1st Impressions: Part Super Smash Bros, Part Ratchet & Clank, Small Arms is a blast and the best XBLA game to date.
The Bad: There aren't nearly as many characters, weapons or levels as Super Smash Bros, viral achievement has no gamerscore.
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Super Smash Bros. is a rare game that had no equal, until this unknown Xbox Live Arcade game came out. Small Arms is basically a combination of the gameplay style of Super Smash Bros. and the weapons of Ratchet & Clank. The actual combat is very similar to SSB, and it's done about as well. There are a total of 9 characters to choose from, and each has a unique starting weapon ranging from a Katana to a flamethrower. The action is frantic and tons of fun. The visuals are definately a step up from the majority of the arcade games currently out and the sound effects are top notch.
The biggest difference between Small Arms and Super Smash Bros. is the addition of online play over Xbox Live. This is what really makes this game stand out. The online modes allow you to play the game in all it's glory with three friends or random people and kick the crap out of them, or get the crap kicked out of you. The online modes are pretty much lag free. There were a couple of instances where lag occured, but not that often. The quick match option get's players who have their trigger fingers twitching into a game very quickly and easily. You can also set up a private match for your friends, but it won't count in your world ranking...
One of the neatest features that Small Arms has is a viral achievement called "The Six Degrees of Small Arms". To get this achievement, you have to play someone who already has it. This makes online ranked matches more interesting, because you are looking for someone with the achievment, but it has no gamerscore, which makes it less prestigeous. Overall, Small Arms is the must have arcade game of 2006 and is a great use of those Microsoft points you have lying around.
Gameplay: The guns of Ratchet and Clank combine with the frantic gameplay of Super Smash Bros. for a winning combination.
Graphics: It uses next gen graphics engine, so it looks better than the strong majority of Xbox Live Arcade Games.
Sound: It sound awesome.
Value: It's 800 M$ points, but that's a bargin for what you're getting.
Final Thoughts: The six degrees of Small Arms begin...