The Xbox 360 Era: Not Just the Blockbusters
The Xbox 360 launched in Europe on December 2, 2005, and quickly became a sensation. When most people think of this console, Gears of War, Halo 3, or Fable II immediately spring to mind. But beyond these iconic titles, some lesser-known games truly deserve your attention. One of them is BattleBlock Theater.
A Hidden Gem Among Digital Legends
Released on Xbox Live Arcade on April 3, 2013, BattleBlock Theater probably doesn’t ring as many bells as Braid, Super Meat Boy, or Limbo—those perennial Microsoft digital darlings from the Xbox 360 golden days. Still, for those who gave it a chance, it left a mark. Boasting an impressive 85/100 on Metacritic and a 17/20 score from our side, this is one of those smaller treasures that really deserves its time in the limelight.
An Unmissable Deal
That’s exactly what’s happening today thanks to a brand-new price drop. Normally retailing for €14.39 (about $15), BattleBlock Theater is just €3.59 (about $3.90) as of writing. The offer ends on February 1, so don’t wait too long if you’re tempted. Thanks to backward compatibility, BattleBlock Theater is fully playable on Xbox Series X|S. It’s entertaining on your own, but it’s an absolute riot in co-op.
Wild Story, Masterful Gameplay
Hatty Hattington sets out on a ship with friends but is blindsided by a storm and shipwrecked on an island. This island hides a bizarre theater and some seriously wicked cats. The absolutely bonkers story of BattleBlock Theater is really just an excuse to get players to dive into a polished, deceptively simple gameplay experience. The core idea: collect enough gems to unlock the exit door in each platforming level. Sounds easy, right? Of course, it wouldn’t be fun without a host of tricky traps and enemies determined to thwart your plans.
On paper, BattleBlock Theater doesn’t reinvent the wheel. But put a controller in your hands—and a friend on the couch beside you—and The Behemoth’s game comes to life in unexpected ways. The levels in story mode are cleverly constructed with co-op help in mind. The best part: there are so many unique and creative ideas throughout, you’ll always find something new around the corner. And, true to the best co-op games out there, BattleBlock Theater gives you all sorts of sneaky ways to toss your buddy into hilariously desperate situations. The more mischievous among you will especially enjoy this!
If you have even a passing interest in co-op platformers, The Behemoth’s creation absolutely deserves a spot in your collection.
