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Croft, Comic Jumper, TMNT this week's XBL Deal of the Week, Torchlight next week
This week's Xbox Live Deal of the Week deals are organized under the generous umbrella of "Mutants and more!" The soon-to-be-pulled TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled is available for just $5 / 400 Microsoft Points until July 4. (Note: Ubisoft told us it would be pulled at the end of this month.) That's certainly mutant-themed, so what's next? X-Men Arcade is also 50% off at just $5, so that's another mutant-themed offering. So there's something of a theme here ... ... except the other three games are non-mutant-themed! The excellent Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is 50% off, dropping the asking price to just $7.50 / 600 Microsoft Points, while both Comic Jumper and Hard Corps: Uprising are 50% off, dropping their sticker prices to $5 / 400 Microsoft points each. While we love those deep discounts, is it too much to ask for a solid theme? Next week's offerings, while more thematically consistent, aren't nearly as delicious. The highlight for "Heatin' Up Summer" is definitely Torchlight for 33% off, at $10 / 800 Microsoft Points. Less enticing offerings include: Dante's Inferno DLC, a Medal of Honor map pack, and a Red Hot Chili Peppers album for Rock Band.
TMNT Re-Shelled no longer available in US after June 30
An expired license has done what Shredder, Baxter Stockman, Krang, and even Krang in a big robot suit could never do: defeated the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Reader Marty alerted us to an ad on the PlayStation Store noting that it's the "Last Chance to Purchase!" Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled. We then checked with Ubisoft, who revealed to Joystiq that the game is going away in the US on June 30. So if you were ever planning on trying that out, perhaps with a nice pizza ... do it now. But do replace that pizza you ordered two years ago when you first had the idea.
Toy Soldiers, TMNT Re-Shelled and other XBLA games on sale
Psst. Hey, buddy, over here. We've got a line on some Xbox Live Arcade titles that ... fell off the back of a truck, if you will. A handful of back-alley deals on games like Prince of Persia Classic, TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled and Toy Soldiers are buried on the Xbox Marketplace. Fortunately, we've shined the "spotlight" on all of the sales after the jump. We were just kidding about that "falling off the back of a truck" thing, by the way. There appears to be nothing dubious about these discounts. Also, unless our understanding of how the internet works is wildly off base, we're pretty sure trucks aren't involved in the digitial distribution business.
'Splosion Man, Trials HD, more Black Friday deals live on XBLM
The hottest of hot dealz on the Xbox Live Marketplace (so hot we used a "z") are available now. Navigate to Microsoft's Black Friday deals page to see the full list for yourself, but we'll list the amazing highlights that kicked in today for you right now: 'Splosion Man for 160 Microsoft Points ($2) Trials HD for 400 Microsoft Points ($5) Seriously, 'Splosion Man for two dollars ($2) Other surprise deals include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled for 160 MSP ($2) and a Starkiller Lightsaber Avatar accessory for only two dollars more than it's worth.
XBLA sales stats for first half of 2010, as deduced from leaderboard data
Gamerbytes has compiled a list of several Xbox Live Arcade games and their performance in the first half of 2010 based on data derived from leaderboards. First, there are the top performers: Trials HD apparently had the biggest user base, jumping from 600,000 players to over a million during the first half of 2010 (not counting its DLC, which had almost 300,000 players over that period). But how about games that launched this year? Well, Perfect Dark enlisted 265,000, and Toy Soldiers and its DLC managed to recruit a combined 346,000 players. Risk: Factions and Snoopy Flying Ace have yet to reach 100,000. Other games didn't fare so well, with several failing to capture the attention of even 1,000 users -- Voodoo Dice, Ben 10 and Fret Nice were near or below that mark -- and of the 24 new games that Gamerbytes catalogued, only 13 managed to reach 10,000 players. Seeing how deals and promotions affected the growth of user bases on older titles is particularly interesting in the case of Zombie Apocalypse and TMNT: ReShelled, both of which came darn close to doubling their respective audiences when discounts were applied.
Xbox Live deals of the week: Turtles, Tiger and Marvel vs. Capcom
We're guessing that the person at Microsoft whose job it is to choose the discounted XBLA games of the week is a huge New Orleans Saints fan. Filled with the overwhelming spirit of victory from last night's engagement, this person couldn't stop him or herself from repeatedly hitting the price reduction button. We're afraid of what might have happened if they were a diehard Colts fan. Can XBLA prices be increased? Fortunately, things panned out in our favor. During the discounting spree, three titles got their prices reduced: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is now 800 ($10, down from 1200), TMNT: Turtles in Time Reshelled is 400 ($5, down from 800) and Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao is available for 800 ($10, down from 1200). Basically, if you've got an itch to watch ninjas or superheroes beat the snot out of things, Xbox Live has you covered for the next seven days.
TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled tops September PSN sales
Once again proving that regular people don't care about what critics have to say, TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled managed to climb to the top of the PSN download chart for September. With Final Fantasy VII and Marvel Vs Capcom 2 also maintaining enviable positions, it's clear that people love paying for nostalgia. 1) TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled 2) NBA 2K10: Draft Combine 3) Final Fantasy VII 4) Marvel Vs Capcom 2 5) Fat Princess 6) Battlefield 1943 7) Zombie Apocalypse 8) Silent Hill 9) Final Fantasy Tactics 10) SimCity 2000 We'd also like to point out that this may be the first month Mortal Kombat II is not in the top 10. Did everyone in the world finally buy it?
PSN Thursday: In time with Turtles, Silent Hill and George Takei
Oh, my! Although the release of Turtles in Time and Silent Hill on PSN this week is certainly noteworthy, it's the appearance of George Takei in PAIN that takes the cake. The original Star Trek star will be at your disposal to shoot from a canon and ... seriously, why would you want to hurt George Takei? He's awesome! The Andy Dick hurtable PAIN DLC character from a couple weeks back was a far more understandable option. Check out the rest of the update after the break. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: TMNT Turtles in Time Re-Shelled
Break out your old Ninja Turtle Halloween costume -- you know you have one -- because today is the day that TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled hits Xbox Live Arcade. If by chance you don't have a TMNT costume lying around (or a pile of action figures), this week's release might not be for you. Even at a reduced price of 800 ($10), Turtles in Time is really only for those with a glint of nostalgia in their eyes (and wallets). Watch the latest episode of XBLA in Brief and see if there's enough turtle power left in the franchise to inspire one more purchase.Download the trial version of TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly.[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[M4V] Download the M4V directly.
This Wednesday: Turtles in Time comes out of its shell on XBLA
Eastman and Laird's "heroes in a half-shell" slash and kick their way back onto Xbox Live Arcade this week in TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled. The game, which Ubisoft dropped the price on in the eleventh hour to 800 ($10), is -- for those of you who've been hiding in your shells -- a fully polygonal, HD remake of its classic 1991 arcade namesake. (The Turtles first appeared on XBLA in March of 2007 in the direct port of their original 1989 coin-op debut.) Like that game, this one will support local and online multiplayer for up to four players. So, who will you play as? (Please refer to this list of their abilities from the 1987 animated series' theme song before choosing.) Fun fact for US gamers: The gang is known as the Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles in the UK and parts of Europe because the glorification of ninjas (those sinister assassins!) was seen as bad for kids -- but this wasn't?
TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled gets re-priced to 800 MS points
Cowabunga! Bodacious! Other TMNT saying! Pardon the hoopla, but Ubisoft has confirmed to Joystiq that next week's XBLA "Summer of Arcade" release, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled, will debut at 800 ($10), 400 ($5) less than the originally announced 1200 ($15) price. "We wanted to give something to the loyal TMNT fans in honor of the 25th anniversary," Ubisoft responded when asked about the last-minute change. Then again, dare we really question the generosity of a mega-publisher when it actually want us to shell out less for its games? (Oh, and for those eyeing the 800 [$10] rebate from MS for buying everything in the Summer of Arcade lineup? Well, it just got $5 cheaper to buy "everything.") [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Microsoft will give you $10! (For spending $70 on Xbox Live)
So, here's an interesting promotion. A press release just hit the ol' Joystiq inbox, claiming that those who buy all of the Xbox Live Summer of Arcade titles will be treated to 800, also known as $10 in Microsoft's funny money. This calls for copy and paste! July 22: 'Splosion Man 800 ($10) July 29: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 1200 ($15) August 5: TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-shelled 1200 ($15) August 12: Trials HD 1200 ($15) August 19: Shadow Complex 1200 ($15) Just adding those up -- carry the one --- that's a free $10 for spending $70 on Xbox Live. Keep in mind it's $10 you can only spend on Xbox Live (or Zune Marketplace). While the deal might seem silly at first glance, it does essentially boil down to five XBLA games for $60, the price of one retail game. And, as another Joystiq editor pointed out, that retail game could never be 'Splosion Man. It's a nice bonus if you already plan to pick up all the games. If you don't, you'll be saving money anyway. Everybody wins!
XBLA's 'Summer of Arcade' lineup reshuffled
As if this Friday wasn't freaky enough, Xbox Live's Major Nelson has alerted us to a schedule swap occurring within the "Summer of Arcade" lineup. 'Splosion Man has taken the July 22nd spot previously held by TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-shelled, which will now release on August 5th. The full Xbox Live Arcade release list -- excluding next week's Monkey Island revamp -- is as follows: July 22: 'Splosion Man 800 ($10) July 29: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 1200 ($15) August 5: TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-shelled 1200 ($15) August 12: Trials HD 1200 ($15) August 19: Shadow Complex 1200 ($15) We're happy to experience Twisted Pixel's self-destructive efforts sooner, if only to ease us gently into a rather extravagant spending spree.
XBLA 'Summer of Arcade' 2009 release schedule announced
Microsoft's Major Nelson has revealed the full details of this year's "Summer of Arcade" ... and it's going to be mighty expensive if you're interested in the whole kaboodle. July 22: TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-shelled 1200 ($15) 'Splosion Man 800 ($10) July 29: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 1200 ($15) August 5: 'Splosion Man 800 ($10) TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-shelled 1200 ($15) August 12: Trials HD 1200 ($15) August 19: Shadow Complex 1200 ($15) The only difference from this list and the previously announced lineup is the absence of Monkey Island Special Edition, which is scheduled for release next week on July 15. [Update: Release schedule revised!]
TMNT: Turtles in Time: Through the Ages: A Comparison Video
You know what the best thing about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time is? Throwing enemies into the screen. Thankfully, that feature is retained in the upcoming XBLA remake. The HD remake is obviously going to be a much prettier version of the original game -- but how good does it really look? The fine folks at GameVideos have made a stellar comparison video that highlights the sleek new look of this 2.5D remake. Watch all the way to the end to see how even the voice overs have -- for better or for worse -- changed. %Gallery-64711%
Hands-on: TMNT Turtles in Time Re-shelled (XBLA)
click to enlarge Excuse us as we take a deep breath in order to introduce one of XBLA's upcoming titles for the "Summer of Arcade" -- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-shelled. The ridiculously long-titled downloadable is a complete HD remake of the classic Konami arcade brawler, coming first to the Xbox 360 (a PS3 version is in the works). Our time with Ubisoft's TMNT update was brief, but only because the game suffers from what all arcade brawlers in downloadable form do -- the levels are extremely short. Coming from an age where difficulty was ramped up to suck as many quarters as it could from a player's pocket, the new version of TMNT allowed us to quickly blaze through two levels of the game without pumping another 25 cent piece into the Xbox 360 console. %Gallery-64711%
E3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup
E3 was brütal! If you blinked, for a split/second, you missed something. Even if you were trine to keep up, it was a blur -- staying a.wake like that, you only pushed yourself to the brink of your own dark void. That's where Joystiq comes in; to crackdown on the madness; to reach out ... with conviction -- phew! Crysis averted. We've scoured the dark corners and survived the inferno to piece together this roundup of all things Xbox at E3. Why? Just 'cause we love you. So, draw nier and shift your eyes past the break.
TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-shelled a timed Xbox 360 exclusive
Kotaku is reporting that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-shelled has received a release date of July 22, and will be a timed exclusive for the Xbox 360. Since we're not in the business of just believing everything we read, we decided to contact Ubisoft for some clarification. Our rep at Ubisoft indeed did confirm the release date and the timed exclusivity on Xbox Live Arcade, which is likely to tick off a few PS3 owners out there. We'd suggest copious amounts of Infamous and, if you're lucky enough, the Uncharted 2 beta to get you through these tough times.
Summer of Arcade returns; includes Marvel vs. Capcom 2, TMNT, Monkey Island
The "Summer of Arcade" returns this year to bring you more of the XBLA games that'll keep you out of that nasty cancer-causing sun. The titles slated are: 'Splosion Man Shadow Complex TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-shelled Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 Monkey Island Special Edition Trials HD Of course, you'd like to know when the festivities kick off. And we'd love to tell you, but there's currently "nothing to announce" about dates. So sad.
Turtles in Time remake in development for XBLA, possibly PSN and WiiWare
The 25th Anniversary Tour for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is traveling across the country right now, and reports are rolling in from those lucky enough to stop by one of the locations that a remake of Turtles in Time is currently in development. The Alpha build of the game is being demoed on the Xbox 360 throughout the tour, but we're getting reports it could possibly makes its way to PSN and WiiWare as well, though there is no confirmation of that right now. One of our tipsters pointed us to the Twitter account for Hyperfludd (who stopped by and snagged some pics), but we've also found other sources confirming this game's existence. Turtles in Time is arguably the best Turtles game ever, so remaking it is definitely a smart idea. Kind of like putting peanut butter on pizza. [Via Gamerbytes; Thanks, Daniel!] %Gallery-51504%
