News Room Contributor Posts: 2410 Joined: 11 Sep 2008 | Microsoft Reveals The Summer of Arcade 2009
What better way to spend the summer than with this month-long line-up of Xbox Live Arcade games that's sure to keep you locked up in your room while everyone else is out at the beach?
Ah, summer. That time of year when a gamer truly proves his or her mettle by saying no to outdoor barbeques, attractive people in swimwear and sunshine by settling deep into the couch and playing some freakin' videogames. And while summer has typically had a reputation for being "backlog clearing season" for its dearth of releases, Microsoft has plenty of offerings of the XBLA variety for their annual Summer of Arcade, which will run from July 22 to August 19.
Kicking off the season on July 22 is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-shelled, the HD remix of the classic Konami side-scroller. Re-shelled will feature new 3D graphics and some tweaks to level and enemy design, and cost 1200 Microsoft Points.
A week later on July 29 is what we (and by "we" I mean myself) have been waiting what seems like forever for: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (1200 MS Points). You guys probably already know the skinny on this one: HD-friendly graphics filters, widescreen support, online multiplayer and the chance to scream out "SCOOPS HAAGEN DASZ" over Xbox Live.
Microsoft must know me really well, because they seem to be aware of the fact that the only way to get me away from hyperactive 2D fighters is with one thing: explosions. Thus, The Maw developer Twisted Pixel Games' Splosion Man hits on August 5. It boasts 50 single-player levels and 50 multiplayer stages, and promises lots of platforming and 'sploding of things, if you didn't get your fill for that after seeing Transformers 2. It'll also be the only Summer of Arcade title that costs less than 1200 Points, with an 800 Point asking price.
The next week finds Redlynx's Trials franchise hitting on August 12 with Trials HD. If you played the Trials games on PC, you'll be familiar with the series' physics-based motorcycle platforming, where you try to guide a motocross bike through seriously challenging levels. Trials HD comes with 50 tracks and a level editor, and costs 1200 Microsoft Points.
Finally, the Summer of Arcade wraps up on August 19 with Shadow Complex (pictured), Epic Games' take on the Metroid-Castlevania formula of exploration-based action-platforming. Built in Unreal Engine 3, Shadow Complex promises the "quality and depth of a full retail game" with more than 10 hours of side-scrolling, item collection and power-up discoverin'.
Quite the summer. Who needs the beach? Socializing is totally overrated - you have the rest of the year for that.
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Gone Gonzo Posts: 2281 Joined: 28 May 2008 | A TMNT: Turtles in Time remake?
An HD Fighting game classic?
An explosion based platformer?
A motorcycle platforming game?
And the latest from Epic Games?
Holy shit! I think I'm going to have to get a second job. |
On the Record Posts: 5740 Joined: 7 Jan 2009 | HardRockSamurai:
Holy shit! I think I'm going to have to get a second job.
I think I'll have to get a first job. |
Copy Clerk Posts: 62 Joined: 8 Jul 2009 | awesome lol im gonna have to get some more microsoft points |
Muckraker Posts: 337 Joined: 3 Jan 2008 | More reasons that I need to get a nice arcade stick. Fond memories of both TMNT and Marvel vs Capcom; definitely buying both. Robot exploding platformer sounds pretty excellent as well. |
On the Record Posts: 6204 Joined: 10 Mar 2008 | Why is it that every time I read "[x] company reveals [x] event/game/ect..!", I think of the company pulling a drape off the announcement complete with one of those weird accents that you can't exactly describe?
Microsoft: Ho ho! I am so glad you all came, mmmnnnehemn *rubs handlebar mustache*
Me: What is the meaning of this?
MS: Why, I intend to announce something brand new! BeHOLD!
*WOOSH*
MS: The Summer Arcade of Two-Thousand Nien~!
Oh brain, will you ever shut up? |
Press Junketeer Posts: 377 Joined: 30 Jan 2009 | I may get the TMNT game, but that's probably it. |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 2296 Joined: 16 Feb 2009 | Shadow Complex will be aaaaawwwwwweeeeeeeesssssssooooooooommmmmmmmmeeeeeeeeeeee.
The others I don't know, I'll just have to wait and see! |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 1905 Joined: 24 Jan 2008 | T'is a good summer for games!
For once. |
BANNED Posts: 178 Joined: 23 Jun 2009 | Screw Microsofts announcements. When are we gonna see a date for Critter Crunch, Fat Princess, Explodemon, and Pixeljunk Shooter? |
Infamous Scribbler Posts: 566 Joined: 23 Jun 2008 | I won second place in this last year. Guess what they sent me?
12,000-some MS Points that didn't work in my country*. Although their support staff was so extrememly friendly (seriously, I so wanted to be pissed, but they were too damned nice), that after about a dozen phone calls and HOURS of wasted time, I just gave up.
I'm still not entirely convinced the points were even valid. What a load.
NOTE: The one year of Live! card did work. Guess I can't be too angry, it was just such a cock tease.
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Gone Gonzo Posts: 4135 Joined: 6 Sep 2008 | Cpt_Oblivious:
HardRockSamurai:
Holy shit! I think I'm going to have to get a second job.
I think I'll have to get a first job.
I think i'll have to rob those two guys who have jobs. |
Pulitzer Laureate Posts: 776 Joined: 21 May 2009 | Oh good, a reasonably priced fighting game. |
Infamous Scribbler Posts: 663 Joined: 10 Feb 2009 | Looks like the 4200 points I've bought from an insolvent department store at a 30% discount will see some use. But I'm still annoyed that Kodu isn't available in my country. |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 3572 Joined: 8 Feb 2009 | Shadow complex is the only intersting thing up there. |
Microsoft Reveals The Summer of Arcade 2009
What better way to spend the summer than with this month-long line-up of Xbox Live Arcade games that's sure to keep you locked up in your room while everyone else is out at the beach?
Ah, summer. That time of year when a gamer truly proves his or her mettle by saying no to outdoor barbeques, attractive people in swimwear and sunshine by settling deep into the couch and playing some freakin' videogames. And while summer has typically had a reputation for being "backlog clearing season" for its dearth of releases, Microsoft has plenty of offerings of the XBLA variety for their annual Summer of Arcade, which will run from July 22 to August 19.
Kicking off the season on July 22 is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-shelled, the HD remix of the classic Konami side-scroller. Re-shelled will feature new 3D graphics and some tweaks to level and enemy design, and cost 1200 Microsoft Points.
A week later on July 29 is what we (and by "we" I mean myself) have been waiting what seems like forever for: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (1200 MS Points). You guys probably already know the skinny on this one: HD-friendly graphics filters, widescreen support, online multiplayer and the chance to scream out "SCOOPS HAAGEN DASZ" over Xbox Live.
Microsoft must know me really well, because they seem to be aware of the fact that the only way to get me away from hyperactive 2D fighters is with one thing: explosions. Thus, The Maw developer Twisted Pixel Games' Splosion Man hits on August 5. It boasts 50 single-player levels and 50 multiplayer stages, and promises lots of platforming and 'sploding of things, if you didn't get your fill for that after seeing Transformers 2. It'll also be the only Summer of Arcade title that costs less than 1200 Points, with an 800 Point asking price.
The next week finds Redlynx's Trials franchise hitting on August 12 with Trials HD. If you played the Trials games on PC, you'll be familiar with the series' physics-based motorcycle platforming, where you try to guide a motocross bike through seriously challenging levels. Trials HD comes with 50 tracks and a level editor, and costs 1200 Microsoft Points.
Finally, the Summer of Arcade wraps up on August 19 with Shadow Complex (pictured), Epic Games' take on the Metroid-Castlevania formula of exploration-based action-platforming. Built in Unreal Engine 3, Shadow Complex promises the "quality and depth of a full retail game" with more than 10 hours of side-scrolling, item collection and power-up discoverin'.
Quite the summer. Who needs the beach? Socializing is totally overrated - you have the rest of the year for that.
Permalink