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Splinter Cell and Metal Arms become Xbox Originals
Following hand in hand with Xbox Live coming back online are two new (and previously promised) Xbox Originals titles to the Xbox Live Marketplace. Both the 5.39GB Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory and 1.61GB Metal Arms: Glitch in the System are now available for 1200 Microsoft points each to all Xbox Live regions except folks in Japan. And because it's an icky Monday and we're feeling crabby, we have to mention that that these and all Xbox Originals titles do not feature any achievements OR come with paper manuals. We know how infuriated some fanboys get without their paper manuals.
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, Metal Arms join Xbox Originals lineup
Major Nelson informs that secret agent Sam Fisher and some robots have been discovered covertly trying to sneak onto the Xbox Originals lineup. Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory and Metal Arms: Glitch in the System will be available for 1200 MS points ($15) a piece beginning next Monday (except in Korea and Japan). As usual, it behooves us to mention that unless it's 3AM and you've got the hankering for an Xbox Originals game, it's probably best to take a look around the intertubes (or a favorite gaming pawnshop) for a better deal.
Xbox Originals to add Splinter Cell and Metal Arms
Since we know that 94.8% of all Xbox Live users adore Microsoft's Xbox Originals program (it's a scientifically proven fact), we know there's a good chance that you'll be uber excited to hear that two new titles will be added to the catalog next week. On Monday, April 21st, both Ubisoft's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory and Metal Arms: Glitch In The System will be available for purchase off the XBLM for the standard 1200 Microsoft point price. So ... yup, more Xbox Originals titles next week ... what more achievement complaining can be said?
Would You Rather ... In Your Mind's Eye Edition
In our continuing effort to bring you fresh and interesting content, X3F presents Would You Rather ... a weekly feature that asks you the hard questions. The point? If you had to choose one or the other, which would you go for? This week's WUR was a user submitted question that really made us think, especially coming back from our local gaming store. At 1,200 MS points a pop, the Xbox Originals platform seems like a steep entry into the "classic" prev-gen titles. While many of the games can be found for a lot less than their digital counterpart, some of the recent additions are going to a premium price if they can be found. What we hear from the community is that the pricing structure of the XBO program is out of wack for the most part. This week we want you to forget about the price in the equation and consider the content only. How important is physical media to you in the wake of the increasingly digital age? Do you prefer to stack your games to line your room like a protective castle wall, or are you fed up with hard copies of the game and wish you could get everything digitally? Let's pretend we're made of money this week, if only for a moment, and ask yourself when it comes to those Xbox Originals... %Poll-12129%Feel free to share the reasons for your vote in the comments. We'll share the results of the poll during the next edition of Would You Rather ... which hits X3F every Wednesday.Last weeks WUR results can be find after the jump ... click here to download those results!
Dreamfall now available as an Xbox Original
Super duper exciting news for Xbox Originals fanboys (if there are any out there), Microsoft just released Dreamfall: The Longest Journey (GOTY edition, of course) to the XBLM, their first Xbox Originals addition since way back in February. Funcom's Dreamfall will join the other half dozen or so titles that are available on the Marketplace all costing a hefty 1200 Microsoft points and a solid chunk of your 360's hard drive. Anyway, Dreamfall ... now released as an Xbox Original ... no achievements ... does anyone really care?
Dreamfall joins Xbox Originals lineup March 24
With Psychonauts and Indigo Prophecy already on Microsoft's Xbox Originals service, we're alarmed to think that we might have something in common with a gigantic corporation: A soft spot for overlooked games rich in narrative. Compounding this realization is next week's addition to the downloadable back-compat lineup, Dreamfall: The Longest Journey. The sequel to 1999's modern adventure classic (just entitled The Longest Journey) sees new protagonist Zoe stumble across the divide between Stark, a world driven by technology, and the whimsical fantasy realm of Arcadia. Though we can't say Dreamfall is a sterling example of adventure gameplay, it does succeed admirably as an interactive novel. If superb writing and multi-faceted stories draw you in, Dreamfall is well worth the trip (also: mash past the dreadful combat sections). If the 1,200 MS Point ($15) asking price doesn't sit well with you, there are plenty of other options as well.
Dreamfall headed to Xbox Originals next Mon.
Everyone's favorite Xbox Originals program will be one game title richer next week, with the release of Dreamfall: Game of the Year Edition to the Xbox Live Marketplace. Dreamfall will release on Monday, March 24th for a cool 1200 Microsoft points and feature all the problems backwards compatibility causes including getting caught in geometry after loading level 8 and seeing blurry lines at VGA resolution 848x480. Oh joy! Sorry, our negativity stems from the fact that we aren't huge fans of the Xbox Originals program. But we'll swallow our annoyance this once, put on a smile and move on ...
Japan rates Panzer Dragoon Orta for Xbox Originals
With all the games that are uncovered via the ESRB and Germany's USK, we often forget about Japan's CERO rating board. Thankfully, our tipsters haven't forgotten it, and now we have what appears to be confirmation that Panzer Dragoon Orta is headed to Xbox Originals, at least in Japan. Ratings boards tend to be dead accurate when used to predict upcoming game releases, so this is pretty solid evidence that the game will be heading to Microsoft's download service. Whether or not Panzer Dragoon Orta makes it to the US remains to be seen. Oh, and for what it's worth, the game was rated B, which translates to everyone ages 12 and up.[Thanks, sacra]
Shipping this week: feed your head edition
Another week, another batch of brand new games for the Xbox 360. The biggest game this week is undoubtedly Lost Odyssey. Of course, given its nature, Lost Odyssey will draw one of two reactions: excited, nerdy screams or decidedly protracted yawns. X3F seems to be relatively split on the subject (we all dig the commercial though). Not to fear if Japanese RPGs aren't your thing though, as we've also got some Conflict: Denied Ops action and even some new Xbox Originals to download. Behold! Lost Odyssey Jumper Conflict: Denied Ops Dark Messiah of Might & Magic Ninja Gaiden Black (Xbox Originals) Black (Xbox Originals) Sid Meier's Pirates! Live the Life (Xbox Originals) [Via Joystiq]
Ninja Gaiden, Pirates and BLACK are now officially Xbox Originals
We've known about their impending release before the official announcement, we've waited a few weeks and now the time has come for three Xbox games to walk down the Xbox Originals red carpet to claim their award. Ninja Gaiden Black, Sid Meier's Pirates and BLACK are now officially Xbox Originals downloads and can be purchased from the Xbox Live Marketplace for a cool 1200 Microsoft points. Be warned though, there are a few backwards compatibility issues to deal with (including audio dropping, graphics tearing, lighting problems and frame-rate issues), but that's no biggie because they're only 1200 points apiece. You're a big spender, so spend away and stock up on those Originals.
Sorry, no Xbox Originals Conker or Jade Empire
We're sorry to burst the sixteen or so Xbox Originals fans who were eagerly anticipating the rumored downloadable versions of Conker: Live & Reloaded and Jade Empire, because they aren't releasing anytime soon.Earlier this week we found out that new Conker and Jade Empire press materials mysteriously popped up on one of Microsoft's FTP websites, which made us jump to the conclusion that both games were headed to the land of Xbox Originals. But our speculation was a bit ... erm, wrong. We recently found out that the Conker and Jade Empire press materials were uploaded to to the FTP site per the request of trivia website Kwanzoo. You see, Kwanzoo will be launching new video game trivia in the next few weeks and in preparation, got in touch with Microsoft to request images of older Xbox titles. This is why the images were uploaded to the FTP press site, for trivia's sake.So, no Xbox Originals Conker or Jade Empire, but look on the bright side. You won't have to even think about spending 1200 Microsoft points on either game and you have Xbox trivia to look forward to. See, not too bad now is it?
Rumor: ESRB lists more Xbox Originals
Pulling some internet Matlock-ery on the ESRB website made us realize that the ratings board re-rates all titles added to the Xbox Originals platform. Listed are the current crop of games available like Burnout 3: Takedown, Fuzion Frenzy and upcoming titles like Ninja Gaiden: Black. Suspiciously on that list were a few other gems that look like they'll be getting the Xbox Originals treatment, including: Dead or Alive 3, Metal Arms and Raze's Hell. Other listings found were Ultra Bust-a-Move and Guilty Gear X2 #Reload, however there are rumblings that these titles could be full fledged XBLA games. Rumor mill for the time being, but time will tell.
'No plans' to add Conker and Jade Empire to Xbox Originals [update]
Update: Microsoft has told us that the press materials were updated for an internal marketing request. The publisher "currently has no plans" to bring Conker: Live and Reloaded and Jade Empire to the Xbox Originals lineup.Original post:Hot on the heels of some new Xbox Originals releases comes word that more may be on the way. Specifically, Conker: Live & Reloaded and Jade Empire may soon be appearing as downloadable titles on Xbox 360.According to 360sync, Microsoft has recently updated its press materials for both Conker and Jade Empire. Considering neither title is particularly new, and both are already supported by backwards compatibility, it seems logical that Microsoft may be updating assets in preparation for an Xbox Originals announcement.Of course, it could also be coincidental. X3F reports that Microsoft also updated its press materials for Kameo and Perfect Dark Zero on the same day, suggesting that the updates might simply be part of an early spring cleaning, and nothing more.[Via X3F]
Black, Ninja Gaiden Black, & Sid Meier's Pirates! coming to Xbox Originals
On February 11, the 360's Xbox Originals will see another small update to its still-slender selection, this time adding Ninja Gaiden Black, Sid Meier's Pirates!, and the Criterion FPS Black to the roster. Pirates! is the 2004 re-make of Sid Meier's original 1987 adventure game, which sees players taking on the roles of pirates (duh) in the Spanish Main. Black is Criterion's adrenaline-fueled last-gen FPS, with destructible environments and a healthy amount of explosions. Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden Black added a number of features to the original Xbox title, including the condescending "Ninja Dog" easy mode. All good additions, to be sure, but with Valentine's Day coming only three days later, couldn't they have at least included something a bit more romantic? Like, say, Beyond Good & Evil? [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Rumor: Xbox Originals to get Conker & Jade Empire
The crew over at 360sync discovered that Microsoft's press materials for Conker: Live & Reloaded and Jade Empire have been recently updated. Now, that wouldn't be all that newsworthy if it weren't for the fact that both games are backwards compatible and Microsoft's press materials usually only get touched when there is news about the product being announced. So, so our speculative thoughts lead us in the direction of the Xbox Originals program.It isn't entirely crazy to think that Conker and Jade Empire could be making the Xbox Originals jump seeing that both studios (Rare and BioWare) have tight connections with Microsoft, but it's far from being set in stone. And to be fair, while confirming Conker and Jade Empire's updated materials, we noticed that the press materials for Rare's Kameo and Perfect Dark Zero were also updated the same day. Take the rumor for what it's worth.
Burnout 3: Takedown available now on Xbox Originals
We know you don't think you need a reminder – after all it was less than a week ago that we told you Burnout 3: Takedown was crashing (in quite a spectacular fashion, mind you) onto the Xbox Live Marketplace as an Xbox Original – but we wanted to make sure you remembered all the details. First, how much does it cost? Bzzt, wrong! It's 1200 Microsoft Points, or $15 of your Earth dollars (yes, we're aware that's $5 more than the actual Burnout 3 disc used). Second, when is it due out? Alright, the 2.32GB title is available right now, you got that correct ... but only because you read the headline first. Which is totally cheating.
Burnout 3: Takedown releases as an Xbox Original
Burning, sliding and crashing its way down the mean streets of Xbox Live is brand new Xbox Live Original download Burnout 3: Takedown. For 1200 Microsoft points and 2.3GB of your hard drive space, the Xbox Originals version of Burnout 3 features all the game's standard offerings (including online versus) and can be purchased off the XBLM without the hassle of going to the store or dealing with owning the game on DVD. Because everyone knows, DVDs and physical media is oh so awkward and oh so 2007. So, bring in the new year right with the first Xbox Originals download of 2008, Burnout 3: Takedown!
Burnout 3 coming to Xbox Originals Jan. 14
If you can't seem to get past Burnout Paradise's "city-as-a-menu" metaphor, we have some good news: Burnout 3, the game that first put the series on a lot of our radars, will be appearing on Xbox Live next Monday, downloadable for 1200 space bux Microsoft points or $14.99.When we checked and found that you could pick up a used copy of the game for $5 cheaper, we started wondering though: Have any of you bought any Xbox Originals? Are there certain titles you're looking forward to that would put you over if you haven't taken the plunge already? Is Burnout 3 the one? Let us know below.[Via X3F]
Burnout 3 burns onto Xbox Originals next week
We may share a love/hate relationship with Microsoft's Xbox Originals program (where's our achievements?), but we still, for whatever reason, are interested in what games make the release cut. And to our surprise Major Nelson just revealed that old-school Burnout 3 Takedown will be downloadable off the XBLM as an Xbox Original game next Monday, January 14th for 1200 Microsoft points. Just in time for it to witness its newer, trendier cousin Burnout Paradise's release. Anyone jumping on Burnout 3 or any Xbox Originals for that matter?
Xbox Originals are region-locked, workaround doesn't work
By now, you all know the 'ol Make a Japanese Xbox Live Silver Account to Download the Foreign Goodies trick, right? For the past two years, you've been downloading Japanese demos (Eternal Sonata anyone?) and nobody's said a thing about your reckless blurring of international copyright boundaries. ... until now. Microsoft has seemingly disabled this clever workaround in their new Xbox Originals program. Siliconera tried using a Japanese Live account to download either Puyo Pop Fever or Magatama – two original Xbox titles available on Japanese Xbox 360s – and were greeted with an error "explaining the download was not available in [their] region." So, your money's no good anymore, is that it? The free stuff, they'll turn a blind eye, but as soon as you're waving around those Billy Bucks, everything's different, eh?Well, not really. This is similar to Microsoft's existing policy on other Xbox Live Marketplace content (think movies or TV shows), where they've enabled region locking by considering the user's IP, not simply the nationality associated with a Gamertag. Are we shocked? No ... but that doesn't make the pain go away.
