Contra storms XBLA, original titles to follow this holiday, Atari classics in '07

As Gears of War begins to arrive at retailers across North America this week, Microsoft and Konami will give Xbox Livies a chance to check out one of its forebears. This Wednesday, for 400 points ($5), Contra will be yours, again. The Xbox Live Arcade version includes both original (arcade; not NES) and enhanced modes, featuring Live co-op. And yes, "the code" works (though technically it wasn't part of the arcade original).

With the exception of Defender, the rest of XBLA's holiday lineup will be bolstered by a quartet of original titles:

• Assault Heroes (Wanako/Vivendi Games) - top-down shooter with 2-player co-op
• Heavy Weapon (PopCap Games) - side-scroller with 4-player support
  
• Novadrome (Buena Vista Games) - futuristic racer
• Small Arms (Gastronaut Studios) - indie Smash Bros. clone (4-player brawler) focusing on ranged attacks

Microsoft has also announced a partnership with Atari to bring Asteroids/Asteroids Deluxe, Battlezone, Centipede/Millipede, Missile Command, Tempest, and Warlords to Xbox Live in 2007. As customary, Atari's classics will feature both original and "evolved" modes.

[Via Press Release]