[360] Official XBLA thread. Complain about the new price points but buy the garbage anyway!

Originally Posted by nuttyturnip

Did anyone else buy Carcossonne yet? I played a few matches last night, and I think it's my new favorite arcade game. It's completely different from Catan, and the game moves a lot faster too. Definitely one of those games that's easy to pick up but difficult to master.

I picked up a copy of Carcossonne on XBLA after a mate of mine brought round a copy of the board game. It's good fun and really addictive. As you say, easy to pick up but takes a while before you start working out the best strategies. I like games like that.

Anyone else excited about Speedball 2 getting an XBLA release. I used to love that game. I so hope it has aged well.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Elixir

In other news, Bomberman LIVE is the best game available on XBLA. Any questions? Apart from abuse of dangerous bomb + full fire, I find nothing wrong with it. At all. Hell I don't give a shit if someone has remote control bombs, at least it won't dominate 75% of the map in one blow.

Thing is, dangerous bomb is dangerous to everyone, including the person who lays it. I don't think it makes someone unbeatable at all. But yeah, definitely an awesome game.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Elixir

I played a game last night where there were 3 full fires and 3 dangerous bombs. People were constantly dying. It was just too much. I can't host matches myself (some firewall issue, don't know how to fix) but I definitely wouldn't want more than one per map.

That's not actually something you can set, you can only specify if you have the power-ups/downs on or not. The number of them that appear is just pot luck. Three dangerous bombs in play could certainly lead to a short game.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Yes, because heaven forbid that people who may not have got the chance to play these games originally should do so now. Or that people who enjoyed them but long since lost/sold their copies/machines shouldn't get a chance to re-enjoy them. Sorry Lix, but that's a crappy attitude. Games are for playing, not hording and fretting over the value of.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I rather like Hexic, but I'm not sure Hexic 2 will be worth 800 MSpoints. Will have to see I guess. Might pick it up if it's got some interesting new features/modes.

I'm guessing people have heard the news about 3D Realms wanting to bring Duke Nukem 3D to XBLA (article). Not sure I'd buy it, but could be an interesting addition.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I notice Hexic 2 is out today on XBLA. Anyone else thinking of checking it out? I rather enjoyed the original Hexic HD, and the idea of the battle mode and online play sounds like it could be worth a look.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Yeah, the 800 points thing is what's slightly putting me off. 400 points I'd get it no question, but I'm hoping the battle mode will justify it. I'll definitely check out the trial version regardless and I imagine I'll get it.

Additional Spam:
OK, so I played the trial of Hexic 2 last night, and perhaps I won't be bothering after all. The battle mode just feels messy and I never really felt in full control of what was going on. I shall stick to the original Hexic me thinks.

FELIPE NO

Jeff Minter had been writing a column in EDGE, mainly about the development of Space Giraffe, over the last 6-ish months. An interesting read and made Space Giraffe sound like an interesting prospect. I'll certainly be playing the trial and for 400 MS points I could see myself buying it.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Actually it's going to be 800 points. Seems the 400 points thing was a 'typo' by Minter on his blog (something has me feeling it wasn't a typo and M$ have decided they can get more money for it). See this Eurogamer article for details.

That's a bit disappointing, 800 points makes it far more of a 'maybe'.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Since when? It's been a pretty good time of late if you ask me, stuff like Bomberman Live and classics like Track & Field. Plus there's Puzzle Fighter HD coming up (so looking forward to that). I would think we would naturally enter a drier time as we ramp up to Christmas and more big titles are coming up. Maybe not though.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Super Puzzle Figher II Turbo HD Remix is arriving this Wednesday: link. Chalk that up as one I'll most certainly be getting, unless somehow they've managed to cod up the gameplay, which seems unlikely.

Also, Bomberman Live is getting an expansion pack - hell yes.

Quote:

This new add-on pack will add over a dozen new features, including ten new characters, two additional levels, two new leader boards, and a brand new game mode. Bomb-Up Pack 1 is expected to launch on August 29 and will cost 250 Microsoft Points

[ source ]

Sounds like something I may just be picking up, given how awesome Bomberman Live is, especially if it's 250 points.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Not only do we get SPFIIHDR and the Bomberman Live expansion today, no we also get Streets of Rage 2:

Quote:

As you can probably surmise, it's the second game in SEGA's scrolling beat-'em-up series, and the Major Nelson blog reveals that it supports two-player action locally and over Xbox Live, as Axel, Blaze, Skate and Max Thunder try to take down Mr. X.

Doing so will cost 400 Microsoft points (GBP 3.40 / EUR 4.65)

[ source ]

This could make for an expensive M$ points day if Streets of Rage 2 holds up (I remember enjoying it a fair amount when younger).

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Well there you go, be frustated no more.

It's definitely an awesome day for XBLA. Not as much for my wallet, but that's a temporary pain I can easily get over.

Most amazing jew boots

Excellent, Sonic 1 was a blast to play through again and I have fond memories of 2. For 400 points that could be another worthy addition to my ever growing XBLA collection.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Has anyone else had any trouble with finding matches through the custom match search in SPFIITHDR? Last night, if I selected custom match under ranked games it seems to lock up on the 'refreshing' message. Most irritating.

FELIPE NO

Not tried it yet, been at work. Will give it a go in a bit, but fingers crossed, as you say, it was a server issue that's been sorted now.

Additional Spam:

Originally Posted by 2401 Penitent Tangent

Is it still an issue?

Would seem not, in as much as it doesn't lock up on that screen anymore. Still only managed to return one game, which it failed to connect to. That's not great, but at least it's not killing it anymore, which is a bonus. Played Mo0 last night and mostly got my ass handed to me. Will definitely have to get some practise in.

Additional Spam:
Woo, three posts on the trot, but this seems a worthwhile mention:

Quote:

For the 48 hour period beginning at 12:00 a.m. GMT on Sunday, September 2 and continuing until 11: 59 p.m. GMT on Monday, September 3, the following Xbox LIVE Arcade games will be available for half their usual price:

Small Arms - 400 Microsoft Points (normally 800 Microsoft Points)
Easy to pick up but hard to put down, "Small Arms" is a frantic multiplayer action game with the feel of an arcade shooter.

Zuma Deluxe- 400 Microsoft Points (normally 800 Microsoft Points)
Explore more than 20 realms in Adventure mode and put your skills to the test in this fast-paced puzzle game.

Gauntlet - 200 Microsoft Points (normally 400 Microsoft Points)
The original dungeon crawler lets four adventurers explore and fight together as a warrior, valkyrie, wizard, and elf.

Dig Dug - 200 Microsoft Points (normally 400 Microsoft Points)
Experience the fast-paced action of this quarter-cruncher from 1982 as you take control of Dig Dug himself and vanquish Pookas and Fygars.

Remember: If the game is available in your region, it will be available for the ‘sale’ price during the above time.

[ source ]

Also, they've announced next week's XBLA releases: Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury - [ source ].

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I think I'd be inclined to give Dig Dug a play. Might have a read up about Zuma, as if it's half decent, for 200 points you can't go too wrong. Like you I wasn't impressed by the demo of Small Arms either.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Quote:

Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe has been delayed until mid-October.

The Live Arcade title was originally expected in August, but mysteriously disappeared as the release date approached.

...

The Live Arcade version will add polished-up visuals and leaderboards, and is expected at a price of 800 points (GBP 6.80 / EUR 9.60).

[ source ]

Shame about the delay, but this is still one I've got my eye on. Loved Speedball 2 back in the day so I just hope it's aged well.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Shin

Here's hoping they get hold of the Bitmap Brothers back catalogue or something similar.

That would rock. I remember me and my mate playing our way through Choas Engine and loving that at the time.

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A look at some of the upcoming XBLA games from the TGS:
First Impressions - TGS: Xbox Live Arcade Roundup // Xbox 360 /// Eurogamer

EXIT and EEEE looking rather intruiging, but all of the games mentioned sound like excellent additions to the XBLA roster.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

They're doing another limited time reduction on the price of a few XBLA titles: Bankshot Billards 2, Frogger and Hardwood Spades. For more info, follow the link: Limited Time Price Cut on Select Xbox Live Arcade Titles - Xbox

None of them look all that interesting, but if they're something you've considered then a reduced price might be the temptation required to make the purchase.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Equally they might use this week to push out some shite no one's likely to play to keep the string of new releases going.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Quote:

Empire Interactive has said that Speedball II: Brutal Deluxe will be on Live Arcade next Wednesday.

It will cost you 800 points (GBP 6.80 / EUR 9.30) and feature more teams, better graphics - including a 3D option, head-to-head online multiplayer and an improved upgrade system.

[ source ]

Hell fucking yes. This is one XBLA release I'm definitely looking forward to.

FELIPE NO

How the devil is the last post in this thread back in last October?! That is wrong on a whole number of levels, especially given there's been some decent XBLA titles that have hit in the last few months (Rez HD comes to mind, and I'm sure Skills would point to Ikaruga).

Anyways, this is fairly interesting news:

Quote:

Namco Bandai has announced plans to blow the dust off the original Soul Calibur and whack the game on Xbox Live Arcade.

Apparently it'll feature "a variety of leaderboards spanning every character and mode", and you'll be able to choose from Arcade, Training and Survival modes. A "local-play Versus mode" is also listed but there's no suggestion you'll be able to battle it out online.

[ source ]

Coming sometime this summer, it sounds like. Hell yes is all I have to say about that. Will be a bit of a shame if there's no online battles, but if they price it OK, liveable-with.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I'd be up for playing an XBLA version of Soul Blade (that's Soul Edge for some of you), hell yes. I guess Soul Calibur is where a lot of people will have joined the series, or maybe there's some underlying techinical reason why porting SC across is possible/easier.

I'm raising an eyebrow at a lack of mention of SC's mission/story mode as an included feature. If it's just the arcade mode of SC then it'd better be bloody reasonably priced (which it won't).

Jam it back in, in the dark.