levels. I still haven't completed the final two levels myself after many, many tries. Uncraft Me! is successful at delivering a rock-hard 2D platforming experience that gives quite a bang for the buck it went for when the 360 indie games store was still rockin'.

Final Verdict: Uncraft Me! is a solid entry into the tough-as-nails 2D-platformer genre ideal for those who like a stiff challenge.

Related Links:
Uncraft Me! - GameFAQs
Team Shuriken - Official Site
Uncraft Me! Rage Quit - Rooster Teeth on YouTube
Uncraft Me! GFZ Review - YouTube
Uncraft Me! on Sad Games - YouTube