XBLA

The collaborative game organization Play For Japan is overseeing several auctions on eBay, the proceeds of which will go to help the victims of this month’s earthquake/tsunami combo in Japan. Among those is this custom Captain Smiley console that was, according to the eBay listing, “destined to be part of the IEB Permanent Collection of customized game hardware at Microsoft.” The console is now up for auction, is signed by members of Twisted Pixel Games and features over 150 Xbox Live Arcade games, all of which were published by Microsoft Game Studios.

The auction doesn’t list the console’s region, but given this is on eBay.com and that Microsoft is based in Washington in the United States it’s probably US NTSC. According to Twisted Pixel’s Micheal Wilford the console and games are valued at US $2900, and given the circumstances we hope they get at least that for it. See a partial list of included titles after the break and check out Play For Japan for other unique auctions to help Japanese victims.

Source: eBay via a tip from @wolvie75

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UnderGarden DLC is now available.
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Market research from EEDAR show that 55% of Xbox users bought one or more downloadable games last year, up from 43% in 2009. 50% of Playstation 3 users and …
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Wrecked: Revenge Revisited was initially slated for a Summer release, but 505 Games has up-shifted to a Spring release for their follow up to Super Sonic Games’ 2004 car combat hit, Mashed. Wrecked will join the likes of TNT Racers and Scrap Metal in the ever-growing list of XBLA car combat games, bringing with it some features unique to the series.

Players will enjoy plenty of customization options for their vehicles as well as an awesome revenge mechanic allowing wrecked racers to thank their destroyer with an aerial strike- of love. The carnage will take place across a 24-challenge Championship mode divided into four different racing styles. The XBLA racing style has lends itself well to the offline/online four player setup, and Wrecked: Revenge Revisited will take full advantage of that. Read More

South Park Let’s Go Tower Defense Play was developed by Double Six and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It was released on October 7^th, 2009 for 800MS points.

South Park LGTDP is a tower defense game with twist. The twist is that you can control one of fifteen available characters from the South Park world as you build your defenses. This adds a very welcomed action element to the game making it much more than a strategic experience. South Park fans have waited a long time for a quality console game based off the show; there was quite a large amount of expectations with this title. Thankfully, South Park LGTDP delivers a great amount of fun, content, innuendos and laughs for a minimal fee. Read More

Swarm developer Hothead Games will be continuing the XBLA tradition of an awesome article of clothing and an awesome prop to go with your achievements. However, instead of some …
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Outland is coming to XBLA in Late April/Early May.
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Torchlight was originally developed by Runic Games with the port co-developed with World Domination Industries Inc. and published by Microsoft. It was released March 9th, 2011 and retails for 1200MSP.

Torchlight is an interestingly charming game, but at first it can seem like any run of the mill Diablo clone. It has the same type of dungeon crawling with the thrill of finding as much loot as possible. It originally released on PC and Mac with point-and-click controls but the developers streamlined the controls for a console-based system.

Set in the town of Torchlight, you play one of three classes from Warrior to Mage to Ranger and alongside your pet, discover that the town is in danger of being taken over by the evil Alric. After a beginning tutorial mission, you’re free to take on any optional side-quests to get better items or continue on the main quest. It’s one of the best Xbox Live Arcade games of 2011 even though it’s near two years old but it still feels incredibly refreshing.

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Full House Poker was developed by Microsoft Games Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios.  It was released March 15, 2011 for 800MSP. A copy of the game was provided by the publisher for review purposes.

Last year, 1 vs. 100 pushed boundaries for what the digital space could provide on consoles by engaging thousands of players at one time in a game show like format. This year, Microsoft is back at it again with a spiritual successor of sorts in the form of Full House Poker. Players fill the shoes of their own avatars as they play the prevalent form of Poker (Texas Hold ‘Em), while attempting to expand their own virtual bankrolls. But do the cards deserve you going all in?

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Runic Games announced on Tuesday that Torchlight achieved the “highest day sales” ever for the game, even though it was already available on PC/Mac. The numbers weren’t announced however …
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