Contra storms XBLA, original titles to follow this holiday, Atari classics in '07

By James Ransom-Wiley
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As Gears of War begins to arrive at retailers across North America this week, Microsoft and Konami will give Xbox Livies a chance to check out one of its forebears. This Wednesday, for 400 points ($5), Contra will be yours, again. The Xbox Live Arcade version includes both original (arcade; not NES) and enhanced modes, featuring Live co-op. And yes, "the code" works (though technically it wasn't part of the arcade original).

With the exception of Defender, the rest of XBLA's holiday lineup will be bolstered by a quartet of original titles:

  • Assault Heroes (Wanako/Vivendi Games) – top-down shooter with 2-player co-op
  • Heavy Weapon (PopCap Games) – side-scroller with 4-player support
  • Novadrome (Buena Vista Games) – futuristic racer
  • Small Arms (Gastronaut Studios) – indie Smash Bros. clone (4-player brawler) focusing on ranged attacks

Microsoft has also announced a partnership with Atari to bring Asteroids/Asteroids Deluxe, Battlezone, Centipede/Millipede, Missile Command, Tempest, and Warlords to Xbox Live in 2007. As customary, Atari's classics will feature both original and "evolved" modes.

[Via Press Release]

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