Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved

Best. Xbox 360 Game. Ever. For now.

(X360; 400 MS points, approx. $5; Rated E)

(five stars)

Ok, here’s a quick heads-up just to spread the word.

For all of you lucky 360 owners out there, you know that one of the best things about the new system is the Xbox Live Arcade- a virtual arcade where you can download classic and modern arcade games directly to your 360 hard drive. As you know, you can download a trial version of the game, and then if you want the whole shebang, you can purchase it using Microsoft Points (1 point equals about $0.012).

Well I’m here to tell you that if you don’t purchase “Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved,” you don’t deserve to have a 360, because it is possibly the best game out for the system.

From the makers of the “Project Gotham Racing” series, “Geometry Wars” is one-part “Robotron 2004” and one-part “Asteroids.” Now that I realize I’ve lost about 90% of my audience with way old-school arcade references, let’s just say that players use both analog sticks to move around and blow up every simple shape that shows up on the screen.

It’s simple: if it moves- it’s trying to kill you, so kill it.

Play continues until the player’s lives are up- just like the games in the old smoky arcades you probably don’t remember. It’s mesmerizing, it’s challenging, and it’s addictive as hell. I honestly don’t remember when getting a high-score was such an obsession for me.

Bottom line: spend the $5, get it, and have absolutely no regrets.