Well, I am back with two more from the archives of games that sat on your store shelf while copies of the newest Madden (insert year here) flew off the shelves because EA added a new hat to the coaches or whatever tiny update was made.
Deathrow

This game was probably languished due to bad marketing. I mean looking at just the box, you would never remotely think that this game is, in all actuality, a sports game. The cover boasts a generic looking bad-ass who looks like he is ready to rumble with some tough guys and do some chest bumps and high fives. The title alone adds credence to this generic looking rumbler by leading your mind to think that this a prison based fighting game and, by the box art, a pretty generic one at that.
In reality, this game is a futuristic sports game that plays like a fast paced and ultra violent game of Ultimate Frisbee. You pick a team based on stats (some are weaker but faster and some are stronger but slower). The object is to either incapacitate the other team through a series of punches and kicks, or outscore them by throwing the “electric frisbee” through the opponents goal. With each game won you add to the stats of your team, pick up sponsors and get little challenges. It is really quite fun. The action is fast paced, the graphics are adequate (this is 1st Gen Xbox) and the play is fun and challenging. It is on the BC list for your 360, so if you ever see it languishing under the weight of thousands of yellow pre-played stickers at your local Gamestop, pick it up. You will be glad you did.
Beyond Good and Evil

The utter and dismal sales of this game makes me sad as a gamer that so many people were able to pass this game by without so much as a cursory glance.
In this game, you take the role of Jade, a sort of underground news reporter trying to cut through the propaganda that is overtaking her world. The gameplay is, in many ways, like a 3d Zelda game. You control Jade as you investigate certain aspects of the government and corporations. You have at your disposal, a green bo staff for enemy killing, a camera for picture taking and, sometimes, an NPC partner for puzzle solving. This game does so many things right, the stealth action is well thought out, the puzzles are creative and intuitive without being frustrating, the boat racing parts are adequate for what they are, the exploration is pretty open and the picture taking (for your collection whores) is kind of a fun thing to do as well.
Unfortunately, this game has not made the BC list as of yet. I am crossing my fingers that it will make it as a D/L in the Xbox Originals. As of now, if you have your old Xbox collecting dust and you are tired of Generic FPS #8024 for 360, I would recommend picking this up and giving it a play. The only bad part about it is, you will want a sequel…
Stay tuned for more games from the archive that you might never have played and or heard of, but really should be given a second look.