5 XBLA Games Every 360 Owner Should Download

Gamers have plenty of options when it comes to selecting
downloadable games on the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, and PC. But with so many
choices, how do you separate the good games from the bad? GamePro
Arcade is here to help, offering up the 5 best games for each platform
that no gamer should go without.
The first edition of our 4-part series series starts today, as we tackle Xbox Live Arcade.
XBLA is flooded with games, too flooded in fact. While there is
something for everybody - from classic ports like Cyberball and
Battlezone to new IP's like Cloning Clyde and Penny Arcade Adventures -
so much content makes it tough to pick out the must haves from the must
avoids. In order to save you time and money, we've compiled a list of
the Top 5 games every 360 owner should download.
Braid (1200MS Points) - Braid is an enigma wrapped
in a blanket, wrapped in a tortilla. One of two Summer of Arcade titles
from last year that made our list, Braid has a mysterious storyline and
challenging, time manipulating puzzles that belie its simplistic
control scheme. It will remind many of Super Mario Bros., if it was
designed by Sigmund Freud and Vincent Van Gogh. Simply put, this is an
innovative title.

Castle Crashers (1200MS Points) - The creators of
Alien Homind strike again, this time with the fun side scroller (with
RPG elements) Castle Crashers. Offering an excellent single-player
game, CC is even better when played with friends. Castle Crashers plays
like the unholy love child of Gauntlet and Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles, and the game's oddball sense of humor (animals defecating on
themselves, henchmen dressed like the Cobra Kai on Halloween) is best
shared with a group of like minded gamers.

Rez HD (800MS Points) - The most original and
stylized FPS you can play, Rez HD takes you into a world that the
Master Chief could only dream of. A surprisingly compelling storyline,
a stunning visual presentation, and hypnotic music make this a 3D world
worth visiting.

Pac-Man Championship Edition (800MS Points) - Now
this is how you port an arcade classic. Take an addictive game that
everyone knows and loves and bring it into the modern age with new
mazes, different game modes and increased speed. Throw in a Ty
Pennington-sized makeover and you have a winner.

Portal: Still Alive (1200MS Points) - The rush of
completing mind bending puzzles with the promise of cake when you've
finished is too good to pass up, or at least it should be. Despite the
fact that many gamers may have already played Portal on the Orange Box
or on PC, there's still a good reason for you to download it on XBLA -
it's so damn fun.
Honorable Mention: The Maw, Tetris Splash, Space Invaders Extreme

Follow me on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/terryterrones
http://gparcade.blogfaction.com/article/108948/5-xbla-games-every-360-owner-should-download/