The Six Best Downloadable Games on Xbox Live Arcade

I Couldn't Choose Just Five

Out of the many games available on Xbox Live Arcade, there a few that are exceptional and come near the quality of a triple A retail release. In this article I will list and describe the games that I feel are the best available in the Arcade.

Braid

No list of great downloadable titles would be complete without including Braid. Braid was seen by many as the first true art game. Braid is a 2D platformer/puzzler that uses the manipulation of time to solve puzzles. There are five different game worlds, each with a unique and enjoyable twist on how time works, forcing you to think in a totally different way for each world. Although you must sometimes make some tricky jumps, it never gets frustrating due to its inclusion of a rewind mechanic. The level design in this game is amazing, with watercolor backgrounds and perfectly chosen music combined with tons of completely original puzzles and no filler content. When you include the cryptic story that you never fully understand you have a truly amazing game.

Portal: Still Alive
When Portal was first released as a part of the Orange Box, it was met with rave reviews from critics and gamers alike. With its combination of clever puzzles, hilarious lines, and memorable "characters" such as the companion cube, it made an already great deal into a must buy. Valve decided to release it separately to the arcade with the inclusion of a few extra challenges to entice those who had already played the other games in the Orange Box to play Portal. Their plan worked and Portal sold very well while getting great reviews.

Battlefield 1943
Battlefield 1943 was released in the beginning and quickly became fastest selling arcade game yet released due to its addictive and accessible gameplay, epic feel, and low entry price. It has recently reached over a million sales and has been on the Xbox Live top games since release.