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This Wednesday: Just Undertow (but this time it's free)
While we're always pleased to get our scarred, scabbed hands on free stuff we hate to give up one of our precious Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays to do it. Major Nelson confirmed with our pals at X3F that this Wednesday's featured game would in fact be Undertow (again), but of course they're giving it away for free to say "sowwy" for all those ugly Xbox Live problems. So, no Rez HD or whatnot for you this week ... For those of you who've already purchased Undertow, we also wanted to direct your attention to this comment by Xbox Live's Major Nelson: "If you have already purchased the game, you can contact support and they will take care of you." We imagine by "take care of you" he means "provide you with a code for a similarly priced game" and not "outfit you with a pair of cement shoes and send you into the drink." But hey, be careful when you call up, okay? %Gallery-4096%
This Wednesday: Boogie Bunnies do the 'match 3 dance' on XBLA
This week's Xbox Live Arcade offerings comes in the form of a match-three game from Sierra. Not interesting, you say? What if we told you you were match brightly colored dancing lagomorphs? Still not interested? What if we said the screenshots indicate each pair of matched bunnies blew up in elimination? Still no interest, you say? Okay, well, we give up.Boogie Bunnies comes to Xbox Live Arcade this wednesday at 4:00 a.m. EST for 800 Microsoft Points ($10). The press release for this week's game also notes that Rez HD and Poker Smash are coming soon, while Lode Runner is due "later in 2008."%Gallery-13750%
This Wednesday: Omega Five, Tron get digitized, sucked into Xbox Live
We already knew about Omega Five (you did read that post, didn't you?) so we're not going to waste your time going through all the gory details. It's 800 points, it's an action game, we liked it. No, we're going to skip right to the retro release this week: Tron, a 400-point HD sprucing of the old arcade favorite.Not only will you experience the visceral thrill of speeding around in light cycles and killing a dude with a dinner plate, you're also going to be able to do it 2-player, an option not available on the arcade original. If we have one quibble, it's that Discs of Tron (also in development for XBLA) isn't included in the package. Are the two really worth splitting up?%Gallery-2940%%Gallery-3982%
This Wednesday: Microsoft to roll Metal Slug 3 onto XBLA
We know that there are some of you who have already tired of your holiday toys, and while we think this is incredibly selfish and that you should be ashamed, Microsoft has stepped up, announcing an "updated version" of Metal Slug 3 for Xbox Live Arcade. The game will roll onto the service next Wednesday, January 2, and promises updated HD visuals and two player co-op over Xbox Live, along with all of the 'rocket lowncher' antics you can handle. So, for those of you who are just like my mother, and are never satisfied, prepare to fork over a cool 800 MS Points ($10). There, happy now?%Gallery-12357%
This Wednesday: SpongeBob gives XBLA 'Underpants Slam!'
The aquatic antics of our obliviously cheerful pal, SpongeBob SquarePants, have once again been transformed into a video game, this time for Xbox Live Arcade. Though we can't guarantee that "Underpants Slam!" will be any more enjoyable than the unexpected punch to the groin as suggested by the title, we can confidently inform you that it'll be available for download in North America from the Xbox Live Marketplace this coming Wednesday, December 26th. THQ's "side-scrolling slap-happy extravaganza" absorbs players into SpongeBob's quest to collect King Neptune's 99 pieces of laundry, with garment hunting parties being comprised of up to four players over Xbox Live. If that sounds like F.U.N. to you, prepare to get slammed in the pants for 800 MS Points ($10).
This Wednesday: Sensible World of Soccer, Tempest come to XBLA
We know what you're thinking: "This isn't news! I've known about the release of Sensible World of Soccer and Tempest on XBLA for weeks!" Well, you're right and you're wrong. As for the well-regarded soccer game Sensible, you hit the nail on the head as we reported last month it would arrive on the 19th for 800 points. So no big surprises there.And as for Tempest, we're pretty sure that you're confusing it with Space Giraffe. Don't feel bad though, it happens to everybody. While "a tarted up, 400-point HD version of Tempest" would be an accurate way to describe both, this one has a way better title.
This Wednesday: Arkadian Warriors get a GripShift on XBLA
It would be downright deceptive to describe this week's Xbox Live Arcade games as anything other than shifty. Though GripShift makes that stance fairly obvious, perhaps you weren't aware that Arkadian Warriors features a trio of shape-shifting warriors... from Arkadia. You know, a typically hapless fantasy realm in need of saviors skilled at hacking, slashing and a variety of other violent maneuvers. The co-op capable romp through randomly generated dungeons will set you back 800 MS Points ($10), roughly the equivalent of what you'll find in the unseen pockets of a slain monster. If monster mashing isn't your thing, perhaps you'll be tempted to speed down GripShift's tumultuously twisty tracks. They're also suspended in mid-air, making for a gravity-defying thrill ride every racing fan must experience (it says here)! As you might expect, said experience is preceded by that of spending 800 MS Points ($10) -- if not for those lovely trial versions, that one would take you for an entirely different kind of ride.%Gallery-11579% %Gallery-11578%
This Tuesday: Arcade Hits
Major Nelson has confirmed that this week's Xbox Live Arcade addition will be the launch of Arcade Hits tomorrow, temporarily replacing the usual new game(s) release on Wednesdays. The initiative kicks off with cost reductions of four aging XBLA games, along with the now permanent price cut of Lumines Live: Bankshot Billiards 2 (reduced from 1200 to 800 MS Points; $10) - Billiards ... with a gamepad. Lumines LIVE! (still reduced from 1200 to 800 MS Points; $10) - The same great "core" gameplay of the superb PSP puzzler; additional DLC comes at a premium. Marble Blast Ultra (reduced from 800 to 400 MS Points; $5) - Guide a lonely marble across irritatingly unstable terrain -- or race your friends. Small Arms (reduced from 800 to 400 MS Points; $5) - Is "poor man's Smash Bros." too cliché? Zuma Deluxe (reduced from 800 to 400 MS Points; $5) - Wait, they were charging $10 for this...? No doubt anticipating a chorus of moans from dedicated consumers, Microsoft has also name-dropped key new XBLA titles scheduled to arrive during the next few months when the regularly-scheduled Wednesday releases resume. The absence of a new game may tick off some fanboys, but it's clear that Microsoft wants to use this week to focus promotion on the re-branding of older content. Let's hope the discounts keep coming (along with some greater "hits").
This Wednesday: Asteroids, Asteroids Deluxe come to XBLA [update]
When the new releases were a bummer and the Virtual Console didn't offer much comfort, we were depressed. But now that we've seen what's coming to Xbox Live Arcade this week, we're just hurt. This Wednesday, you'll be able to download Asteroids and Asteroids Deluxe at the bargain price of 400 points/$5/Unforgivably more than "Free." Oh no, not for both. 400 points a piece. Ummm, no. [Update: Major Nelson's now saying that it's 400 points for both.]We'll be honest, friends: We're starting to smell a conspiracy. Somebody out there wants you to skip playing games this week so you can get out and buy some games. Luckily, if you're anything like us, you're too broke to fall for their clever trap. Thank you, comically slim wallet.%Gallery-10919%
This Wednesday: Undertow washes ashore on XBLA island
Although the hubbub may be about the new, downloadable Halo 3 maps socking it to you next month, Microsoft also used today's announcement to remind us that we'll finally be seeing Undertow on the Xbox Live Arcade this week. As you can see from the above trailer, it's basically BioShock meets Aquaman meets shooting things. ... Or something. But this XBLA release got our old friend Stephen Totilo wondering: How do publishers make the most of their 50 XBLA megabytes? He got the answer to his question recently, via a pie chart from developer Chair Entertainment. If you're part of the tiny subset of the human race curious about this sort of thing (yes, that includes us), you can check out the breakdown right here.
This Wednesday: Shrek 'n Roll 'n Screwjumper 'ngage XBLA
As noted last week, this Wednesday's Xbox Live Arcade release is dodgy freefaller Screwjumper, an action game that has you plummeting down a deep, dark hole whilst avoiding slamming headfirst into harmful substances. For 800 MS Points ($10), it's the closest you'll get to experiencing Britney Spears' current career. The folks at Microsoft are also keen to highlight the fact that Screwjumper is XBLA's 100th release since the download service's inception approximately 2 years ago.Less likely to be remembered is release #99, Shrek N Roll, which promises to test "your tilting and rolling skills," along with your tolerance of the blockbuster trilogy's cast. This puzzling Shrek tie-in will set you back 800 MS Points ($10).
New games this week: Super Mario Galaxy edition
See, now this is where it gets punishing. Kiss your poor wallet "Adios!" friends, because we're staring down the barrel of a really tough week. Sure, there's Super Mario Galaxy, and it's an easy choice for the featured pick (much like Baby, nobody puts the plumber in the corner). But he's also got an insane lineup of hot titles on his heels, including Crysis, Assassin's Creed, BlackSite: Area 51, Kane & Lynch: Dead Men and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. And there's ... more. You can check out the full list after the break, you poor, soon-to-be-broke sap -- it may just be the last time you can do so before your computer gets repossessed.
This Wednesday: Switchball and Word Puzzle [verb] XBLA
It's hard to believe that the seemingly innocuous phrase, "having a ball," could be tinged with cruelty. You see, the life of a nondescript videogame ball is actually quite miserable, rife with surreal landscapes, tilting mazes and suspiciously long half-pipes that only lead to pointless goals. Sierra Online's graphically splendid Switchball only exacerbates this sad state of affairs, featuring a shiny sphere capable of changing its physical properties (to overcome puzzles!), but not its emotional state. If you spend 800 MS Points ($10) on it this Wednesday, consider how you'd feel if tears rolled down your cheek and up the back of your head. Hitting Xbox Live Arcade on the same day is Word Puzzle, a game that primarily deals with the useful thingamabobs that made this sentence possible. For 800 MS Points, you'll receive "intricate 3D boards," Vision camera support and the chance to use "exploding word bombs." Those should give the stereotypical Halo crowd a head start, at least.
This Wednesday: Mutant Storm Empire, er, storms onto XBLA
Microsoft isn't going to be very giving this Halloween, offering us just one title as we stand on its front porch bellowing "trick or treat" in our matching Geometry Wars costumes. This Wednesday, our Xbox Live Arcade treat will be Mutant Storm Empire. Not a bad title, to be sure, but if space shooters aren't your thing, you'd be better advised to spend your day walking door to door asking for candy from strangers. A press release for this week's XBLA offering also includes a list of titles that will be available "in the coming weeks." The seven listed games include N+, Screwjumper!, Shrek-N-Roll, Spongebob Squarepants, Switchball, Undertow and Word Puzzle. Mutant Storm Empire will be available 5 a.m. ET for 800 MS points (US $10).
This Wednesday: Cylons and Exit make their entrance on XBLA
This wednesday, in addition to the previously-announced Battlestar Galactica, escape-prone puzzler Exit will come to Xbox Live Arcade. Both games will be available for 800 MS points (US $10). Ire-inducing card game Uno is also receiving an update this week. The title now supports the Big Button Pad used with Scene It! as well as some camera and privacy improvements. New content for Bomberman, dubbed Bomb-up Pack 3, and Pinball FX is also due to arrive. All content will become available this wednesday at 5 a.m. ET.
This Wednesday: E4, Speedball II, and discounted Lumines
Joining the already announced Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe this Wednesday on Xbox Live Arcade is the announced-in-March XBLA rendition of Q Entertainment's Every Extend Extra dubbed, helpfully, Every Extend Extra Extreme. Both titles will be available for 800 Microsoft Points ($10). Also joining the two full games is some news on older Xbox Live Arcade titles. First, Band of Bugs has a new expansion pack out titled "Ninja Sticks of Fury" which, we presume, will be the same 250 points ($3.12) as their previous expansions. And finally, Lumines Live! will get two "skins" free for all XBL Gold members through November 14th. Don't like free? They've also got a "Rockin' Holiday Pack" available for 400 MS Points. If you're thinking, "Hey, that's great Joystiq but I was turned off by the game's initial pricing" we're pleased to relay the news that, as of Wednesday morning at 9am GMT, Lumines Live! will be permanently discounted to 800 MS Points. How about now? %Gallery-8659%
This Wednesday: Puzzle Quest and Toyota advergame hit XBLA
As was revealed over the weekend, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords is finally gracing Xbox Live Arcade this Wednesday. A fee of 1,200 MS Points ($15) allows entry into the kingdom where warring men and beasts settle things not by clanging swords, but politely manipulating colored tiles. The price of such civility may seem puzzling, but the digitally distributed form seems to offer the most features (examine them after the break) at the lowest price. Wednesday sees another game arrive at the lowest price, specifically $0. In what is sure to be a vortex for game of the year accolades, Toyota's "Yaris" advergame allows you to test drive the eponymous vehicle from the comfort of your couch. You'll dodge robotic rabbits, engage in the exciting "Yaris vs. Yaris" mode and even upgrade the "protective shielding" you're surprised Toyota hasn't made more of an effort to market. Unfortunately, this game is only available to Live subscribers in the US and Canada. %Gallery-8259% %Gallery-8258%
This Wednesday: Tetris Splash dives into XBLA
Here's a fun game to play: try to add up the total amount you've spent on Tetris games in your lifetime and don't forget about that $5 iPod version either. We'll give you a minute ...... done? Good. So we understand why some of you may have been hesitant to drop $30 on the budget-priced Tetris Evolutions when it came out for the 360 earlier this year. If you held out, your reward is the just announced (but long known about) Tetris Splash, an XBLA version of the classic block-dropper featuring multiplayer support for up to 6 players. Oh, and a virtual fish tank. For 800 Microsoft Points ($10), we just may be able to justify yet another Tetris purchase. Maybe ...%Gallery-8030%
Some Xbox Live Arcade games get price cuts
Have you found yourself staring at the Xbox Live Marketplace, considering buying Frogger, but with your thumb just hovering over the A button, unwilling or unable to confirm your purchase? "If only Frogger was 300 points instead of 400 points, then I could do it! But right now ... I just don't know." To you, we say this: Stop being so cheap, it's only $1.25. But we also say "Good news! Frogger's about to go on sale."On Wednesday, The World's Most Squishable Amphibian® and Hardwood Spades will both be cut from 400 to 300 points, while Bankshot Billiards 2 goes from 1200 to 900. If Your Royal Cheapness is interested, you may want to act quick though, the prices will only last until the following Tuesday. Wednesday will also mark the arrival of new content for Bomberman, the "Bomb-Up Pack 2" for 250 points. ... Hmm, sounds like somebody's Halo 3 coasting.
This Wednesday: Geon: Emotions on XBLA
On its Xbox profile page, Geon: Emotions is described as "a fast-paced abstract sports game that lets you explore your emotions as you compete against opponents." No, it's not a CalvinBall title starring Tobias Funke, but it's possibly just as confusing. If going solo isn't your thing, Geon supports online multiplayer where up to for players can "let it all hang out on an emotional battlefield." In situations like this we're infinitely thankful for having demos of every game that goes up on the service. Geon: Emotions will cost 800 Microsoft Points.%Gallery-7563%
