Impressions: Game Room (FREE Achievements)

Game Room for the Xbox 360, is a free games on demand system which lets you try out and purchase classic games. The game is set in a virtual arcade, which you can deck out with game cabinets, and other trinkets for decorations. There is also a 'Showcase arcade' which lets you try out the available games, with a free 10 minute demo. You can also visit the arcades of people on your friends list, and spend tokens to play their machines, and set each other high score challenges.

Currently, the games cupboard is a bit bare, with only 30 games available. These games come from the Atari 2600, Intellivision, and 1980's arcade catalogues. In a recent interview with Game Room representative on the Major Nelson podcast, there will be 7 new titles added to Game Room each week (starting late April). The interview also mentions that Microsoft have the rights to thousands of titles, and hints to newer arcade and console titles being available in the future (Dreamcast? Saturn? Neo Geo?).

Games cost 240 Space Dollars (about $4?), and I currently own Asteroids Deluxe, Centipede, Jungler, and Shao-Lin's Road. $4 may seem a bit pricey for a lousy game (and alot on offer right now IS lousy), but would be more than worth the money for one of your favourite games. I am eagerly awaiting the River Raid and Pitfall releases.



I believe that Game Room has alot of potential, and I recommend you try it out. Game Room, and it's game packs are free. If you don't like it, it hasn't cost any of your hard earned.

Another reason to try out Game Room, is that it gives out FREE gamerscore. 6 achievements, and 60 gamerscore can be yours, even without purchasing anything...

THE VISITOR - Visit a friend's arcade - 5 gamerscore
SHOW ME! - Visited the Showcase Arcade - 5 gamerscore
MY FIRST THEME - Placed a Theme in your arcade - 5 gamerscore
MY FIRST DECORATION - Placed 1 Decoration in your arcade - 5 gamerscore
PROPTASTIC - Placed 5 arcade Decorations in your arcade - 20 gamerscore
ROOM FILLER - Filled a Room in your Arcade - 20 gamerscore

I know you score-whores will be all over Game Room now!