Jetpac-Refuelled
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Rare wants to revitalize classic IP with Natal, beat world
While most people were struck with thoughts of the future when Microsoft's motion-control apparatus Project Natal was unveiled, Rare couldn't get its mind off the past. In a recent interview with VideoGamer, 15-year Rare veteran George Andreas explained the device "gives us an opportunity to maybe at some point in the future investigate some of those older IPs." Andreas was particularly excited about one unnamed Rare franchise which would be "absolutely phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal" if it should incoroporate Natal. He added, "I think it would be an absolutely world-beating product. But we need to explore a little bit more in that direction." Got any ideas? Our money's on Jetpac -- though we suppose a motion-controlled Conker's Bad Fur Day would have its humorous, bawdy merits. Just ... make sure the blinds are closed while you're playing it, okay?
Super duper Jetpac Refuelled game guide
After getting a much needed tune up, Rare decided to offer a free Jetpac Refuelled game guide to help get players accustomed to the game, its features, and options. Not only is the game guide 100% free, it's also colorful and witty to boot. Are you curious to what the difference between old school Jetpac and the newly polished Jetpac Refuelled is? Well, that answer and more are conveniently laid out in this free game guide. We did mention it was free, right? So, If you have the game or are looking into purchasing it, give the guide a download and a brief looksy. Your eyes will thank you.
Jetpac Refuelled was broke, now fixed
Rare just announced that they've fixed a little problem with the XBLA title Jetpac Refuelled. During the single player campaign players are awarded with a free gamer picture and theme to download part way through, but there was a technical issue with the download process. But don't fret guys, because Rare fixed the problem and now you'll be able to download your free gamer picture and theme ... but you have some work to do. You see, the only way to get the fixed version of the game is to completely re-download it. Though, the process is quite simple, all you have to do is delete the original game (but not your game saves), download it again, and you're in business. Full details on how to go about getting the fixed version are listed after the break. Has anyone ran into this little glitch and been complaining about not getting the free downloads? [Via Gamerscore Blog]
Snag Jetpac for free from Gamertag Radio
So, have you played Jetpac Refuelled? Did you like it? By chance, did you like it, but not quite enough to spend 400 points on it? Maybe you just like free stuff. If any of this applies to you, head on over to Gamertag Radio, where Godfree and the gang are giving away a free copy of Jetpac Refuelled. Entering the contest is a snap, but you'll have to head over there for yourself to find out how. Hit the "read" link for the complete lowdown. Don't forget to tell GTR who sent you.
Jetpac lands on XBLA, shoots floating brains
Sure, it's not as exciting as, say, the Xbox 360 Elite, but there is a new Live Arcade game out this week. That game, as previously announced, is Jetpac Refuelled. Does it break the 50MB limit? No, quite the opposite in fact. Jetpac Refuelled clocks in at a dainty 21MB. So, go download the trial and see what you think. Should you desire to, ahem, go all the way, the full version can be had for 400 points. Anyone enjoying the game so far?
This Wednesday: Jetpac's back, launches XBLA attack
And for you in the back, that means no Gyruss as previously expected. The next title to hit Xbox Live Arcade will be equal parts retro, Rare and revitalized, as Jetpac Refuelled presents a modern version of the Viva Piñata developer's 1983 (and "classic" to some) ZX Spectrum shooter. Sporting obscenely colorful graphics, 128 levels, multiplayer capabilities, the original arcade version and a continued exclusion of the letter "k," Jetpac Refuelled arrives at 9AM GMT (2AM PDT) on March 28. The price of gas on Xbox Live Arcade isn't too steep either -- fueling this purchase will cost you 400 MS points ($5). Previously: Edge: Rare working on original XBLA game Rare's Jetpac rumored for Xbox Live Arcade Xbox 360 PartnetNet video hints at Jetpac, Juiced 2007 %Gallery-1937%
Video: Jetpac's happy rainbow lasers
To help get the word out about next week's Xbox Live Arcade release, Jetpac Refuelled, Microsoft has released a trailer of the game in action. A small segment of the video is devoted to the retro version of the game, but the meat and potatoes, as it were, are spent on the Refuelled mode. The game is pretty sharp (and widescreen, by the way), with plenty of things happening on screen. There are tons of enemies to avoid whilst building your rocket ship, but fortunately there are some pretty effective weapons as well. The multiplayer mode, in which players race to build and fuel their rocket and be the first to escape, looks like it could be a lot of fun, too. Check out the trailer and tell us what you think. Should you desire to check it out in HD, head over to GameTrailers.
Gyruss denied, Jetpac hits XBLA next week
Alright, take a deep breath. Exhale. Good. Now listen, Xbox Live Arcade is about to receive its fifth game in a row. That's right, starting next Wednesday, there will have been five successive Wednesdays that brought us a new Arcade title. It turns out next week's game will not be Gyruss, but rather Jetpac Refuelled from Rare. First revealed last month, Jetpac Refuelled is a remake of Rare's classic Jetpac. The game charges players with assembling a rocket ship while avoiding and destroying enemies. Once the ship is assembled, players make their escape. The game features two modes of play, classic and Refuelled. Rather than simply slapping a new coat of pixels on the classic graphics however, the Refuelled mode adds completely new HD graphics, new weapons, new enemies, and a smartbomb. The game features 128 new levels, leaderboards, and local or Live versus play. So what does all this new Hi-Def wizardry cost? A paltry 400 points. Could XBLA reach a six game streak? We'll find out soon enough. Be sure and check out our Jetpac Refuelled gallery for the latest screens. Full press release after the break.
Microsoft's GDC information blowout!
For those of you looking to find information on some of your favorite upcoming Microsoft Game Studios or XBLA games, just take a look at what Xbox.com has to offer. Over on the GDC section of Xbox.com you'll find a bunch of downloads for games like Forza 2, Blue Dragon, Mass Effect and Shadowrun. You can download fact sheets, press releases, and screenshots for those games including XBLA games like Schizoid, Eets Chowdown, and Jetpac Refuelled. So much information, so little time ... but get downloading because everyone knows you care.
Five new XBLA games shown, no Mizuguchi
Serious cat is looking to make some more appearances in the future for XBLA Wednesdays. For as much as Wednesday is supposed to be all about Microsoft and arcade, we just haven't seen it. In a behind closed door meeting with Microsoft Casual Games' group manager, Bryan Trussel, and product unit manager, Chris Early, they showed off what's coming to the arcade. The Microsoft Casual Games' division name is a bit of a misnomer. With the expansion of 50 MB to 150 MB, the door opens to less-than-casual games, with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night being the prime example. Chris Early says, "From a player's standpoint it's about quick access ... I guess the way we look at a casual or arcade title is more about approachability, not a question of game length. It's do you need a manual to get into it, is it something you can get into and start playing relatively quickly ... something you can get gratification from instantly?" New games coming to the system were Jetpac: Refuelled, a graphically enhanced version of the classic game Jetpac. Minigolf Adventures, which plays like a quirky arcade golf game and certainly has the expansion possibilities already built in. Eets: Chowdown, a port of the PC puzzle game and Pinball FX -- a pinball game. And, of course, Boom Boom Rocket (800 points). BBR is DDR for your fingers. There is a line at the top of the screen and when the fireworks shooting from every direction reach the line you hit the corresponding button and it explodes. Looks great and addictive. Per usual, other than BBR's price, no other talk about cost or announcement on release dates. Although confirmed, Miziguichi's port of Every Extend Extra to XBLA was not discussed. (Image galleries after the break...)
Jetpac Refuelled screenshots are plentiful
Forget those blurry Jetpac Refuelled screenshots we posted back in February, we've got big and beautiful versions now. Today, Xboxygen dug up a bunch of screenshots from Rare's upcoming XBLA game Jetpac Refuelled. As you can tell, the backgrounds are colorful, the colors pop, and the enemies are more ... enemy looking? Anyway, cure your need for visual stimuli by taking a look at all 24 Jetpac Refuelled screenshots after the jump
512MB memory card and exciting XBLA news
It looks like that silly rumor was true as Microsoft just announced a bigger memory card for the Xbox 360. The new 512MB Xbox 360 memory card will be available April 3rd, will retail for $49.99, and for a limited time will come pre-loaded with Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved. Simultaneously, the ancient 64MB memory card will drop in price to $29.99 (be on the lookout for clearance prices). Also, with the announcement of the new 512MB card, the XBLA size limit will be raised from 50MB to 150MB allowing developers to run wild with their creativity. Microsoft also announced that they'll be showcasing XBLA titles Boom Boom Rocket, 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures, Eets: Chowdown, Jetpac Refuelled, and Pinball FX at GDC. Check out the full press release after the break. So, after reading that informative spiel what is your gut reaction? We definitely agree with raising the XBLA size limit to 150MB and find the 512MB memory card to be a much better deal than the old 64MB version. And for curiosity's sake, is there anyone out there who just purchased a 64MB memory card and is kicking themselves?
First (blurry) shots of Jetpac Refuelled
Spanish website, Meristation, has posted the first shots of the upcoming Jetpac Refuelled for Xbox Live Arcade. For those with short memories, Jetpac Refuelled was recently uncovered as Rare's top-secret XBLA game. A remake of the original Jetpac, Refuelled looks to be much the same, with the addition of updated graphics, of course. Unfortunately, the shots posted are pretty blurry, but they still give us a good idea of what to expect from the game. Anyone have fond memories of the original? How many MS points would you spend on the XBLA version? [Via Evil Avatar]
Xbox 360 PartnerNet video hints at Jetpac, Juiced 2007 [update 1]
"PartnerNet? Is that some sort of Xbox Live dating service?" A valid question, but one regrettably met with a negative answer. PartnerNet is a section of the Xbox Live network specifically reserved for and accessed by Xbox 360 debug units. As such, it contains unreleased and even unannounced downloadable content reserved for future migration to public servers. Embedded after the break you'll find a PartnerNet video tour of sorts, as sent anonymously to CheapyD at CheapAssGamer (sans soothing narration). Since the video was likely recorded quite a while ago, most of the listed games are familiar ones. Things to look out for are Rare's Jetpac, Juiced 2007, Absolute, Obbes Pinball, Tetris Online and Halo 2 (likely referring to the upcoming Xbox 360 multiplayer maps). Exciting, isn't it? [Update: Microsoft has politely asked us to remove the video for several understandable reasons.]
Rare XBLA title revealed
Ever play Perfect Dark Zero? If so, then you probably saw the above video of the oldschool arcade shooter, Jetpac. If you played Donkey Kong 64 back in 1999, you could even play Jetpac in Cranky Kong's Lab after unlocking it. That being said, when we got word of "Jetpac Refuelled" being the title of Rare's upcoming Xbox Live Arcade title, we weren't too terribly surprised. Gameplay seems pretty standard for a 1983 coin-op classic, but looks like fun none the less. One thing we're curious about is the "Test date: 06.02.2007", is that June 2nd or yesterday? [Thanks, RX-TX]
Rare's Jetpac rumored for Xbox Live Arcade
Eurogamer reports that the 1983 classic Jetpac could be in the works for Xbox Live Arcade. This simple title (the original version was just 16 KB), was created by legendary developer Rare, known then as Ultimate Play the Game, for the ZX Spectrum. Jetpac was reintroduced to the gaming public in 1999 as an unlockable extra in Rare's Donkey Kong 64. Will Jetpac fly as a standalone Xbox Live Arcade title? For some, sure, but maybe Microsoft should rethink XBLA's current pricing structure. Jetpac would be a lot more attractive if it was part of a 400-point ($5) bundle with 2–4 other super-retro games.
