Jason Murphy

Casual Games on a $400 Console

Jun 17, 2006 Geeks and Gadgets

So I finally received my Xbox 360 last week. Its the latest and greatest next generation video game console. Among its many features are HD (High Definition) graphics that will have you question if they are real video footage or not. Especially games like MotoGP ‘06 (motorcycle racing) and Fight Night Round 3 (a boxing game so real it almost doesn’t deserve to be called just a “game”). Also featured on the Xbox 360 are internet access for use with the Xbox Live subscription service and wireless, rechargable game controllers.

So what’s the first thing I do with my uber-powerful $400 video game system?

I download Jewel Quest, of course.

I love casual games and would be considered a casual gamer, although I can blow a few hours on Halo pretty easily.

Part of the Xbox Live subscription is access to the Xbox Live Arcade, a portal where you can download game demos of upcoming games and TONS of casual games. The casual gaming lineup includes some heavy classic time killers like Jewel Quest, Bejeweled 2, and AstroPop. Much to my delight, the marketplace also contains several of my favorite indie games, such as Wik: Fable of Souls, Marble Blast Ultra, and Outpost Kaloki X (an insanely humourous Tycoon type game featuring intergalactic lemonade stands which I’ve had on my PC for over a year now). I was also delighted to find a few of my favorite classic games on there, Gauntlet and Joust, with online multiplayer abilities added to them.

Xbox Live Arcade also features some exclusives. Geometry Wars is a cult classic among Live players. And UNO has a very unique feel that changes the dynamic from the table card game (not a bad thing, just different. And quite fun.).

Before, I was worried about how many times over I’d be paying $65 and $70 prices for new games for my new toy. Now, I’m paying $4 to $10 (or so) for a few shareware games that on the PC would cost $15 to $30 and would still be a good value. I’m playing them cheaper on a TV and with a preferred Xbox controller. And it’s great!

Another advantage that playing on Xbox Live Arcade is gamer cards. I have a gamercard on the internet somewhere (still have yet to hunt the link down, but I see it on my Xbox 360). Playing these games unlocks “achievements”, little milestone tokens, that get added to your gamer card. Having milestones for each of the games makes replaying a favorite game that much more rewarding, as well as fine tuning your game skills. Also, you get a gamer score based on how many games you play, how many acheivements you have, what levels you play at (easy, medium, hard, etc), and what your high scores for the games are. I don’t get a cool little scorecard for all the games I might play on my cellphone or PDA. I might get to play some games online with friends on my PC, but I don’t get all of them in one place. Centralized bragging rights is one hugely understated feature of Xbox Live that most non-Live subscribers don’t realize they’re missing out on.

And you’ve never played Jewel Quest quite like this.