It’s summer again, and Microsoft has officially announced their second annual “Summer of Arcade.” Five major titles make up the list this year, and most of them seem pretty awesome. One new title is released each week starting July 22nd.
July 22: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-shelled – 1200 Microsoft Points
A remake of one of the best Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games, ever. 1200 points seems a little high, though, I guess they figure the best time to raise prices is when everyone is out of a job.
(Ubisoft Singapore®/Ubisoft®): Cowabunga dude! Marking the franchise’s 25 anniversary, everyone’s favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game is back with a brand new look in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled.” The arcade classic has been revamped with all new 3D graphics, but the same classic beat ’em up gameplay.
July 29: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 – 1200 Microsoft Points
Seriously, one of the best fighting games, ever. Again, 1200 points, really?
(Backbone Entertainment/Capcom): One of the most popular fighting games of all time, “Marvel vs. Capcom 2,” arrives worldwide on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Choose from 56 legendary characters from Marvel Comics and Capcom history, including Ryu and Wolverine. With online multiplayer over Xbox LIVE and enhanced HD graphics, decide your own dream team in the ultimate tag-team fighting experience.
August 5: Splosion Man – 800 Microsoft Points
I’ve never heard of this game before, so I’m just going to quote the official description. It’s not 1200 points, which is cool.
(Twisted Pixel Games/Microsoft): Fools they were, to tread where knowledge should stay forbidden. For what emerged was not a man – it was a Splosion Man. “And all who saw him were sploded, for he was the fire and they were but meat.” Able to splode himself at will, the Splosion Man launches his way through levels as an uncontainable force. From Twisted Pixel Games, developer of the award winning The Maw™, Splosion Man will keep you on your toes as you play through more than 50 single-player levels and 50 multiplayer levels. Nominated by GameSpy, Gamespot, IGN, and 411mania, this meat-riddled splosion-fest took several Best of E3 awards including Best Platformer and Best Downloadable Game.
August 12: Trials HD – 1200 Microsoft Points
A motorcycle racer that allows players to create tracks and share them through Xbox Live. For 1200 points.
(RedLynx/Microsoft): Nominated for GameSpy’s Best Downloadable Game of E3 award, “Trials HD” is guaranteed to get our heart racing.” Put on your helmet, and rev your way through “Trials HD,” a full-featured, physics-based motorcycle racing platformer in stunning HD graphics. Tear up more than 50 tracks and test your metal in two unique game modes: Race and Skill. Create, share and download an unlimited number of free tracks with the level editor, and customize your rider to fit your personality.
August 19: Shadow Complex – 1200 Microsoft Points
A Metroidvania-type game created using the Unreal Engine 3 and set in the world of Orson Scott Card’s novel Empire. This game really looks amazing to me, I never understood why Nintendo or Konami never made a new “2.5D” Metroid or Castlevania, traditional game play using a 3D engine (like Bionic Commando Rearmed did. Interestingly, Bionic Commando Rearmed did very well, while the full 3D remake Bionic Commando bombed). I’m sure they assume everyone would much rather a flashy new 3D entry in the series, which I believe isn’t the case at all. They’ve never even tried, which is another thing I don’t quite get. I could understand if they released one and the game sold poorly, but they haven’t. In fact, they’ve done the opposite and made plenty of 3D Castlevania games that have failed miserably. That’s not to say the 3D entries are all bad, the Metroid Prime games are good (the 3D Castlevania games, not so much), but it’s just not the same. Anyway, I’ll definitely be getting this one.
(Chair Entertainment and Epic Games/Microsoft): Winner of numerous Best of E3 awards including Best Downloadable Game from 1UP, IGN, GameTrailers and G4TV, “Shadow Complex” is the next evolution in downloadable games. “Shadow Complex” marries the quality and depth of a full retail title with the stunning visuals of Epic Games’ industry-leading Unreal Engine 3, and a classic side-scroller. Set in the world of Orson Scott Card’s best-selling novel, “Empire,” Shadow Complex provides more than 10 hours of in-depth gameplay and introduces a compelling universe.
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