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Switchball

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9.0 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 25 critic reviews
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Based on 6 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Sierra Online

Developer: Atomic Elbow

Genre(s): Puzzle

Players: 2

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: November 7, 2007

Summary

[Xbox Live Arcade] Switchball challenges players to control an ever-changing ball along a narrow and challenging course suspended in midair. A polymorphous ball exhibits different physical characteristics as it changes form as either a standard Marbleball, a feather-light Airball, an electrically charged Powerball or a dense and powerful Metalball. Players will have to solve their way through challenging levels packed with tricky obstacles, traps and mazes. With beautifully rendered 3D environments including Skyworld, Iceworld, Caveworld, Cloudworld and Lavaworld, Switchcball features an advanced physics engine, allowing players to interact with objects just as they would in the real world. [Sierra Online]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central GameFAQs

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Console Monster

Superb physics engine.

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Team Xbox

All in all, Switchball is certainly one of the best puzzles games on XBLA, and is definitely the best, um, ball-based puzzle game of all-time. It’s a great looking game, offering a deep single-player mode and plenty of multiplayer options.

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Digital Entertainment News

Sure, it's too short, but it's also inexpensive, and it's so fun to play you'll be begging for more. Definitely worth a download!

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GameZone

Following the path of Marble Blast Ultra, Switchball delivers a well-chiseled puzzle experience to Xbox 360 owners everywhere. And for only 800 MS points, the experience is completely worth it.

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MS Xbox World

If you are into a lot of arcade puzzle games then this is a must have. It’s particularly enjoyable for all games players of all ages, there’s a lot to do and there is a good amount of challenging achievements to work for. So if you’re missing a game like Mercury on the Xbox then this is one to get.

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Gamers' Temple

Switchball is a nice blend of cerebral and manual challenge, and is a nice switch from your usual puzzle fare.

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IGN

There’s no doubt that Switchball is worth your hard-earned Microsoft Points if you’re into puzzlers. It offers an innovative look at ball-centric XBLA games with its different abilities that stay fresh throughout the five separate environments.

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Game Almighty

As far as XBLA games are concerned, this is a rare gem.

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Console Gameworld

Despite these minor flaws I found Switchball to be one of the better puzzle games based on rolling a ball around.

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AceGamez

A very addictive and innovative gameplay experience awaits anyone willing to part with their precious Microsoft points to purchase Switchball, although a little bit of patience is required with some of the harder levels, which some gamers may find tough to get to grips with.

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

With so many fast-paced action games clogging up Xbox Live Arcade, a slower-paced puzzler like Switchball really stands out. As to whether or not that’s a good thing, well it’s really up to you.

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Games Radar (in-house)

Switchball is one of the finer, original Live Arcade titles to grace the service in a while, and is undeniably addicting. Even if you plan to play for just a few minutes at a time, you'll find yourself losing hours to the creative puzzles and intuitive game play.

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Official Xbox Magazine

This is the kind of game Xbox Live Arcade was made for. [Holiday 2007, p.73]

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Thunderbolt

Switchball is an innovative new take on the traditional marble game, with a plethora of interesting additions to spice up the old formula, and stunning graphics to please the eyes.

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Gaming Nexus

Not only is this one of the best puzzle games on the Xbox Live Arcade, but it's also a fantastic looking game with a compelling gimmick.

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Game Chronicles

Ultimately, this is a great game and easily worth the $10 you have to sacrifice to land a copy of it.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

The game quickly runs out of maps, but for this budget price, it's an eye-pleasing, patience-testing distraction.

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GameSpot

This clever physics-based puzzler is both challenging and addictive.

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Video Game Talk

It’s very much geared toward a laid back style of play that’s surprisingly difficult to transition into when playing anything else on the Xbox 360.

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Eurogamer

At 800 Microsoft Points which equates to a couple of Big Mac meals and a side of chilli cheese tops, it definitely offers the kind of quality that some say is lacking at the moment at a more than reasonable price. However, do be warned that the game gets insanely difficult half way through and although the multiplayer modes are fun, it's fleeting.

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Talk Xbox

All in all, this is a nice addition to the XBLA collection. When you’re ready for some “down” time from the hectic fraggin’, Switchball is a good change of pace.

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Official Xbox Magazine UK

Ultimately, this is still the same old Switchball that it ever was, just with one less thing to bitch about. [May 2008, p.92]

Game Positive

If you enjoy 3D platform puzzlers, you could do a lot worse than purchase Switchball. However, some of the negative factors in the game can make it an incredibly frustrating experience.

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Xbox World 360 Magazine UK

One of the most inventive puzzle games on 360, ported from the PC with little love and attention. [Jan 2008, p.92]

X360 Magazine UK

"Marble Madness" with cannons. [Issue 28, p.118]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 6 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Nick R. gave it a10:
When it comes to video games, my favorite gimmick is physics. My favorite genre is ball-rolling games. So Switchball almost feels made for me. It's absolutely gorgeous (by far the best looking XBLA game), surprisingly long, very challenging (especially the time trials), and a great value. The puzzles, especially towards the end of the game, are absolutely ingenious. Considering that it's only $10 (compared to the PC version's $20) and has a ton of features the original didn't, including co-op, multiplayer races, and leaderboards, there's no reason not to get it. However, definitely download the demo first; I played through it on an SDTV and had no problems, but some who have played it in HD have complained of tearing from lack of v-sync. It seems to affect people differently depending on their set-ups, so make sure to play the trial version first.

Marvel M. gave it a9:
Good grafics for a live game Extremly good psysics Game play is easy at first but becomes a challange in the end I dig the soundtrack and soundefx are okey.

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What The Critics Said

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