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This Wednesday: Inferno Pool burns up XBLA with Rainbow Islands
This week's XBLA releases are ... well, they're games. The two downloadable titles sent to the fourth quarter slaughterhouse – a terrible place dominated by triple-A retail releases – are Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure! and Inferno Pool, both costing 800 ($10). We almost feel obligated to post The Charge of the Light Brigade after the break for each story about a downloadable game without a high profile beginning now until next year ... actually, next year isn't looking too open for downloadable games either, is it?
This Wednesday: Panzer General assaults Tower Bloxx Deluxe on XBLA
This week's Xbox Live update wages war on one of humanity's oldest foes: the block. We're sorry it's come to this, but we're afraid we can stomach their shenanigans no longer and, come this Wednesday, we're enlisting the aid of Panzer General: Allied Assault for 800 ($10) as we begin operations. Our first target will be Tower Bloxx Deluxe, with an estimated damage total of 800 ($10). It's a good introductory target that should benefit us in the longer conflict to come against the blocks. And if you're having second thoughts about all of this, remember how they're always making us push them here and pull them there -- and have you forgotten all of the climbing? We're standing up for the little guys and those archaeologists who've had enough tyranny from those six-sided symmetrical impeders, so if you can't get behind that, we suggest you pull up those hemp pants of yours and barefoot it back to the treetop commune or wherever else you hippies call home nowadays.
This Wednesday: Sam & Max & Axel & Pixel on XBLA
Xbox Live Arcade is heavy on the ampersands this week as both Axel & Pixel and the second season of Sam & Max (subtitled Beyond Time and Space, according to the ESRB) will be landing on Microsoft's download service. Both are games of the adventuring persuasion, requiring players to traverse the game world and solve puzzles, performing actions by pointing and / or clicking. Yes, you read that correctly, two adventure games in one week. It's like the 80s all over again. Axel & Pixel will set you back 800 ($10). Meanwhile, Sam & Max tops out at the most you should ever pay for a computer game. Also known as 1600 ($20). %Gallery-71001%
This Wednesday: Some Lucidity for South Park on XBLA
Major Nelson has announced that the two games gracing Xbox Live Arcade this week will be Lucidity and South Park LET'S GO TOWER DEFENSE PLAY. The first is a puzzle platformer from LucasArts with a positively delightful art style, while the second ... well it's pretty self explanatory. It's a tower defense game set against the backdrop of the famous, quiet little mountain town. Both can be yours in exchange for 800 ($10).
This Wednesday: Military Madness and Football Genius Bust-a-Move onto XBLA
This week's Xbox Live Arcade lineup is Madness -- Madness, we tell you! Well, okay, so it includes Hudson's revival of the TurboGrafx-16 classic Military Madness, but also two other releases. Still: Madness! Military Madness: Nectaris takes the hex-map strategy game into the era of polygons and -- better yet -- four-person online play. It's going to run 800 ($10), which is considerably less than a used TG-16, a TurboChip (remember those? If so, you're old) and the original game will cost you on eBay.Another classic strikes back in the form of Bust-A-Move Live, the latest retooling of the bubble-shooting puzzle game that's appeared on every system dating back to the abacus. Did you know it's a spin-off of Bubble Bobble Neo from two weeks back? Well, it is. It's also 800 ($10).Rounding out the bunch -- and making us thankful that every XBLA game has a trial version -- is Football Genius, a football trivia game about that kinda football; otherwise known as "soccer" up in here. We'd give the 800 ($10) release a shot ... if our goal was to be bored. (We love you, soccer/footie fans, but c'mon, seriously?)
This Wednesday: The Warriors, Zombie Apocalypse, Ion Assault hit XBLA
Xbox Live's Major Nelson reports that three new titles are releasing on Xbox Live this week. Whether you're looking forward to some gang justice, surviving the undead or going all Einstein on some microscopic particles, rest assured there's something here for you. This Wednesday's offerings are: The Warriors: Street Brawl 800 ($10) Zombie Apocalypse 800 ($10) Ion Assault 800 ($10) So, whatcha downloadin'?
This Wednesday: Bubble Bobble Neo, Red Alert 3: Commander's Challenge arrive on XBLA
Well, folks, it's not quite the Summer of Arcade anymore. Microsoft's Major Nelson has announced C&C Red Alert 3: Commander's Challenge and Bubble Bobble Neo as this week's Xbox Live Arcade releases. Despite the inclusion of "C&C Red Alert 3" right there in the title, the former game is a standalone experience and can be played without the original Red Alert 3 game disc. Each title will draw 800 ($10) from your account, assuming it doesn't go toward this week's Xbox Live deal, Lode Runner. %Gallery-68517%
This Wednesday: Wallace and Gromit, Sonic and Knuckles rush XBLA
With Major Nelson taking this day of labor off, we look across the pond for word on this week's Xbox Live Arcade title. As previously noted, it appears Sonic and Knuckles will be this week's release at 400 ($5). The good word comes from European Xbox community manager "AceyBongos," which just doesn't have the same ring as "Major Nelson." Could Microsoft at least make the guy a general or captain?Update: Joining the hedgehog and the echidna will be the inventor and his faithful companion. Major Nelson brings word that the mischief of Wallace and Gromit Episode 2: The Last Resort will also be available this Wednesday for 800 ($10).Update 2: Last minute change: No Wallace and Gromit.
This Wednesday: Defense Grid awakens Yo-Ho KaBlammo on XBLA
This week's XBLA offerings are a pair of 800 ($10) titles, reports Major Nelson: Defense Grid: The Awakening and Yo-Ho KaBlammo. Each title is a bit heavy on the combat, with Defense Grid offering plenty of tower defense action, and Yo-Ho KaBlammo taking to the seas for some free-for-all naval combat. That sounds all well and good, but whatever happened to killing 'em with kindness? What would Gandhi say?
This Wednesday: The NBA drafts the Watchmen on XBLA [update]
Update: Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao is also releasing this week.This week, we're officially jumping straight from the Summer of Arcade into the winter of our discontent with ho-hum XBLA releases. Don't get us wrong -- we have nothing against basketball, but NBA 2K10 Draft Combine (400 / $5), which lets those who purchase it build and train a player for use in October's NBA 2K10, ain't exactly Shadow Complex. Its title does makes it sound like the NBA is going to draft the bad guys from Half-Life 2, though, which we'd totally pay to see.So, that's about it -- oh, that's right, there's another Arcade release this week. It's part two of Watchmen: The End is Nigh, the movie tie-in beat-'em-up best known for exposing those who've played it to near-lethal levels of boredom. If you really, really love Watchmen and really, really don't mind the liberties this game takes with the license, it can be yours for 1200 ($15). Wow, really? Actually, if you simply must have the game, it's been available on disc along with part one since late last month ... for $20 on Amazon.
This Wednesday: Trials HD skids onto XBLA
We have to admit to feeling just a little silly about continuing to remind you about these XBLA releases when you knew the lot of them a month or so ago. But, we're told that people with "that Memento guy disease" (excuse the clinical terminology) make up around 10 percent of our audience, surprising as that may be.So, as a reminder to most of you and a hot scoop for a precious few: Motocross platformer (that sounds made-up, we know) Trials HD is going to arrive on Xbox Live Arcade this Wednesday for 1200 ($15). Have fun, just don't let it stop you from tracking down John G.
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?
This Wednesday: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 takes XBLA for a ride
It's our pleasure this week to remind fighting game fans that their spirits can, finally, find some modicum of peace. At long last, their beloved Marvel vs. Capcom 2 will appear on XBLA this Wednesday, for 1200 (that's $15 for those of you who don't speak Microsoft-ese).So, with which pairing will you make the worlds collide first? We'd suggest Mega Man vs. Dr. Doom, if only because we love pretending they're battling for control of the robot race. Yes, we know Dr. Doom isn't a robot. Shut up.%Gallery-51288%
This Wednesday: 'Splosion Man blowing up XBLA
Wow, this is awkward. Sure, we're excited that 'Splosion Man 800 ($10) is coming to the XBLA this Wednesday. But pre-SoA shuffle, this was to be the week of the turtles' return with TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-shelled. The bad thing is that we completely forgot to cancel the order for our turtle-celebrating supplies, and the FedEx guy just arrived.So, if you happen to spy us playing 'Splosion Man while we rock out to our mint condition Coming Out of Their Shells Tour cassette and eat the TMNT Pudding Pies recently discovered in a New Mexico warehouse, try not to judge, OK?%Gallery-49189%
This Wednesday: Monkey Island and MadBalls hit XBLA
Technically, that second one is actually Madballs in Babo Invasion. Lest you've already forgotten the game (and perhaps its spheroid protagonists), it's a top-down shooter supporting up to 16 players. Oh, and it has MadBalls in it. Remember those? You'll have to roll out 800 ($10) for the full game. Meanwhile, players can also return to Melee Island™ and relive the LucasArts classic in The Secret of Monkey Island Special Edition. The remake of the point-and-click sports newly redrawn, high definition graphics and new spoken dialogue to boot. If you'd rather play it old-school, the original, pixelicious graphics are also available. It will set you back 800 ($10 / 478 Pieces of Eight). %Gallery-64664% %Gallery-64401%
This Wednesday: Worms 2: Armageddon, King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match attack XBLA
XBLA is dropping a holy hand grenade's worth of violence this week with Worms 2: Armageddon and King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match. Whether you're into vertebrate or spineless carnage, the entry fee to these glorious celebrations of hurt will cost 800 ($10) apiece.Armageddon brings some upgrades to the original Worms XBLA title, so definitely check it out if you're a fan of the series. As for KOF98, the game is about $10 cheaper than the PS2 release, and does support online play -- but there's never a guarantee on how that'll go. %Gallery-46744%
This Wednesday: Droplitz and Garou: Mark of the Wolves hit XBLA
It's a twofer on XBLA this week, with a new puzzle game and an old fighting game. The puzzle game would be Droplitz, which has players twiddling dials and collecting small, "dinky little balls of indeterminate stuff." We can't help but be reminded a bit of Pipe Mania. Keep in mind that Droplitz is a single-player game only, with the full game running 800. The second game is Garou: Mark of the Wolves, also known as Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves, which was announced for XBLA by SNK late last week. The game is a port of the original arcade title -- also remembered as one of the last good Dreamcast games -- and features online play for two players. It can be yours for 800. %Gallery-49990% %Gallery-66348%
XBLA in Brief: Sega Vintage Collection
This week, Sega has dropped six new games onto Xbox Live Arcade as part of its Sega Vintage Collection. These six titles are timeless classics and definitely need no introduction for Sega fans. For the rest of you, expect a crash course in Comix Zone, Altered Beast, Sonic 3, Shinobi, Phantasy Star II, and Gunstar Heroes (400/$5 each).
Next Wednesday: Wallace & Gromit, Yosumin Live and Boggle
Major Nelson was authorized to break with tradition (due to the Memorial Day weekend) and has revealed next week's XBLA titles early. The arcade will finally be graced by Telltale's adventure title Wallace & Gromit, along with Yosumin Live and Boggle for Hasbro Family Game Night. All the titles mentioned will be 800 ($10) apiece.If paying $10 for Boggle next week seems a bit high, you can always search flea markets over the holiday weekend and find it for a couple bucks. There always seems to be a copy of Boggle at those things.%Gallery-39989%
This Wednesday: Blazing Birds and Gel: Set & Match [update]
This week on Xbox Live Arcade we get two new games, Blazing Birds and Gel: Set & Match. The latter is the latest game from NinjaBee Gastronaut Studios. It's a puzzle game that (shockingly) requires players to destroy colorful blocks. After a quick search around the internets -- Blazing Birds doesn't have an Xbox.com page just yet -- it appears that the former is a game in which robots play badminton, an idea which is about on par with grandmas playing electric guitars. Could be awesome, could be awful. We'll just have to wait and see.Both games will run 800 ($10). Major Nelson now says Blazing Birds will clock in at 400 ($5) with Gel: Set & Match priced at 800 ($10).Update: Gel: Set & Match was developed by Gastronaut Studios, not NinjaBee. Pricing changed.
