Tron the game is based on the movie about the programmer who enters a fantastical computer world in his computer. The Disney movie was a pioneer for using computer graphics and whilst the leading characters dressed in rather stupid suits, the film has some sort of nerdy cult status. Well, I remember playing the game as a youngster, having not seen the movie and I guess like all arcade games at the time, it guzzled those coins. Well now I have a chance to relive those childhood memories of Hunstanton Pier Arcade or Southend Pier Arcade because for 400 points I can play Tron without having to worry about pouring more cash into the arcade owners pockets, hurrah!

Gameplay:

Tron sees you enter the computer where you are faced with four coloured areas called the Game Grid. It's here that you get to choose which one to enter first (within a strict time limit). If you ponder too long then the game chooses a location for you. Each of the four areas has a associated game such as Tank Game, MCP Game, IO Tower Game and finally Light Cycle Game. Once you've completed one, you then return to the Game Grid to choose another colour and game you've not completed yet. Sounds great doesn't it? Once all four games have been completed you start over, but this time things become a little more challenging. Looking at the four games for a moment; the Tank Game has you face off against a number of enemy tanks which require 3 hits to kill. You move with the left thumbstick and the right stick controls the direction of the turret. The trigger shoots the cannon. The area in which you play is like Pac-Man and so careful navigation is what is required. However, the main problem for you is that the enemy tanks can shoot and kill you with one shot; so basically you have to make sure to bounce your own shots off the walls and avoid a straight line of fire with the enemy. The MCP Game is somewhat different and requires you to enter the Master Control Program cone without touching blocks. Here, you control a small man who can fire disks at the blocks which rotate around the cone. This is fairly simple, although you do get a bonus if you can shoot all blocks before entering the cone. The main challenge here is the screen scrolls up over time which gives you less room to move and makes it easier to touch one of the blocks by mistake (meaning instant death). The IO Tower Game is similar, however this time you must reach a central area without getting attacked by Grid Bugs. These bugs multiply over time and what's more, there's a strict time limit to reach the central location. It's pretty simple, but you do gain more point for killing as many bugs as possible. Finally there's the Light Cycle Game, which has you riding a motorized vehicle on a grid. The vehicle leaves a solid trace behind it, which in turn means that if you crash into it, you die! Very pleasant indeed. However, you are not alone, and so the trick is to avoid your opponents trails, but also trap them in yours. It's simple but an effective game.

Graphics:

Graphically, the game is pretty poor, especially when compared to the movie it is based on. Every thing is functional and the XBLA enhanced graphics do very little to bring the game to life. Maybe I'm expecting way too much from "Enhanced Graphics" being touted as a feature, but by today's standards and compared to some of the other XBLA games available, this is terrible to look at. I guess we can forgive it somewhat, seeing as it's based on the old arcade game rather than a new game.

Sound:

The sound is terrible, and although for nostalgic reasons might conjure some fine memories, in general they haven't aged well at all. Beeps and more beeps are what you get here. Enhanced sound? Don't make me laugh!

Longevity:

Hmmm, let's see. The longevity basically depends on how bored or sad you are, or how many proper games you have in your collection. After 5 minutes play, to me it's pretty obvious that the only people who will like continuing to play it are those keen on unlocking the achievements. It's a pretty dull game, and whilst you can challenge your friends or other people over Xbox Live, why would you want to? There's far greater things to do with your Xbox 360, like I don't know taking it in the shower with you for some kinky stuff. Ok scrap that, I mean kinky stuff is cool but wires, electricity and water isn't cool, but perhaps is cooler than playing Tron over and over. The leader-boards are probably a great way to boast at how cool you are for enduring such mundane madness over and over.

Overall:

Some memories are best left in the past, that's what I say. Whilst it's nice to relive some childhood wasting of cash, as an adult wasting cash has more meaning (seeing as the money gained as a child was given by the folks rather than earned). Tron might be loveable for a quick play, but in the long term you should realize, that what worked way back when is pretty crap nowadays. If you really must play Tron then by all means, but don't say I didn't warn you, as the appeal wears off pretty quickly.