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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!]
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.
Hands-on: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (XBLA)
click to enlarge Although PlayStation 3 owners are currently enjoying an exclusive demo for the upcoming digital release, Microsoft was showing off Marvel vs. Capcom 2 behind closed doors at this year's E3 Expo to promote the upcoming Summer of Arcade lineup. If you've played Marvel vs. Capcom 2 in the past, you'll know what to expect. However, in our opinion, the game loses a lot of what made the original fun by hitting the XBLA service completely unlocked. Meaning, all 56 characters are available to players as soon as they click 'Purchase Full Version.' Part of the charm of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 was collecting points to purchase the insane number of unlockable items -- ranging from costumes to characters themselves. Sadly, from what we've played of the XBLA/PSN revamp ... Marvel vs. Capcom 2 has lost a lot of its charm.%Gallery-51288%
XBLA Summer of Arcade media round-up
Microsoft announced its lineup for the second Summer of Arcade promotion earlier today, and we've gathered together a bunch of new media. Above we have a teaser trailer for the upcoming games (including Joy Ride and Battlefield 1943, which aren't part of Summer of Arcade) and after the break we've got the first screens of Shadow Complex, Trials HD, and TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled. Also, even though they came out earlier today, we threw in the screens from The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition. Because it's Monkey Island.
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.
'Summer of Arcade' behind XBLA's best month yet
Newly released figures show that the "Summer of Arcade" wasn't just a windfall for gamers; it made Microsoft some serious scratch. MS reports that it saw a 58% increase in Arcade title purchases during the five-week "event," amounting to a 67% increase in revenue generated by XBLA in August – a new monthly record for the service. The company itself acknowledges that the quality of the titles was crucial to the gains. "The reason for all of this success? The games were really good," it said in a press release. Xbox Live general manager, Marc Whitten, promises that, "The focus on quality games doesn't stop with the Summer of Arcade." So ... we're due for a "Fall and Winter of Arcade," then? Whitten called out upcoming XBLA releases such as Portal: Still Alive, South Park, and R-Type Dimensions as examples of a new wave of potential Arcade hits. "We have plenty more great titles coming out in the next few months and beyond that we think will continue to fuel this incredible momentum," he said. Wait, back up ... did he mean the R-Type Dimensions that hasn't been officially announced yet?
Summer of Arcade was a sales success!
Holy Summer Xbox Live Arcade sales Major Nelson! Microsoft's five week long Summer of Arcade promotion - where games like Castle Crasher, Geometry Wars 2, Braid and Bionic Commando released - was a success. A hugely huge success! According to the Microsoft PR folks, during that five week period, the Arcade saw a 58% increase in unique member purchases and during August, the monthly Arcade revenue record was shattered by 67%. We guess there's a correlation between an XBLA sales spike and the XBLA seeing the release of fun, interesting, original and unique games. We say, keep the Arcade goodies coming!
RocketBowl reminds us 'Summer' isn't endless
Geometry Wars 2. Braid. Bionic Commando. Galaga Legions. Castle Crashers. Truly the "Summer of Arcade." Alas, like every year, summer must come to an end. This time, with a rocket-powered bowling ball. Just as you were beginning to think Microsoft was done with duds, RocketBowl comes puttering down the lane. Be there to celebrate the fall on September 10th, just 800 ($10).[Update: A number of commenters have given thumbs up to the original PC version that "sucks slightly more than Peggle." We'll withhold further judgement until we actually try bowling ... on Xbox Live Arcade ... with rockets.][Via X3F]
Revealed XBLAugust prices incorrect [Update]
The official Japanese Xbox 360 blog has posted prices for Xbox Live's "Summer of Arcade" series (i.e. five weeks of awesome releases). Let's review: July 30: Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 (800 MS points / $10) August 6: Braid (1200 MS points / $15) August 13: Bionic Commando Rearmed (800 MS points / $10) August 20: Galaga Legions (800 MS points / $10) August 27: Castle Crashers (1800 MS points / $22.50) At $22.50, Castle Crashers would hold the record for most expensive XBLA title. The total price for the Summer of arcade is $67.50, which is a little bit more than a standard Xbox 360 title + applicable tax. The prices are currently set for Japan only, but they generally don't differ with the North American releases. Is your wallet prepared?Update: Microsoft tells Shacknews these prices are incorrect, and that the final prices won't be revealed until the Monday before each respective game launches.[Via X3F]
Summer of Arcade may terrorize your wallet [update]
Update: It looks like the high prices of Braid and Castle Crashers are "incorrect" according to Microsoft. Click here for the full story.If you're anything like us you stocked up on MS Points in preparation for August's extensive XBLA release list. With releases like Galaga Legions, Braid and Castle Crashers around the corner it looks like it's going to be a good time for the Arcade. There is some potential bad news however, the Summer of Arcade is going to missile-dropkick your wallet.According to the official Japanese Xbox 360 blog, Braid (August 6) lists a purchase price of 1200MS Points ($15 US), while the highly anticipated Castle Crashes clocks in at a hefty 1800MS Points ($22.50 US) -- making it the most costly XBLA title to date.While these prices have only been set for the Japanese market, readers should keep in mind that prices are generally the same in Europe and North America. While -- based on hands-on impressions of both titles -- we can't wait to play Braid and Castle Crashers, we wonder if anyone feels too burned to throw down $37.50 (US) for a pair of Arcade releases.Galaga Legions and Bionic Commando: Rearmed are both priced at 800MS Points each. [via GameBytes]
XBLAugust: Castle Crashers, BC Rearmed, Braid, and Galaga
The official Microsoft Gamerscore blog has just outlined how you'll be spending our weekly allowance for the next month. Five major Xbox Live Arcade titles are debuting over the next five weeks (that's one each week). Pause your game of Coffeetime Crosswords and check out the schedule: July 30: Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 August 6: Braid August 13: Bionic Commando Rearmed August 20: Galaga Legions August 27: Castle Crashers Only the previously-dated Geometry Wars 2 has a price at the moment (800 MS Points / US $10).
