Perhaps it’s nostalgia, or perhaps it’s the growing realisation that – as console games become more and more sophisticated – I’m no longer capable of playing to a high standard, but when I looked back upon E3 2015, the one announcement that still excites me more than any other is the announcement of Xbox 360 backwards compatibility on Xbox One. As someone who was in the midst of trying to sell his Xbox 360 as that very announcement was being made (farewell, old friend, we had a hell of a ride), the idea that my digital collection – spanning dozens of games and hundreds of pounds – would not be forever lost to the digital ether (publisher permission notwithstanding) is a hugely exciting one. Microsoft’s subsequent release of a poll, inviting people to vote for the games they’d like to see add to the list of games available, got me to thinking about the games I would want people to have the chance to play on their “Xbones.” And so, in no particular order, here are the games that I believe are must-haves for anyone looking to take advantage of this awesome new feature. Streets of Rage 2 Look, I know I’m cheating here, what with the 360 version of Streets of Rage 2 basically just being an emulated version of the original MegaDrive (Genesis) release, but STREETS OF RAGE 2 IS THE GODDAMN GREATEST GAME OF ALL-TIME, AND I WILL FIGHT ANYONE WHO SAYS OTHERWISE. Sorry about that. But, seriously, I will fight you. Grand Theft Auto IV (incl. The Lost & Damned, and The Ballad of Gay Tony) In the overarching narrative of the Grand Theft Auto franchise and its incredible success, GTA IV has somehow become the bastard offspring that no-one seems to want to talk about anymore. In spite of being the first GTA game to come even close to getting its game mechanics right, it has become much maligned in many circles for its overly serious tone (come on now), the disconnect between Niko Bellic’s words and actions (somewhat fair), and the annoying NPCs (damn you people, Roman is actually alright). None of that matters though, when you’re walking around a pretty fantastic representation of NYC on a rainy night, listening to the random chatter going on around you and cars lightly splashing through puddles, as street lighting reflects off of them. Maybe I’m romanticising this a little, sure, but it’s still one of the very best experiences on last-generation consoles. Shadow Complex “Metroidvania” has become something of a dirty word over recent years. Understandably so, given the propensity of the games writing industry to use it as a catch-all term for any platformer that features more than two-way exploration (a crime I’ve also been guilty of in the past, for the record). However, if we have to use it for now, until we come up with something better, then Shadow Complex might just be the best example of the genre in recent memory. Interesting story, excellent graphics, and a perfectly-graded curve of progression make it arguably XBLA’s finest hour. This one should be a no-brainer. LA Noire This will probably end up as the most controversial choice on this list, being a divisive game upon its release and becoming even more so in the years since, mostly due to its inconsistent interrogation sections and out-of-the-blue shift in tack towards the end. Whilst these arguments are perfectly valid ones, they can be explained away within the narrative of Cole Phelps and his psyche. Focussing on those arguments also unfairly sells the game’s many other positives short. Through a fantastically well-rendered version of 1940s LA – via its architecture, as well as the vehicles and people who travel through its streets – Rockstar and Team Bondi created a game with a sense of place that I believe is still unmatched by any other real-world environment since. It also has a genuinely interesting story, aided by the excellent characterisation provided by TB’s outstanding facial animation software. As soon as Microsoft can figure its way around the issue of multi-disc games, then this is another must. Fallout 3 Of course, we already know that this one is on its way for free with the purchase of Fallout 4, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s one of the finest games on Xbox 360. And, sure, making it available through backwards compatibility is likely to do nothing to solve the game’s major issue – those damn bugs and glitches. However, people don’t get half as hyped for Fallout 4, if the games that preceded it weren’t as good as they were. Whereas LA Noire was driven forward by its overarching narrative, Fallout 3 is a series of smaller stories, each one intricate and intimate in its telling. It’s also driven forward by a real sense of progression and exploration that has become the template for many action-driven RPGs in the following years. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare It was a tough choice between this, Modern Warfare 2 and the first Black Ops, on account of MW2’s outstanding Spec Ops mode and Black Ops’ overall package, but the purity of the original Modern Warfare is still something truly special. In a series that’s become increasingly known for its bombast, the original Modern Warfare’s greatest asset is the restraint it shows throughout, from its standout campaign mission, All Ghillied Up, to its effectively simple multiplayer suite. That multiplayer mode still maintains a strong player base to this day, and would only grow once put in front of a brand new audience. And, hey, I’m sure Activision will relish the opportunity to sell a whole bunch of DLC to that new audience too. Truth be told, I can go on for days about the game I’d like to see brought to the system – for instance, Mass Effect 2 would have been on this list, but I’m still hoping for a remastered trilogy ahead of the release of Andromeda – and I’m sure many of you could too. So, let us know – which games would be top of your list? And, remember, if your list doesn’t include Streets of Rage 2, you’re dead to me.
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