Sometimes, we like to think of XBLA in Brief as a public service. We get to tell people about the good games on Xbox Live Arcade like Commando 3, and, perhaps more importantly, warning them about bad games like Frogger 2. We won't go into details here (that's what the video is for, silly!), but suffice it to say that Commando 3 is decent and Frogger 2 ... isn't. Watch the video and give the community your feedback in the comments (whether you agree with our assertions or not).
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Did I see that correctly? Frogger 2 is larger than Ikaruga, Small Arms, and Roboblitz. All of which have more gameplay, sound, and visual fidelity. Good gosh. I wonder how large the file would have been if it was on PSN. Imagine waiting for the download and then waiting for the install on this ONLY to be disappointed.
I am in a bit of a disagreement about frogger 2 but I feel 400 ms points would have been better.
Remember what frogger is.
A frog that hops around. Thats about it and clearly the developers had this in mind trying to keep this version true as they could to the original as possible, heh, but I was hoping for more of a Pacman CE vibe, oh well.:)
Its not as bad as Yaris, thats just not possible. I will say it is better than Wing Commander Arena or Battlestar hands down.
I just want to say that Frogger 2 is not that bad. Yes it's a bad game in the sense that it was made for XBLA and not a port of one of the two original Frogger 2 games, Swampy's Revenge or Threeedeep! but it does have a certain old school console feel to it. Is it worth 800 MS Points? No. 400 would have been better. I did however add the full version to my collection. Almost 100 XBLA titles and counting.
"...Designed and built for the Xbox 360... This isn't an arcade port... Konami should be ashamed of itself... This is 800 Microsoft Points? ...If Microsoft is serious about cleaning up Xbox Live Arcade, they can start by never giving games like this a green light." I especially like the part at the end showing the game being deleted. Well done! Keep it REAL! GREAT review!
You can add your own comments too! Just put your cursor over big circle showing the status of where the video is and click the green arrow that pops up.
Then click ADD COMMENT.
You will need a Viddler account but everyone can be apart of our pop-up videos too!
you know what, I think your being too harsh here Richard on Frogger 2. yes it should be 400 ms points, yes theres no excuse for not being widescreen, but the game looked half decent. I wouldnt buy it of course, not even for 400 ms points, but I would play it for free. Which is alot better then most XBLA games, which I wont even play for free. No way is this game worse the Yaris.
To make this game better tho, I think they should of added some puzzles into it, instead of just a bigger challenge from 1 end to the other.
As for commando, it looks just like another assult heros game. Im so tired of those dual stick shooters. I wish they would stop making them.
I think XBLA really needs some good puzzle games in the style of classics like the adventures of lolo and bubble bobble or that mario and donky kong game on gameboy, with level editors since their simple games for todays generations. Im surprised on the lack of these puzzle games on XBLA, actually, theres not a single puzzle game like those, except for a few games like EXit and such which are similar, but extremly dumbed down and more action like.
I really like these weekly videos. They save me the time in having to play the demos, as you can pretty much get the experenice of the game from watching an explination video since they are simple games. I just dont like the name tho. XBLA in brief sounds dumb. Name change maybe?
Although I can't comment on the gameplay (having not played it), I thought the graphics of Frogger 2 were pretty good. Nice, sharp, large, clean sprites and backgrounds, with more color than pretty much any other title on the entire system. I can only wish that another game - a GOOD game - would be as colorful. Remember the Genesis/SNES era? When games looked like this and not various shades and tints of brown? Yeah. Good days.
{ Jun 11th 2008 at 7:00PM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Momer @ Jun 11th 2008 7:21PM
Oh man...Nice ending, that made me lol. I liked your additions Xav!
Billy Dee Williams @ Jun 11th 2008 8:17PM
Frogger 2. Yep.
Chase @ Jun 11th 2008 7:59PM
Frogger 2 would sell more copies if it were the game bundled with the Super Street Fighter 2 HD Remix beta.
Zoot Suit Jedi @ Jun 11th 2008 9:14PM
You sir, are an evil genius.
Chase @ Jun 11th 2008 9:46PM
Also:
"If it were bundled" or "If the game were bundled"
It's like a Choose Your Own Adventure book. ;]
... x[
PeacefulOutrage @ Jun 11th 2008 8:09PM
Did I see that correctly? Frogger 2 is larger than Ikaruga, Small Arms, and Roboblitz. All of which have more gameplay, sound, and visual fidelity. Good gosh. I wonder how large the file would have been if it was on PSN. Imagine waiting for the download and then waiting for the install on this ONLY to be disappointed.
Billy Dee Williams @ Jun 11th 2008 11:40PM
I thought Frogger 2 was a non-Arcade title, I thought it originally came out on the PSX way back when. Who knew?
Halwende @ Jun 11th 2008 8:19PM
Wow, that Frogger 2 is truly shocking. Totally agree with Richard... just, bleh
Xav's comments stole the show! :)
Chase @ Jun 11th 2008 8:54PM
Doubly agree.
Zoot Suit Jedi @ Jun 11th 2008 8:21PM
Dude! I am liking the "pop up X3F video"! Good show guys.
Chase @ Jun 11th 2008 8:54PM
Agreed.
Intangible 360 @ Jun 11th 2008 8:55PM
Don't hold back Richard, tell us what you really think about Frogger 2 :P
Josh @ Jun 11th 2008 9:02PM
Come on guys! Don't you see it? Frogger 2... totally pushing the boundaries. It's the future, guys. The Future!!
In real news, Futurama is coming on so I'll let you guys continue to gawk at the total awesomeness that is the original Frogger
ccc @ Jun 11th 2008 9:13PM
I am in a bit of a disagreement about frogger 2 but I feel 400 ms points would have been better.
Remember what frogger is.
A frog that hops around.
Thats about it and clearly the developers had this in mind trying to keep this version true as they could to the original as possible, heh, but I was hoping for more of a Pacman CE vibe, oh well.:)
Its not as bad as Yaris, thats just not possible.
I will say it is better than Wing Commander Arena or Battlestar hands down.
VanIslePimp @ Jun 12th 2008 12:05AM
I just want to say that Frogger 2 is not that bad. Yes it's a bad game in the sense that it was made for XBLA and not a port of one of the two original Frogger 2 games, Swampy's Revenge or Threeedeep! but it does have a certain old school console feel to it. Is it worth 800 MS Points? No. 400 would have been better. I did however add the full version to my collection. Almost 100 XBLA titles and counting.
WhoDey320 @ Jun 11th 2008 11:04PM
lol richard you hate this game a lot
Operator1 @ Jun 11th 2008 11:11PM
"...Designed and built for the Xbox 360... This isn't an arcade port... Konami should be ashamed of itself... This is 800 Microsoft Points? ...If Microsoft is serious about cleaning up Xbox Live Arcade, they can start by never giving games like this a green light." I especially like the part at the end showing the game being deleted. Well done! Keep it REAL! GREAT review!
Daniel @ Jun 11th 2008 11:17PM
LOL @ Deleting Frogger 2.
UNSCleric @ Jun 11th 2008 11:31PM
LOL, that was awesome, and I loved the text pop-ups too, I was like WTF is that?
Xav de Matos @ Jun 11th 2008 11:44PM
You can add your own comments too! Just put your cursor over big circle showing the status of where the video is and click the green arrow that pops up.
Then click ADD COMMENT.
You will need a Viddler account but everyone can be apart of our pop-up videos too!
UNSCleric @ Jun 12th 2008 12:08AM
Yeah I had a feeling that that was the case, but I figured I'd rather not clutter it up, cause it was perfect the way it was when I watched it.
Johnny @ Jun 12th 2008 2:36AM
I like the first game
Deck @ Jun 12th 2008 3:14AM
Xav... Nice additions! Those were great.
Richard..thanks for another great XBLA in Brief! As for Frogger too....yeah doesn't help the XBLA.
Boff @ Jun 12th 2008 4:55AM
Good vid. Your dashboard background seemed animated when you were deleting Frogger? Was it or was it just the video?
Shape @ Jun 12th 2008 9:44AM
I gotta say, you guys are doing awesome with these weekly videos. And the ability to comment in the video, pop-up style is great!
Keep up the good work!
mike @ Jun 12th 2008 12:50PM
you know what, I think your being too harsh here Richard on Frogger 2. yes it should be 400 ms points, yes theres no excuse for not being widescreen, but the game looked half decent. I wouldnt buy it of course, not even for 400 ms points, but I would play it for free. Which is alot better then most XBLA games, which I wont even play for free. No way is this game worse the Yaris.
To make this game better tho, I think they should of added some puzzles into it, instead of just a bigger challenge from 1 end to the other.
As for commando, it looks just like another assult heros game. Im so tired of those dual stick shooters. I wish they would stop making them.
I think XBLA really needs some good puzzle games in the style of classics like the adventures of lolo and bubble bobble or that mario and donky kong game on gameboy, with level editors since their simple games for todays generations. Im surprised on the lack of these puzzle games on XBLA, actually, theres not a single puzzle game like those, except for a few games like EXit and such which are similar, but extremly dumbed down and more action like.
I really like these weekly videos. They save me the time in having to play the demos, as you can pretty much get the experenice of the game from watching an explination video since they are simple games. I just dont like the name tho. XBLA in brief sounds dumb. Name change maybe?
Shadow Hog @ Jun 12th 2008 9:42PM
Although I can't comment on the gameplay (having not played it), I thought the graphics of Frogger 2 were pretty good. Nice, sharp, large, clean sprites and backgrounds, with more color than pretty much any other title on the entire system. I can only wish that another game - a GOOD game - would be as colorful. Remember the Genesis/SNES era? When games looked like this and not various shades and tints of brown? Yeah. Good days.
Richard Mitchell @ Jun 13th 2008 11:23AM
Oh hell yes I remember. If Konami wants to dust off a GOOD game for XBLA, they can start with Rocket Knight Adventures
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_Knight_Adventures