Despite XBLA downloads having surpassed an impressive 20 million games to date, things have felt quiet on the XBLA front. But Microsoft informed us last night about ten new titles that it plans to roll out on its XBLA Wednesdays in the coming months.
Here, in no particular order of merit or chronology, is what’s coming:
• 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures - from developer Wanako Games and publisher Sierra Online, allows gamers to putt their way through 36 holes of minigolf on courses that range from the Old (US) West (not Bristol) to outer space.
• Alien Hominid HD - from The Behemoth features side-scrolling cartoon action with a "quirky twist" (it says here) and exclusive Xbox Live Arcade features.
• Band of Bugs - from NinjaBee is a fast-paced tactical strategy game. You can also design your own levels with the built-in level editor, then play them solo or over Xbox Live.
• Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - from Konami is a version of this classic updated for Xbox Live Arcade and featuring the game’s full soundtrack and side-scrolling vampire-hunting action.
• Catan from developer Big Huge Games and publisher Microsoft Game Studios, is a faithful remake of the immensely popular strategy board game.
• Eets: Chowdown - from Klei Entertainment is a version of the PC title of the same name with new items, 120 new levels and the debut of the Marsho Madness action game in which players must keep evil marshmallows at bay.
• LUXOR 2 - from developer MumboJumbo LLC, an action puzzler in which players match and shoot their way through the land of ancient Egypt.
• Paperboy - from developer Digital Eclipse and publisher Midway, is a classic coin-op hit, specially enhanced for Xbox Live Arcade.
• Root Beer Tapper - also from developer Digital Eclipse and publisher Midway, players scramble to keep thirsty patrons happy without dropping root beer mugs in the scramble to earn the biggest tips.
• Worms from developer Team 17 Software Ltd features armies of weapon-toting worms locked in tactical combat.
Microsoft also informs us that, “every Wednesday is an opportunity to share in the Xbox Live Arcade experience with friends and family.”
Who says it is an inhuman, unfeeling global megacorp?