The guys over at OXM have gone to all the effort of checking out the Xbox 360's older games to see if you can still get a game online. Check out the list below for the full info.
The most popular games online are Call of Duty 4 and Halo 3. You know that, I know that, everyone knows that.
So what happens to the lesser known games as time marches on and the smaller games are squeezed off the shelves? Do the communities live on? Do the hardcore refuse to let go? Do newcomers to Xbox Live wander into empty lobbies and try to figure out why nothing is working?
We take a handful of older games in the office and give them a whirl online, to see what's left of the original communities...
1. SMACKDOWN VS RAW
RELEASED: November 2006
TIME PLAYED: 30 MINUTES
TOTAL PLAYERS: 14
June:
Call of Juarez
Fantastic Four Rise of Sil
Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia
Tenchu Z
Ratatouille
Dirt
The Darkness
Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix
Hour of Victory
The Bigs
Transformers Cybertron
Transformers The Game
Overload
July:
NCAA Football 2008
Vampire Rain
Project Sylpheed
All Pro Football 2K8
Two Words
NASCAR 2008
Bring on the throwing stars! “Tenchu Z” for Xbox 360 Goes Gold!
Microsoft calls on ninjas of the nation to unite when “Tenchu Z” hits retailers on June 12
Microsoft today announced that the Xbox 360 exclusive “Tenchu Z” has gone gold and will sneak onto store shelves across the nation on June 12. Rated “M” for Mature, “Tenchu Z” is set to challenge gamers to become the ultimate ninja assassin through more than 50 missions set in ancient Japan and will be available for the estimated retail price of $59.99.
K2, the creative minds behind “Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven,” present the latest installment of the renowned “Tenchu” franchise, “Tenchu Z” exclusively for the Xbox 360. The title is the first mission-based ninja stealth action game for the Xbox 360, and allows players to hone their stealth skills while slaying enemies to become the ultimate ninja. Patience and strategy, with use of the stealth kill system, is rewarded over a run-and-gun style of hand-to-hand combat.
“Tenchu Z” will task willing ninjas to assassinate evil doers, track enemies, rescue hostages and destroy targets using the art of stealth. For the first time ever, gamers can create their own ninja hero with the character customization features that include a variety of face types, hair features, outfits, accessories and more. Gamers can play solo at home or take advantage of co-operative play with two to four players through Xbox LIVE or System Link. Players can work cooperatively for a completely different ninja experience and team up with a friend to complete the missions and take out foes. Let a friend subdue a boss from behind as another runs him through with a katana. Special co-op moves are also available, adding variety and depth to the gameplay experience.
Aspiring ninjas should check http://www.tenchu-z.com for all new updated content making its debut today.
True ninjas belong to a dojo. The dojo gives the ninja a place to congregate, meet other ninjas, learn more about their skills or weapons, and talk about things only other ninjas would understand.
Today, Microsoft launches the “Tenchu Z” official website that allows gamers to explore the world they will encounter and the ninja skills they will utilize in the newest game of the long-running stealth-action franchise. The site, which can be found at http://www.tenchu-z.com/, allows gamers to learn more about the game, from the storyline to the unique, and sometimes lethal, ninja skills that will let gamers complete a variety of missions which take place in feudal Japan. Gamers can also learn about some of the more colorful citizens they will encounter and fight in “Tenchu Z.”
Visitors to the site can also build their own dojo using the special ninja tools found only in the “Tenchu Z” Ninja Fan Site Kit, which is now available for download. There's concept art, forum avatars, renders, and other Web-ready artwork – plus some secret stuff for ninjas only.
The fan site kit can be found on the official “Tenchu Z” Web site at www.tenchu-z.com in the “Downloads” section. Fan site webmasters are also encouraged to register their dojo for official inclusion on the “Tenchu Z” site. Please feel free to download and redistribute the fan site kit on your own site for your readers.
Microsoft, has sponsored a sweepstakes for Tenchu Z. With the grand prize being two VIP tickets to Sasquatch. If you win, you will be flown, with your guest to Seattle Washington, and driven out to the music event to camp out for two days. Including entrance to the music festival, private seating next to the soundboard with a dedicated service staff, a premier camping pass with a private trailer, limited edition goodies and access to the exclusive VIP lounge. Additionally 30 first place winners will receive a free copy of Tenchu Z.
Sasquatch has an impressive list of music artist preforming. Including Beastie Boys, Bjork, Arcade Fire, Spoon and Interpol. There will be over 50 artist preforming, on 3 stages over the course of the memorial day weekend (Saturday, May 26, and Sunday, May 27). Sasquatch will be hosted by none other then Sarah Silverman, of Comedy Central fame.
If I lived in the Seattle area, I'd be sure to attend. Hopefully like all of you that register, I'm crossing my fingers in hopes of getting those two VIP tickets. Being a VIP at this event is something to remember for the rest of your life.
The registration is painless and takes all of 30 seconds to complete. It auto fills in your info from your live account, and the only input from you is your phone number, which I suspect is for notification of a winning prize.
So if your keen on trying to win those VIP tickets head over to the official registration page, and enter.
The stealth-action ninja game, “Tenchu Z,” has snuck into the Xbox 360™ library. The Xbox 360 exclusive developed by FromSoftware will maintain the legend of the “Tenchu” franchise through more than 50 stealth ninja missions set in ancient Japan. Slash up unsuspecting guards with a wide array of ninja weaponry including explosives and a grappling hook, on your way to slaying the big boss. True ninja mastery only comes with keen use of sound, sight and smell detection as you learn new moves and obtain new weapons. Patience and strategic thinking with use of the stealth kill system is rewarded over a run and gun style of hand to hand combat.
“Tenchu Z,” the North American localized version of “Tenchu Senran,” will be published by Microsoft, and no release timing is available at this time.
We look forward to discussing more details on “Tenchu Z” in the future. Thanks!