XBLA Wednesday (9/3) - Pirates Vs Ninjas Dodgeball, Shred Nebula, Gin Rummy

[Queasy]

Pirates vs Ninja Dodgeball is the highlight of the week for me. Especially since it features robots (with headlights!), zombies, and is supposed to be coming out with free DLC soon. X3F has a hands-on impression of each game mode.

Shred Nebula looks like another space shooter but it apparently uses a traditional control scheme and is more akin to SubSpace than to Geometry Wars.

Gin Rummy - meh. Fantasy Football Tracker - double meh.

Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball

Content: Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball
Price: 800 Microsoft Points
Availability: Not available in Asia or Australia
Dash Text: [ESRB: E10+ (EVERYONE 10+) USE OF ALCOHOL, USE OF TOBACCO, ANIMATED BLOOD, CARTOON VIOLENCE, SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Local Multiplayer 2-4, Xbox LIVE Multiplayer 1-8, HD (High Definition). The ultimate battle has begun? Pirates, Ninjas, Robots, and Zombies battle across 4 unique arenas with one goal in mind... knock each other senseless with a rubber ball! Perform powerful special abilities, melee attacks, and multiple throws to eliminate your opponents. Play through each team?s unique story mode to learn the truth behind their rivalry and then take your skills online and compete in up to 8-player, competitive matches over Xbox LIVE! Which side are you on? There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts

Shred Nebula

Content: Shred Nebula
Price: 800 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text: [ESRB: E (EVERYONE) MILD FANTASY VIOLENCE] Local Multiplayer 2, Xbox LIVE Multiplayer 0-8, HD (High Definition). Ready for more? Upgrade to the full version of Shred Nebula and unlock all three game modes, 40 total levels, achievements, leaderboards, and one immersive storyline to carry it all along. Like multiplayer? Team up with friends in co-op mode, or pilot one of eight unique ships ? each with its own weapons, specials, and strengths ? for the deep-space dogfight of your life! It?s just another day on the edge of the Shred. This game requires the Xbox 360 hard drive or the 512MB Memory Unit for storage. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Gin Rummy

Content: Gin Rummy
Price: 400 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text: [ESRB: E (EVERYONE)] Xbox LIVE Multiplayer 1-4, HD (High Definition). Go Gin! Play Gin Rummy, one of the most internationally beloved of all card games! Enjoy challenging variations of the classic game, including Hollywood Gin, Oklahoma Gin and many more. Customize your game with an array of colorful themes, unique decks and entertaining tunes. Knock out players from around the world in a real-time multiplayer match and video chat through Xbox LIVE Vision with up to 4 people. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

EA Sports Fantasy Football Live Score Tracker

Content: EA SPORTS? Fantasy Football Live Score Tracker
Price: 80 Microsoft Points
Availability: Canada, United States
Dash Text: [ESRB: E (EVERYONE)] Single Player, HD (High Definition). EA SPORTS? is innovating fantasy football! After drafting your team at FANTASY.EASPORTS.COM, download the EA SPORTS Fantasy Football Live Score Tracker and get up-to-the-minute fantasy scores right at your fingertips! View a detailed breakdown of your weekly matchup or if your television supports picture in picture functionality with your Xbox?360 you can view live score updates while watching your favorite team on TV! EA SPORTS ? Innovating Fantasy Football. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/Live/accounts.

 

[Queasy]

Ouch - I didn't get the opportunity to try NvP: Dodgeball last night but this is disappointing.

TeamXbox score - 3.1

If the title alone had you interested ? after all, pirates, ninjas and dodgeball are all in our top 100 things we like of all time lists ? then you better think again. Unfortunately, the title alone, Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball is the best part of the game. The cool train ends right there, because the game itself is a misconceived and poorly executed game all around.

IGN score - 4.5

Pirates are cool. Ninja are cool. Dodgeball is at least cool enough to get featured on ESPN 8 (The Ocho) in comedic films. And yet, this game is boring. It just goes to show you: No matter how many fun things you toss into a game, it won't be engaging without a solid foundation. Pirates vs. Ninjas attempts to bring some flare to the classic schoolyard game without much success. The final product is something that isn't quite the standard dodgeball, but isn't quite fun either.

 

[JoPh]

i tried them all. they all suck. 5min i quit on all of them. what a let down after 5 solid weeks.

 

[Queasy]

Yeah, after reading this I don't even know if I'll take the time to download them and give the demos a try.