Braid

A game by Jonathan Blow for PC, Mac, Linux, PS3, and Xbox 360, originally released in 2008.

To discuss Braid is to discuss the very rise of indie game development and the resurgence of 2D gaming. Prior to its release in 2008, game distribution was very much a gatekeeper-driven system, with major publishers dictating which products would eventually end up in the retail space. Indie developers who wanted to get their games into players’ hands could do so via numerous Flash portals or via their own websites – often for free – but they didn’t have many dedicated platforms from which to sell their games and make a living.

However, with the advent of digital distribution services like the App Store, Steam, and Xbox Live Arcade, having space on a store shelf was no longer a prerequisite for selling a game. These new services gave indie developers the ability to sell games across a variety of platforms without the risks involved in manufacturing, and often without the need of a publisher.

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 2008, Jonathan Blow, Linux, Mac, Number None, PC, PS3, Xbox 360

Soul Bubbles

A game by Mekensleep for DS, originally released in 2008.

CONTEXT
Soul Bubbles was created by French developer Mekensleep, and released in the U.S. and Europe in the summer of 2008, and then released in Japan about a year later, with the title of Awatama. In the United States, the game was sold exclusively in Toys ‘R’ Us stores.

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 2008, DS, Eidos, Heritage, Mekensleep

Gravitron 2 / Gravitron360

A game by Dark Castle Software for PC and Xbox 360, originally released in 2008, with the "360" version released in 2010.

CONTEXT
In March of 1981, Atari designer Mike Hally and programmer Rich Adam began working on a concept for a game that combined elements of Lunar Lander and Asteroids. The result was a prototype called Lunar Battle. The game went through a number of design changes, the greatest of which was to reduce the effect of gravity and lower the aggressiveness of the enemies in order to make the game less difficult. The Atari marketing department then changed the name of the game, which was released into arcades in the summer of 1982 as Gravitar.

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 2008, 2010, Dark Castle Software, PC, Ron Bunce, XBLIG, Xbox 360

Noitu Love 2: Devolution

A game by Konjak for PC, WiiU, and 3DS, originally released in 2008.

Noitu Love 2: Devolution was released as a downloadable title for PC in 2008 by Joakim Sandberg under his Konjak label. The game was created in Multimedia Fusion 2, and was intended to be ported to WiiWare by Golgoth Studio, but the WiiWare version of the game was cancelled... and then un-cancelled, sort of. MP2 games, the studio which ported Knytt Underground and Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures to Nintendo platforms, developed ports of the game for Wii U and 3DS, so the game made it to Nintendo platforms after all.

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 2008, 3DS, Joakim Sandberg, Konjak, PC, Wii U

Bangai-O Spirits

A game by Treasure for DS, originally released in 2008.

CONTEXT
The incomparable Treasure, a company known for more outstanding hardcore 2D experiences than any company – especially one so small – has the right to. Radiant Silvergun, Gunstar Heroes, and Alien Soldier all hold their places in the hearts of the gaming community as pure-blooded technical beauties that require the player to master the mechanics completely before allowing victory. And, of course, Treasure is also known for delivering some pretty whacked out original ideas to the market with titles like Mischief Makers, Silhouette Mirage, and Sin and Punishment.

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 2008, D3Publisher, DS, Heritage, Treasure

Weapon of Choice / Weapon of Choice DX

A game by Mommy's Best Games for PC, Xbox 360, Switch, PS4, and Xbox One, originally released in 2008, with the DX version released in 2021.

CONTEXT
Before continuing, you may wish to learn more about the Hidden Agenda behind 8 Bit Horse. Or don’t. It’s up to you. Don’t be a hero.

Weapon of Choice was released in 2008 on the Xbox 360 in the Xbox Live Community Games category (now known as Indie Games). It was one of just a handful of games available at the launch of the service and it was, in many ways, the flagship title of Community Games, sporting the highest production values and tightest game design of any of its forerunning contemporaries. It also received numerous awards and accolades, including 3rd prize in Microsoft’s Dream Build Play competition, and winner of IGN’s 2008 Game of the Year in the Community Games category. And it is being released as a downloadable title for PC.

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 2008, 2021, Mommy's Best Games, PC, PS4, Switch, XBLIG, Xbox 360, Xbox One