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XBLA Awards Dominated By Classics
Posted by Mike Fahey at 7:40 AM on February 23, 2008
Microsoft has revealed the winners of the inaugural Xbox Live Arcade Awards, which features the best in XBLA titles as chosen by you, the player. Over 26,000 people voted in January on six different categories, with the finalist chosen by a panel of industry journalists. Your pick for Best Overall Arcade Game? Hudson's Bomberman Live, which also took home the Best Competitive Multiplayer award. The big winner was Pac-Man: Championship Edition, which won in three categories including Xbox Live Arcade Staff Choice. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles both won in two categories, with Team 17's Worms the only single award winner for Most-Played Game. Not one new IP on the list, which I see as a resounding win for the classics. Sometimes the best new games are old ones.
Xbox LIVE Arcade Reveals Its Community's Pick for Best Games With Inaugural Awards at GDCLONDON - 22 February 2008 -- At the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2008 today, Microsoft Corp. celebrated the success of its industry-leading Xbox LIVE Arcade platform with the inaugural Xbox LIVE Arcade Awards. In January, more than 26,000 people voted for their favourite Xbox LIVE Arcade games, and this week Microsoft announced the winners at a private developer reception at GDC.
The finalists in each award category were chosen by a panel of select industry journalists, and the winners for the first six categories were determined by popular vote, with the final four categories decided by sales and gameplay data, Metacritic score or staff vote. Following are the winners for each category:
Xbox LIVE Arcade Award Winners
· Best Overall Arcade Game: "Bomberman Live" (Hudson Entertainment)
· Best Classic Game: "Castlevania: Symphony of the Night" (Konami Digital Entertainment)
· Best Original Game: "Pac-Man: Championship Edition" (NAMCO BANDAI Games)
· Best Family-Friendly Game: "Pac-Man: Championship Edition" (NAMCO BANDAI Games)
· Best Competitive Multiplayer Game: "Bomberman Live" (Hudson Entertainment)
· Best Cooperative Multiplayer Game: "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (Ubisoft Entertainment)
· Best-Selling Game: "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (Ubisoft Entertainment)
· Most-Played Game: "Worms" (Team17 Software Limited)
· Highest-Rated Game: "Castlevania: Symphony of the Night" (Konami Digital Entertainment)
· Xbox LIVE Arcade Staff Choice: "Pac-Man: Championship Edition" (NAMCO BANDAI Games)
"The Xbox LIVE Arcade business is currently the strongest it's ever been, thanks to the content provided by the diverse range of talented developers attached to the platform," said Marc Whitten, general manager of Xbox LIVE at Microsoft. "The Game Developers Conference is the perfect venue to recognise the successes of Xbox LIVE Arcade developers, and as we move further into 2008, gamers can expect to see even more quality content land on Xbox LIVE Arcade."
Xbox LIVE Arcade is home to the world's most innovative independent developers, with more than 25 independent studios serving as the creative fuel behind the original games that represent more than a quarter of the Xbox LIVE Arcade library.
In addition, the number of Xbox LIVE Arcade players has grown 145 percent since this time last year, and together players have logged more than 115 million gaming hours worldwide. The business as a whole has experienced a 150 percent year-over-year growth in unit sales.
With 14 Xbox LIVE Arcade games clocking in with a Metacritic score of 80 or higher and seven of those games available only on Xbox LIVE Arcade, the platform has established itself as the go-to source for quality pick-up-and-play gaming. There are currently more than 116 games available on Xbox LIVE Arcade, with new content added on Wednesdays.
-Ends-
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
Tony
Posted February 27, 2008 7:03 AM
This is seriously a list formed by less than 30,000 voters and yet somehow there are people trying to tell me this means that original IPs suck on XBLA? There's several original games that are worth owning, which to me is enough. Not everything can captivate everyone.
Fyren
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
@demonknightinuyasha: I wouldn't buy an xbox mainly focused on xbla.
On the other hand, it would be atrocious to own an xbox and NOT have some remade classics as well as brand new IP.
If your a pacman fan, your doing yourself a serious disservice by not getting Pacman CE.
Its not as mindblowing as some people might make it out to be, but its definitely one of the winnahs! in my book.
Fyren
demonknightinuyasha
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
so i have a question, as i dont own a 360. are there really any good original games on xbla or is it all just classic stuff that's doing well like the wii's VC ? (obviously since for now the VC is just roms there's nothing new to do well)
i would love to get pacman CE on my ps3 as im a huge pacman fan (my ring tone is even the waka waka heheh)
personally i hate the virtual console because there is nothing new, im just paying for roms. but im very interested to see what comes out of the wiiware projects. I'd rather buy new games or at the very least classic games with updated visuals and maybe new game modes. the only classic game i've bought so far on psn is Qbert because Qbert is scientifically speaking awesomesauce. but Ive also got some really great original games like calling all cars, superstardust HD, and everyday shooter. (though the title superstardust hd makes it sound like it may be a remake with hd grapihcs and such, i dont know for sure, if it is an old game though i've never heard of it before this version lol). i downloaded the pixeljunk monsters demo last night too and its pretty interesting. i like how you're a little guy instead of just a mouse pointer lol. it makes for a different and interesting dynamic to it instead of it just being desktop tower defense force (you dont even make mazes of towers like you do in DTDF (or whatever the game is called i dont remember for sure honestly >.>) so in the end the game doesn't even play that similar other than the fact that there are towers and they defend stuff.
demonknightinuyasha
Fyren
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
Some MvC2 love?. While we are at it, crazy taxi or powerstone?
Fyren
Xeronius
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
@Northernsky
I'd push my family in front of a bus if they'd release a (NEW?) version of Powerstone. I thought about picking up a PSP for it, but I couldn't do it...
Xeronius
Peronthious
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
No Alien Hominid love? Decent games on there, but I expected to see AH somewhere.
Peronthious
TrevWolf
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
I was never a fan of Pac Man until I twiddled my thumbs at CE - now I hear wakka wakka in my sleep.
TrevWolf
romulusmaximus
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
As much as I love Pac-Man CE. I find it hard to be that "original". I do love me some Catan and Carcossonne although I totally suck at it.
romulusmaximus
photoboy
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
It's good to see Pac-Man CE, TMNT and Castlevania getting some very well deserved recognition.
photoboy
Struct09
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
@OneLetter: I'm pretty sure the rights for the Simpsons are pretty tied up right now. I think EA has the license for anything Simpsons video game related.
Struct09
Northernsky
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
@chinasky:
While Chu Chu Rocket would be brilliant, (I've yet to find a local multiplayer game that can bring out so much aggression and hostility in people...Fucking cats...) Crazy Taxi hasn't held up so well...
I'd love to play Power Stone again, and Shenmue, obviously. I'd buy extra 360's just to buy it more in the vain hope of getting Shenmue III released.
Northernsky
darthmole12
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
Glad to see Pac-Man: CE getting some props. That was definitely my favorite XBLA game from the past year.
darthmole12
randomizer9
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
As much as I like Pac-Man:CE, I question its being in the the 'original game' category as well. I agree that the 360 needs a decent arcade stick, though. I bought the MadCatz Arcade stick awhile back and while its better than a stock 360 controller, it still has too much 'throw' to work well with those older games.
randomizer9
Killtacular
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
@Killtacular: oh, forgot to add the Grammy went to them, instead of Metallica, for "Crest of a Knave" ??
Killtacular
Killtacular
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
@trachten: Except Aqualung was released in 1971.
Killtacular
chinasky
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
@The Wreckard:
The line about Dreamcast games? So true. I would download a ton of those DC games without a seconds hesitation. In particular I'd love to see like Crazy Taxi, the DC version of Worms, Chu-Chu Rocket, and just about every fighting game. I'm sure I'm not alone in that desire.
chinasky
RPGZero
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
@The Wreckard: Well, I've seen plenty of good titles on the service, in previous years. I just don't think 2007 was a good year for new IPs.
RPGZero
jollydwarf
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
"Pac-Man: CE" effectively broke one of my controllers. Death by excessive sharp turn and 'border grinding' trauma.
If that ain't an endorsement, I don't know what is.
Now let's see that "Geometry Wars" sequel this year, okay?
jollydwarf
Sauce
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
It makes me somewhat sad that Carcassonne didn't get anything. I love that game over Live.
Sauce
dexterr
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
would namco bandai at least release Pac-Man: Championship Edition for all consoles. i'm pretty sure others want to play it on there consoles. or release as a arcade cabinet.
dexterr
Dishwasher
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
@Toasticus:
Catan is great very underrated.
Dishwasher
Madeira
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
@josh924: Oh yeah... heh
@The Wreckard: Now that's just bullshit.
Madeira
Islandkiwi
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
Pac-Man CE was worth every penny. Go buy it!
Islandkiwi
xot
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
Nothing says NextGen like Bomberman, Castlevania, Pac-Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Worms. Nothing.
xot
Tramz
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
@notakujustraku: I assume it was for 2007 games? Rez HD came out on January 30th, 2008.
Tramz
The Wreckard
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
@RPGZero: XBLA is a massive disappointment in general. I'm not sure why they aren't able to get good classics or good originals on there, but they don't get either.
Most of it is browser-game level shovelware.
I'm not sure why they haven't negotiated with Sega to put up all their classic games on there from the Dreamcast, Saturn, and Genesis. That's where the good stuff is.
Of course they'd have to get rid of that arbitrary download limit for that.
The Wreckard
josh924
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
@Madeira: That probably has to do with the fact that these are awards for XBLA games released in 2007, not 2008.
josh924
trachten
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
That's a good point. 'Aqualung' is far more interesting than 'Ride the Lightning' (or whatever Metallica CD you think is the best one). Newer isn't necessarily better.
trachten
OneLetter
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
Since TMNT took home the "Best-Selling Game", you would think that Ubisoft would push to bring out the Simpsons Arcade game as well based not only on hype for the game, but on the success of a similar side scrolling fighter.
Who knows, we might even see the 6-player X-Men game in the future. Then I'd be happy.
OneLetter
LongDarkBlues
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
Pac Man CE is fantastic - I've certainly spent ore time with that and Castlevania than any other XBLA game. Worms was a bit of a disappointment - they gimped the game so much from it's previous side-view incarnation.
With all this attention to classic games in the Arcade, you'd think microsoft would release a joystick controller with a 4-way limiter. I picked up an 8-way, but it's still not great - Arcade in a Box has one, but $200 for a controller is a bit more than I can justify to play Dig Dug, but the standard 360 controller, both the d-pad and the analog, are terrible for old games. Pac-Man CE is a world better with the analog than Ms. Pac-Man, but it's still a poor substitute for a joystick.
LongDarkBlues
sc00t420
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
when the hell are we getting castle crashers :(
sc00t420
notakujustraku
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
Was Rez HD eligible for any awards?
notakujustraku
Tramz
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
No lie about Pac-Man CE. I tried telling some friends about how much fun it was, and they couldn't get beyond the idea that it was Pac-Man. To them, all they saw was paying money to play a 20 year old game. Of course those particular friends didn't even own 360's, so i guess it didn't matter. Most everyone on my 360 friends list nabbed it. Either way, it's good to see such a great game wasn't overlooked and considered yet another classic rehash, because it is much better than that.
Tramz
Tepoz
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
I've always thought that XBLA skewed itself to the older gamer. Pac Man CE is totally rad though!
Tepoz
magic_envelope
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
I think the appeal of the 'classics' is really just anemic to the portable/cheap game industry...
you'd never actually play it if it didn't resemble some old game you used to love, which is why I can never regard most portable/arcade/cheap games as being worth anyone's time...
it's just milking nostalgia, not creating something worthwhile.
magic_envelope
RPGZero
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
It was a very poor year for new IP titles on XBLA.
RPGZero
Madeira
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
Pac Man CE taking best original over Omega Five is like Jethro Tull taking home the Metal Grammy over Metallica.
Madeira
user.error
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
No E4? At all?
user.error
Sniper_Zegai
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
Im not big on XBLA, but even I have Castlevania:SOTN, its a great game and deserves the awards.
Sniper_Zegai
Toasticus
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
Catan is the XBLA game I've most enjoyed to date, personally.
Toasticus
cheeba
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
Good to see Pac-Man CE winning, that's a real gem. Anyone who hasn't tried it yet should definitely give it a shot, it's a very different game from the Pac most us know.
But TMNT, really? And best-selling game? Nostalgia's got a lot to answer for there.
cheeba
acez2087
Posted 1:38 PM 23/2/08
They forgot one category: "Most Challenging Game Still to Date: Super Conta".
acez2087
bobcaticus
Posted 8:04 PM 3/3/08
no Puzzle Quest? Shame. Addictive like crack - once you beat Dugog (#$^$*@# cheating ogre) its the most fun game i've played in years
bobcaticus
KaneRobot
Posted 8:04 PM 3/3/08
@Khab: Regarding the awards - no Rez HD??! That's SHAMEFUL.
Uh, not really, considering that Rez just came out and they were likely voting on these for 2007 only.
Pac-Man C.E. was easily the best original game on XBLA of last year, and TMNT Arcade was easily the best classic arcade game ported over of last year, and Castlevania SOTN was easily the best console game ported over last year. Bomberman isn't my thing, but I have no problem with it. For once, I agree with an awards ceremony!
KaneRobot
Shimmergeek
Posted 8:04 PM 3/3/08
And where the hell is PuzzleQuest???
Shimmergeek
MXs219
Posted 8:04 PM 3/3/08
This also reminds me That i got a new xbox from microsoft and now The One game i play that is an arcade game which is Sonic #1 doesn't work it says i have to pay fro it again. This sux but congradz to all the winning games.
MXs219
Khab
Posted 8:04 PM 3/3/08
AFAIK, you can buy them (and play them) with a Silver Live! membership, which is free (no monthly cost).
Regarding the awards - no Rez HD??! That's SHAMEFUL.
Khab
tonythekitty
Posted 8:04 PM 3/3/08
Question: I am about to buy an xbox 360 for several of these games. Do I have to have a xbox live membership to play them? (Offline I mean) I dont like multiplayer. Or can I buy them with my trial live membership and continue to enjoy them after my membership has ended?
tonythekitty
D3Anon
Posted 8:04 PM 3/3/08
@acez2087:
Yeah no kidding, emphasis underscore on the fact you cant change the settings or achievements dont get earned, even on the easiest the game is a pain in the ass. if you have it id love to coop with you sometime.
D3Anon
gique
Posted 8:04 PM 3/3/08
i havent heard anything about voting on this either, nothing at GDC...
gique
CyberSkull
Posted 8:04 PM 3/3/08
So when the hell was the voting? I didn't see any notices.
CyberSkull
acrnym
Posted 8:04 PM 3/3/08
Utterly disappointed. I didn't expect it to be on "the list", but I did expect someone to pipe up in the comments about Space Giraffe. Surely there's some fans out there? I honestly regard it as one of the best games ever made, even coming for a 22 year old with marginal Spectrum experience as a child (Short Circuit 2, anyone?) and an owner of mostly FPSs and RPGs.
At first, I thought Minter was a bit out-of-bounds with his blog posts, but now I see he was absolutely right - crap ROMs sell over genuinely innovative games. Maybe Space Giraffe would've done better as a cheap retail game? Who's to know, and this probably isn't the forum for these thoughts, but nevertheless, there they are.
acrnym