When I first saw Worms on XBLA I peed myself a little in excitement. I remember the glory days of Worms Armageddon over LAN. Seeing worms flying around like ping pong balls, the hymn of the “Holy Hand Grenade”, and the cheer of a stadium full of worms as you hit another worm into the next world.

Then all my dreams were crushed by finding out that XBLA would only host the original Worms…which did not have any of these amazing weapons in the original game. Although my dreams were crushed, I still downloaded the game out of shear patriotism to the Worms series. The similar bubbly but dangerous feel to the game is in the air as soon as you check out the loading screen. The XBLA version, other than being available in 16:9 view and some updated graphics, is exactly the same as the original. You have the options of creating your own team with their own customized accented “battle cries” and grave stones. It makes for a pretty good laugh when a worm gets a rocket to the face and flies off the board. Some of the editors on this very site find this game “A horrific blight on the screen” and run up stairs to play Counter-Strike: Source while playing with themselves screaming “Dang-o Dang-o”.

Worms game play shows us how quickly a friends bond can disintegrate as you ever so precisely land a banana bomb on top of his remaining two worms. Under normal circumstances screaming at the television would be the only way to vent, but oh no no no no. Your opponent is right next to you just asking for a round house kick to the face. The game allows up to four players to battle it out. Once your master the impossible physics of Worms there will be no stopping you. So pick your friends wisely.

The sound is the most entertaining part of the entire game. Each group of worms can choose different battle cries, ranging from an Irish drunk to a trailer-park redneck. These cheers and screams come out when you’re firing your guns or getting a grenade shoved up your worm hole. Although the sound track could use some work…what do you expect from an $8 XBLA game.

Overall: Worms for XBLA
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7 out of 10

Mainly for its sheer entertainment and game play longevity. So next time you’re not masturbating to a picture of George Bush or crying because you drank to much, check it out.