Spikeout: Battle Street - Xbox

The Xbox, with its versatile architecture and efficient online support, has become SEGA’s machine of choice for arcade conversions. The fact that the Chihiro arcade platform was developed - like the Dreamcast - with the help of Microsoft, also can’t hurt. The joyous Outrun 2 has already appeared on the Microsoft console, retaining much of the charm that made the arcade version so popular amongst SEGA fans.

Now SEGA are bringing another Live-enabled arcade conversion to the Xbox, and it’s called Spikeout: Battle Street. The name might make it sound another bit like a volleyball game, bit on the contrary, it’s a pretty old school-styled beat ‘em up, SEGA developed and SEGA published. It’s ten years since the last bloody clash of two mean street gangs: Team Spike and Team Inferno. Spike Jr. is the new leader of Team Spike and he’s got something to prove, so he’s waging war on the Infernos, led by Michael, his father’s nemesis. The game features a story mode for one player but it is on Xbox Live that it really comes into its own. Up to 16 players can duke it out either competitively or co-operatively in a huge 3D, destructible cityscape. With simple, intuitive controls, players can battle across 10 distinctive levels, and the Live support everything you have come to expect from Xbox games: voice chat and an online ranking system, along with downloadable content in the form of tattoos, clothes and hairstyles to customise your character. It’s also possible to host your own events using the online facilities. So take to the streets and vent the bad blood between you and your enemy gang. It’s about time that an online, brawling free-for-all appeared on Xbox Live, and thankfully it’s been made by SEGA. more