Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved (Bizarre Creations, 2005)
The purest score attack game currently available has to be Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved on Xbox 360's Live Arcade service. Surviving the free, timed demo is a big challenge in itself, but once you manage that, you'll be paying the 400 Microsoft points straight away. Not only is it retro-styled (which makes Retrobot's circuits go all fizzy inside), but it's beautiful to behold, especially in hi-def.
But forget all the cosmetic allure. The gameplay is so pure, if you distilled it a hundred times, it wouldn't come out any differently. You move with the left stick, fire with the right. You can press a shoulder button to fire a smart bomb to clear the screen of enemies if you should get into a tight spot... and that's it.
Don't even think about losing a life - your multiplier gets reset if you do - so just keep that first ship going for as long as you can. In some ways, Retrobot wishes the extra lives weren't there at all. If any game was ever meant to be played on a single credit, it's this. Go play.
Above: Geometry Wars: Galaxies is heading to Wii and DS soon. No hi-def modes, but it still looks nice
Don't even think about losing a life - your multiplier gets reset if you do - so just keep that first ship going for as long as you can. In some ways, Retrobot wishes the extra lives weren't there at all. If any game was ever meant to be played on a single credit, it's this. Go play.
