Multiplayer mayhem in the spirit of Super Smash Bros. is hard to come by, which is why the upcoming Castle Crashers carries much promise. From the fame of Alien Hominid, The Behemoth is currently working on a title for Xbox Live Arcade that will put four players together in fast-paced combat.

Behind the facade of wacky characters and simplistic design in Castle Crashers are strategic elements to keep the competition alive. Stages are varied, and taking advantage of the terrain is important to gain victory. Power ups can also turn the tide of battle, making them important to collect.

If free for all face-offs get repetitive, there are other game modes in Castle Crashers to play around with. One equips your characters with bows and arrows in a brutal match, while another strips you bare naked with chickens as weapons.