V
Virtua
Guest
Having recently acquired and become addicted to Viva Piñata, I almost feel ashamed for letting this incredible game go ignored over the holidays, even with that $30 BB sale. The game has an engaging learning curve, gradually snowballing from a few simple tasks to a myriad of events to keep track of, and never lets up.
There's been a good deal of CAG praise for the game, but we're hardly mainstream here. How many other excellent titles have gone ignored because of their image?
Here's my top 5 Unpredictably Excellent Games. (In no particular order) I hope people will consider trying some of them out, and maybe you'll find a new old favorite on the cheap!
Kim Possible 2 (GBA)
http://www.amazon.com/Disneys-Kim-P...sr_1/002-9987135-2279225?ie=UTF8&s=videogames
This is an excellent platformer, with use of a grappling hook and lots of other gadgets, and even has some decent combat and acrobatic gameplay, not to mention colorful graphics and well done animations. The game is tough, too, harder than any game designed for middle school girls has any right to be. The game reminds me a bit of Prince of Persia, if you can get over the tween attitude. Don't bother with the other GBA or DS versions though, they're much more rubbish than the well polished second version.
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (DS)
http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Epi...sr_2/002-9987135-2279225?ie=UTF8&s=videogames
This one surprised me as well, seeing how crappy the console versions were. The DS iteration nails everything, from controls to sound to gameplay. The game plays like TMNT Arcade mashed up with some Devil May Cry style moments, in 2D. It may seem like a simple beat em up, but what sets it apart is the ability to block and parry enemies, throw them with force powers, and perform acrobatic moves to evade enemies.
On top of this is an mp3 quality star wars soundtrack, tense lightsaber duels, Upgradeable abilities for two separate characters, branching level paths, and single and multiplayer 3D space dogfights. This one's pretty cheap now as well, and I was surprised it didn't make it onto CAG's top underrated DS games.
Gladius (PS2/GC/XB)
http://www.ebgames.com/product.asp?product_id=916338
Another game that I've heard very few people talk about, but those that do mention it often won't stop until they've exhausted a dictionary's worth of superlatives. A turn based strategy game of gladiatorial battles set in ancient Rome where you upgrade characters and build a school of gladiators, with a compelling story? What's not to like? Maybe it was the original title, as this game seemed to have gone unnoticed by most. Additionally, the game has up to 4 player co-op and vs. gametypes, and two separate storylines.
This is one of those cheap ass gems that you'll get tons of playtime out of, especially with a friend. I know the first time I played it was in two player co-op and we basically played for about 6 hours without stopping. Excellent to look into, but 360 owners should know that it is unfortunately NOT backwards compatible as of yet.
SSX On Tour (PS2/GC/XB/PSP)
http://www.ebgames.com/product.asp?product_id=916579
I think that SSX on tour is the best of the SSX series yet. On Tour ditches the one giant mountain for a more focused, discrete racing and challenges setup. I think this was another game that got lost in a holiday competing with a 360 launch, and lots of big PS2 titles. If you're looking for a good extreme sports game on a budget, On Tour has a huge variety of tasks, customizable characters, and new skiing gameplay that adds some variety.
The soundtrack is also quite good. The fact that Dio makes an appearance goes a long way towards forgiving "EA Trax" of the past. Bonuses for the GameCube version are playable Mario, Luigi, and Peach.
Deathrow – XB
http://www.ebgames.com/product.asp?product_id=950212
A very fortunate and relatively unknown addition to the 360 backwards computability list is Deathrow for the Xbox. The misleading title and generic cover made me pass over this one numerous times. Few would know that it's an original sports type game, which recalls the classic Midway arcade sports titles, injected with brutal violence of a fighting game. It's a bit of a mishmash of Soccer with Basketball, and you score by tossing a disc through a hoop, pummeling the other team all along the way.
The game is well balanced and a ton of fun with up to 8 people in system link. It also can be had very cheaply. I can't help but think that Deathrow would make a great XBL Arcade title, with added online multiplayer and some gameplay refinements, but until then, check this game out.
There's been a good deal of CAG praise for the game, but we're hardly mainstream here. How many other excellent titles have gone ignored because of their image?
Here's my top 5 Unpredictably Excellent Games. (In no particular order) I hope people will consider trying some of them out, and maybe you'll find a new old favorite on the cheap!
Kim Possible 2 (GBA)
http://www.amazon.com/Disneys-Kim-P...sr_1/002-9987135-2279225?ie=UTF8&s=videogames
This is an excellent platformer, with use of a grappling hook and lots of other gadgets, and even has some decent combat and acrobatic gameplay, not to mention colorful graphics and well done animations. The game is tough, too, harder than any game designed for middle school girls has any right to be. The game reminds me a bit of Prince of Persia, if you can get over the tween attitude. Don't bother with the other GBA or DS versions though, they're much more rubbish than the well polished second version.
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (DS)
http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Epi...sr_2/002-9987135-2279225?ie=UTF8&s=videogames
This one surprised me as well, seeing how crappy the console versions were. The DS iteration nails everything, from controls to sound to gameplay. The game plays like TMNT Arcade mashed up with some Devil May Cry style moments, in 2D. It may seem like a simple beat em up, but what sets it apart is the ability to block and parry enemies, throw them with force powers, and perform acrobatic moves to evade enemies.
On top of this is an mp3 quality star wars soundtrack, tense lightsaber duels, Upgradeable abilities for two separate characters, branching level paths, and single and multiplayer 3D space dogfights. This one's pretty cheap now as well, and I was surprised it didn't make it onto CAG's top underrated DS games.
Gladius (PS2/GC/XB)
http://www.ebgames.com/product.asp?product_id=916338
Another game that I've heard very few people talk about, but those that do mention it often won't stop until they've exhausted a dictionary's worth of superlatives. A turn based strategy game of gladiatorial battles set in ancient Rome where you upgrade characters and build a school of gladiators, with a compelling story? What's not to like? Maybe it was the original title, as this game seemed to have gone unnoticed by most. Additionally, the game has up to 4 player co-op and vs. gametypes, and two separate storylines.
This is one of those cheap ass gems that you'll get tons of playtime out of, especially with a friend. I know the first time I played it was in two player co-op and we basically played for about 6 hours without stopping. Excellent to look into, but 360 owners should know that it is unfortunately NOT backwards compatible as of yet.
SSX On Tour (PS2/GC/XB/PSP)
http://www.ebgames.com/product.asp?product_id=916579
I think that SSX on tour is the best of the SSX series yet. On Tour ditches the one giant mountain for a more focused, discrete racing and challenges setup. I think this was another game that got lost in a holiday competing with a 360 launch, and lots of big PS2 titles. If you're looking for a good extreme sports game on a budget, On Tour has a huge variety of tasks, customizable characters, and new skiing gameplay that adds some variety.
The soundtrack is also quite good. The fact that Dio makes an appearance goes a long way towards forgiving "EA Trax" of the past. Bonuses for the GameCube version are playable Mario, Luigi, and Peach.
Deathrow – XB
http://www.ebgames.com/product.asp?product_id=950212
A very fortunate and relatively unknown addition to the 360 backwards computability list is Deathrow for the Xbox. The misleading title and generic cover made me pass over this one numerous times. Few would know that it's an original sports type game, which recalls the classic Midway arcade sports titles, injected with brutal violence of a fighting game. It's a bit of a mishmash of Soccer with Basketball, and you score by tossing a disc through a hoop, pummeling the other team all along the way.
The game is well balanced and a ton of fun with up to 8 people in system link. It also can be had very cheaply. I can't help but think that Deathrow would make a great XBL Arcade title, with added online multiplayer and some gameplay refinements, but until then, check this game out.
