Review: Hydro Thunder Hurricane (XBLA)

Genre: Racing
Designer: Matt Small (Creative Director)
Developer: Vector Unit, Inc.
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Console: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: Jul. 28, 2010
Rated: E for Everyone

Hydro Thunder Hurricane, available on Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA), is definitely worth the $15, or 1,200 MS points, it costs. Two words: rubber ducky. Never mind that there are several levels, each with enough shortcuts and secret passages to keep even single-player races interesting, this game is entirely about playing with friends and strangers via Xbox Live or otherwise ... and with a rubber duck!

Although I never played the original arcade game upon which this version is based (Hydro Thunder), I downloaded the demo on XBLA, discovered how smooth the single player was, and after discovering the frustrations that came from the allotted collectible boats and tracks therein, switched over to my permitted 10 minutes of Xbox Live time (wherein you get to explore any track with any boat — including my favorite, the infamous rubber ducky).

How much fun you'll have, truly the value behind any game, depends on your predisposition towards high-speed, high-stakes racing and lording your own victory over the collective failures of your competitors (or the general determination to win despite the looming laughter of finish line-wading winners). Like the automobile racing game GRID, one slip-up can mean the difference between a lengthy lead and a laughable last, promoting great tension during any race. There is also a good sense of humor through the courses, be it from either the announcer's (all too repetitive) comments on whatever you’ve just collected or backgrounds featuring mighty Thor creating waves in Asgard and alien ships dominating what appears to be Willy Wonka’s version of Mars. It should also be mentioned that the graphics are good (particularly the reflections in the water and water itself), but nothing that’ll turn a mariner’s head away from an albatross.

The physics engine lends great variety to the gameplay in terms of in- and out-of-water maneuverability (both of which come in very handy) throughout not only individual levels but level types as well. All in all, there are three game modes: Race, Ring Master, and Gauntlet. Championship courses combine all or some of the former into multi-event ... events. In addition to keeping things interesting, these different modes unlock various in-game goodies, such as new boat skins, new boats, and more tracks. OK, it’s actually mostly the points earned per event that add to your bank, but the more you play on tracks with which you’re not bored, the more prizes you earn, right?

Whenever I play online (King Ink), I host all rubber ducky races, and the squeaking from the "boats" is only barely audible over everyone's laughter. Even if you only work a minimal wage job, isn't two hours worth of pay worth infinite enjoyment and adrenaline of online boat racing? You know it is!

[Recommended]

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This review is based on a digital copy of the XBLA game purchased by the reviewer.

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Up for Download: 09.22.08 Edition

I’ve got to say, it’s an epic week for downloadable titles, a week worthy to follow in the wake of the truly epic Cho Aniki release a few weeks prior. While Mega Man 9 certainly steals the show on PSN and WiiWare – don’t worry XBLA yours is coming next week – there are still a plethora of interesting titles to behold from all the consoles. So lets just jump right in, we’ve got a lot to cover.

Duke Nukem 3D (XBLA, 800 Points): I remember playing this game as a kid on my Macintosh Performa 550 and it ran like an interactive slide show, clocking in at what seemed like 2 frames per second. Well now I’ve been given a second chance to chew ass and kick bubblegum – and I’m all outta’ ass – thanks to 3D Realms.

With all the great alien slaughtering of the original, 8 player co-op, and the ability to record in-game video, Duke Nukem 3D should help wet our appetites for both Duke Nukem Forever and the unfortunate Duke Nukem movie.

Vectorman (VC, 800 Points): Released back in 1995 by BlueSky Software for the Sega Genesis, Vectorman was sort of Sega’s answer to Nintendo’s Donkey Kong Country as they were both games that looked phenomenal at the time.

However, history has shown that it was Donkey Kong Country’s masterful level design that bumped this sleek, green robot from the spotlight. Vectorman would later make his return in Vectorman 2 a year later, but would then go dark soon after. For you long-time Genesis fans out there, this one’s for you.

Burnout Paradise (PSN, $29.99): As we reported back in August, the team at Criterion Games is bringing their open-world racing title, Burnout Paradise, to the digital distribution market via PSN. This announcement has cased a bit of a stir within the gaming press centered around that fact that if digital distribution such as this really begins to take hold then where does that leave outlets like GameStop who thrive on selling used games?

The release will also include, for free, all of the additional content that has been added to the game so far, including the motorcycles update that hit last week. Burnout Paradise is a title that has received a lot of mixed reactions for its non-linear take on racing, but no matter where you fall, for 30 bucks, you just can't pass this on up.

Mega Man 9 (WiiWare/PSN, 1,000 Points/$9.99): Time to step into the Way-Back Machine and revisit the late 1980s, when Mega Man 2 was on top – before it slid from grace into its cookie-cutter formula. Recapturing the 8-bit visuals, 8-bit music, and 8-bit grab you by the cohunes difficulty it what Capcom has been aspiring to with their latest true Mega Man release since Mega Man 8 on the PS1.

To those who step up to the challenge of Mega Man 9, you can expect a hardy portion of bottomless pits, spike traps, and Game Over screens to be sent your way. And with some planned DLC on the way, the pain just keeps on coming!

[via Game|Life, Joystiq, 1UP]

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Review: Castle Crashers (XBLA)

Genres: Action, Hack and Slash
Designers: Dan Paladin, Tom Fulp
Developer: The Behemoth
Publisher: Microsoft
Console: Xbox Live Arcade
Rated: T for Teen

It’s impossible to enjoy Castle Crashers without thinking back to the days of yore when red warrior and yellow wizard stood side-by-side in a desperate struggle against legions of undead. I’m speaking, of course, of Atari’s classic dungeon crawler Gauntlet, the four player arcade hit which helped pave the way for the hack and slash genre today. In today’s gaming landscape, where to be retro is to be cool again, the party-centric gameplay of the Gauntlet series is one that certainly deserves revisiting.

Now, that’s not to say that the Behemoth’s latest 2D foray is a direct sequel so much as it is an homage; a game which takes all the aspects that made the Gauntlet series great and updates them with today’s technological advances. The end result is a fast paced, kick-you-in-the-mouth experience that’s easy enough for you and a group of friends to hop into, while also offering some collection and RPG elements for that added replayability factor.

Armed with a sword, shield, and some magic spells, the four castle crashers are each tasked with searching far and wide for an evil wizard and four kidnapped princesses. Along the way an eclectic cast of enemies will attempt to stop them - ranging from the simple thief, to a troop of light saber wielding dark knights, all the way up to a giant cat crossed with a shark. If you haven’t guessed it already, everything you encounter here really sports its own flavor of twisted humor; I mean, in how many games are you able to fight off a giant cat/shark that has a little white bear for a jockey? That’s what I thought.

And as the host of villains you face increases, so to does your personal arsenal. Starting out, you’ll have nothing more than the basic light and heavy attacks, but before you know it you’ll be discovering new combos, advanced spells, and a few useful items to give you that edge: An edge which you’ll desperately need if you’re only going into this title alone or with a friend, as this game gets just downright brutal at times. If you manage to round up two other friends for co-op play, however, it’ll be smooth sailing.

Another way to give your characters an extra boost is to hunt down a few of those collectibles. In particular, new weapons and animal companions will each bring their own little stat tweaks, useful abilities, or sometimes both. Perhaps in your travels you’ll stumble across a giant meat tenderizer that gives you a boost to your strength, or a tiny owl companion who will search out food for your character. And also realize that almost every minion you fight can also be unlocked as a playable character, further driving home that collect-a-thon mentality.

In the Xbox Live Arcade marketplace there once existed a sizable gap in the shape of a fun, group-oriented action title that you and your friends could all hop into and enjoy together. Sure we had our Ninja Turtles and even our Gauntlets, but The Behemoth has succeeded in providing us with a fresh new take on the genre and therefore deserves a hardy “kudos.” Castle Crashers is a fantastic title worth every cent of your 800 space bucks and is a triumphant “bang” to finish off this Summer of Arcade!

Graphics/Sound:		4.0		Overall: (4.0 stars)
Gameplay:		3.0
Design/Story:		3.5
Lasting Appeal:		4.0

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Up for Download: 09.02.08 Edition

Welcome back from Labor Day, kiddos! You guys didn’t work too hard on your big day off, did you? I know I didn’t, which is why Up for Download is coming at you a day late this week and, not only that, this is probably the shortest one to date. All is quiet from the Xbox 360’s camp now that they’ve wrapped up their string of summer hits (the only thing I could gleam out of them was news of a patch in the works for Castle Crashers). PSN mostly just has The Last Guy, but we already talked about him; while this week’s biggest release comes to us from Nintendo of all places.

Super Mario RPG (VC, 800 Points): Another of the great RPGs for the Super Nintendo finds a home on virtual console this week. Back in 1996, Super Mario RPG was a completely out of left field collaboration between Square Enix (then Squaresoft) and Nintendo. Bringing together both worlds, the game had both the simple charm and solid controls of a Mario as well as the imagination and polish of a Final Fantasy. If you haven’t before, definitely check this one out today!

Warhawk Operation: Fallen Star (PSN, $7.99): Fallen Star is the third expansion pack for the online third person shooter Warhawk. The expansion can be purchased separately or, for those of us late to the party, as a pack with the other two expansions for roughly $16. The pack will include a new jetpack and some rebalancing of the older maps to accommodate the jetpack’s awesomeness. Oh, and don’t forget to snag the update that was released last week as well as it includes, among other things, some tutorials to aid those who really are late to the Warhawk party.

UPDATE: Naturally, right after I write up this post news breaks of Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball, Shredded Nebula, and...wait for it...Gin Rummy all coming to XBLA this week! The post also comes right as I'm walking out the door to go to class; looks like you kids are going to have to do some homework on this one. Thanks Kotaku!

[via 1UP, Joystiq]

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Meteos Wars brings DS puzzle action to XBLA

It's been a long time since I last picked up Meteos, Q Entertainment's fantastically unique DS puzzler released near the beginning of the system's lifespan. Fans like me awaiting its DS sequel may be excited (or disappointed) to find out that Q will be bringing Meteos Wars, the newest entry in the series, to Xbox Live Arcade. According to Joystiq's post on the game, it will feature a two-player mode wherein players rack up points to fill a gauge and unlock a special attack. The game will come to America for 800 MS points ($10) this October.

Q tried previously to revitalize the Meteos franchise with a bitterly-received Disney-themed DS sequel. Meteos Wars looks like it has a lot of potential on XBLA, but I for one have doubts about the original DS control scheme being rewrought for a normal gamepad.

[via Joystiq]

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Up for Download: 08.25.08 Edition

This week in Up for Download marks the end of the Summer of Arcade releases, which is going out with a bang – or should I say a crash – with The Behemoth’s long awaited Castle Crashers hitting XBLA. Nintendo’s Virtual Console continues to drag itself along with Samurai Shodown 2 and Ys books I and II, while the truly unique The Last Guy sees a release on the American PSN. All-in-all I’d say it’s been a pretty good summer for downloadable titles, and here’s hoping for more of the same!

Castle Crashers (XBLA, 1,200 Points): At long last we laymen shall finally have the chance to enjoy the simple pleasures of crashing a castle. Much like The Behemoth’s first title, Alien Hominid, Castle Crashers is another beat’em up sidescroller with some RPG elements mixed in for good measure. Packed to the brim with four player co-op, lots of unlockable characters, and damsels in distress aplenty, this game is by far my most anticipated game out of this Summer of Arcade.

Helix (WiiWare, 1,000 Points): So let’s say you’re planning on buying one of these newfangled Wii Fit balance boards so that you can whip yourself into shape, but you can’t find one anywhere. Looking to fulfill your workout fix, you turn to Ghostfire Games’ Helix, a rhythm-action fitness title that has you holding a Wii-mote in each hand while you flail your arms out to trance music. In retrospect, you decide that jumping jacks are a better deal.

The Last Guy (PSN, $9.99): If you haven’t already checked out the demo for this title then what I’m about to say might not make a lot of sense to you. From SCE Japan comes a bizarre mash-up of a game that combines equal parts pac-man and zombies. The idea is that you are a caped crusader traversing the streets of some very high resolution satellite photos of major cities collecting a line of people who you escort to safety. Needless to say, there are lots of zombies and other monsters who are trying to stop you.

Kratos for Hot Shots Golf (PSN, $1.99): If you’ve been enjoying Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds, but find that it just isn’t…well…angry enough for you then why not toss in God of War’s Kratos to kick up that rage factor; puts John Daly’s putter throwing to shame.

[via Joystiq, WIRED]

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Up for Download: 08.18.08 Edition

Up for Download is changing things up a little bit this week. Those of you who are keeping score at home might notice the absence of such triple-A releases as Neo Turf Masters (VC) and Midnight Pool (WiiWare). Well, that’s because Up for Download is, as the industry likes to put it, streamlining its operations a bit and will now be spotlighting releases that we should take some interest in, without all the fluff. Enjoy the taste of this week’s line up, now with half the calories of the original!

Galaga Legions (XBLA, 800 Points): After successfully reenergizing the Pac-Man franchise with Pac-Man: Championship Edition, developer Namco-Bandai is looking to work that same magic with the arcade classic Galaga. New game modes, flashy colors, and a pulsing techno beat is what you can expect from the fourth title in Microsoft’s Summer of Arcade release this Thursday.

Mega Man (VC, 500 Points): The title that helped put Capcom’s Keiji Inafune on the map in the gaming world is back to put a little twang of nostalgia in our hearts as we gear up from the upcoming release of Mega Man 9. That is, it would if we hadn’t already smashed Cut Man to pieces on the NES, Genesis, PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, PC, and just about on any other console you can think of.

Street Fighter Alpha (PSN, $5.99): Set before the events of Street Fighter II, Alpha was never quite able to recapture the rabid fanbase the forerunner enjoyed - despite its technical superiority. The title was originally released in arcades back in ’95, and later received a port to the Playstation in ’96, bringing with it an expanded Super Combo system, as well as the ability to block in mid-air.

Ratchet and Clank Future: Quest for Booty (PSN, $14.99): This bite-sized sequel to Insomniac’s own Tools of Destruction promises to deliver the same platforming and puzzle solving elements that made the original such a hit. Clocking in at about three to four hours in length, Quest for Booty isn’t without a few new tricks up its sleeve to help draw in a new crowd of gamers that perhaps haven’t tried a Ratchet title before. (Shame on them!)

The Force Unleashed [Demo] (XBL & PSN, Free): While the actually release date for Force Unleashed is a ways off, we can still get a taste of the action this Thursday, August 21st. The demo will be set in the TIE Fighter Construction Facility, seen in some recent GDC footage, which is under siege by Rahm Kota, an exiled Jedi General, and will introduce players to the force grip ability.

[via Joystiq, Opposable Thumbs]

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Up for Download: 08.11.08 Edition

This week, boys and girls, I think there’s something out there that we can all get excited about. The NES classic Bionic Commando lives again on the PS3 and 360 - although one version might just be a cut above the other. Those looking to get a taste of Fable II can also check out Pub Games and twiddle away their money before the game even starts. Then, on the Wii, we see the release of two TurboGrafx16 titles that nobody has ever played along with the first episode of Strong Bad's new adventure game. Enjoy!

Bionic Commando: Rearmed (XBLA, 800 Points): All right kids, put away your Lost Planets and your Spider-Man 2’s, because the undisputed grappling hook master is back. Originally released for the NES back in 1988, this remake promises to expand upon everything we know and love about Bionic Commando while also throwing in a graphics overhaul and some multiplayer to boot (though, we did lose the exploding Hitler head).

Fable II Pub Games (XBLA, 800 Points): As I reported earlier this week, Pub Games is a collection of parlor games set in the universe of Fable II. In this medieval casino players will be able to gamble away their money and, if they're lucky, will end up having a nice chunk of change to use when they start up their character in Fable II.

Star Parodier (VC, 900 Points): This shoot’em up from Hudson Soft is meant to be a parody of their Star Soldier series and was released back in 1992 for the TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM. Featuring a humble cast of Bomberman, Paroceaser, and PC-Engine (get it?), this title isn’t meant to be nearly as challenging a title as the one it’s mocking. Star Parodier has also enjoyed some critical acclaim since its VC debut, however this is one that I would have to try before I made a purchase.

Break In (VC, 700 Points): It’s a billiards game; if you enjoy this genre then you should already have a title that you enjoy very much and shouldn’t download this game, if you don’t enjoy this genre then you should go play something else and not download this game.

Strong Bad Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner (WiiWare, 1,000 Points): here is a title that has two strong points going for it: it’s developed by Telltale Games (Sam & Max), and is based on the popular Homestar Runner flash series. And as you might have guessed from the title it’s just the first episode in what looks to be a long line of point-and-click adventure games for the Wii and PC.

Bionic Commando: Rearmed (PSN, $9.99): just like XBLA, PSN is also getting this remake of the old NES classic – but with a few extra twists. First, the Playstation’s d-pad is the superior d-pad – having four separate directions instead of one big button means more precision. Second, there’s remote-play for Bionic Commando action on the go, if you have that kind of money. Third, there will be achievements trophies added on in a latter patch, so don’t worry.

[via Opposable Thumbs, Joystiq]

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XBLA GoldenEye, we hardly knew thee

There is still a lot of love out there for the N64 classic GoldenEye; a title which finally made it cool to shoot at people using a gamepad. Sadly, however, it seems that this title, one that is held so high in our memories, will remain just that – a memory. In an interview with VideoGamer.com, Rare senior software engineer Nick Burton was able to shed some light onto the game’s fate.

When last we heard the title had been put on indefinite hold thanks to a disagreement between Nintendo and Microsoft over how the revenue would be divvied up. Kotaku later reported that it was Nintendo’s President, Satoru Iwata, who was to blame for this state of affairs – stating that, since GoldenEye was originally a Nintendo title, it shouldn’t see a release on someone else’s console. Skip ahead six months and now we’re getting Rare’s Banjo-Kazooie instead – wait, what's going on here?

Concerning Bond, Nick Burton explains: "That was a tricky one. To be fair, I kind of wished that the differences got sorted out, but obviously there's the licensing issue for Bond, even if it's something that's already come out. It's incredibly hard to solve because there's so many license holders involved. You've got the guys that own the license to the gaming rights now, the guys that have the license to Bond as an IP, and there are umpteen licensees."

He goes on to explain that the title is no longer in Rare’s hands, stating that it’s “locked in this no man's land.” Ah well, perhaps it’s better that we all remember GoldenEye as it was instead of testing how well this 11-year-old title holds up today.

[via Destructoid]

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Up for Download: 08.04.08 Edition

The Summer of Arcade is now in full swing, and this week marks the release of Braid - a title which will probably be the hardest sell of all since it doesn’t have an “Evolved” or “Rearmed” or “HD Remix” after its name. Then we have the Virtual Console, which is a little less awful this week. Hopefully the WiiWare shooting gallery Wild West Guns will restore some faith in the service after last week's Pong Toss. Finally there's PSN, which has some slim pickings, but the Ratchet & Clank pseudo-sequel Quest for Booty and The Last Guy are both set for an August release!

Braid (XBLA, 1200 Points): From the mind of independent developer Jonathan Blow comes Braid, a title which promises to melt some brains with its bizarre, time-manipulating puzzles. The game will also be melting a few wallets with its hefty price tag ($12), but don’t let that discourage you from checking out the totally free demo for the new puzzle/platformer.

Sonic the Hedgehog (VC, 500 Points): I grew up with Sonic and out of all of his Genesis releases I’d say this one is the weakest. Compared to Sonic 2 and 3, the original is so much slower paced and focuses too much on the puzzle solving aspect for my taste. Though, eating all that Cookie Crisp and watching Power Rangers might have had something to do with that.

Splatterhouse 2 (VC, 800 Points): Now, unlike Sonic, I didn't spend any of my childhood slaying monsters in Namco’s side-scrolling beat'em up Splatterhouse. Released back in 1992, the series is now getting a next-gen remake and is also the first title on the Virtual Console to receive the M-rating. Alpha moms beware…

Wild West Guns (WiiWare, 1,000 Points): I watched George Stevens’ western classic Shane this weekend, and at no point during the movie did I see any of the following: flying sombreros, hot air balloons carrying TNT, or tiny men in purple suits rushing the screen. Obviously Mr. Stevens had no idea what the real Wild West was really like, unlike Gameloft’s shooting gallery Wild West Guns.

PixelJunk Eden (PSN, $9.99): Last week’s biggest demo is this week’s biggest game release on PSN. As the third installment to the PixelJunk series, Eden continues the tradition of being a wholly different game from the previous titles. This time you play as a small speck navigating its way through a colorful and ever-changing garden by throwing yourself around and sticking to thing. Trust me, this one is worth a look!

[via Joystiq, PS3 Fanboy]

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Up for Download: 07.28.08 Edition

(Ed: Sorry, I didn't have a chance to post this on it's normal Monday date. Enjoy.)

Just this week Microsoft announced their "Summer of Arcade" release schedule. This is a list of five potential XBLA blockbusters that'll carry us into the Fall gaming season (including Castle Crashers, FINALLY). Not to be outdone, Sony and the PS3 are dropping a classic rhythm action title on us, as well as the beautifully rendered third installment to the PixelJunk series. Then there’s Nintendo...which, yeah...doesn't really bring much to the table this week.

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 (XBLA, 800 Points): The first of Microsoft’s "Summer of Arcade" releases, Bizarre Creation's Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 is the sequel to one of the biggest titles on XBLA. Packed with new games modes, four player local co-op (no online, sorry kids), and the same bright, flashy colors we’ve all come to enjoy, Retro Evolved 2 is a must-have for any 360 owner.

Chase H.Q. (VC, 600 Points): Released back in 1988, this arcade racer from developer Taito has a very strong cops-and-robbers vibe to it. Behind the wheel of a black Porsche 928, your mission is to intercept wanted criminals in high-speed chases. The game was well-received and spawned two sequels with multiple iterations on the Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, and TurboGrafx-16.

Art of Fighting 2 (VC, 900 Points): It's another of the early SNK fighters released for the Neo Geo back in 1994. Now, I’ve played Art of Fighting 2, as well as several other 2D brawlers for the Neo Geo, and my advice to you would be to save your money. There are a dozen fighters on that console that haven’t seen a release yet that'll better warrant your 900 Nintendo dollars (and they also don't look like they've been molded out of clay).

Pong Toss: Frat Party Games (WiiWare, 800 Points): It is my sincere wish that history does not record JV Games’ Beer Pong Pong Toss: Frat Party Games as the first in a long line of college idiocy related titles. The classic sport of bouncing a ping-pong ball across a table into a plastic cup has been recreated here for up to four players in the game’s two available modes: Championship and Speed Pong. I say just keep holding out for Mega Man 9. It'll be here one of these days.

Parappa the Rapper (PSN, $22.99): One of the early rhythm games for the original Playstation is now available via PSN. From developer NaNaOn-Sha, the game has you timing button presses to bizarre hip-hop tracks, some of which feature a material artist with an onion for a head. The title has been a bit of a cult classic since its original release back in 1996, and it’s good to see it living on through PSN (and PSP).

1942: Joint Strike (PSN, $9.99): We all remember Capcom’s shoot’em up remake from last week with its release on XBLA. This title never earned that slot on my line up though since, after playing the demo, I started having terrible flashbacks to my time with the Dreamcast top-down shooter Ikaruga. Sure, they’re both legendary titles, but I find that the bullet hell shooters just drive my patience (and my controller) to a breaking point.

PixelJunk Eden demo (PSN, free): Hoo boy, I’ve been hearing a lot of positive buzz surrounding Q-Games’ latest title. From what I’ve seen, you play as a tiny dot with the ability to stick to and swing from the various plants which grow and change as you navigate the level. It’s a bizarre title, that’s for sure, but an interesting one that I definitely want to check out soon. Look forward to the game’s full release later this week.

[via Gamasutra, Kotaku, and PS3 Fanboy]

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Up for Download: 07.21.08 Edition

(Ed: Welcome to "Up for Download," a new weekly column written by our own Maxwell "Pigeonflu" McGee. In each entry of this column, Pigeonflu will go over the newest titles being released on the Playstation Network, WiiWare, and Xbox Live Arcade, while giving his opinions on each one. So, without further ado, here is Up for Download: 7.21.08 Edition.)

A couple of good old fashioned shoot’em ups is what we’ve got up for download this week on 360 and Wii. A classic title is revisited while two others make the debut for the first time. PSN also rolls out their third installment of the Siren series which follows in Alone in the Dark’s episodic footsteps. It’s an interesting selection this week and one that’ll hopefully become the norm for downloadable titles instead of the exception.

1942: Joint Strike (XBLA, 800 Points): Another of the potentially great remakes is headed for the 360 curiosity of Capcom studios. This vertical shooter has received much praise from the enthusiast press since its announcement and might even earn a slot on my arcade line-up.

Go! Go! Break Steady (XBLA, 800 Points): The break out title from Little Boy Games, an independent game studio based out of Vancouver, advertises a combination of dance music and rhythm action. From what I’ve seen you control a break dancing character on screen through a combination of timed button presses and matching colored symbols.

Jade Empire (Xbox Original, 1200 Points): Another of the excellent action RPGs from Bioware which arrived after KOTOR but before Mass Effect on the original Xbox. The title enjoyed much critical acclaim upon its release and, unlike the other two titles, is available for download today (Monday the 21^st).

Super Fantasy Zone (VC, 900 Points): A 1993 release from developer Sunsoft, this title looks a cross between a horizontal shooter and Kirby’s Dreamland and is apparently the last title in a long line of Fantasy Zone games. Just take one look at it and you’ll see what I mean!

Gley Lancer (VC, 900 Points): A vertical shooter originally released back in 1992. This manga inspired space shooter from developer NCS has never seen a release here in the states after its original release in Japan on the Sega Mega Drive.

Pirates: The Key of Dreams (WiiWare, 1000 Points): Our third shoot’em up for download this week, Pirates is developed by Oxygen Games and supports up to four players. The game is apparently meant to be the prequel to the DS title Pirates: Duels on High Seas which is set for an August release.

Siren: Blood Curse (PSN, $40 total/$15 per episode): From SCE's Japanese studio, this latest installment in the Siren stealth/horror series will be available this Thursday. The game will follow an American TV crew trapped in a remote Japanese village and will be available as a complete package or as individual episodes.

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Puzzle Quest Expansion Coming to XBLA

Gamasutra has reported that an expansion to the insanely addicting Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords for XBLA will be arriving this Wednesday, July 23^rd. Following a recent price drop of the original title, the new expansion, titled Revenge of the Plague Lord, will feature several new additions to the game.

Included are four new classes, Bard, Rogue, Ranger and Warlock, which will bring with them a total of 50 new spells and 40 new items. A new area of the map has also been announced called “Southern Map." It will have 25 new quests as well as new monsters and bosses.

A raised level cap (you can level up to 60 now) and three new achievements finish off the long list of new content included with this release. Expect your virtual wallets to be 700 space bucks lighter when this exclusive release hits on Wednesday.

[via Gamasutra]

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Microsoft hosts Global Warming Development Contest

It seems that somebody is following Doug Lowenstein's advice, as Microsoft has recently announced a game development contest called the Games for Change Challenge for college students to make games with real-world significance. They have chosen the touchy subject of global warming for the topic. All games must be made in Microsoft's XNA Game Studio Express program, and the winners might even be used with Xbox Live Arcade or Games for Windows Live Arcade.

This is a great decision on the part of Microsoft, and I'm very interested in seeing some of these games. How do you think someone would incorporate global warming into an interesting game?
[via Kotaku]

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