Summer of 2D XBLA games, 3×50

Braid is a platform-puzzler claiming to be art. Puzzles require you to interact with time in different ways through the levels and leave you feeling perplexed or smug depending on the outcome. As art its success vs. pretension is up to you. As a game it’s definitely worth a look.

Next a pure action platformer, Bionic Commando. I can’t testify to the faithfulness’ to the NES original, but it feels 8-bit, in all the good ways. It takes time to get used to the fact you can’t jump but after that you realize there’s a reason it’s considered a classic.

Finally Castle Crashers, which brings back one of the great forgot genres. The scrolling, 2D, medieval, co-op fighter. The ultimate party game. Four player local play is better than any Wii party game (excluding Wii Sports) assuming every player has at least a rudimentary knowledge of gaming. Download and enjoy!