Buzzin Games

When the gaming BAFTA winners were announced, I said it was a shame that there wasn’t a category for the downloadable games where the greatest innovation was occurring. Well, Microsoft have made their own competition on that front, though of course that does mean we miss out on Lost Winds, World of Goo and Nobi Nobi Boy. Still, XBLA does have its fair share of great downloadable titles, so let’s have a look at the nominees and winners. Once again, I’ve bolded the title I thought should have won (and indeed, that I voted for).

“Game of the Year :

Castle Crashers

Nominated: Braid, Castle Crashers, Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2, Street Fighter II HD Remix, Portal: Still Alive

Best Versus Mode:

Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix

Nominated: Street Fighter II HD Remix, Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2, Soul Calibur, Meteos Wars, Age of Booty

Best Single Player Game :

Portal: Still Alive

Nominated: Braid, Mega Man 9, Penny Arcade Episode 1, Rez HD, Portal: Still Alive

Best Remake:

Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix

Nominated: Bionic Commando Rearmed, Street Fighter II HD Remix, Mega Man 9, Galaga Legions, Rez HD

Best Original Game:

Castle Crashers

Castle Crashers, N+, Braid, Penny Arcade Episode 1, Schizoid, Age of Booty

Best Innovation:

Braid

Nominated: Braid (time travel), A Kingdom for Keflings (use of Avatars), Fable II Pub Games (retail game integration), N+ (level sharing), Duke Nukem 3D (dynamic replay)

Best Graphics:

Super Street Fight II Turbo HD Remix

Nominated: Street Fighter II HD Remix, Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2, Braid, Castle Crashers, Bionic Commando Rearmed

Best Family Game:

A Kingdom for Keflings

Nominated: Boogie Bunnies, Roogoo, A Kingdom for Keflings, Lost Cities, Meteos Wars (Abstaining – haven’t played any of them)

Best Co-op Mode:

Castle Crashers

Castle Crashers, Schizoid, Bionic Commando Rearmed, N+, Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2

As you can see, in my view it should have been a landslide for Castle Crashers and Braid – both titles I reviewed and got a lot of joy from over the last year. They’re also two of the more expensive ones on Live, both clocking it at 1200 points, which is a disappointing precedent. I’ve also got a fair amount of pleasure from Duke Nukem 3d and N+ over the last year, but neither can stand up to the brilliant work of Braid and Castle Crashers.

I do think Live Arcade has the strongest line-up of downloadable games of the three consoles overall, but it’s still a shame we don’t see a unified competition. As for next year’s awards, I’m already putting early votes towards The Maw and the all conquering Peggle, but there’s plenty of time for better titles to emerge…