Xbox 360 Marketplace and Arcade thread

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 12:44 pm

I thought I'd make a single thread for us to keep each other informed of new downloads and impressions of Arcade games.

These are the available demos currently available for download:

Kameo
Need for Speed:Most Wanted
NBA Live
FIFA:RTWC
Madden

Newest Arcade games:
Hardwood Spades
Hardwood Hearts
Hardwood Backgammon

Demos that are coming down the pipe:
King Kong

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 12:45 pm

The 2 newest downloads in the marketplace are free themes.

Kameo Holiday Theme
Rare Theme

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 12:55 pm

Hope this isn't a threadjack, because it sort of fits the header:

Are people buying games? Themes? How much have you spent?

I love the free demos and such, but I haven't spent a dime yet. I'm tempted to do so for Zuma and Backgammon, though.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 1:00 pm

Isn't Madden still available as a demo?

I'm definitely considering purchasing Zuma very soon. What an addiciting game.

I have purchased a St. Louis Rams theme, but that's about it so far.

I really hope they include some coin-op games such as Galaga, Ms. Pac-Man, Paper Boy, etc.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 1:14 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Isn't Madden still available as a demo?

Whoops, yes it is. I added it above.

webdanzer wrote:Hope this isn't a threadjack, because it sort of fits the header:

Not a threadjack at all. I was hoping this would turn into a thread where we can keep each other informed on new stuff available for download as well as impressions or recommendations.

In the marketplace I've changed my gamertag from todcomplex to Scoop Brady, bought a Chicago Bears gamer picture, downloaded demos, downloaded the free themes, and downloaded all of the arcade game demos except for backgamon.

The arcade games I've purchased are Geometry Wars (400 points), Smash TV (400 points), and Hardwood Spades (400 points).

Badgun · Post by **Badgun** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 1:16 pm

webdanzer wrote:Hope this isn't a threadjack, because it sort of fits the header:

Are people buying games? Themes? How much have you spent?

I love the free demos and such, but I haven't spent a dime yet. I'm tempted to do so for Zuma and Backgammon, though.

To me, the marketplace is one of the best ideas Microsoft had. I've already spent $44. I bought Geometry Wars, Bankshot Billiard, Hardwood Spades, the NFL theme pack, and one of the Kameo themes. I've also bought couple of gamer pictures as well.

The arcade games fit well with the theme of the 360. Most of the games are updated for high definition so they look amazing for what they are.

To be honest, my family has probably spent as much time playing the arcade games as we have playing the real games.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 1:23 pm

Badgun wrote:I bought ...one of the Kameo themes.

I don't know if you were aware of this, Badgun, but the Winter Warrior Pack is new holiday skins for use in game with Kameo. I may get that one myself, eventually.

I agree that the Marketplace is a good idea and it's implemented well, I just haven't seen anything yet that has made me pull the $$$ trigger. (Hexic would have, but it is free.)

I'm all over the demos, though, and even a couple of trailers.

Boom · Post by **Boom** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 1:30 pm

I've purchased:

Broncos Gamer Pic
Geo Wars - I'm soo addicted to this awesome game
Mutant Wars - meh, give me Geo Wars anyday
Zuma - Mucho fun
Bejeweled 2 - it is what it is

Love the marketplace. Very good idea, yet tough on the wallet. I'm always wanting to DL something new.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 1:42 pm

Not to threadjack even more...
But what are themes, and gamer pics.
Also what are the NFL theme pack?

Thanks.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 1:46 pm

JRod wrote:Not to threadjack even more...
But what are themes, and gamer pics.
Also what are the NFL theme pack?

Thanks.

Themes are applied to the background and overall look of the interface. Similar to windows themes.

Gamer pics are like avatars for your profile.

The NFL pack is essentially buying the gamer pics for every team. They also have individual themes for each team.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 2:02 pm

Well I spent some time in the market place last night, I'll admit I got my system hooked up and then played a game or 2 of Madden. So I did not read the system manual at all.

I'm curious if the marketplace has patches to download? For example where do I get all the backwards compatability patches, when I pop in the game into the 360? If so, do they have a running list of games?

Also I thought there was some kind of downlaod to get the iPod hooked up, etc.

I wanted to find some Bears themes etc, last night was just to little time, because setting it up took almost 90 minutes with my system and wall unit etc.

redneck · Post by **redneck** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 2:06 pm

"I'll admit I got my system hooked up and then played a game or 2 of Madden."

How'd you like Madden?

red

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 2:13 pm

I've gotten a Seattle Seahawks gamer picture, Bankshot Billiards 2, and Backgammon.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 2:34 pm

I'm hoping down the line they include more family and party games. It would gain in popularity if there was playable Trivial Pursuit, Monopoly, Scrabble, Wheel of Fortune, and Family Feud type games.

Badgun · Post by **Badgun** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 3:07 pm

webdanzer wrote:
Badgun wrote:I bought ...one of the Kameo themes.
I don't know if you were aware of this, Badgun, but the Winter Warrior Pack is new holiday skins for use in game with Kameo. I may get that one myself, eventually.

I agree that the Marketplace is a good idea and it's implemented well, I just haven't seen anything yet that has made me pull the $$$ trigger. (Hexic would have, but it is free.)

I'm all over the demos, though, and even a couple of trailers.

Yeah, I got the winter warrior pack and I got the new free Kameo christmas theme last night.

Badgun · Post by **Badgun** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 3:10 pm

Danimal wrote:Well I spent some time in the market place last night, I'll admit I got my system hooked up and then played a game or 2 of Madden. So I did not read the system manual at all.

I'm curious if the marketplace has patches to download? For example where do I get all the backwards compatability patches, when I pop in the game into the 360? If so, do they have a running list of games?

Also I thought there was some kind of downlaod to get the iPod hooked up, etc.

I wanted to find some Bears themes etc, last night was just to little time, because setting it up took almost 90 minutes with my system and wall unit etc.

backwards compatibility list here:

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/backwar ... eslist.htm

There is a Bears theme as well as a Bears gamer picture available. There is a patch in the downloads section that will let the 360 play unprotected AAC files, but it is a pain to find. Look through the "ALL downloads" section I think.

Oh and the best way to get the patch for backwards compatibility is to pop in a Ghost Recon or Splinter Cell game. Since they were the most recent added games, you will get the 1.2 patch.

bkrich83 · Post by **bkrich83** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 3:27 pm

I downloaded the X3 Teaser today in 720p. Wow, stoked on that movie when it comes out.

mixdj1 · Post by **mixdj1** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 3:53 pm

bkrich83 wrote:I downloaded the X3 Teaser today in 720p. Wow, stoked on that movie when it comes out.

In case you didn't recognize him under the Beast makeup:

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2005/12/07

He does have the voice for it.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 4:24 pm

sportdan30 wrote: I really hope they include some coin-op games such as Galaga

Now we are talking! I could have financed a home with the amount of quarters I put into that game. Good times. I'd love to see Asteroids soon also.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 4:27 pm

I just got my 360, what are points and do you have to pay for them?

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 4:39 pm

Diablo25 wrote:
sportdan30 wrote: I really hope they include some coin-op games such as Galaga
Now we are talking! I could have financed a home with the amount of quarters I put into that game. Good times. I'd love to see Asteroids soon also.

Wouldn't mind seeing Astromash as well. Used to play the heck out of that game on the Intellivision.

Badgun · Post by **Badgun** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 4:55 pm

fsquid wrote:I just got my 360, what are points and do you have to pay for them?

yes, you have to pay for points and there are two ways to get them. First through the Xbox dashboard on the Arcade blade I think, at the bottom of the screen it says "hit X to add Microsoft points". You can then add them and they will be charged to the credit card that you used for Xbox Live. Also, you can go into a retail store and by the marketplace cards. A card with 1600 points is $20. It is a little cheaper to do it through the dashboard as $12.50 will get you 1000 points.

You can redeem your points by buying gamer pictures, themes, and arcade games. The pictures usually run about 80 points while the games run anywhere from 400-800. I think Geometry Wars was 425 so that's around 5 bucks and it's well worth the price. Hope this helps!

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 5:14 pm

Badgun,
I'm it's the same exact cost per each. If you pay 12.50 for 1000 points that runs you .0125 cents. For 1600 at $20 that would still be .0125 cents per point.

I'm going to buy off the dashboard, no tax.

I'm pleased as punch as they aren't charging for demos, YET. You know they probably will. This way I can play Madden, FIFA while I'm waiting for my gamefly games to get here. I wish they had a tiger demo.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 5:46 pm

I thought it was $25 for 1600 points in the stores. That's what I saw it for at Best Buy last night. I thought it was odd that they'd cost more in the store.

As for the Arcade, rumor has it that Dreamcast games will make their way to the Live Arcade. How sweet would that be?

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 5:51 pm

ScoopBrady wrote: As for the Arcade, rumor has it that Dreamcast games will make their way to the Live Arcade. How sweet would that be?

Don't f'n tease! Seriously, that would be unreal.

I too am afraid that they will start charging for demos. That would totally suck! By being able to play the demos of NFS, Madden, and Fifa, I've saved $180.