10 Xbox Live Arcade Games That Still Hold Up

Xbox Live Arcade significantly improved the gaming industry by offering a platform for players to explore exceptional independent games that might have been overlooked otherwise.

Today, it’s easy to overlook indie games, but they often provide superior gaming experiences compared to big-budget industry blockbusters from major publishers. However, in the early days of Xbox Live Arcade, this wasn’t always true. Indie developers were relatively new and had much to prove.

These games offered a welcome change from the increasing pattern of oversized, repetitive gameplay that’s becoming common in the top gaming franchises. However, there was a problem: they weren’t always straightforward to find and buy.

It’s great that Microsoft has simplified the process of finding and buying these games; you don’t need Microsoft Points for that, though, of course!

I particularly enjoy a number of games for the Xbox 360 that were released through Xbox Live Arcade, and I find that they remain just as enjoyable now as they did back then.

10. Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved

Shape Up

In more casual terms: Not long ago, I penned an article on Geometry Wars. Following its completion, I immediately got hold of the game on Steam and ended up playing it all night on my Steam Deck. I’d say the game is still as enjoyable today as it was almost twenty years back.

In simpler terms, this twin-stick shooter game strikes a great balance between being user-friendly for beginners and gradually increasing its challenge by adding more opponents and intensifying the firefight as you progress.

1) The turmoil doesn’t bother you since it presents itself in a very fashionable manner.

2) With each dash, you improve and grow more adept at managing the pandemonium caused by the geometric adversaries approaching you.

One might assume that a twin-stick shooter game wouldn’t hold its ground in today’s advanced gaming era; however, the playstyle of Geometry Wars remains as captivating and relevant as ever.

9. Castle Crashers

Co-op Brilliance

Initially, The Behemoth burst onto the gaming world with the successful retail launch of Alien Hominid. They managed to break into the mainstream limelight with their subsequent release, Castle Crashers – a side-scrolling beat ’em up filled with charisma, personality, and irresistible gameplay that keeps players hooked.

This type of game often leans heavily on its humor while skimping on gameplay depth, but Castle Crashers manages to steer clear of that trap. Instead, it can be said that it is a masterful tribute to the classic beat ’em up genre.

To be honest, some of its humor might seem a bit old-fashioned or immature to modern audiences, but considering the staggering success of a Deadpool film grossing over $1.3 billion, I firmly believe it still fits comfortably in today’s entertainment landscape.

After being updated and enhanced, the game Castle Crashers has been released anew, inviting players to delve into its unique aesthetic, enjoy its entertainment, and become hooked on its engaging mechanics.

8. Battleblock Theater

Masterpiece Theater

Behind the radar, The Behemoth offers an exceptional co-op platforming experience that transcends its popular titles like Castle Crashers and Alien Hominid. Today, it remains one of the top choices for cooperative play.

One of our earliest shared gaming experiences was this game, which my spouse and I began playing soon after we started dating, a few years post-release. As soon as we fired it up for the first time, we were captivated by each moment of it.

The extravagant performance that The Behemoth is famous for is showcased to its maximum extent, and this spectacle is supported by exceptional control mechanics and pinpoint-accurate platform navigation.

Due to the surge in popularity of cooperative platform games like It Takes Two and Split/Second, I strongly recommend revisiting Battleblock Theater. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

7. Fez

Platforming Brilliance

Say what you want about Phil Fish, but the man knows how to make a video game.

Among the greatest platform games ever created, Fez truly stands out as a remarkable design masterpiece from start to finish. It presents players with an innovative approach to the genre, and while its camera perspective may not be revolutionary, the game’s main focus is on exploration rather than traditional platforming.

The game invites players persistently to delve deeply, with its captivating visuals subtly leading explorers along their path.

Instead of pondering “How will I reach that destination?”, players now wonder, “What lies ahead once I arrive at my destination?

Fez demonstrates exceptional skill in blending gameplay, aesthetics, and immersion, achieving feats seldom seen in other games. Despite Philip Fish’s contentious reputation, there’s no denying his brilliance in the realm of video game creation.

6. Super Meat Boy

Super Challenging

Super Meat Boy could undoubtedly serve as an exemplary case study demonstrating the potential for independent games to thrive on Xbox Live Arcade.

Introduced on XBLA in 2010, Super Meat Boy quickly captured the world’s attention. To begin with, it was highly unlikely that this game would have received a traditional store release. Frankly, one might wonder who would back such an unconventional project. However, it was Microsoft and Xbox Live Arcade who took a chance on it.

Super Meat Boy showcases exceptional skill in platform gaming mechanics. To this day, its level of challenge continues to push games to their utmost limits, mirroring the toughest challenges found in Donkey Kong Country.

In a gaming landscape that constantly challenges players to their utmost capabilities, often inciting them after numerous defeats, Super Meat Boy fits perfectly. Remarkably, even though it was launched over a decade back, it aligns more with games from an era post-Dark Souls, giving it a timeless quality akin to aging a fine bottle of wine.

5. Bastion

The Start of Something Great

Despite being primarily recognized for its recent project, Hades, Bastion demonstrates that Supergiant was competent at creating masterpieces since its inception.

With its establishment, the independent game studio caused quite a stir. In fact, ex-game journalist Greg Kasavin served as a significant inspiration for me to join this field. I couldn’t wait to find out what innovative ideas he and his colleagues would create.

In the 2010s, Bastion, similar to beloved indie titles like Braid before it, demonstrated that exceptional games could emerge from independent development. Notably, this action RPG boasts an impressive presentation and sheen comparable to, or in certain aspects surpassing, the AAA games of its era.

This game combines captivating gameplay with a thrilling narrative, drawing players in through numerous engaging methods that keep them hooked, often well beyond the ending. Although it might not match the difficulty of other comparable games, Bastion consistently finds ways to stay lively and enjoyable.

4. Peggle

Your Old Addiction

I don’t think many younger games understand how popular Peggle was during its heyday.

Sure, we did get excited about the Peggle 2 announcement, and for good reason too! You see, one of the highly acclaimed World of Warcraft add-ons actually allowed players to enjoy a game of Peggle right within the game itself. Quite exciting, wasn’t it?

Peggle is a game that, if released on mobile devices back then, could potentially be harmful due to its highly addictive nature. Its gameplay mechanics are designed for quick and extended play sessions, making it easy to get lost in the action. You might find yourself playing it on the Xbox 360 while waiting for friends to arrive for a Halo match, only to look up and realize that several hours have passed, leaving you behind on those party invites.

Not many brain-teasers compare to the captivating charm of Peggle. Admittedly, its visual style might initially deter some players, but persevere and you’ll find yourself immersed in a truly addictive adventure that’s tough to leave behind.

3. Spelunky

A Roguelike Classic

It’s worth noting that the 2008 roguelike game has proven to be quite visionary, allowing it to remain remarkably relevant even today.

Spelunky is an outstanding roguelike game that continually introduces fresh methods to challenge its players – and it’s thrilling! The randomly generated caves you delve into are meticulously designed, steering clear of the monotonous, unoriginal, and repetitive worlds that often come with procedural generation in larger games.

In simpler terms, “procedurally generated worlds” was a term coined in the late 2000s that gained popularity, especially in games like Spelunky. This design approach meant each playthrough offered unique and varying experiences, presenting new challenges and obstacles that players had to adapt to quickly. In essence, it kept gamers constantly alert and engaged due to the dynamic environment.

Experiencing Spelunky in 2025 feels like stepping into a time capsule, transporting you back to the golden era of indie gaming. Back then, it was a refreshing change amidst the turbulent advancements in mainstream gaming. Today, it remains an invigorating escape from the jargon-heavy AAA games that dominate the market.

2. Shadow Complex

An Excellent Metroidvania

Back in the day, if Shadow Complex dropped today, folks would be raving about it as one of the top-tier Metroidvania games alongside the modern classics. Sadly, the Metroidvania revival hadn’t quite kicked off yet in 2009.

The special feature of this game set it apart from others in its category: navigating levels within a 2D environment gave a sense of familiarity, but fighting opponents on a 3D plane introduced an exciting twist to the combat system. Despite the potential for complications with control, the experience is remarkably smooth.

In this game, the novel twist in gameplay isn’t necessarily pushing the genre into new territory, but it didn’t have to because, you see, in the 2000s, Metroidvania-style games were relatively rare compared to today.

Experiencing a game similar to Shadow Complex, which seemed like an affectionate tribute to Super Metroid, felt incredibly refreshing, given that Nintendo was primarily developing first-person Metroid titles at the time.

2015’s remaster of Shadow Complex made me realize I wasn’t just nostalgically remembering the game through rose-colored lenses. To my surprise, it still stands strong, flaws and all.

1. Limbo

Minimalism In Motion

Critics often say that Limbo, compared to its sequel Inside, seems less impressive. However, if being surpassed by its successor is the only issue, then it suggests that Limbo remains a strong and well-regarded game.

Newcomers might not immediately grasp the significance of this indie game now, but upon its release, there was scarcely anything similar available. Its minimalist design complements a narrative that’s inherently ambiguous and open to multiple interpretations. The monochrome aesthetic aligns well with the unease it provokes, mirroring the challenging, trial-and-error gameplay style perfectly.

Limbo is a standout example from its time, demonstrating that video games can indeed be categorized as artistic works. The gaming experience serves not only to engage you but also aids in the narrative unfolding. It’s a game designed for a single playthrough due to its brief duration, yet it leaves an indelible impression long after the ending has been reached.

As a gamer, I find that there are plenty of similar games out there these days, but for me, Limbo remains as captivating as Star Wars: A New Hope continues to be. Don’t get me wrong, Empire Strikes Back is undeniably the superior film, but even its prequel offers an enjoyable gaming experience.

2025-03-23 20:40