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Microsoft's latest inexplicable picks for the Arcade Hits collection
You remember the Arcade Hits collection, don't you? It's the selection of discounted XBLA titles offered by Microsoft. Ostensibly, these are titles that were popular enough that they can now be offered at a reduced price. Now, we have a task for you: We want you to think of three games that you think should be given the honor of becoming an Arcade Hit. Nope, it's not that one. Not that one either. That one isn't even close. Nope, the three titles that have now entered the hallowed halls of the Arcade hits are Brain Challenge, 3D Ultra MiniGolf Adventures and Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting, all of which will be permanently knocked down to 400 ($5) this Wednesday. That's right, a Brain Age clone, a game you forgot even existed and a game that has already been remastered and made better in every way. Also on sale this Wednesday, for free, no less: Utter bewilderment.
This Wednesday: Something burrowed, something blue, something old, nothing new on XBLA
As expected, a trio of new, er, old games has joined the Arcade Hits lineup as part of this week's Xbox Live Arcade update: Worms (something burrowed), Feeding Frenzy (something blue) and Ultimate MK3 (something, well, old). Each game has been discounted to 400 ($5). And, as you may have gathered from the headline (if you made it to the end), there are no new releases on XBLA this week, ending a 26-week release streak that began on May 7th (according to our stat boy's research*). Perhaps the hiatus is intended to build anticipation for ... something big? (Our best guess: We're in store for "something giant," as in the Giant Avatar game, A Kingdom for Keflings -- NXE is just one week away!) *If we got that wrong, blame the intern! Update: CarpeD1em500 brings up a good point. If you pre-ordered Nuts & Bolts you may have received a download code for Banjo-Kazooie on XBLA, which is available to you now. The game should be released to the public on or around November 26th. And, oh! We almost forgot: The Street Fighter "table" is also available for Pinball FX today!
Three XBLA titles get prices reduced
After no announcement earlier this week and the discovery of three new titles on the Arcade Hits page on Xbox.com, we were fairly certain there would be no new Xbox Live Arcade title this week. After checking the Marketplace this morning, our suspicions have been confirmed. There is no new title, but Worms, Feeding Frenzy, and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 have all had their prices slashed to 400 Microsoft Points. So, we've got a hardcore fighter, a casual fish eating simulator and one of the best party games around all for only five bucks each. It's not new, but it's not bad if you've ever thought about picking one of these up.
This Tuesday: Arcade Hits
Major Nelson has confirmed that this week's Xbox Live Arcade addition will be the launch of Arcade Hits tomorrow, temporarily replacing the usual new game(s) release on Wednesdays. The initiative kicks off with cost reductions of four aging XBLA games, along with the now permanent price cut of Lumines Live: Bankshot Billiards 2 (reduced from 1200 to 800 MS Points; $10) - Billiards ... with a gamepad. Lumines LIVE! (still reduced from 1200 to 800 MS Points; $10) - The same great "core" gameplay of the superb PSP puzzler; additional DLC comes at a premium. Marble Blast Ultra (reduced from 800 to 400 MS Points; $5) - Guide a lonely marble across irritatingly unstable terrain -- or race your friends. Small Arms (reduced from 800 to 400 MS Points; $5) - Is "poor man's Smash Bros." too cliché? Zuma Deluxe (reduced from 800 to 400 MS Points; $5) - Wait, they were charging $10 for this...? No doubt anticipating a chorus of moans from dedicated consumers, Microsoft has also name-dropped key new XBLA titles scheduled to arrive during the next few months when the regularly-scheduled Wednesday releases resume. The absence of a new game may tick off some fanboys, but it's clear that Microsoft wants to use this week to focus promotion on the re-branding of older content. Let's hope the discounts keep coming (along with some greater "hits").
Black Friday online bargains for the Nintendo DS
Stuck at home while every one else is out shopping, reaping the savings of Black Friday deals? Or maybe you just didn't want to deal with the crowds, afraid that you'll end up in a fist fight over the last Gold Nintendo DS Lite bundle? No need to worry -- there are a few sales you can still take advantage of online!Amazon New York Times Crosswords - $9.99 Circuit City Cake Mania - $9.99 Cooking Mama - $9.99 EB Games Konami Classics: Arcade Hits- $9.99 New York Times Crosswords - $9.99 [Via CAG]
Metareview: Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits
In the mood for a little retro on the go? Konami Classics: Arcade Hits may be just what you need. The compilation is receiving solid reviews from most of the major outlets, and the word is that the set is lovingly constructed and filled with extras. IGN (80/100) feels this collection sets the standards for future retro compilations on the DS: "Like any classic compilation, the actual library can be its victory or its downfall, but there are plenty of strong Konami titles in this batch to keep interest high...even if there are the occasional (and expected) duds in the pack."Nintendo Power (75/100) found this title to be among an excellent example of a retro compilation: "The highlights ... are Contra, Track & Field, Time Pilot, and Gradius, all of which hold up remarkably well considering their age."1UP (69/100), found the game well done, but essentially flawed: But Arcade Hits suffers from a shortcoming, and a pretty serious one at that: The games in the collection aren't really worthy of the beautiful presentation ... Even worse: Most games collected here were originally manufactured with vertically oriented screens. "No worries," you say. "The DS has two stacked screens! I can deal with a gap in the graphics if it means high-fidelity presentation." Well, better worry after all: All games are restricted to the upper screen only, meaning everything is squished uncomfortably. But you didn't really want to see those little space bullets in Gradius, though. Did you?
DS releases for the week of April 2nd
What a week! At this rate, we could almost use a DS drought, just to give us time to save up some cash! But we shouldn't complain, since our counterparts in the UK and Australia aren't having much of a week as far as releases go. Isn't that always the way of it? One week, we get a ton of games and they get none, and the next week it's reversed. The only thing we can ever count on is that Japan is going to debut a veritable truckload of new titles. No matter what's going in the rest of the world, the Japanese must have their new DS games.US releases Cake Mania Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales Honeycomb Beat Konami Classics: Arcade Hits
