Xiaolin Showdown (video game)

{{Infobox video game

| title = Xiaolin Showdown

| image = XiaolinGame.jpg

| caption = North American PlayStation 2 cover art

| developer = {{Plainlist|

BottleRocket Entertainment (PS2, Xbox, PSP)
Razorback Developments (NDS)

}}

| publisher = {{Plainlist|

}}

| platforms = {{Plainlist|

}}

| released = {{Plainlist|

PlayStation 2
PlayStation Portable
Xbox {{vgrelease|NA|November 14, 2006|EU|June 29, 2007}}
Nintendo DS {{Video game release|NA|November 28, 2006{{cite web |last1=Sinclair |first1=Brendan |title=Shippin' Out 11/27-12/1: Wii stealth, PC hobbits, portable pets |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6162379.html |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061130114207/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6162379.html |archive-date=November 30, 2006 |date=November 27, 2006 |url-status=live}}|EU|February 2007{{cite web |last1=Boyes |first1=Emma |title=Nintendo details Euro Q1 releases |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6163454.html |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070108225803/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6163454.html |archive-date=January 8, 2007 |date=December 20, 2006 |url-status=live}}}}

}}

| genre = Beat 'em up, fighting

| modes = Single-player, multiplayer

| writer = {{Plainlist|

Christy Hui
Stephen Sustarsic

}}

| composer = {{Plainlist|

Kevin Manthei
Allister Brimble (NDS)
Anthony N. Putson (NDS)

}}

Xiaolin Showdown is a beat 'em up and fighting video game based on the animated television series of the same name. It was released for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Xbox on November 14, 2006, in North America and in Europe on June 29, 2007. The game was later ported over to the Nintendo DS on November 28, 2006, in North America and in Europe in February 2007. Players are able to play as the Xiaolin Apprentices. The game can be played with up to four players locally.

This was the last game to be released for the Xbox in Europe.{{Cite web |title=The 18 Rarest Original Xbox Games |url=https://whynow.co.uk/read/the-18-rarest-original-xbox-games |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=whynow |date=July 14, 2021 |language=en}}

Gameplay

The gameplay is reminiscent of that of Power Stone and the Super Smash Bros. series. The player's main goal is to be the last man standing. One of the game objectives is to get the Shen Gong Wu. The Shen Gong Wu require the use of "Chi Energy" from the player.

There are six playable characters in the game: Omi, Raimundo Pedrosa, Kimiko Tohomiko, Clay Bailey, Jack Spicer and Chase Young, the latter two of which must be unlocked first. When Xiaolin Showdowns take place, the competitors get transported to an arena where they face off in a random mini-game. Master Fung appears in some parts of the game, giving tips for the player. Players can use Shen Gong Wu to aid them in battle. The player uses an in-game currency called "blessing coins" to buy Wu.

Development

The game was first exhibited in May 2006 at E3,{{cite web |last1=Surette |first1=Tim |title=E3 06: Xiaolin Showdown strikes in November |url=http://www.gamespot.com//news/e3-06-xiaolin-showdown-strikes-in-november-6149304 |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628000810/http://www.gamespot.com//news/e3-06-xiaolin-showdown-strikes-in-november-6149304 |archive-date=June 28, 2013 |date=May 9, 2006 |url-status=live}} and an updated prototype was exhibited at Konami's 2006 Summer BBQ event.{{cite web |last1=Shoemaker |first1=Brad |title=Xiaolin Showdown Updated Hands-On |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xiaolin-showdown-updated-hands-on/1100-6156401/ |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320194829/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xiaolin-showdown-updated-hands-on/1100-6156401/ |archive-date=March 20, 2021 |date=August 24, 2006 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Li |first1=Richard |title=Multiethnic Kung-Fu action. |url=http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3153201&p=2 |website=1Up.com |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227131813/http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3153201&p=2 |archive-date=February 27, 2009 |date=August 28, 2006 |url-status=dead}} The PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and Xbox versions were developed by BottleRocket Entertainment, and the Nintendo DS release by Razorback Developments.

Reception

{{Video game reviews

| rev1 = Play Generation Special

| rev1Score = 65% (PS2){{cite magazine|title =Xiaolin Showdown|language=Italian|date =2008 |url =https://archive.org/details/PlayGeneration-PSP/Play%20Generation%20Special%20-%20Tutto%20su%20PSP%202%20-%20I%20giochi/page/n59/mode/2up|magazine =Play Generation Special|publisher =Edizioni Master |page = 65}}

| rev2 = IGN

| rev2Score = 6/10 (PS2){{cite web |author1=Douglass C. Perry |title=Xiaolin Showdown Review |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/748/748662p1.html |website=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061205222631/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/748/748662p1.html |archive-date=December 5, 2006 |date=December 1, 2006 |url-status=unfit}}
6/10 (Xbox){{cite web |author1=Douglass C. Perry |title=Xiaolin Showdown Review |url=http://xbox.ign.com/articles/748/748131p1.html |website=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061205155911/http://xbox.ign.com/articles/748/748131p1.html |archive-date=December 5, 2006 |date=November 29, 2006 |url-status=unfit}}

| rev3 = 1Up.com

| rev3Score = C− (Xbox){{cite web |last1=Sewart |first1=Greg |title=Zen and the Art of Button Mashing. |url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3155752 |website=1Up.com |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105142737/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3155752 |archive-date=January 5, 2010 |date=December 7, 2006 |url-status=dead}}

| rev4 = GameZone

| rev4Score = 4.3/10 (Xbox){{cite web |last1=Bedigian |first1=Louis |title=Xiaolin Showdown Review |url=http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r27434.htm |website=GameZone |publisher=GameZone Online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211002353/http://xbox.gamezone.com:80/gzreviews/r27434.htm |archive-date=February 11, 2007 |date=November 27, 2006 |url-status=dead}}

| rev5 = Eurogamer

| rev5Score = 4/10 (PSP){{cite web |last1=Whitehead |first1=Dan |title=PSP Roundup Review |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_pspgames_psp?page=3 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003201958/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_pspgames_psp?page=3 |archive-date=October 3, 2009 |date=July 16, 2007 |url-status=live}}
2/10 (PS2){{cite web |last1=Albiges |first1=Luke |title=Xiaolin Showdown |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/xiaolin-showdown-review |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412015500/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/xiaolin-showdown-review |archive-date=April 12, 2009 |date=April 8, 2007 |url-status=live}}

| rev6 = GameSpot

| rev6Score = 3.6/10 (PSP){{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Ryan |title=Xiaolin Showdown |url=https://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/xiaolinshowdown/review.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070120090529/https://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/xiaolinshowdown/review.html|archive-date=January 20, 2007|website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |date=January 17, 2007 |url-status=unfit}}
3.6/10 (PS2){{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Ryan |title=Xiaolin Showdown |url=https://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/xiaolinshowdown/review.html |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070120090518/https://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/xiaolinshowdown/review.html |archive-date=January 20, 2007 |date=January 17, 2007 |url-status=unfit}}
3.6/10 (Xbox){{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Ryan |title=Xiaolin Showdown |url=https://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/xiaolinshowdown/review.html |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070120090543/https://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/xiaolinshowdown/review.html |archive-date=January 20, 2007 |date=January 17, 2007 |url-status=unfit}}
6.4/10 (DS){{cite web |last1=Provo |first1=Frank |title=Xiaolin Showdown |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ds/action/xiaolinshowdown/review.html |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208210557/http://www.gamespot.com/ds/action/xiaolinshowdown/review.html |archive-date=February 8, 2007 |date=January 24, 2007 |url-status=live}}

| rev7 = GameSpy

| rev7Score = {{rating|1.5|5}} (PSP){{cite web |last1=Kemps |first1=Heidi |title=Xiaolin Showdown (PSP) |url=http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/xiaolin-showdown/748594p1.html |website=GameSpy |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207044929/http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/xiaolin-showdown/748594p1.html |archive-date=December 7, 2006 |date=November 30, 2006 |url-status=live}}
{{rating|1.5|5}} (PS2){{cite web |last1=Kemps |first1=Heidi |title=Xiaolin Showdown (PS2) |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/xiaolin-showdown/748592p1.html |website=GameSpy |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061205220857/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/xiaolin-showdown/748592p1.html |archive-date=December 5, 2006 |date=November 30, 2006 |url-status=live}}
{{rating|1.5|5}} (Xbox){{cite web |last1=Kemps |first1=Heidi |title=Xiaolin Showdown (Xbox) |url=http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/xiaolin-showdown/748593p1.html |website=GameSpy |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061205204930/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/xiaolin-showdown/748593p1.html |archive-date=December 5, 2006 |date=November 30, 2006 |url-status=live}}

| rev8 = GameShark

| rev8Score = D{{cite web |last1=Fudge |first1=James |title=Xiaolin Showdown Review |url=http://www.gameshark.com/reviews/2525/Xiaolin-Showdown-Review.htm |website=GameShark |publisher=Mad Catz |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061210085456/http://www.gameshark.com/reviews/2525/Xiaolin-Showdown-Review.htm |archive-date=December 10, 2006 |date=December 7, 2006 |url-status=dead}}

| rev9 = Jeuxvideo.com

| rev9Score = 10/20 (DS){{cite web |author1=Dinowan |title=Xiaolin Showdown |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00007430-xiaolin-showdown-test.htm |website=Jeuxvideo.com |publisher=L'Odyssée Interactive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312021327/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00007430-xiaolin-showdown-test.htm |archive-date=March 12, 2007 |language=French |date=March 9, 2007 |url-status=live}}
6/20 (PS2){{cite web |author1=Hiro |title=Xiaolin Showdown |url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00007426-xiaolin-showdown-test.htm |website=Jeuxvideo.com |publisher=L'Odyssée Interactive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309192847/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00007426-xiaolin-showdown-test.htm |archive-date=March 9, 2007 |language=French |date=March 7, 2007 |url-status=live}}

| rev10 = GamesRadar

| rev10Score = {{rating|1.5|5}} (Xbox){{cite web |title=Xiaolin Showdown review |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/xiaolin-showdown-10/ |website=GamesRadar |publisher=Future Publishing |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320204827/https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/xiaolin-showdown-10/ |archive-date=March 20, 2021 |date=December 15, 2006 |url-status=live}}

}}

Xiaolin Showdown received mixed to negative reviews from critics. Many reviews compared it unfavorably to other, better four-player brawlers such as Super Smash Bros. or Power Stone. Eurogamer gave the PlayStation 2 version of the game an overall score of 2 out of 10, calling it "unfun", criticizing its "unimpressive" graphics and "ridiculously easy" gameplay, and bluntly calling it an "atrocious excuse for a video game", further stating that "Everything about it is just wrong. To be able to put out a title this broken with so many great modern and retro games from which to draw influence is a hell of an achievement."