It’s hard to visualize a time when Xbox Live Arcade wasn’t the haven for brand spanking new IP’s, new experiences and (relatively) cheap gaming that it’s now.

In reality, though, the service had the humblest of beginnings, dating all of the as far back as the times of the unique Xbox.

The XBLA has faced its fair proportion of problems along the best way; but technical limitations, a clumsy certification processes, pricing structure nonsense and an uneven Achievement Point haul have all helped it become the beast that it’s far today.

It won’t be long before the subsequent era of Xbox is upon us, and as Microsoft prepares to disclose its next-generation hand we won’t help but wonder what the longer term holds for the Live Arcade.

So at the start succumbs to a Kinect-powered world, X360 investigates the 12 games that experience shaped XBLA into what it can be today…

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved

• Developer: Bizarre Creations
• Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
• Release date: 22 November 2005

Reason for inclusion: Kick-starting an unlikely success story

While a pre-loaded puzzler reintroduced the area to the recent face of XBLA, it was Bizarre Creations’ Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved that showed us its true potential.

The deliriously addictive twin-stick shooter captured everyone’s attention with a blistering soundtrack and deceptively deep gameplay; it saw many early adopters through a launch window drought long after the shiny allure of Perfect Dark: Zero wore off.

It was the primary next-generation game to capture the leaderboard appeal of the Nineties arcade scene – fitting, considering its retro aesthetic.

While its sequel eventually surpassed its predecessor in almost every way, we will not overlook the large influence Geometry Wars had. If it wasn’t for its success, we’d not have the service we all know and love today.

Limbo

• Developer: Playdead
• Publisher: Microsoft Game Studio
• 
Release date: 21 July 2010


Reason for inclusion: Beautiful, deadly… expensive

Limbo arrived with Gothic swagger when it kicked off the 2010 Summer Of Arcade.

Coming in at a hefty 2,100 Points for but a number of hours of gameplay, it provoked a pricing vs longevity debate and set the precedent for all high-profile releases to return in it its wake.

That’s to not say Limbo doesn’t deserve its place at the list; it delighted players with its hypnotising black and white aesthetics and punishing puzzles.

Playdead certainly recognise the ability of the market; a representative from the studio doesn’t think the sport would has been possible without it:

“Before XBLA and PSN, it was difficult to visualize Limbo being anywhere near commercially viable… it’s hard to secure the funding.”

Limbo inspired quick thinking and fast thumbs, and still to this present day it’s a must-play for any owner of the Xbox 360.

The Walking Dead

• Developer: Telltale Games
• Publisher: Telltale games
• 
Release date: 2012

Reason for inclusion: Monthly torture of the soul

lots have been said in regards to the Walking Dead.

It’s a broken game, but at its core it has essentially the most heartfelt and arresting storytelling ever present in a videogame.

After Telltale Games strung us along for 5 months through its fantastic implementation of an episodic system, it managed to surpass all expectations by actually sticking a landing.

As we desperately await a next-generation announcement from Microsoft, it’s likely the influence of The Walking Dead would be felt for a few years to come back; Telltale finally stepped out of the shadow of its collective résumé and has undoubtedly become the studio to look at through 2013 and beyond.

“I’m actually more optimistic about our industry now than i have been in a long time,” said designer Joel Pinney. “Social gaming and the colourful indie scene have massively livened things up inside the last five years.”

Minecraft

• Developer: 4J Studios
• Publisher: Mojang
• 
Release date: 9 May 2012

Reason for Inclusion: Crafting a runaway success

Minecraft changed everything. Easily surpassing everything around it, the favored crafting game made the jump from PC and have become an overnight sensation.

With a reworked crafting system, new interface and options of both split-screen and online multiplayer, not just is Minecraft the precise-selling XBLA title, it also holds the gauntlet for third most played game on Xbox Live.

“The console adaptation of the hugely popular PC game has broken all previous digital sales records, selling greater than some other title within the first 24 hours on Xbox Live Arcade,” shouted press releases just days after it was made available.

Minecraft revealed a player base hungry for brand new experiences, and with its continued support it has spawned a community unlike another.

What are the games you like playing on XBLA most? Tell us below.