Game Room

If you don't know, Game Room is an area (originally started as part of XBLA) for retro games on the Xbox 360.  XBLA changed its rules on what was allowed, largely freezing out classic arcade games/emulation (at least at the $3.00 price), Game Room seems to pick up the slack.  i have spent a lot of time on this game.  Game Room was released in March and there have usually been weekly releases since.  The weekly releases are currently in the form of game packs (that contain 2-5 weeks of content) unlocked on Wednesdays.  So far, 12 game packs have been released (2 at launch).  The situation with the devleper of Game Room is a bit up in the air too (with the original developer Krome downsizing/reorganizing), there is a rumor that Game Room will be seeing a developer change in the near future.

Currently, Game Room is limited to Konami Arcade, Activision 2600, Atari 2600, some early Atari arcade games and Intellivision games.  The game selection from Atari and Activision is largely licensed content that is also on Atari 80 in 1 compilation, Activision Anthalogy and Intellivision Lives.  Konami arcade seems to not be based off of a compilation.  There have been rumors from the beginning about new companies potentially coming on board, however, as of yet there has been no new games released by the current companies.    

Unlike most downloadable games (Game Room is more of a front end), Game Room has 1,000 achievement points (like a full retail title).  This did cause some problems as Game Room achievements are largely based off of gaining levels based off of paid content.  This is probably the most expensive 1,000 gamer score there is.  It is less expensive now, but you still need to be level 20.  At bare minimum, you have to have 20 Time Spender medals (so buy at least 20 games - that is $60.00), then you will probably still need some single plays or other games to make up the difference.  i am not sure that the $.50 play (40 points) is still working. 

The level scheme is 5 points for a gold, 3 points for a silver and 2 points for a bronze.  There are three potential medals: Point Buster (score x points), Survivalist (spend x time in one playthrough) and Time Spender (spend x total on the game).   Some games only have the Time Spender (like 2 player only games).  If it has an individual leaderboard, it is a three medal game (if it doesn't it is one medal).  So, assuming you are good (or the game is easy), you could get 15 points for one game (75% of one level).

There are challenges (which silver users can do) and dynamic leaderboards on the ranked games.  Gaining levels can unlock decor or themes for your virtual arcade (12 room, holding 8 games each).   

Achievements: the achievements are mostly stuff like: play for X hours, get X medals, achieve level X, win X challenges type of stuff.  They seem to be trying to get you to purchase more games - it worked on me.