In your opinion, what are the BEST Xbox 360 4 player games? The platform has matured a lot but there has been a decided shift AWAY from split-screen gaming, especially 4 player. XBLA has picked up the slack some, but overall the pickings are slim (e.g. no really good 4 player racing games, no solid party game, etc). We are having company this weekend for some Xbox gaming and am kind of brainstorming what we will play. We are looking at some non-violent games. Anyhow, here are some of my favorites:
XBOX 360
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Halo 3. A little bare on most maps and the lack of solid maps for 2v2 objectives, but still a solid experience. And you can take it online if you wish. All negatives aside Halo 3 is pretty much the benchmark of 4 player gamer-games.
CoD: MW1/MW2. No online but the maps tend to be smaller and easier to do 2v2 gameplay.
? I picked up Viva Pinata Party animals on the very, very cheap and was very, very disappointed. Mainly because you cannot setup a series of the better minigames in a row and just play those (you basically need to do them one by one and forebear horribly long load times).
No good 4 player racing games, kart games, or party games. Although I haven't tried Baja Edge of control, the overall selection is light.
XBLA
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Geometry Wars 2. Completely accessible, utterly awesome. Requires a ton of skill for greatness. Perfect game design--I only wish there was some sort of battlemode ala Space Wars just for giggles. My only real complaint (online play isn't possible). If only I were good as Graham--he is AWSOME at this game
Age of Booty. Again, very accessible but requires a lot of strategy. More tactical than twitchy, very underrated game. If you need a good 4 player game give this a try. Even my wife likes this!
Feeding Frenzy. Yet Again, accessible, but topping out in difficulty. Fun colorful game with some solid minigames.
Worms Armageddon. Controls take a little getting used to but the game is just over the top fun.
Load Runner. A solid remake. I get bored of it quickly but my kids love it.
Castle Crashers. Frantic, fun, excellent design. Loooong gameplay. A little violent. Just a little...
Mad Tracks. Only a serviceable 4 player RC racing game.
Did I miss any great 4 player XBLA games?
XBL Indie Games
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Avatar Golf. With some minor tweaks in terms of variables this could be an absolute killer golf game. Very good none-the-less.
Wool. A very simple game: scare the sheep to your area and bark them out of your opponents. Simple design wonderfully executed.
Battle Havok. An action version of Scorched Earth. Could use some design tweaks (e.g. more control over weapons and buying) but the controls are spot on and the game is a ton of fun.
Avatar Drop. Very simple, but at $1 it is a fun diversion.
War Ships. Essentially Battleship with a 4 player mode.
Guardian. Missile defense game with a switch. You are in orbit around earth, can get upgrades via tractor beams, and must be careful NOT to shoot earth as you orbit. Easy to pick up but requires some skill on harder levels.
A lot of really good split screen games (GeoW2 with Horde, ODST with FireFight, Toy Soldiers) but alas they aren't 4 player. I would love to see 4 player Peggle. Likewise 4 player Trials HD would be total ACE.
XBOX 360
---------------------
Halo 3. A little bare on most maps and the lack of solid maps for 2v2 objectives, but still a solid experience. And you can take it online if you wish. All negatives aside Halo 3 is pretty much the benchmark of 4 player gamer-games.
CoD: MW1/MW2. No online but the maps tend to be smaller and easier to do 2v2 gameplay.
? I picked up Viva Pinata Party animals on the very, very cheap and was very, very disappointed. Mainly because you cannot setup a series of the better minigames in a row and just play those (you basically need to do them one by one and forebear horribly long load times).
No good 4 player racing games, kart games, or party games. Although I haven't tried Baja Edge of control, the overall selection is light.
XBLA
---------------------
Geometry Wars 2. Completely accessible, utterly awesome. Requires a ton of skill for greatness. Perfect game design--I only wish there was some sort of battlemode ala Space Wars just for giggles. My only real complaint (online play isn't possible). If only I were good as Graham--he is AWSOME at this game
Age of Booty. Again, very accessible but requires a lot of strategy. More tactical than twitchy, very underrated game. If you need a good 4 player game give this a try. Even my wife likes this!
Feeding Frenzy. Yet Again, accessible, but topping out in difficulty. Fun colorful game with some solid minigames.
Worms Armageddon. Controls take a little getting used to but the game is just over the top fun.
Load Runner. A solid remake. I get bored of it quickly but my kids love it.
Castle Crashers. Frantic, fun, excellent design. Loooong gameplay. A little violent. Just a little...
Mad Tracks. Only a serviceable 4 player RC racing game.
Did I miss any great 4 player XBLA games?
XBL Indie Games
---------------------
Avatar Golf. With some minor tweaks in terms of variables this could be an absolute killer golf game. Very good none-the-less.
Wool. A very simple game: scare the sheep to your area and bark them out of your opponents. Simple design wonderfully executed.
Battle Havok. An action version of Scorched Earth. Could use some design tweaks (e.g. more control over weapons and buying) but the controls are spot on and the game is a ton of fun.
Avatar Drop. Very simple, but at $1 it is a fun diversion.
War Ships. Essentially Battleship with a 4 player mode.
Guardian. Missile defense game with a switch. You are in orbit around earth, can get upgrades via tractor beams, and must be careful NOT to shoot earth as you orbit. Easy to pick up but requires some skill on harder levels.
A lot of really good split screen games (GeoW2 with Horde, ODST with FireFight, Toy Soldiers) but alas they aren't 4 player. I would love to see 4 player Peggle. Likewise 4 player Trials HD would be total ACE.
