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Bomberman Live achievements are, um, live
Our friends at Xbox360Achievements.org have uncovered the achievements for Bomberman Live, which is set to debut on Xbox Live Arcade some time this summer. While the game contains plenty of achievements of the "win X number of games" variety, it also has a few that are a little ... eclectic. We're not sure which one we like better, "The Good, The Bad, and The Bombed" or "Girl Power!" The first requires you to outfit your character with all the cowboy accessories and frag an opponent that is wearing the same. The latter asks players to don the girl outfit and win a "girl only" match on Xbox Live. Of all the games that could promote girl-on-girl action, Bomberman was the last one on our minds.Hit the "read" link for the full list of achievements.[Thanks, Jonah Falcon]
Sonic 2 speeding to XBLA says ESRB
We sort of missed this yesterday, and it's time to make it right. In addition to the ESRB revelation that Lara Croft's latest adventure, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, is heading to the Xbox 360 (possibly as DLC), Joystiq also uncovered an ESRB entry for Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Add this title to the ever growing list of Genesis classics rated by the ESRB -- Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage 2, Ecco the Dolphin, and now Sonic 2 -- and the existence of the SEGA Vintage Collection is becoming harder and harder to deny. Our only question: how many more titles does the ESRB need to reveal before SEGA makes an official announcement?
More SFII HD Remix sprite goodness: Akuma
The new Capcom Digital blog -- which exclusively covers Capcom's downloadable titles -- is open for business, and they've added yet another HD sprite from Super Street Fighter II HD Remix for Xbox Live Arcade. This time we get a look at Akuma (last week we got a peek at Ken). As an added bonus, they've included his original sprite for reference. The blog contains a brief article about the genesis of SSFIITHDR, which notes that the game's name is intentionally long and intended as a joke for long time Street Fighter fans. You can read the article by clicking the "read" link. See more images of HD Akuma after the break.
Ubisoft: Prince of Persia on XBLA next week
Speaking to Eurogamer, a representative from Ubisoft has confirmed that Prince of Persia will be arriving on Xbox Live Arcade next Wednesday, June 13. Developed by Gameloft, the game is a remake of the original Prince of Persia featuring completely revamped graphics. In addition to the graphical upgrade, the game will feature new traps, enemies, and puzzles that expand on the traditional gameplay. The original Prince of Persia tasked players with clearing the game in one hour. We have to wonder if the new Xbox Live Arcade port will have the same restriction. At any rate, what we've seen so far looks promising. Assuming Prince of Persia comes out at a decent price, are you planning on picking it up?
X3F hands-on: Pac-Man Championship Edition
If we told you that Pac-Man Championship Edition is the most significant thing to happen to Pac-Man in years, you'd probably call us crazy. Well, call us crazy, because Pac-Man CE rocks. Quite simply, Pac-Man CE has made Pac-Man relevant again. Yeah, maybe it's not the huge announcement we were all hoping for, but once you put some time into it, you'll find out that Pac-Man Championship Edition has some legs.%Gallery-3685%
New Small Arms DLC now available
Announced last week by Gastronaut Studios, the new downloadable content for Small Arms is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace. The new content includes 2 new levels and 2 new characters. We tooled around with the new characters and levels today. The new levels are an especially welcome addition to the game, as the old ones have become somewhat tired over time. You can check out videos of the new levels and characters after the break. Also added to the game are 2 new achievements, which can obtained with very little work at all. Should you desire the new content, it will set you back a reasonable 250 MS Points.An free update to the game has also been released, which includes game performance tweaks and bug fixes. The update also includes some much needed weapon balancing. In particular, we've noticed that the electricity gun's secondary fire has a much slower rate of fire. If you ever found yourself frustrated by the game's weapons, you might want to give it another go with the new update in place.How about it fanboys, do you plan on picking up the new DLC?
Pac-Man CE Wokka's onto XBLA
As announced yesterday, today's Xbox Live Arcade release is Pac-Man: Championship Edition. For 800 Microsoft Points, you can get a revisited look at the Pac-Man experience, with reworked gameplay and mazes, complimented by psychedelic graphics scheme. But in the end, some would say that it's still just Pac-Man, and you can get the original, and his female counterpart for the same price as CE. So will you be giving this a shot, or are you going to shoo him away? Oh, and we need to decide on a consistent spelling of his sound effect, as "Wokka", "Wakka" , and "Waka" can all be cited within the bowels of Fanboy Towers.
New Small Arms content releases tomorrow
Gastronaut Studios has announced that the new downloadable content for Small Arms will be released tomorrow on Xbox Live Marketplace. As we've detailed before, the new content contains 2 new levels and 2 new characters (though no new weapons, regrettably). The two new characters are Ivar, a saber-toothed tiger, and Gullarp, the elephant. The new maps are Arctic Ice Floe and Pillaged Village, the respective stomping grounds of Ivar and Gullarp. The new content also packs 2 new achievements for finishing Mission Mode with a new character and for hosting an Xbox Live match on a new map. The new content pack will be available for 250 MS Points.Alongside the new content, Gastronaut Studios will also release a free update that will address certain issues within the game. Chief among these issues are weapon balance and bug fixes. Check out some shots of the new characters in our gallery below.%Gallery-3686%
Wokka wokka: First Pac-Man CE images, video
While Pac-Man Championship Edition may not be the big announcement we were hoping for, but it's still pretty spiffy in its own right. We've uncovered the first images of the game, and even a video of the game in motion. Put simply, this isn't your daddy's Pac-Man. It's damned close, but certainly different. The most obvious change is the new psychedelic graphics. The most important change, however, is that the game comes with several new modes and mazes. In our favorite mode, you have to eat fruit in order to make more dots appear on screen. Check out the Pac-Man CE gallery below. Hit the "read" link to see the official game page, where you can check out more screens and a video. So, will you purchase Pac-Man CE when it hits Xbox Live Arcade tomorrow?%Gallery-3685%
Video: New Small Arms maps and characters in action
We recently revealed to you that Gastronaut studios has a couple of maps and new characters coming over Xbox Live Marketplace downloadable content for Small Arms. Well, Godfree over at Gamertagradio has a video showcasing Ivar and Gullarp in the new arenas. Since the new characters are barbarian in nature, the new areas follow suit. Unfortunately, we only have the name of one map, Iceberg, as the other is shown through a mission instead. So how do these look, or would you rather have them come with new weapons?
New Small Arms characters revealed
Gamertag Radio breaks the news that new content is on the way for the Xbox Live Arcade.title Small Arms from Gastronaut Studios. X3F readers may recall that we have something of a soft spot for the game, so new content is great news. In addition to the new content, an update will also be released that should address several bugs in the game (and some weapon balancing, we hope). The new content pack will include 2 new characters and 2 new maps. We don't know about the maps yet, but the new characters have been revealed. Above you can see Ivar the tiger. Check out Gullarp the elephant after the break.
New SFII HD Remix sprite revealed, it's Ken!
The image you see above, ladies and gents, is a sprite from the upcoming Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix for Xbox Live Arcade. In fact, it's actually a little smaller than it should be thanks to our formatting. Now, we've seen a sprite from (deep breath) SFIITHDR before, but this is the first official image released by Capcom. As Capcom's Brian Dunn puts it, "this is what it will look like (if you paused the game and took out the background)." Damn. If you like what you see, then you're in luck, as Capcom will soon be opening a blog that will feature new art, news, and other goodies about their upcoming downloadable games. For those of you that have forgotten, those games include SFIITHDR and Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix (easily abbreviated SPFIITHDR), Rocketman: Axis of Evil (RAoE) and Talisman (T).If Capcom's other downloadable games are going to look this good, you can count us excited.[Thanks, Jared]
Win Mad Tracks from Gamertag Radio
Buying a new Xbox Live Arcade game can be a harrowing experience. Even if a trial version blows you away, you can never be sure that the full game will be as impressive. For instance, what if it turns out that the full game is only three levels long? Tough luck, buddy. Them MS Points is gone. Given this unpredictable nature, we're always happy to give someone the chance to win an Arcade game for free. Well, technically Gamertag Radio is giving it away, but let's not split hairs, shall we? Specifically, they're giving away a free copy of Mad Tracks. Head over to GTR for your chance to win. Remember kids, 800 MS Points saved is 800 MS Points earned.
New Catan content settles on Xbox Live
While it may not be as exciting as, say, a downloadable expansion, there is new Catan content available on Xbox Live Arcade. It's not particularly exciting though, as it won't significantly alter your game at all. First, there is a picture pack available that will set you back 100 MS Points. Somewhat more interesting, you can download the Mayfair skin, which will give your gameboard the appearance of the original Mayfair Games version. The Mayfair skin will set you back 100 points as well.Anyone planning on downloading this content, or will you save your money for an expansion?
ESRB rates Fatal Fury, Tempest, more for XBLA
We love the ESRB. With the group constantly rating titles that have yet to be announced, it's like getting birthday presents year round. XBLArcade breaks the news that the ESRB has rated 4 new games for Xbox Live Arcade, though not all of them are "new." The three we already know about are Tempest, Mutant Storm Empire, and Fatal Fury Special. We had nearly given up hope on Fatal Fury though. We hadn't heard a peep about it since last August after all. Finally, coming out of left field is SEGA's Streets of Rage 2, a classic beat-em-up from the Genesis era.We have to admit we've been impressed by Xbox Live Arcade lately. Here's hoping Microsoft can continue the stream of new titles unabated.
Mad Tracks pulls back, zips forward on XBLA
Fans of tiny racing rejoice! Mad Tracks is now available on Xbox Live Arcade. The game is based on the concept of toy cars. Specifically, the game involves pull-back-and-release cars. You remember those, right? You pull them back and then watch them zip off the table, Thelma & Louise style. What, you didn't play Thelma & Louise? Maybe that was just us. Anyway, it's an interesting concept and a racer of any stripe is certainly welcome on XBLA. The game features both single-player and online multiplayer. It can all be yours for 800 MS Points. Has anyone out there taken it for a spin yet?
Win Soltrio Solitaire from The Xbox Domain
Ah Solitaire. Is there a better time-waster? We submit to you that there is not. Sure, Tetris is in the running, but once you get into the higher levels it can become a wee bit stressful. Not Solitaire. No, it would be difficult to ever apply the label of "stressful" to Solitaire. Actually, we can think of one reason Solitaire, specifically Soltrio Solitaire for Xbox Live Arcade, can be stressful: it costs 800 freaking Microsoft Points. Almost every computing device out there has a free version of Solitaire. Hell, you can even grab Solitaire for graphing calculators. So, we offer you this nugget of info: The Xbox Domain is giving away a free copy of Soltrio Solitaire for Xbox Live Arcade. Even better, the rules for entry are insanely simple. Head over there now for your chance to win.Oh, and don't forget that we're giving away lots of Halo 3 beta T-shirts until the end of May. We really can't stress that enough.
Mad Tracks hitting XBLA next week?
It was revealed just over a week ago that Mad Tracks, from developer Load Inc., had passed certification and had been priced at a cool 800 points. According to GamingTalkHQ, Mad Tracks may be coming out sooner than expected. How much sooner? How about next week? It seems that Xboxic reported yesterday that "anonymous sources inside Microsoft" had confirmed that the game will arrive on Xbox Live Arcade next week. Following up on this report, GamingTalkHQ decided to IM Load Inc. VP, Denis Bourdain. It was then that GamingTalkHQ noticed Bourdain's away message: "Save Your MS points for next week." It may not be official confirmation, but it's as close as we're going to get before Microsoft decides to send out the press releases.Have any fanboys out there been looking forward to Mad Tracks?
PSP puzzler Exit coming to XBLA
According to XBLArcade, Taito announced in the latest Famitsu that it plans to bring its PSP puzzle game, Exit, to Xbox Live Arcade. The object of the game, appropriately enough, is to guide yourself and others to the exit of each level. The game employs a heavily stylized cel-shaded look, and is perhaps best described as "quirky." The Xbox Live Arcade version will feature brand new levels not found in the PSP version. For the moment, only a Japanese release has been confirmed at a price of 800 points. Hopefully, the western world will get a taste of Exit as well. Hit the "read" link to see a trailer for the game.Alright Taito, how about some Bubble Bobble love on XBLA?
Rush n' Attack some Xevious today on XBLA
The Xbox Live Arcade bounty just keeps coming this week as we are served with yet another double helping of downloadable gaming goodness. This week we get two delectable helpings in the form of Xevious and Rush n' Attack. One of them is about destroying alien scum and the other is about the Cold War. We'll let you puzzle out which one is which. Should you enjoy either game enough to plunk down your hard-earned MS Points, you can purchase them for 400 points each.%Gallery-3331%%Gallery-3332%
