| Xbox 360 Retro Gift Guide 2011 Dec 26th 2011, 11:02 Not only does the Xbox 360 play next-gen console games, which include classic game collections and modernized retro remakes, but it's downloadable games service, Xbox Live Arcade features loads of re-releases, remakes and remixes, making it the perfect system for those old-school fans who also love dabbling in modern hardcore gaming hits. There are a few different Xbox 360 consoles to choose from, each touts different features, but they all play the same classic video game offerings. The 360 slim includes a built in Wi-Fi receiver so you don't have to blow an extra $100 bucks on an external one, a port for Microsoft's new motion sensitive system, Kinect, and an internal 4-gig hard drive. While this is the least expensive of the Slim system's hard drive is pretty small and will fill up fast. The Xbox 360 Slim 250-gig edition is the same as the 4-gig version only with a heck of a lot more hard drive space for all of those awesome Xbox Live Arcade downloadable classic video games, gave saves, videos, etc. The system costs more than the 4-gig edition, so pick based on how much you plan to download. Once you've got yourself an Xbox 360, if you want to start downloading all of those great retro originals, remakes, and remixes via Xbox Live Arcade, you have to register with the service. There are two levels to choose from, the basic and free Silver membership, which let's you purchase and download Xbox Live arcade games as, or the paid Gold membership that not only allows you first crack at newly released downloadable offerings, but allows multiplayer gaming online. A gold membership also gives you access to the other Xbox Live services such as Netflix, and Microsoft Game Room, which allows users to create their very own retro arcade where friends can come by and play old-school console classics. Now that you've got your Xbox 360 system and have selected an Xbox Live membership, it's time to start downloading some classic video games, only you can't snag anything other than demos without purchasing Xbox Live points. Xbox Live Points are the virtual economy used to purchase Xbox Live Arcade games, but to get the points you have to purchase them. While this is a bit of a confusing system, it does allow you to give Xbox Live Points via Gift Cards the same way you would a gift certificate. While home gaming has evolved towards D-pads and thumbsticks, catering to the advance gameplay mechanics of console games, it makes playing retro rereleases and remakes of classic arcade games extremely difficult to play. This became most apparent with the releases of Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix and the retro inspired Street Fighter IV. To answer the outcry from retro gamers frustrated with trying to play the arcade action with the regular 360-control pad, the folks at Mad Katz devised the Street Fighter IV Arcade Fightstick to mirror the original joystick and multi-button controls of the original Street Fighter II arcade game. It also works with many other retro-style 360 arcade games. If you don't care if your arcade joystick style controller for the Xbox 360 is branded with Street Fighter, and don't want to play the high price tag of the Street Fighter IV Arcade Fightstick, then this bargain priced joystick controller will do the trick. For those who wondered whatever happened to the 1983 Bomberman series have the option of downloading the retro remakes and old-school style sequels available via Xbox Live Arcade, or checking out this Next-Gen sequel that revamps the gameplay and graphics of the franchise for 3D action gameplay. Next to Metal Slug, The King of Fighters is the most popular series to come out of the advance (for it’s time) Neo-Geo console and arcade system. The gameplay and graphics style of the original is so popular that SNK Playmore, the developers and creators of the King of Fighters franchise stuck to it’s retro roots, delivering the same 2D fighting style as the original in a next-gen console package. 34 of Namco's classic offerings including Pac-Man, Dig Dug, and Galaga, plus their Xbox Live Arcade remixes are available in one package. The good thing: It's the largest collection of retro Namco hits ever made available. It even includes Pac-Man Championship Edition, an upgraded remix, with new mazes designed by Pac-Man creator TÅru Iwatani. The downside: The 9 Xbox Live Arcade games aren't contained on the disk. To get these games you have to put the disk in and download them from Xbox Live, taking up valuable hard drive space. You also can't play the downloaded games unless you have the disk also running in the console. Regardless of its shortcomings this is one of the best retro gaming bargains available for the Xbox 360.  | |
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