XBLA

UK video games retailer GAME have started selling XBLA game and DLC codes. As part of a 6 month trial 40 shops across the UK will sell the content on cards similar to Gamestop in the US. The pricing of the games reflects that of Microsoft Points, the full range of content and pricing is below.

This represents an interesting experiment from the biggest games retailer in the UK and presents those who are wary of buying points with a solution. It also means customers can use credit from trade-ins or their GAME rewards cards to pay for the content.

Source – Eurogamer Read More

This week on XBLA Wednesday the marketplace has a lot of variety. In Stacking (1200MP) from Tim Schafer’s Double Fine Productions you take control of Russian stacking dolls, also known as Matryoshka dolls, in this delightful adventure puzzler. TNT Racers (800MP) shifts to top down view in this simple arcade racer boasting a wide variety of cars, modes, maps and powerups as well as online and on-couch multiplayer. On the DLC front there’s an extra stage for Castlevania Harmony of Despair titled “The Legend of Fuma” (240MP), a retro throwback to Getsu Fuma Den, and a character pack to match it (160MP). Three completely different XBLA experiences, all in one day! Read More

Next week brings another themed set of XBLA deals, this time it’s all about killing aliens! With the exception of Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2 which isn’t strictly about …
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Castle Crashers developer The Behemoth is about to release some new DLC in the form of a new character for PSN.  Fret not XBLA fans for the …
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Xbox Live Arcade has come a long way since its launch on the original Xbox a little over 6 years ago. Back then the selection of games was in the teens but now there are hundreds of games on the service. You can play anything from 16-bit classics like Streets of Rage 2 to exceptional original titles like Shadow Complex.

With so many games to choose from it’s hard to know what to spend your good ‘ol Microsoft Points on. Lucky for you however we at XBLAFans have taken it upon ourselves to compile a list of the 15 XBLA games you must own. The games featured (listed alphabetically because they’re just too good to rank on quality) are the best of the best. If you haven’t played a game on this list then you owe it to yourself to at least download the trial (which we’ve handily linked to) and give it a go.

So let’s get on with it shall we, below you’ll find the games we decided on and brief summaries from our writer explaining why they’re deserving of the term “must own”. If you agree or disagree with the list, or just want to comment in general please feel free to do so. Read More

Capcom announced that it will be releasing Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 onto XBLA Feb 2.  What does the sequel have to offer, click below to find out! Read More

Developer Hothead Games, masterminds behind the Deathspank series and Penny Arcade XBLA titles, is patiently sitting in the waiting room while Microsoft operates on their latest project, Swarm. According to producer Joel DeYoung, their project is in the hands of Microsoft and Sony being taken through the certification process required of all XBLA titles. A release date and price will be announced when the game is out of intensive care. That is to say, they don’t have it yet because Microsoft hasn’t told them and when they find out they’ll tell us! Nice and simple. Read More

In a surprise move from Ubisoft, I Am Alive has resurfaced as a title for XBLA and PSN.  Originally pitched as a AAA retail title, the game will now be …
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Have you ever wondered what a zombie apocalypse would play out like?  Sure, we all have.  But what about a zombie apocalypse in a zoo?  Would cheetah zombies still be slow?  We will all find out soon enough.  High Voltage Software has announced that Animales de la Muerte is heading to XBLA. Read More

Microbot was developed by Naked Sky Entertainment and published by EA.  It was released on XBLA on December 29th for 800MS points ($10).

Microbot is a dual-stick shooter, which is fairly common genre on the XBLA platform.  With games like Geometry Wars and Assault Heroes already on the marketplace, it’s tough for a newcomer to stand out.  Microbot offers the same dual-stick gameplay gamers have become accustomed to with a few new additions.  Even though some of the new additions are a welcomed change among the dual-stick audience, there are simply too many issues with Microbot to make it an enjoyable experience. Read More