Filed under: X3F Features

This week, not just one, but two of our bloggers are playing something secret. We'd love to tell you what it is, but we are forbidden to divulge such details on pain of death. Pain of death. We're sorry, but you'll just have to live with the uncertainty.

Richard Mitchell (SenseiRAM): I bought and finished The Maw this week and really enjoyed it. I've also be keeping up my mercenary work in Far Cry 2. Hopefully, I can squeeze in some Left 4 Dead because I've really neglected it lately. I'm also spending lots of time on a super top secret game that must remain nameless. You'll know more about it very soon, and you will know joy.

Dustin Burg (SuperDunners): I'll continue my quest for Gears of War 2 achievement completion, a task that has become more difficult seeing that the title update has brought more achievables. I'll also be dabbling in some Geometry Wars 2 and deciding whether or not I can budget enough Microsoft points for a The Maw purchase. We'll see.

Xav de Matos (Snypz): This week I'm playing a bunch of ultra hush-hush XBLA titles as well as the upcoming RACE Pro from SimBin. Since getting all 1000 achievements in Fallout 3 I've been waiting on the DLC and any free time I have has been put into Puzzle Quest on my PSP/PC/iPhone ect. I really need to stop buying that game.

Leaderboards:
Xbox 360 Fanboy Leaderboard
Xbox 360 Fanboy Leaderboard Mk. II

What were you playing? (WRUP archive)

After a week on hiatus, XBLA in Brief is back with a brand new episode. This week, we bring you The Maw, a surprisingly enjoyable action adventure title. Feed Maw all the animals he can stomach (hint: a lot) and watch him grow and gain lots of nifty powers. Oh, and did we mention the game is gorgeous? Yeah, well it is. Check out the latest episode and see if it's for you.

Download the trial version of The Maw from Marketplace.

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In this week's edition of Ask X3F, we answer your questions regarding game installs, controller problems and missing achievements. We also take a look at that age old question: Just how do these crazy console manufacturers make money? You can find the answer to these questions and more after the break. You can also find cockles.

Got a question for Ask X3F? Maybe you have a story or some information you'd like to share? Send it all to ask [att] xbox360fanboy [dawt] com.

Perhaps you've noticed (and perhaps you haven't), but this coming Monday marks the 100th episode of the Xbox 360 Fancast. We've got some special stuff lined up, so be sure not to miss it. In preparation for the show, we've been playing our hearts out because we're so nervous. Okay, so maybe we haven't, but we've probably at least been thinking about it. One thing that does has us nervous: two of us will be trying Marmite live on the show.

Richard Mitchell (SenseiRAM): Another weird mix for me this week. I started and finished Prince of Persia, which was pretty good but not fantastic. I played a tiny bit of SSFIITHDR. I've also been digging into the retro library, finally reaching level 30 with my Diablo II Necromancer and purchasing X-Com from Steam for only five bucks. If you like turn based strategy, I highly recommend both X-Com and it's sequel, Terror from the Deep. I'm also still exploring the African countryside in Far Cry 2. Finally, I'm awaiting the arrival of Condemned 2 because everything else on my Gamefly queue is nowhere to be found.

Dustin Burg (SuperDunners): Just playing Gears of War 2. Maybe a sprinkling of Fable 2, but for the most part, Gears of War 2.

Xav de Matos (Snypz): This week I've been checking out a few Community Games. Groov is really well made and a lot like Sony's Everyday Shooter. I've also been playing some Artoon which is one of the best looking XNA games I've ever seen. Our recent feature has made me shuffle through my classics pile, played me some of the classic Jet Set Radio Future (JSRF) and Panzer Dragoon ORTA. Oh, and more Fallout 3 where I came upon a crashed spaceship. I want to believe ... well, not really but it did give me a rad weapon.

Leaderboards:
Xbox 360 Fanboy Leaderboard
Xbox 360 Fanboy Leaderboard Mk. II

What were you playing? (WRUP archive)

Even though it fell into a casket when the Xbox 360 launched in 2005, the original Xbox still holds a special place in our heart. Hater's thoughts aside, Xbox had a pile of impressive software in its library that ultimately stands forgotten in time due to poor sales numbers. Don't believe us? Count how many of these studios have been either closed or are in financial trouble.

From Crimson Skies to Jet Set Radio Future, here are our picks for Ten Forgotten Games that Deserve a Sequel on the Xbox 360. Jump into the comments and tell us what games you'd like to see return to the current HD-era, such as honorable mentions: Metal Arms, MechAssault and Shenmue.

This week on Ask X3F -- our weekly, reader-powered Q&A feature -- we discuss the gravest of matters, the Red Ring of Death. Of course, we can't sour the entire column with the stench of dead consoles, so we also devote some time to FASA, gamesaving cheating and the post-launch fate of Halo Wars. Read on, but be sure to call for help if your left arm goes numb.

Got a question for Ask X3F? Maybe you have a story or some information you'd like to share? Send it all to ask [att] xbox360fanboy [dawt] com.

This is it, the last episode before we hit the mighty number 100. Barring some horrible catastrophe on a galactic scale, we'll probably make it. This week, we discuss all the latest news, one hilarious Sony email and plenty more. We also spend a healthy (?) chunk of time discussing 1-2 flush toilets and Marmite. Don't ask us why, but Marmite has probably incited more emails that anything we've ever discussed on the show. Go figure. Listen and find out why.

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[RSS MP3] Add the Xbox 360 Fanboy Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.
[AAC] Download the enhanced AAC directly.
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly.

Hosts: Richard Mitchell (SenseiRAM), Dustin Burg (SuperDunners), Alexander Sliwinski (Sli Xander), Xav de Matos (Snypz)

Produced by Richard Mitchell

Music: Intro/Outro: "Electromooq" by Uma Floresta, "My Baby Won't Dance with Me" by Don Juan Y Los Blancos.

For fans: Xbox 360 Fancast Facebook group

There is something in this week's edition of What Are You Playing that does not belong, something ... out of the norm. Let's just say that a certain someone is playing something unexpected. We'll leave it to you to figure out who and what.

Richard Mitchell (SenseiRAM): It's been a pretty varied week for me. I started off by finishing Mega Man 9, which is excellent. Then I attempted the last level in Bionic Commando: Rearmed on the highest difficulty again. It's going to take me a while to get that one. Far Cry 2 has been taking up a lot of my time, mainly because it's really, really good. I actually didn't think I would like it, but I can't pull myself away. I got No More Heroes for the Wii for my birthday and just started it. It's pretty fun and completely bizarre. I even squeezed in some Halo 3. Finally, I dusted off Diablo II and am determined to get my Necromancer to level 30. Oh, and Prince of Persia finally showed up from Gamefly. Basically, I have more games to finish than I can handle.

Dustin Burg (SuperDunners): Try to hold back your "shock" and "awe", because this weekend I'll be channeling my inner RPG fanboy and be completing Fable 2. I know, right? But don't worry, I haven't forgotten about my true love. There will still be plenty of Gears of War 2 goodness played.

Xav de Matos (Snypz): I'm still hooked on exploring the destroyed DC landscape in Fallout 3. Other than that, a few iPhone games here and there and a lot of hitting the gym. Gotta shed those holiday pounds, kids!

Leaderboards:
Xbox 360 Fanboy Leaderboard
Xbox 360 Fanboy Leaderboard Mk. II

What were you playing? (WRUP archive)

Welcome to the first installment of Ask X3F in the year 2009. We'd like to tell you it's extra special because its the first one of the year, but it's totally not! Nope, It's completely ordinary and mundane. All we do in answer some questions as best as we can. Nothing special about that. Still, if you insist on reading it, you should know that we discuss VGA backwards compatibility problems, Saints Row 2 issues, Faith and a .45, and an assortment of other random topics. Click forth and read like it's 2009. Because, well, it is.

Got a question for Ask X3F? Maybe you have a story or some information you'd like to share? Send it all to ask [att] xbox360fanboy [dawt] com.

Happy New Year, fanboys, and happy first Xbox 360 Fancast of the year 2009. We thought we'd start off the new year by catching up on some fanmail, so that's exactly what we did. Yup, this show is nothing but fanmail. Gasp, as we discover that Canada does in fact have 1-2 flush toilets. Thrill, as we discuss hackneyed gaming conventions. Become confused as we discuss the mysterious pleasure of creating spreadsheets. It's all in this week's episode. Download ... and discover.

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).
[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in Zune Marketplace (MP3).
[RSS MP3] Add the Xbox 360 Fanboy Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.
[AAC] Download the enhanced AAC directly.
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly.

Hosts: Richard Mitchell (SenseiRAM), Dustin Burg (SuperDunners), Alexander Sliwinski (Sli Xander)

Produced by Richard Mitchell

Music: Intro/Outro: "Electromooq" by Uma Floresta, "She Won't Look at Me" by The Simple Carnival.

For fans: Xbox 360 Fancast Facebook group

It's totally 2009, fanboys! Happy New Year and such! We're all off enjoying the festivities of a new year. More specifically, we finally have time to play all the games we just haven't gotten around to. Well, most of us, anyway. Read on to see what we're all playing at Fanboy Towers. As always, don't forget to tell us what you're playing in the comments.

Richard Mitchell (SenseiRAM): I picked up both The Club and Virtua Fighter 5 for $15 (thanks Blockbuster 2-for-1 sale!), so I'll hopefully be spending some time with those. I'm also digging into Mega Man 9, which is as tough as nails but wonderful. I got a chance to play Little Big Planet, which I enjoyed quite a bit. I'm also just starting Far Cry 2. One of its playable characters is from my hometown, Tulsa, Oklahoma, so I'm assuming it's the best game ever. One of these days, I'm determined to beat the last level of Bionic Commando: Rearmed on the highest difficulty level.

Dustin Burg (SuperDunners): Dustin is off gallivanting about or some such, so let's just say he's playing Gears of War 2.

Xav de Matos (Snypz): It's been (nearly) nothing but a Fallout 3 marathon for me while I spend some more quality time with my pick for Game of the Year. The only other game that's spinning in my 360 is Call of Duty: World at War, which I'm finally getting around to. Might go back to Gears 2 to finish Horde ... can't go wrong with a game where a gun 'what-got-a-chainsaw' on it -- well, most of the time.

Leaderboards:
Xbox 360 Fanboy Leaderboard
Xbox 360 Fanboy Leaderboard Mk. II

What were you playing? (WRUP archive)

The last XBLA game we will receive in 2008 is Merv Griffin's Crosswords. We're not exactly sure what to make of that, honestly. Hopefully, you can figure out what to make of it by watching our latest installment of XBLA in Brief. Whatever you think of this week's offering, just remember that an entirely new year of Xbox Live Arcade goodness begins tomorrow. Here's hoping 2009 is even better.

Download the trial version of Merv Griffrin's Crosswords from Marketplace.

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[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon).
[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.
[M4V] Download the M4V directly.

In less than a week over 100,000 votes have been tallied across all 15 categories to vote for your favorites and most hated titles of 2008. Some surprises are in store and tears may be shed but in the end we will look back fondly at 2008. It was the year that reignited our fear of the zombie apocalypse, Cliff Bleszinski became a man, X3F TV exploded and everyone disagreed about Mirror's Edge.

Oh, 2008 you will be missed and 2009 you sure have your work cut out for you!

Ask X3F returns this week with a new batch of questions sent in by you, our loyal, information starved readers. This week, we've got questions about the Xbox 360's power usage (hint: it's a lot), rhythm game instrument compatibility, and yet another email about the profoundly bad behavior found on Xbox Live. We've also got some new info for folks out there looking for good splitscreen games, which we were asked about last week. Click onward and enjoy.

Got a question for Ask X3F? Maybe you have a story or some information you'd like to share? Send it all to ask [att] xbox360fanboy [dawt] com.

Update: Voting is now closed for the reader Game of the Year poll. Results will be revealed on December 30 in the afternoon.

Have you voted? You haven't?! C'mon, you don't even need to register for this vote! By now you've already seen our top games of the year and tomorrow we'll reveal your picks. Voting ends at 12:01am EST on December 30 -- which is really soon (according to our watches).

As a quick recap here are our picks for Game of the Year:

Richard
XBLA Game of the Year -- Braid
Xbox 360 Game of the Year -- Left 4 Dead

Dustin
XBLA Game of the Year -- Geometry Wars 2
Xbox 360 Game of the Year -- Gears of War 2

Xav
XBLA Game of the Year -- Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
Xbox 360 Game of the Year -- Fallout 3