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Beautiful Katamari isn't XBLA material
When Gamespot posted their hands-on Beautiful Katamari preview they mentioned that the game would be available exclusively on the XBLA. Which caused a little confusing to how much the game was actually beefed out and what would have to change since it would have to fit the XBLA size requirements. But it looks like we don't have to worry about any of that, because Gamespot retracted their Beautiful Katamari on XBLA talk and now say that the game will be released in a "full retail package". So, believe what you wish. But we ask, which would you have preferred? A cheaper Arcade Katamari or the whole big shebang retail Katamari?
New PDA games available for Alien Hominid
When The Behemoth's crew isn't too busy making custom trophies, or working on Castle Crashers, they're obviously throwing together some PDA stages for Alien Hominid HD. The second pack of 100 PDA levels is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace for 150 Microsoft Points. If you're in a spending mood, you can also pick up some new gamer pictures, as there are two packs with 5 pics a piece, each for 100 MS Points. Do you play the PDA minigame in Alien Hominid? If so, do you play solo or multiplayer?
Band on Bugs swarms Arcade
Band of Bugs, the insectoid strategy game from NinjaBee is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace. For 800 Microsoft points you get a single player campaign, standalone missions, multiplayer and a map editor. Also available are two packs with three gamer pics a piece, for just 50 points each and a theme for 150 MS points. This game has caught our attention for bringing some unique experiences on Xbox Live Arcade, are you going to give it a shot today?
David Edery talks XBLA and its future
Longtime X3F reader, LunarDuality has posted an interview (also posted at XBLArcade) with David Edery, Worldwide Games Portfolio Planner for Xbox Live Arcade. The interview (part one in a series) focuses on the recent string of Live Arcade titles and the future of XBLA. Readers will recall that Live Arcade only recently began to deliver on the promise of a new game every week. Edery notes that this trend is likely to continue, with the double releases occurring "more often than not." He admits that it's possible we might see the occasional week with no release, though that possibility is "very remote." Edery also takes time to answer questions about Microsoft's portfolio strategy, the possibility of Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged Vol. 2, casual vs. hardcore, and many other topics. Hit the "read" link to check it out.
USK removes Marathon 2 rating for 360
Either we spoke too soon, or Microsoft's ninjas are pretty damned quick. X3F readers will recall that the USK (essentially Germany's version of the ESRB) rated Marathon: Durandal for the Xbox 360 last week. This led us to assume that our wild speculation from last November was true, and that Marathon was making its way to Xbox Live Arcade. Now, it looks like something is amiss. We checked the USK listing during our weekly Fancast recording session on Sunday, and lo and behold, the listing was gone (gasp!). No, really, check for yourself. So, here's the question: was the USK hallucinating, or has Microsoft demanded that the USK lower the veil of secrecy on what should have been a top-secret project?
Band of Bugs squashes out its Achievements
NinjaBee Games was kind enough to give out an exclusive peek at the Achievements for their upcoming Xbox Live Arcade title, Band of Bugs. Unfortunately, there is no award for tinkering around with the map editor that we showed you video of last week, but all in all it looks pretty evenly spread out. Also, the release of Achievement information only shows how much closer we are to a game's release, especially XBLA titles. Do you expect Band of Bugs to be another hit from NinjaBee?
Going all in on XBL poker challenge
A new Play and Win giveaway has started over at Xbox.com featuring everyone's favorite once free XBLA game Texas Hold 'Em. The Alltel Texax Hold 'Em Challenge started yesterday and all you have to do to win is sign up for the giveaway from now until July 12th and play the game online. Every day you play you receive an entry to win prizes including an Xbox 360 Elite, Microsoft points, or a set of poker chips. What's cool is that you don't even have to be good at poker to win prizes, you just have to play online to enter. Which is a good thing, since we can't tell the difference between say ... a three-of-a-kind-pair and a full house.
Leaky ratings board confirms Tetris Splash
Another game has lost its big announcement thunder as the USK (the German video game ratings board) posted confirmation that an XBLA game called Tetris Splash exists. What is Tetris Splash and why is it so splashy? We aren't sure, but we know that the game is coming to the XBLA and should be a relatively simple form of Tetris. Cheap Tetris rocks. And while we're at it, we should totally keep track of how many times the ESRB and USK have tipped us off to Arcade games before they officially get announced. The total has to be in the hundreds ... or at least it feels that way.[Thanks Game Stooge, Via Xbox-Archiv]
Carcassonne may see a release next week
Carcassonne may make an appearance next week as its Xbox.com page has received an update revealing the game's price being 800 Microsoft points. Xbox.com usually doesn't reveal detailed information about unreleased games (especially the price) which leads us to think the game is very close to making its entrance onto the XLBA. But it's not like we have a bunch of options here seeing that Sierra Online previously confirmed a June release date. And since June is coming to an end Carcassonne would have to be out either next week or the week after. We're putting our chips on next Wednesday ... place your bet.[Via Game Stooge]
How to make a hi-def SFII sprite
By now you probably know that we're pretty excited about Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. We've pored over every morsel that Capcom has doled out and we're always ready for more. Well, today is no different. The Capcom Digital blog has uploaded more images of the upcoming game (in addition to confirming that Puzzle Fighter is coming next month). The new images detail the steps that go into recreating each original sprite in high definition. Illustrated in the image above, we can see each step. Starting on the left and moving to the right, artists first take the original sprite for reference, then block out the basic shapes in the darkest colors. Next, they add details and some shading. Finally, they add the final details and BAM! you've got an HD sprite. Check out the gallery below for high resolution images of all 4 steps.%Gallery-3974%
Soltrio Solitaire DLC flies under radar
New game content is available for the Xbox Live Arcade card game, Soltrio Solitaire. It adds 10 new game modes for the low price of 150 MS Points. Considering the game started out with 18 modes of play at 800 Microsoft Points, that's a pretty dang good price. Then again, you have to remember that it is Solitaire, which may not exactly be up your alley. Either way, the content is there and reasonably priced if you're interested.
Tycho: Retro games shouldn't be reviewed
Sure, this may only be the fourth of the current comic streak for Xbox 360 related strips from Penny Arcade, but it definitely brings up a valid point that deserves discussion. Retro titles from our "mispent youth", as Peter Moore so elegantly put it, are usually somewhere in the neighbourhood of 15 to 25 years old. Sure, they may get reskinned with some extra pixels per sprite, but the vast majority are the same game they were when they were on early consoles or in cabinets. Should they be treated the same by reviewers as retail games, or should the fact that these are pieces of gaming history give them a little grace? After all, if you don't like retro titles, haven't played the original game, or didn't enjoy the title, you could always not buy it.
X3F hands-on: Prince of Persia Classic
So, we spent a better part of this morning running through Prince of Persia for Xbox Live Arcade. To answer the most obvious question: yes, it is Prince of Persia. Feel free to draw as many conclusions from that as you wish. For many people, that alone should be enough information on which to base a purchase (or non-purchase). For the rest of you, read our impressions after the break.
Free Pac-Man Championship Edition from GTR
We were as surprised and delighted as anyone when we Pac-Man Championship Edition turned out to be such a great game. Whether or not it will go down in gaming history is up for debate. Whatever becomes of Pac-Man CE, right now it's simply a good game. "Sure, it's fun, but what about the price?" you say. Well, we've got you covered. Actually, Gamertag Radio has you covered but we won't be bothered by semantics. The point is that GTR is giving away five copies of Pac-Man CE absolutely free. Head on over for your chance to win. Oh, and did we mention this week's episode features Aaron "this will go down in video game history" Greenberg? Well, it does. Listen to Aaron speak his mind and win free Pac-Man CE. Not too shabby, eh?
Video: Band of Bugs map editor
Ninjabeegames uploaded a video to their YouTube account of the upcoming Xbox Live Arcade title, Band of Bugs. The video showcases the game's map editor, as well as some gameplay near the end. We think this is the first map editor to be included in an Xbox Live Arcade game. Overall it looks to be pretty solid, and will allow for some unique experiences when playing the game online. Do you think a map editor is a good idea, or should creativity be left to the developers? [Thanks, Tarl]
Prince of Persia leaps onto XBLA
Lest you haven't noticed, Prince of Persia Classic is now available on Xbox Live Arcade. Spruced up with new moves, new enemies, and speedier gameplay, the classic title is reborn for a new generation of gamers. Old school gamers have nothing to worry about though, it essentially the same game with a few minor tweaks. Even the one hour time limit is still in effect. Should you desire to pick up Prince of Persia Classic for yourself, it will set you back 800 MS Points.
USK rates Bungie's Marathon for 360
Last November, just prior to Halo's birthday, we (wildly) speculated that Marathon might be heading to Xbox Live Arcade. Obviously, we were incorrect ... then. It seems our precognitive powers were even more potent than we realized, as Marathon, Bungie classic and spiritual predecessor to Halo, has been rated by the USK (Germany's ratings board) for the Xbox 360. To be precise, the entry is for Marathon: Durandal, which is actually Marathon 2. This leaves us to wonder whether the original will make the jump as well. Already our minds are reeling with yet more speculation. Will Marathon: Durandal receive a graphical upgrade? Will we see each game in the series hit Xbox Live Arcade, leading up to the inevitable release of Halo 3? We have no idea, but we hope we'll be hearing more soon. [Via XBLArcade. Thanks, Ankalagon]
Bomberman Live in early July, 800 points
Bomber-fans rejoice, for we have discovered the price and (rough) release date for Bomberman Live on Xbox Live Arcade. Speaking to the Official Xbox Magazine podcast, Hudson's Joel Breton revealed that the game will release for 800 MS Points. This isn't exactly surprising, as it's becoming the de facto price for all original XBLA content. Breton also reveals that Hudson plans to release the title in early July. Jokes concerning Independence Day and blowing up your friends ensues. If you'd like to listen to the interview, it occurs at approximately 17:15 during episode 68 of the KOXM podcast.So, will you pick up Bomberman Live for 800 points?
Microsoft defends Pac-Man CE pricing
During the Gamerscore Blog's Lunchtime Conversation, Xbox group product manager Aaron Greenberg defended the pricing for Pac-Man Championship Edition. Greenberg went on to say that Pac-Man CE is not a simple port of the old game, but is almost a sequel in it's own right with new gameplay, artwork, music and HD implementation added. So, he feels that the 800 Microsoft points that the game costs is more than reasonable for what you're getting.And if you're a regular Fancast listener, you'll know that we were all impressed by the new Championship Edition and most of us were happy to plop down our Microsoft points. We also agree that it's more of a sequel than anything else, but it's ultimately up to you if you think 800 points is worth a new (and extremely fun) Pac-Man experience. So, is the pricing overkill or is it in line with other Arcade offerings?
Mad Tracks gets all patched up
TeamXbox is reporting that a patch has just been released for Mad Tracks that fixes the progression problem that has plagued some gamers. If you don't recall, soon after Mad Tracks launched onto the XBLA players who downloaded the trial and then bought the final game discovered a bug that wouldn't allow any progression through the game. But today a patch has been released that fixes the problem with all bugs squashed and promptly removed. The title update will automatically download the next time you load up Mad Tracks.
