arcade

Xbox Live Arcade games won't work on Xbox One

Gamers hoping to bring their library of Xbox Live Arcade games with them to the Xbox One are out of luck. Microsoft has confirmed that these games will not carry over to the next-generation platform.

"Those games will continue to run on your Xbox 360 for as long as your Xbox 360 runs," Microsoft Game Studios VP Phil Spencer told GameSpot. "The box is not backward compatible and we think for somebody who invests in a large digital library that you want to keep your [Xbox 360]. Keep that as a vibrant part of the ecosystem." … Read more

Star Apps: Penny Arcade's Tycho

As one of the longest-running and most successful Web comics of all time, Penny Arcade has garnered an enormous and devoted fanbase who lives for the topical, no-holds-barred commentary of gamer characters John "Gabe" Gabriel and Tycho Brahe. The Web comic has also spawned the annual gaming convention PAX (Penny Arcade Expo) and multiple video games.

In a recent e-mail interview with Download.com, Penny Arcade's co-creator and writer Jerry Holkins, the man behind Tycho, discussed, among other things, his experiences developing games, current gaming trends, and his top five mobile game apps.

When is On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness … Read more

Connect these Dots to go for your high score

Editors' note: This review has been updated with information about moves in the game.

Dots by Betaworks is a simple, yet very well-designed color-matching game that doesn't dazzle you with tons of features or game types, but is still incredibly addictive.

The object of the game is simple: connect same-colored dots to clear them from an ever-refilling board to get the highest score possible in 1 minute. You do this by connecting as many dots as possible horizontally or vertically, and by making squares with your finger to make them disappear. Your score is counted by how many dots … Read more

Arcade Hoops Basketball Free 4.1 Review

The touch screen interface of the iPad and iPhone makes the devices perfect for any game that asks you to flick, slide, or push something around the screen. From bowling and soccer to skee ball, there are dozens of extremely simple apps that are instantly addictive for this very reason, and Arcade Hoops Basketball is definitely one of them.

The premise of Arcade Hoops Basketball is very straightforward. Like an arcade game that gives you a minute to shoot as many baskets as you can, the app provides you with four balls that you can shoot however fast you want. … Read more

Rescue your lost dog from evil robots

Fetch for iOS is a touch adventure game that plays like an animated movie, letting you explore a strange world as a young boy in search of his lost dog.

Made for children, but fun for adults, too, Fetch combines a great-looking artistic style, rich sounds, and mysterious environments with tons of touch-screen interaction as you set off on your adventure. The story revolves around the disappearance of a little boy's dog named Bear and the lengths he must go through to get him back. Quickly, he finds out that dogs are being stolen around the world, and he … Read more

Relive the '80s with Pac-Man (official) for Android

Already on display at New York's Museum of Modern Art and released as a fully playable Google Doodle, Pac-Man has finally made its way to Android.

Known as Pac-Man + Tournaments, the gameplay is a faithful rendition of the classic '80s arcade game and includes all 256 levels. It also includes a tournament mode that includes new mazes, and keeps track of rankings and achievements for a modern twist. Best of all, it's free. If you're ready to relive the '80s, grab a roll of quarters, flip up your shirt collar, and press Start.… Read more

Who knew 2D arcade golf could be this fun?

Super Stickman Golf 2 (99 cents) is a 2D golf game that is definitely a worthy sequel to the original with new levels, new special course elements, and much more. It's really easy to pick up and play, with tons of fantastical themed courses, interesting power-ups, and excellent physics-based gameplay. Though the game has a huge amount of arcadelike features, the goal is always the same: try to get the ball in the hole in as few shots as possible. The challenge is that it can be much harder than it looks.

Rather than your standard 3D layout seen … Read more

Restart until you get it right

Rayman Jungle Run is an excellent single-touch control running game that keeps you on your toes as you try to collect all the coins (Lums) and attempt to complete perfect levels. Powered by the same UbiArt Framework engine that brought you Rayman Origins, Rayman Jungle Run features excellent graphics and a simplified control system for a great all-around game.

The controls couldn't be any easier. Simply touch to jump and touch-and-hold to fly for a short period of time. But even with such easy controls, Rayman Jungle Run is incredibly challenging. Rayman runs automatically once you start a level, … Read more

Beercade: Fighting-game winner gets a frosty brew

In the world of The Last Barfighter, nothing is just handed to you. You must earn your cold beer with your feet and fists of fury. You must be faster, more nimble, and more powerful than your opponent. You must conquer in order to quaff.

The Beercade is like a microbrew-loving gamer's dream come to life. This creation of advertising group McKinney is an old-school arcade game combined with a beer dispenser. Everything was made in-house, from the arcade cabinet to the game itself.… Read more