Yuke’s Media Creations famous from their WWE Wrestling games is trying their hand on a new style of game for the Xbox Live Arcade. Taken totally out of context Double D Dogeball features a futuristic styled theme merged with some old school graphics. We are playing our quarters to see if this Double D Dogeball is worth remembering.

The Xbox Live Arcade has been a packed house of late which means the competition is stronger than ever for downloading seniority. Yuke’s Media Creations, the team behind WWE Smackdown vs. Raw certainly has the talent to make a good dent in the online market, so why dogeball? and why not wrestling? Well, judging from the “official” description of the game Double D Dogeball is looking to recreate the classic sport of Dogeball in a retro arcade feel. So lets see how they faired...

Double D Dogeball really comes out of left field from a developer famous from making primarily sports games. What you expect and what the game delivers are two different things. I’m not just an upset WWE fanboy venting that "Double D" isn’t "Double W Wrastlin’" instead of Double D Dogeball. I actually love dogeball games straight out of the NES era of gaming and believe that the simple concept of Dogeball can provide a great gaming experience. Sadly, Double D isn't going to be it... and you know what is worse? I really don't even know what to call Yuke's spaced up dogeball mess. Sure, it’s Dogeball in its core gameplay aspects, but it’s not the dogeball I remember. True, it has a classic retro feel to the game, but its 2008 and not 1984. Back in ’84 Double D Dogeball would have been the game to have (right after Q-Bert and Moon Patrol) Too bad it’s not ’84 and gamers have to choose from Double D Dogeball and a hundred or so other titles on the Live pipeline.

The best aspect of a Dogeball game is that it’s pretty straightforward and always fun. It’s almost hard to mess up the timeless formula of Dogeball and thankfully Double D has that part right. What is missing is the rest. This futuristic take on the game is really lacking in the production department. The graphics are cool in a nostalgic way; however they fall short of performing on any level past the Atari 2600. This also goes for the audio production which has one cool musical track and then a whole lot of nothing. Double D Dogeball is really disappointing compared to what other similar titles are pulling off like Geometry Wars and Assault Heroes 2.

To get the most out of Double D Dogeball you are going need to play this with friends either online, or at home on your console. Double D supports up to four players per team which can be some fun online. When playing by yourself you will have the assistance of the artificial intelligence which isn’t so bad. The controls are very easy to get with movement attached to the thumbsitcks and catching and shooting relayed to the triggers.

The main mode in the game is set-up in exhibitions where you can adjust the settings of the game and go at it. In the games options you will be able to change the ball type, change the rules from Eastern to Western, and customize your team with different characters, names and jersey numbers. That is about how frantic the Double D Dogeball action gets, Double D is as straightforward as they come.

Double D Dogeball proves you can take a great game like Dogeball and a cool concept like retro styling’s and totally screws it up. Double D Dogeball is retro alright, Atari bad retro. Yuke’s has definitely missed out on opportunity to cash on a great game idea. If Dogeball is your thing save your points for upcoming Xbox Live title Pirates vs. Ninja Dogeball. Save your points.

Final Score: 3.0

Reviewed by Tinnanski | 08.04.08

• Eight-person multiplayer: Join online matches with up to seven friends and go four-on-four via Xbox LIVE for the ultimate bragging rights!
• Frenetic dodge ball action: Select between small games of two-on-two, or open it up to six-on-six including four A.I. players for wild matches with balls flying everywhere.
• East and West rules: Choose arenas featuring the tradional Western rules, or mix it up with the Eastern version where opponents throw at you from all sides!
• Retro, arcade design: No need to check your pockets. Double D Dodgeball's classic look and feel will make you relive the old-school arcade days without the quarters.
• Customizable teams: Mix and match your team from a host of different characters with special attributes such as power shots, super catching abilities, lightning-quick speed, and more.
• Variable match options: Play on an icy or plasmic surface, increase or decrease the ball speed, or simply put an electrical charge on the baselines for a shocking new twist on the old-school sport.