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Today we have exclusive hands-on impressions with Microsoft's 2008 Dream-Build-Play winners. Of the six winners, we've picked our three favorites…

You should be jealous that I've played "CarnyVale: Showtime." There is no reason the game isn't be on Xbox Live Arcade right now.

Thankfully, eventually it should.

Microsoft awarded "CarnyVale" the Dream-Build-Play 2008 grand prize. I agree with them. It's one of the most unique games I've played.

The problem is that it's a little hard to describe. Players manipulate Slinky the puppet with ragdoll physics through a circus, performing tricks by swinging around the environment. You have a little control over him with the analog stick. For bonuses, you collect balloons and stars. Cooler tricks -- i.e. a triple flip -- help towards a better rating the "crowd" provides at the end of the level.

It's reminiscent of the casino stages from the "Sonic the Hedgehog" games, actually. "CarnyVale" encourages players to explore the environment for hidden secrets, but a limited number of lives keeping them motivated towards the end goal: being thrown through a flaming hoop. Because you're assuredly going to miss something on the first pass, like me, you'll want to retry immediately.

"CarnyVale" has everything you'd expect from a fully featured game. There are game-specific achievements for competitive players and a working map editor. And that goes without mentioning the slick interface and impressive art.

This gem comes from Team Gambit in Singapore. They received $40,000 for making "CarnyVale" and have a shot at being an XBLA Game. They deserve it.

Today we have exclusive hands-on impressions with Microsoft's 2008 Dream-Build-Play winners. Of the six winners, we've picked our three favorites…

I'm a sucker for a good puzzle game. They both impress and infuriate me. "Braid"'s hidden simplicity made me want to finish its puzzles without cheating.

"Blow" could do the same thing. It's too early to tell, but it's easy to understand why Microsoft picked it as one of their Deam-Build-Play winners this year.

In "Blow," players must place a series of fans around the environment to propel bubbles to an exit gate. You can manipulate the speed and direction of the fan and whether it heats the bubbles up or cools them down. The more efficient you are with your fan placement, the more experience points you earn in each stage.

As with any good puzzle game, it's deceptively simple before the difficulty ramps up and you're left scratching your head for 15 minutes. That happened to me with the fifth stage before I moved on to the next Dream-Build-Play game, but it was too late -- "Blow" had already hooked me. It's very good.

"Blow" received an honorable mention in the competition, so it is not eligible to become an Xbox Live Arcade title. However, it should show up in Community Games when the New Xbox Experience launches on November 19.

Today we have exclusive hands-on impressions with Microsoft's 2008 Dream-Build-Play winners. Of the six winners, we've picked our three favorites…

The easiest way to describe "Weapon of Choice" is to imagine a floaty version of "Contra" set against some of the most grotesquely trippy visuals ever.

"Weapon of Choice" is strange, bizarre, slightly unnerving and, yes, fun, at the same time. It's not unlike any other 2D platformer you've ever played, but it's the conventions it toys with and the acid-induced art style that make it distinct.

"Weapon of Choice" looks and plays like a "Contra" game but avoids toss-your-controller player deaths. The game warns you of imminent danger, slowing the action down and providing a chance to dodge. It allows the game to toss random objects around without death happening every five seconds. This happened a little too often when I played, but it was appreciated. I suck at "Contra."

You're fighting aliens, or something. It's never really explained what you're doing. It doesn't matter. Bullets, blood and crazy creatures cover the screen and I love it. Look at that screen and tell me you wouldn't want to at least try it.

"Weapon of Choice" won third place in the contest and could be an Xbox Live Arcade game. The developer, Mommy's Best Games, was awarded $10,000.