XBLA Wednesdays unveiled, SFII drops Aug. 2 [update 1]
The event that Microsoft is holding in San Francisco tonight -- the one we won't be attending since the 'stiq doesn't have any presence there (yet) -- promises to pump the pliable gaming press full of booze and hors d'oeuvres before plopping them in front of screens, sticking controllers into their greased meat mittens, and watching them play arcade games that demand the connection between their eyes and hands be a bit more reliable than their (by this point, failed) plan to maintain sobriety by eating the hors d'oeuvres before downing the booze.
I so wish we were there.
At least we
According to
[Thanks, Top Rope Suplex]
[update 1: confirmed with actual email from Microsoft PR (that was dated Jul. 12th, whoops). Read it after the break.]
Xbox 360 Heats up the Summer with Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays: First Up, Frogger and the Arrival of the Best Old School Games of All Time
'Frogger', 'Galaga', 'Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting', and Pac-Man make their next-gen debut on Wednesday's this summer – bringing exciting new retro content to Xbox 360 gamers worldwide
Today, Xbox Live unveils Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays, a new program that will provide a regular launch schedule of new Xbox Live Arcade games for gamers worldwide. Starting today, Xbox Live Arcade games will now go live worldwide on Wednesdays at 0800 GMT (Midnight Pacific) – hitting gamers around the world all on the same day.
Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays kicks off with a blockbuster summer schedule of eagerly anticipated retro titles. Gamers looking for a blast from the past can download 'Frogger' – the beloved Konami classic arcade title – today on Xbox Live Arcade. Other Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays titles debuting in the coming weeks include 'Cloning Clyde', 'Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting,' 'Galaga' and 'Pac-Man.' To date, Xbox 360 gamers have downloaded more than 5 million Xbox Live Arcade games and the release schedule sizzles all summer long, with the following titles arriving on Xbox Live Arcade:
Ø July 12 – Frogger
Ø July 19 – Cloning Clyde
Ø July 26 – Galaga
Ø August 2 – Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting
Ø August 9 – Pac-Man
Kicking off with 'Frogger', fans of the Konami classic can download the game that first hit arcades in 1981 and once again be able to dodge traffic and eats flies with their frog, this time racking up Achievements along the way. There's no better way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Frogger and the launch of Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays than downloading this latest title from the Xbox Live Arcade game portfolio.
Xbox Live Arcade's 'Frogger' has been enhanced and reinvigorated for the Xbox 360 and features new, enhanced artwork that matches and compliments the original style. In addition the game's audio, including sound effects and music ditties, has been modernized to sound crisp and clear on today's high performance sound systems. New features include:
- Enhanced artwork and backdrops; players can now choose to play the original arcade classic graphics or the new enhanced graphics
- Fresh soundtrack and upgraded sounds effects
- New Xbox Live Arcade split screen multiplayer modes
- Addictive new Co-op vs Speed, and Head-to-Head Modes
The release of 'Frogger' will be followed up by a host of highly anticipated titles:
– 'Cloning Clyde,' the action adventure/puzzle game created by Wahoo Studios, developer of the popular 'Outpost Kaloki X' for Xbox Live Arcade, will bring its wacky,, classic animation style world to Xbox 360 on July 19
– 'Galaga,' the popular space shooter from Namco, which was first released back in 1981, comes packed with a new online multiplayer function, enhanced graphics and all new game modes on August 2
– 'Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting' takes the best from retro gaming and combines it with the signature features of Xbox 360 and Xbox Live, creating the best 'Street Fighter' experience to date, on July 26
Of course, a line-up of retro classics wouldn't be complete without perhaps the most classic title of them all, 'Pac-Man,' the fruit-eating maze game that changed the face of gaming upon its release in 1980. The Xbox Live Arcade version, which comes out on August 9, takes the famous franchise to the next-generation. With multiplayer over Xbox Live and tons of cool Achievements, 'Pac-Man' stays true to the original while powering-up to next-gen standards.
To help kick-off the summer of Xbox Live Arcade and the launch of these classic game titles, Xbox Live celebrated the 80s with the second Xbox Live Gold Experience event last night in San Francisco for its community members and is now helping other Xbox gamers do the same. Xbox 360 gamers that are interested in throwing their own 80s game night can visit www.xbox.com to secure a retro party-in-a-box complete with Microsoft Points Cards good for free arcade title downloads, pizza coupons courtesy of Papa John's, and a gift card for 80s music.
"There's no better way to revisit the 80s than to throw a retro-themed Gold Experience party - complete with the right classic arcade games, music, and pizza," said Ami Blaire, Global Marketing Director for Xbox Live. "So this summer, live it up on your Xbox 360 and enjoy our new twists on the old classic faves."
All Xbox Live Arcade games can be demoed for free on Xbox Live Marketplace. Check out Xbox Live and Xbox.com for continuing updates on exciting new content available to Xbox 360 gamers.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Charli3 @ Jul 11th 2006 2:38PM
The one time in my life I wish I lived near San Fran!
Iced_Eagle @ Jul 11th 2006 2:45PM
Sweet, glad we finally got a date for Street Fighter :P
I'll for sure be demo'ing every title! :D
jc @ Jul 11th 2006 2:54PM
I must admit, Galaga has me pretty pumped.
*marks July 26th on the calendar
Rask @ Jul 11th 2006 2:56PM
So if the sequence of games in the article is accurate, that means we can expect SF:Hyper Fighting on Aug 2nd?
I was hoping sooner but that'll do =)
Scott @ Jul 11th 2006 3:11PM
So is this going to stop after Pac-Man or are they going to have more games afterwards?
Ryan @ Jul 11th 2006 3:21PM
While those games are going to be great. If they are regular ports of the old school games; HOW can they say "High definition... Froger" with a straight face! Companies look stupid, or think we are when they slap HD on anything thinking that is why we would by pacman for like the 10th time on the 10th platform.
eric @ Jul 11th 2006 3:21PM
its the summer of george baby! time to shame that frogger score back at the pizza place.
Mike @ Jul 11th 2006 3:24PM
Why does the press release have the dates mixed up for Galaga and SFII? In one case it's Galaga on 7/26 and then later on in the release it's SFII on 7/26. What up w/ that?
Abbas @ Jul 11th 2006 3:25PM
Can someone confirm if this is the location of the event?
http://www.sfstation.com/2600-e23387
Abbas @ Jul 11th 2006 3:27PM
Guess not, I see that event is tomorrow but I'll still check it out :)
2slick @ Jul 11th 2006 3:33PM
so how do we get this free 80s party pack w/ FREE marketplace points? (3rd paragraph from bottom)
Natiahs @ Jul 11th 2006 3:51PM
The version of Frogger I tested was horrible - it looked like a bad Flash game. Huzzah that they're actually including the original and making the facelift optional!
N
Robotic House Plant @ Jul 11th 2006 3:59PM
Scott, here's the complete list of games coming to XBLA:
Cloning Clyde, Contra, Cyberball, Darwinia, Defender, Dig Dug, Frogger, Galaga, Heavy Weapon, HoopWorld, Lumines Live!, Mad Tracks, Ms. Pac-Man, Mutant Storm Empire, Novadrome, Pac-Man, Paperboy, Pinball, Rally-X, RoboBlitz, Root Beer Tapper, Scramble, Small Arms, Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Contra, Street Fighter II, Texas Hold'em, Time Pilot, Track & Field, Totem Balls, and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Dates for the remaining have not yet been announced.
the_game_master @ Jul 11th 2006 4:00PM
I can please these arcade titles right now with my PC.
Using a controller
and view it from my TV with my TV out box.
XboxLive Arcade :D :D :D
Don @ Jul 11th 2006 4:38PM
I live in SF... what is the exact location?
mdk @ Jul 11th 2006 4:58PM
where is the link for the free 80's party pack and free points for a download
SuicideNinja @ Jul 11th 2006 5:10PM
"...Contra...Defender...Dig Dug...Lumines Live!...Root Beer Tapper...Sonic the Hedgehog...Super Contra, Street Fighter II, Texas Hold'em...Track & Field...Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3"
Wow...that will be a lot of fun. I haven't played Tapper forever...they need SPY VS SPY 16 player!!!!
"I can please these arcade titles right now with my PC. Using a controller and view it from my TV with my TV out box."
I can do that also and in fact already have it set up (with those games). However, I want to see how effed up the achievements are going to be. Anyone can play, but how well can you play? Acheivements bring these old games back to life and give them new purpose. And they go on your permanent record. LOL
Josh @ Jul 11th 2006 5:13PM
Arrow Bar is not the location. Even if you knew where it was you couldn't get in. It's a guest-list only event.
Dave @ Jul 11th 2006 5:14PM
Do you have to pay $5 for each game? Games like frogger and pacman have a million free clones running around the internet, I just can't see people paying any amount of money to download them for $0.50 even. Of course people bought the horse armor for oblivion, so what do I know.
I do like the marketing speak 'exclusive series of events as a lifestyle initiative designed to give back to the community'
honestly, what the heck is a lifestyle initiative? this ad should be put up on the ad review thing joystiq does and we can all analyse the marketing language.
Andy S. @ Jul 11th 2006 5:21PM
I can kind of understanding wanting to play some of those games (though, really, I'm already emulating most of them on my original Xbox), but there's one that I just can't figure out:
Why would a person actually want to play Root Beer Tapper? That's one of those games that you play at a bar while you're killing time waiting for your friends to arrive, and even then, you only play it because you're so bored that you've already read both sides of your drink coaster. Three times. I just don't get why someone would actually want to play that crap at home.
boots @ Jul 11th 2006 5:33PM
Why Hyper Fighting and not "Super SF2 Turbo"? Why not Alpha 3? Why not Marvel vs. Capcom? Why not SF3: 3rd Strike?
Why Ultimate MK3 instead of MKTrilogy?
Why do they bring the dumbed down versions????????? FUCK!
TxdoHawk @ Jul 11th 2006 5:35PM
Man, I'm happy to see XBLA stuff is being cranked out, but where is Hoopworld? Ever since some mild previewing at E3 there has been zero info on the title, and it sounded like it was pretty much finished.
Robotic House Plant @ Jul 11th 2006 5:51PM
Just to clarify, the titles mentioned earlier were compiled from a listing of those that have been officially announced or previewed, in addition to some which have been speculated. For example Darwinia falls into the speculation category. Didn't mean to imply that was the 'official' list.
Donutta @ Jul 11th 2006 6:04PM
I knew my 360 would break just before the XBLA games started to return. Fucking Microsoft. :(
you @ Jul 11th 2006 6:16PM
@ boots
Capcom dont have the rights to the Marvel characters.
MKT was a PS0ne/N64 game so UMK3 is there.
And I wish Capcom would put SSF2 Tubro on XBLA. It way better to SF2 Hyper Fighting.
Alpha 3 and 3rd Strike will never be on XBLA. [Capcom still makes money off those two games]
joe smith @ Jul 11th 2006 6:27PM
Cool - I get Street Fighter for my birthday!
Mike Henriquez @ Jul 11th 2006 6:41PM
I'm attending the event tonight in San Francisco. Any additional details on the new arcade titles such as pricing I will report back either late tonight or tomorrow morning. I was reminded to make sure to bring my Gamertag with me so hopefully something cool will be given out to attendees like the Zero Hour achievement.
Spinteews @ Jul 11th 2006 7:50PM
Where is it located? I get off work at 7 and would love to swing by and check it out! SF2 baby! Beggers cant be choosers, as long as we have a dope online one on one, i'd be happy.
boots @ Jul 11th 2006 8:25PM
But "you", that's why there are agreements (in the Marvel case).
UMK3 was also out on consoles, namely SNES, and what's the problem with MKT being on N64 and PS1? It isn't on 360, so why not make it for it? It's like UMKT, except with brutalities AND more characters. I consider it the best MK game ever made. (but MKA has to come out yet... too bad it won't be Backwards compatible from day one)
Also, how can you be so sure that Alpha 3 and 3rd Strike (not to mention EX3), will never hit XBLA? I know Capcom still sells them, but they can sell MORE by releasing them later on. I just want an announcement, that's all.
I hope my 360 lasts till the "next-next-generation".
Matt Paprocki @ Jul 11th 2006 9:37PM
"Also, how can you be so sure that Alpha 3 and 3rd Strike (not to mention EX3), will never hit XBLA?"
There's a 50 meg size limit.
boots @ Jul 11th 2006 10:37PM
oooohhhhh... lol sorry about that, I was ignorant, but to tell you the truth, I find it retarded to have such a limit. If that's the case, then will we ever see a Killer Instinct 1 arcade perfect port? You know, with cut-scenes and all.
SonicRift @ Jul 11th 2006 10:43PM
#30, Major has said they'd be willing to ignore that size limit for certain games. It be more of a guideline than a rule. It's there to protect Core users with 64 meg cards. With the 256 meg card on the way, M$ may make a few more exceptions, forcing those poor Core users to upgrade (when ironically the price of buying both those cards will have been equal to the price of a hard drive alone).
Also, #25, Capcom is still making money off Street Fighter Alpha 3, and they stand to make more money by selling it on XBLA. They've released Alpha 3 twice in the last 5 months on PSP and PS2. But I think the problem here is really price limit more than size limit.
However, if I was willing to pay $60 (CAD) for Alpha 3 on PS1, which still works on the PS2, and years later, again, $40 for Alpha 3 on PSP, why would they offer it to me for $20 (like GRAW Chapter 2, or the point restriction of a single card) when they could release something like Alpha 3 and Third Strike with live support and 1000 gamerpoints on a disc for $60.
The ZeroCorpse @ Jul 11th 2006 11:34PM
@ #14:
Sure, I can play most of those on my Nintendo DS and on my Mac, but there's something I can't do on those systems that I'll be able to do on the Xbox 360 versions: Multiplayer.
Show me a version of any of those games for PC that includes a decent online multiplayer mode with leaderboards and voice chat.
Cogo @ Aug 15th 2006 8:35PM
50 mb limit...So the ones who buy a Premium back should suffer because some people buy a Core pack? That´s ridiculous. They find it better that no one will have fun, missing out on awesome titles like Third Strike, than that only premium buyers will huh? This pisses me off.