The Pong-type gameplay may be the first game mechanic ever programmed and obviously has it has seen gameplay iterations that are just too many to mention. But the game mechanic has maintained its popularity and proof that it is a tried and tested classic are the number of new games that still come out today that still use the same mechanics – albeit in new innovative ways.

A great example is Blazing Birds, a form of robot badminton. The new Xbox Live game will allow players to battle sixty computer-AI controlled opponents through three different difficulty levels. Multiplayer mode will surely extend the life of the game, allowing players to compete in round robin multiplayer contests that can be participated in by up to twenty players. The easy to use and learn controls is, of course, the biggest draw of the game because even casual gamers will immediately get into the game.

Blazing Birds is available at the Xbox Live Arcade for 400 Microsoft Points.