What: Undertow
When: 1/23 - 1/27
How Much: FREE!

Don’t forget to nab your free copy of Undertow before the 27th, and of those of you that all ready paid for a copy - don’t forget to call support and get your 800 points!  I called support earlier, about my wireless problems, and happened to bring it up - they told me that I should get 800 points within 24-72 hours.  I asked if it would just happen or if I had to call, they said it would have just happened - but if I were you, I would call to make sure.

So the rumors have been flying for a while now, but is it true?  This is supposedly a video of our beloved Golden Eye 007 in the flesh - Xbox Live Arcade style..

No achievements, and could simply be an edit job - I tend to think it MIGHT be fake, but with the number of rumors floating around perhaps the game itself is a truth….  What do you think?

Just saw a posting over at the gamerscore blog.  Remember the letter from Mark Whitten, well they finally have decided what the free game is going to be - and its available for all Gold and Silver members Wednesday till Sunday next week.  Before you explode in anger that you all ready bought this underwater adventure, calm down and continue reading…The following quote is directly from the gamerscoreblog comments - and written by John Porcaro.

# re: Undertow Free of Charge Next Week on Xbox LIVE Arcade
Friday, January 18, 2008 12:04 PM by Scotty
What if you already have Undertow?
# re: Undertow Free of Charge Next Week on Xbox LIVE Arcade
Friday, January 18, 2008 12:09 PM by John Porcaro
You should call support, they’re prepared to take care of you.

So if you dont have it, enjoy saving the $10 and give the full game a try and get some achievements, if you all ready have the game - let me know what support does for you, I am not sure if I am going to take the time to call or not.

What: Metal Slug 3
When: 01/02/08 5AM EST
How Much: ?
More Info: Xbox.com
Screen Shots: My Gallery

The fourth title in the “Metal Slug” series joins the Xbox LIVE Arcade library as “Metal Slug 3” arrives this Wednesday, January 2 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PST).

An update of the original arcade version, “Metal Slug 3″ is a run-and-gun video game updated with HD graphics and now features co-op multiplayer over Xbox LIVE. “Metal Slug 3” provides gamers with various route selections within each stage enabling players to play over and over. Join Marco, Tarma, Eri and Fio, the four veterans in the “Metal Slug” series, as they hit the battlefield to stop General Morden from disturbing the order and peace that has begun to return to the world. Throughout the game, various vehicles called “Slugs” are made available to help players in battle and to complete the mission. The game features co-op gameplay for up to two players over Xbox LIVE. Developed by SNK Playmore, “Metal Slug 3” will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.

What: Asteroids & Asteroids
When: 11/28/07 5:00 AM EST
How Much: 400 MP ($5)
Screen Shots: My Gallery
More Info: Xbox.com

 VS

Another classic from back in the ‘Good Old Days’.  The days of a black screen, and a triangle used to shoot asteroids - and the space ship if you were oh so lucky.  Many of you probably aren’t even old enough to have played the this classic in its glory - hell it was originally released when I was only a wee one year old - but somehow lasted many years later.  For those of you looking for that trip down memory lane, they provided the original game format as well as a shall i say “pimped” edition.  To keep up with todays gaming demands, they upgraded the graphics - it even has COLOR now!  All joking aside the graphics look pretty sweet.  As always another 200 Gamerscore to obtain, and at the budget price of $5. 

Should you buy it?  Give the demo a spin, and decide if you like it enough to buy the full game (thats what the demo is there for) - I might pick it up just to take a walk down memory lane….well that and you all know that I am an xbox live arcade junkie.

Get ready for classic space shooting action with the release of “Asteroids” and “Asteroids Deluxe” which will be available jointly for download on Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 this Wednesday, November 28 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PST).

Save the earth from a deadly deluge of asteroids and re-experience the beloved arcade classics “Asteroids” and “Asteroids Deluxe” on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Players control a spaceship in an asteroid field and shoot to destroy asteroids and saucers, all while trying to avoid a costly collision. Complete with re-mastered HD visuals and the whiplash inducing high-speed “throttle monkey” mode, players will be hooked for hours! “Asteroids” and “Asteroids Deluxe” will be available worldwide as a joint download for 400 Microsoft Points and are rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.

What: Undertow
When: 11/21/07
How Much: 800 MP ($10)
Screen Shots: My Gallery
More Info: Xbox.com 

I got to put my hands on Undertow a while back, at first it was a bit confusing but I got a better handle on it after playing for a bit.  I believe we were playing on a development build of the game and we only played a 2 player mulitplayer game, so my experience was definately limited. 16 player underwater battles definately seem interesting, can’t wait to get a hold of the demo and see what has changed. The game also got (as you can see in the banner) an editors choice award from OXM and Best of E3 from IGN.com.

Below is the official game trailer

more…

What: ScrewJumper!
When: 11/14/07 5AM EST
How Much: 800 MP ($10)
More Info: xbox.com
Screenshots: my gallery

Xbox LIVE Arcade launches its 100th title with “Screwjumper!.” Published by THQ and developed by Frozen Codebase, players take the plunge in “Screwjumper!” and free-fall into the depths of a chaotic underworld, driving aliens back to their home world by destroying their precious mining equipment. The free-falling action takes place on four different planets and features a total of 20 mines.
 
“Screwjumper!” allows players to compete with friends locally via a split-screen mode, as well as over Xbox LIVE. The game will be available worldwide with the exception of Korea and Japan this Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PST) for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated “E 10+” by the ESRB.
•             For more details on “Screwjumper!,” please visit http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/s/screwjumperxboxlivearcade/default.htm

What: Shrek-N-Roll
When: 11/14/07 5AM EST
How Much: 800 MP ($10)
More Info: xbox.com
Screenshots: My Gallery

Join “Shrek®,” “Fiona,” “Donkey,” “Puss in Boots” and 20 other twisted fairy tale friends in “SHREK N ROLL,” a puzzle game designed for ogres of all ages on Xbox LIVE Arcade.
 
Navigate through 16 challenging mazes across four unique environments in Far Far Away’s newest competitive tournament. Test your tilting and rolling skills in Single Player mode, challenge others in Versus mode, or work together with friends and family in 2-player local Co-op mode. The game will be available worldwide with the exception of Korea and Japan this Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PST) for 800 Microsoft Points, and is rated “E” (Everyone – Comic Mischief) by the ESRB.
•             For more details on “SHREK N ROLL,” please visit http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/s/shreknrollxboxlivearcade/ 

What: SwitchBall
When: 11/07/07 5AM EST
How Much: 800 MP ($10)
More Info: xbox.com
Screen Shots: my gallery

Without playing this or Marble Blast Ultra, I will make an assumption that this is a similar game.  I could be completely wrong on that fact but they both seem to have 3d boards and marbles :-)  Lots of my friends loved Marble Blast Ultra - so for the sake of Switchball I hope that my assumption is right, and it will most likely end up being a pretty big success - even so it looks like an interesting arcade game to at least try the demo.  Originally I posted about this game about a month ago - it is just one of the very large number of arcades Sierra Games has in store for us.  The following description comes direct from the press release:

In “Switchball,” players conquer breathtakingly beautiful labyrinthine mazes as they manipulate the unique physical properties of an ever-changeable ball to solve clever puzzles. Morph into the Metalball and ram objects out of your way, charge the Powerball to dash up ramps and jump over obstacles, switch to the Airball to float over physics based death traps or use the Marbleball for speedy rolling around action. Created by Sierra Online, “Switchball” empowers players to harness the laws of physics and triumphantly roll their way through five elegantly detailed 3D environments or they can join friends in 2 player co-op or 8 player competitive racing fun through Xbox LIVE. The game will be available worldwide (with the exception of Korea) for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E.

What: Word Puzzle
When: 11/07/07 5AM EST
How Much: 800 MP ($10)
More Info: xbox.com
Screen Shots: my gallery

For those of you that like to buy those puzzle books at the magazine stand, or do them in the daily paper you can now have a digital format to cover your word puzzle needs. You should have known it was coming because it was listed on the upcoming titles message I posted not that long ago.  The following description comes direct from the press release:

The traditional pen and paper word search game is taken to a whole new level this week as InterServ brings “Word Puzzle” to Xbox LIVE Arcade. This brain-busting game features intricate 3D boards, exploding word bombs and a whole host of synapse melting challenges and special effects. With five unique game modes, LIVE support for up to four players and Xbox LIVE Vision Camera support, “Word Puzzle” will keep you playing with friends and family for hours. The game will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E.