On August 18, 2007, I made my first post here at Destructoid. Coincidentally, that same night, over in my IGN blog, I posted up the latest edition of my 10 Best feature, focusing on games that should've been put on Xbox Live Arcade already. Ironically, to this date, all 10 are still missing from that service.

Later tonight, 10 Best: Games That Should Be On Xbox Live Arcade II will be posted, but in order to see where I'm coming from, I've decided to post the first list here on Destructoid so that when the second list goes up, you guys don't complain about some key titles missing. Most of them showed up on the first list.

And no, GoldenEye is not on either list. I have almost no desire to see it on Xbox Live.

So here it is, perhaps a bit dusty, but here it is:


Games That Should Be On Xbox Live Arcade I

10.) Knights of the Round



A little side-scrolling beat 'em up with a King Arthur Theme, Knights of the Round is mostly just a fun game to play and one that has a good amount of challenge. Add in online multiplayer options that let you and two buddies co-op it through a game and you might have yourselves a great game.

9.) Killer Instinct



Perhaps this one is more wishful thinking, as I think Nintendo and Rare each have rights to this game, adding Killer Instinct to the XBLA lineup would be wise if Microsoft could. It's a well-tuned fighting game with some cool characters and good game play, even though it hasn't aged too well in the graphics department. Of course, it can be polished up if need be, but it's a solid choice to be added to Xbox Live Arcade.

8.) Battletoads



Regarded as perhaps the hardest game ever made, Battletoads would be a good nostalgia addition to the Xbox Live Arcade line-up. Classic 2-D side-scrolling action that involves gigantic punches, kicks and headbutts to plow through everyone in your way? Sign me up for it.

7.) X-Men Arcade Game



Another great Konami beat 'em up game, X-Men combined the awesomeness of X-Men with the fun of a side-scroller. Cutting your way through bad guys and Sentinels was fun enough on its own, but adding in unique special powers that you could collect and use as you wished throughout the game only made it more fun.

6.) Duke Nukem 3D



Doom's inclusion is nice, but nothing matches the absolute fun that Duke Nukem 3D was and still is. Of course, it'll have to be toned down a bit (no strippers... sorries), but with a wide variety of unique and awesome weapons and a list of lines stolen from the best films around, Duke Nukem 3D brings much-needed attitude to the XBLA line up. Hail to the king of Xbox Live, baby.

5.) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time



Again, Konami makes this list with a side-scrolling beat 'em up based on a franchise. Notice a trend here, folks? This time, it's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV, which really builds off everything they had been doing before to make a well polished, all-around fun game. The Turtles are still popular among the 360's target demographic... well, the old Turtles at least, but there's going to be competition to get this on download services. The first of the Big Three that does is set to make a ton of money.

4.) The Simpsons Arcade



Maybe the best beat 'em up arcade game ever produced, The Simpsons arcade game is wicked fun and is a shining example of how a licensed game can kick ass. With each Simpsons family member having unique special attacks and a slew of enemies related to the wildly-popular television show, Konami proved why they are the kings of the beat 'em up (sorry, Capcom).

3.) Daytona USA



It's the best arcade racing game ever made, but it's not the game I want to see most made into a XBLA title right now. However, if it did show up with online racing and leaderboards, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Daytona USA is an incredible game no matter which way you look at it, and given that the XBLA lacks any real racing games right now, it'd be wise to bring this one aboard. Oh, and make sure it works with the force feedback wheel for extra points.

2.) NBA Jam



I'm honestly surprised this has not been out on Xbox Live Arcade yet! Sports games are severely M.I.A. on Xbox Live Arcade, and the king of the arcade sports game is NBA Jam. Easily one of the most fun games around and known for its super slams and being on fire, Jam has a special place in the hearts of many a old-school gamer. Lots of those gamers own Xbox 360s now. I think it's only a matter of time before it shows up on XBLA.

1.) Super Off Road



You know, I already explained why this needs to be on XBLA back when I did my 10 Best Arcade Racing Games, so here it is again:

"If there's one arcade racer begging to be ported to the Xbox Live Arcade, it's got to be Super Off Road. Three players, one computer, total chaos. Though the cars are small, the game handles well and provides a challenge in later levels. Plus, the upgrade system for your truck to make it faster and stronger and use of nitros gained a foothold in later racing games, where such things are now standard. And then there's the fact that all three racers were competing together on the same cabinet, meaning that you could just as easily taunt your friends in the middle of a race if you were beating them by a mile. If an arcade racer needs more than that to make this list, then I don't know what it would need."

Honorable Mentions:
Wild and Lucky
Cave Story HD
Marvel vs. Capcom 1 & 2
Capcom vs. SNK Millennium Fight 2000
Samurai Shodown II
OutRun
Super Dodgeball