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Microsoft takes both PopCap Arcade collections to Japan
Microsoft recently turned its eyes to the east and decided, you know what, the good people of Japan look like they have way too much free time on their hands. Its solution for their overabundance of recreational opportunities was one we've become very familiar with over the past few years: The company will bring both volumes of the PopCap Arcade collection for Xbox 360 over to Japan in a single bundle, retailing for 3,990 yen ($43). This one, malevolent disc contains within its circular borders a cornucopia of time-devouring casual classics: Bejeweled 2, Zuma, Feeding Frenzy, Astropop, Heavy Weapon, Feeding Frenzy 2, and Peggle. By our estimation, Japan should get back to being productive sometime in the middle of 2014. [Via Siliconera]
Reminder: Fable II DLC, Peggle, Death Tank on the cheap this week
Here's a little reminder that there are three, count 'em three, Xbox Live Deals of the Week this week, just in time for Thanksgiving. Up for grabs are the Fable II "See the Future" DLC, Peggle and Death Tank. Peggle is now half price at 400, "See the Future" drops from 560 ($7) to 400 ($5), while Death Tank takes a precipitous tumble from 1200 ($15) to 800 ($10). We'll also take this time to remind everyone that this week is the perfect time to snag both Peggle and the recently released Peggle Nights expansion all for 800 ($10). Trust us, Peggle is the perfect thing to calm the inevitable family arguments over the holidays. Just don't let grandma anywhere near it, because she will not give it back. Add See the Future to your 360 download queue Add Death Tank to your 360 download queue Add Peggle to your 360 download queue
MS announces incoming Games on Demand, Deals of the Week
Heading into the Thanksgiving weekend and the beginning of the holiday season, Microsoft has revealed the upcoming additions to Games on Demand and Deals of the Week. On November 23, Games on Demand will see three new entries, Saints Row 2, LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures and Battlefield: Bad Company. The same week, there will actually be three Deals of the Week. The Fable II DLC "See the Future," normally 560 ($7) will be knocked down to 400 ($5). Meanwhile, Death Tank, usually 1200 ($15), will be reduced to 800 ($10). As The best deal, however, will be the excellent puzzler Peggle, which will shoot from 800 ($10) to 400 ($5). Pair that with the recently released Peggle Nights expansion (400), and you've got a lot of sweet, sweet Peggle for only $10. As revealed earlier, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will the Deal of the Week starting November 30. It will be reduced from 400 ($5) to 240 ($3).
Peggle Nights DLC may arrive for XBLA Peggle this week
Here's how the sausage of video game news gets made: ShackNews reports that the Peggle Nights DLC will arrive on XBLA this Wednesday, November 18. The DLC is a $5 addition to XBLA Peggle, adding sixty-something levels to the game classified in several countries as a controlled substance. Double-checking with Peggle developer PopCap, the company hasn't officially announced the date in a release and is optimistic that Nights will be available this Wednesday. Checking with Microsoft, the company is "looking into it." So, yeah, there's no reason to doubt anyone, but there doesn't seem to be an affirmation of Peggle Nights' release this week.
Peggle Nights falling into XBLA
Peggle, after releasing pretty much everywhere else to critical acclaim, came out on Xbox Live Arcade this March, to additional critical acclaim, thanks to its new multiplayer modes. Now Peggle fans intent on either playing the game only on Xbox or on buying every Peggle release will have something else to look forward to as PopCap has announced the XBLA release of the sequel, Peggle Nights, coming by way of an XBLA expansion for the original Peggle. Like other releases of Peggle Nights, the XBLA version includes a new Peggle Master named Marina, 60 new levels, and 60 new challenges and will be available to all Peggle players as a Title Update. Most importantly to some status-obsessed gamers, Peggle Nights will include three new Achievements, worth a total of 50 points. Peggle Nights will be available sometime this fall for an undisclosed price.
PopCap Arcade Vol. 2 includes three games for $20
PopCap Arcade Vol. 2 is hitting stores across North America today for slightly under 20 bucks. This new compilation includes three games from the PopCap library: Peggle, Heavy Weapon and Feeding Frenzy 2. While all three titles are already available on Xbox Live Arcade for 800 ($10) each (2,400/$30 for all), this new retail package will save gamers some cash. The discount seems rather tempting, especially if you haven't yet experienced the magic of Peggle.
X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Crystal Defenders, Peggle
This week, 360 fans get both Crystal Defenders and Peggle. As luck would have it, both games are actually pretty good. Two good games in one week? What have we done to deserve this? Of course, they aren't free -- they're 800 each. Still, they're both worth at least trying. Check out the latest episode of XBLA in Brief and see if either one is for you. Download the trial version of Crystal Defenders Download the trial version of Peggle [iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes. [Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon). [RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [M4V] Download the M4V directly.
This Wednesday: Peggle, Crystal Defenders & NCAA Basketball MME [update]
PopCap Games' alarmingly addictive Peggle and Square Enix's Crystal Defenders will both be releasing to the Xbox Live Arcade this Wednesday, March 11 for 800 ($10) each. That is, if Major Nelson and his podcasting co-host, e, can be trusted (we think so!). This week's Peggle release isn't all that surprising, seeing that a recent press release confirmed a March release, but hearing that Crystal Defenders will complete this Wednesday's XBLA twofer, well ... that's just out of left field. Not that we're complaining or anything, we're just overjoyed that Bjorn will be giving our 360 an incurable case of "Extreme Fever." Update: NCAA Basketball MME is out too! (No demo available.) [Thanks, Liam G.]
We're calling in sick this month with a case of Peggle XBLA
Dear Christopher J. Grant, Consider this email a formal request for time off sometime in the month of March. I'm not sick or anything, I just want to play Peggle. I don't know the exact date that will kick off my vacation, since PopCap hasn't revealed specifically when Peggle will hit the XBLA. However, according to a press release we received last night, we know it's coming out in March. So, expect me to be gone whenever that happens. If, for some reason, Peggle is hit with a case of the Microsoft Certifications (not a real disease) and it doesn't release on the XBLA this month, disregard this email until April, when PopCap will release the Xbox 360 retail disc, PopCap Arcade Volume 2 (which will include Feeding Frenzy 2, Heavy Weapon and of course, Peggle). Don't judge me. I seem to remember a certain website giving Peggle a Game of the Year nod in 2007 and with 4-player multiplayer, how can PopCap go wrong? Besides attempting to charge much more than the rumored (but once confirmed) 800 ($9.99) price tag, of course. Anyway, peace out. Love, Xav de Matos
Peggle XBLA to release in first half of 09, pricing now in question
Gamers, from hardcore to casual alike, have been waiting with bated breath for official release details regarding the Xbox Live Arcade release of Peggle but, according to Wired, the wait will soon be over. PopCap Games has confirmed with Wired that the XBLA and iPhone versions of its popular plinko-esque casual game will see release in the first half of 2009. While the company wouldn't detail a release schedule, gamers have at least some idea when the long-ago announced title will be released. In a strange development, Wired also reports that PopCap declined to comment on pricing details for the XBLA version of Peggle but we thought details had already been confirmed. In a story we reported on in September, PopCap Games vice president Greg Canessa told Uncle Gamer Radio that the upcoming XBLA release of Peggle would release at 800 ($10 USD) in an interview. X3F readers can listen to the the original interview with Greg Canessa here [Thanks, Jay]. Unfortunately, the Uncle Gamer site was experiencing technical difficulties at the time this article was published. X3F has contacted PopCap to help clear-up the pricing confusion.
Peggle priced, detailed for XBLA
The second quarter has come and gone, and while our XBLA download queues have be left decidedly Peggle-free, PopCap's Greg Canessa remains adamant that the addictive puzzler is still on its way. In a recent interview, the PopCap exec blamed the game's tardiness on the addition of further polish and improvements, including 4-player local and online multiplayer over Xbox Live. Goodbye, free time! Canessa also let slip Peggle's XBLA pricing of 800 Microsoft Points ($10), and while a firm release date for the title still remains up in the air, puzzle addicts can rest a little easier knowing that their addiction-of-choice is still expected to drop like so many colored pegs sometime before the year is out. [Via X3F]
Peggle XBLA priced at 800MS points, adds 4-player multiplayer
One of the most addictive and deceptively simple titles in the PopCap catalog is Peggle. The concept is simple. Destroy all orange orbs by shooting a ball into an open area. Think Plinko with orbs. Once you make the shot the ball bounces around the environment raking up points and combos for hitting -- and thus destroying -- all of the colored spheres in the environment. Sounds enthralling, doesn't it? Well, it is and soon Xbox 360 users are about to join in the fun. In an interview with Uncle Gamer Radio, vice president of PopCap Games Greg Canessa announced the upcoming XBLA release of Peggle will hit the service for 800MS points ($10 USD). Need some perspective? When it originally launched on PC the title sold for $19.99. Additionally, Canessa finally revealed up to 4-players will be able to compete both locally and over Xbox Live. Peggle has yet to land a firm release date but Canessa did confirm the previously announced level packs will not be ready when the title ships unlike some other DLC. As long as they don't go all Lumines Live! on us, we're willing to listen. [Thanks, Virtonian]
XBLA Peggle will support downloadable content
PopCap Games' almost, nearly, okay it's just like crack Peggle is headed to the XBLA sometime in the near future and with the addition of some form of multiplayer, we're happy campers. And thanks to 1UP, we have yet another reason to be excited for the XBLA version of Peggle ... downloadable content! That's right, our future Peggle addiction will technically be limitless with confirmation from PopCap that the game will definitely support downloadable levels off the XBLM. No word on pricing details or how much DLC is planned (the game hasn't released yet, be patient), but we're not in the game of specifics when dealing with Peggle. We'll pay anything for more crack Peggle fun. Give us our crack Peggle now!
XBLA Peggle gets multiplayer, 'online modes and features'
And if you don't think we're taking all the credit, we can settle this over a one-on-one multiplayer round of Peggle when it hits XBLA in Q2 this year. You see, when we called Peggle one of the best games of 2007 we closed by suggesting, "Maybe Peggle 2 will include some sort of Internet play option. PopCap ... you listening?" Evidently, not only were they listening, they were taking notes and – just to throw doubters off our scent – they're adding multiplayer functionality to Peggle 1! In an interview done by the folks at Microsoft's Gamerscore Blog – powered by questions from Evil Avatar – PopCap's Greg Canessa confirms that the XBLA release will include "online modes and features" including multiplayer, but didn't offer any specifics short of that (co-op? versus?). You can check out the video after the break to hear it for yourself (scrub ahead to 2:40 to catch Greg's comments). Consider us pleased ... just send that royalty check over to our offices at 1337 Joystiq Way, alright PopCap? [Via X3F]
XBLA Peggle to include new online multiplayer modes [update]
With the help of the team over at the Gamerscore Blog, Evil Avatar got a chance to get a few questions answered by PopCap Games' Greg Canessa about two of their upcoming XBLA games, Feeding Frenzy 2 and Peggle. From the interview we learn that not only will Peggle be amazingly, addictively fun (who would have guessed that?), but we find out that PopCap is working very hard to bring multiplayer to Peggle. Canessa confirms that the XBLA version of Peggle is guaranteed to include two player co-op as well as online multiplayer, but refused to cite specifics about how many players will be supported or if co-op will be online enabled. We say, bravo to that! Including any form of multiplayer in Peggle is a huge step forward for the franchise and should make it even more addictive. Color us Peggle excited! Oh yeah, we should also tell you that Canessa confirmed that Feeding Frenzy 2 will include local co-op as well. Multiplayer XBLA gaming for all! Update: Canessa did not specifically confirm whether or not Peggle's multiplayer modes will include co-op.
We told you so! Peggle now confirmed for the XBLA
Fresh off of yesterday's ESRB searching for unannounced Xbox Live Arcade games, we just received confirmation that one of the three games we discovered will release to the Arcade Q2 of 2008. Our detective work must have put too much pressure on the studio to keep it a secret any longer. PopCap Games just confirmed with Shacknews that Peggle is indeed releasing to the XBLA later this year when unicorns dance across your screen and take over your soul. Seriously guys, Peggle is like crack rolled in heroine laced ecstasy ... you will become a Peggle addict later this year. And we can't wait! [Via Joystiq]
PopCap's Peggle confirmed for XBLA
The ESRB's on-going quest to free cats from their cruel bag prisons has prompted another and surprisingly quick confirmation -- Peggle is indeed on its way to Xbox Live Arcade. Shacknews reports that interactive drug peddler, PopCap, has tentative plans to expose Xbox 360 owners to the Pachinko-like substance in Q2 2008. Coupled with PC, Mac and iPod versions, it seems there's simply no escaping the addictive power of unicorns.
Rumor: Peggle, Bliss Island and UBAM to XBLA [update]
Update: Peggle has now been confirmed for a Q2 2008 XBLA release. More details here. Today, being the little detectives we like to think we are, we decided to go search crazy on the ESRB ratings board website and we struck XBLA gold! We came across Xbox 360 listings for three new and unannounced XBLA games including PopCap's addictive Peggle, Codemasters' Bliss Island and Majesco's Ultra Bust-A-Move which, in all honestly, could be an Xbox Original seeing that it originally released to the black box a few years back. Since we found all these games listed on the ESRB we have absolutely no other details pertaining to release dates or pricing, but we're sure we'll be seeing one, two or all of them making headlines later this year. So, who is up for some XBLA Peggle?
