Xbox Live Arcade takes a break, but Microsoft assures it won't be long
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Jan 30th 2007 at 3:15PM }
Microsoft has yet to announce an Xbox Live Arcade release for tomorrow, all but confirming a second straight week of, well, nothing (unless you count Lumines add-ons). Perhaps to offset our prolonged disappointment, Microsoft sends word that 10 new titles are "approaching" the virtual download service. M'kay...
Beginning in February (not necessarily the 7th), either 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures, Alien Hominid HD, Band of Bugs (NinjaBee's fast-paced strategy game), Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Catan, Eets: Chowdown, Luxor 2 (Zuma clone), Paperboy, Root Beer Tapper, or Worms will begin a new wave of eclectic offerings, which may or may not unfold during consecutive Wendesdays. It's a jumbled heap that Microsoft isn't ready to sort out for us. Frustrating as that may be, Microsoft suggests we take solace in the simple comfort that "every Wednesday [regardless of a game release or lack thereof] is an opportunity to share in the Xbox Live Arcade experience with friends and family." Nah, just gave us new games -- on time!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ken @ Jan 30th 2007 3:18PM
Looks like CastleVania: SotN will be my first XBLA game I've ever downloaded in a year. :) Woot! The memories!
PS3Crashed @ Jan 30th 2007 3:28PM
@ MS KING
I hope you're being paid for your shameless MS plug.
There's no way XBLA can compete with Nintendo's VA. Microsoft is a toddler when it comes to video games, Nintendo earned a place at the bar with 21+ years of game making. And we don't even get ID'd anymore. We know the bartenders so well we're tipping shots with the owner after hours.
JodyAnthony @ Jan 30th 2007 3:30PM
EETS! AWESOME
Anyone with a 360 should buy that game when it comes out. There is an Eets game for PC you should all check out, too. it's quite fun
review: http://www.4colorrebellion.com/archives/2006/04/12/impressions-eets/
Dracula Jones @ Jan 30th 2007 3:33PM
I'm actually really interested in every single one of those games, except maybe Luxor.
Band of Bugs especially looks great... NinjaBee has thoroughly impressed me with their first two XBLA games and I'm really looking forward to this one. Cloning Clyde was one of my favorite games of last year.
Ken @ Jan 30th 2007 3:33PM
@3
I agree. I've got a total of about 8 VC games on my Wii already. And 0 XBLA games (and I've had the 360 for more than a year). So far the quality of XBLA games haven't been very good. (See: Contra on the XBLA... possibly the WORST thing to ever happen to Contra ever. Also Street Fighter.. using the 360 Controller = teh suck).
VC Classic controller ftw.
Kane @ Jan 30th 2007 3:43PM
Are you fucking kidding me? They're "taking a break?" Why, because they worked so hard? They haven't done a goddamn thing! The Virtual Console service absolutely SMOKES them, and it's only been out for 2 months!
FIRE GREG CANESSA.
Tyler @ Jan 30th 2007 4:01PM
Where's Castle Crashers??? I thought that game was supposed to drop this month?!?
Izuna Drop @ Feb 4th 2007 12:41PM
How long until Castle Crashers releases?
SotN will be awesome... I just finished Portrait of Ruin and I'm psyched to play SotN again!
Karttikeya @ Jan 30th 2007 3:43PM
#2, PS3Crashed,
Shut the hell up. You are insulting independent developers, that's like talking down a child. And get your Nintendo themed dildo out of your ***.
#5, Ken,
Do give me that bull. Yes, there are great classics on the VC like SM64, MK64, Zelda, Gunstar Heroes, and more. But there are plenty of great XBLA games worth their money. Marble Blast Ultra, Geometry Wars, Small Arms, Heavy Weapon, Novadrome, Gauntlet, TotemBall, Texas Hold 'Em, Uno, MK3, and others. It's your fault for not trying these games, and basing your VC collection on following hype.
Nossy @ Jan 30th 2007 3:46PM
It took MS a year and a half to release a few titles on XBLA. It only took Nintendo a few months to catch up to XBLA library. How pathetic is that?
I know i know XBLA have multiplayer online leaderboard, whatever, hell, you're talking a games (The classics such as galaga, ms pacman, pacman, street figher and etc) that are already made and need some modifications.
ZenGaijin @ Jan 30th 2007 3:47PM
I own a Wii and the Live Arcade draws me in with original games not just rereleases of games that have came out in the past 20 years.
Come on Alien Hominid HD.....
Karttikeya @ Jan 30th 2007 3:47PM
And Contra for XBLA was based on the arcade version, not the console version that you barely remember.
Kane @ Jan 30th 2007 5:58PM
"But there are plenty of great XBLA games worth their money. Marble Blast Ultra, Geometry Wars, Small Arms, Heavy Weapon, Novadrome, Gauntlet, TotemBall, Texas Hold 'Em, Uno, MK3, and others. It's your fault for not trying these games, and basing your VC collection on following hype."
Wow, you can really bend perception to make people think you made a good point. Not even close, though.
First of all, you're throwing some pretty arguable games in there: Novadrome? Gauntlet? Small Arms? Passable, but nothing amazing. TOTEMBALL is a piece of shit, and if you argue with that, you're an idiot.
All of what you said gets thrown out the window when the most important factor pops up, though: it has taken Microsoft a year and three months to bring that many games out. Nintendo's service has only been up for 2 months and is already arguably superior.
JodyAnthony @ Jan 30th 2007 3:49PM
what is the reason you are all turning this into fanboy battle #46203? why cant you all just say "hey, cool. even though I am not a fan of xbox 360, I am glad to see that indie developers are finally getting the chance to get their games out to a pretty big audience."
Look, I love the virtual console too, but you are all being ridiculous. Does this mean that once nintendo has some indie developed stuff up for download, you can't download it because it's not a classic console choice? no, it means then all of a sudden the indie stuff will be awesome, right? you all need to grow up.
konajinx @ Jan 30th 2007 3:50PM
And the pissing matches begin. Zzzzzz. Who cares about GameCube v 2.0's VC offerings? I can play all those for free on an emulator.
MS KING @ Jan 30th 2007 4:32PM
OMG ARE YOU GUYS STUPID OR WHAT?
MICROSOFT IS A SO MUCH BETTER COMPANY THAN NINTENDO ITS RIDICULOUS! OMG!
MICROSOFT SHOULD JUST BUY NINTENDO AND PUT IT DOWN LIKE A SICK DOG AT THE VET! FFS?
XBLA > NINTENDOES COPY CAT VC LOL
THE 360 IS THE BIGGEST SUCCESS SINCE EVER?
Do you doubt me look at Sony LOL(DEAD company! just look at that ridiculous Hevenly Sword game LOL ITS like Perfect Dark Zero with swords terrible graphics and dull gameplay) they are beaten! Look at that joke company Nintendo OMG LOL TERRIBLE!
MICROSOFT has SOLS 10 million CONSOLES! No other comapny has sold that many hahahahaha ALL OTHER COMAPNIES SUCK!!!
Izuna Drop @ Feb 4th 2007 12:42PM
Kane -
That's a little ridiculous as the games Nintendo is putting up have all already been made. There is no original content there. While some games on XBL are ports of old games, others were created specifically for it. To say that they're lazy is not quite accurate.
Secondly, the classic games Nintendo has on the VC are games many of us grew up with and love, so it's no secret the nostalgia factor can creep in and skew ones view.
The VC is good, but I have most of those games as well as the systems. The only VC game I've purchased so far is Super Castlevania IV. Until Super Metroid is released, I may not purchase any more.
Q @ Jan 30th 2007 3:57PM
3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures is made by the people responsible for Assault Heroes, with it's broken co-op play. Why don't they take the time to fix their titles that are out already instead of making more?
LunarDuality @ Jan 30th 2007 3:57PM
I can't wait for Band of Bugs (been bugging the boys and girls at NinjaBee for details forever!) and there at least 3 more that I'm thrilled to try out.
Eets is a great PC game for sure (actually discovered the game when NinjaBee started hosting it).
Here's to the end of a mini-drought.
(And yeah, why can't we all celebrate more good games instead of engaging in this pointless pissing match.)
Ken @ Jan 30th 2007 4:01PM
I do play those afore mentioned games from the free demos they offer. But none of them have been worth ANY of my money. The only game that was close was geometry wars, but that game can only be fun for a few minutes... at best. Oh wait? I can buy UNO too?! Sweeeet. *rolls eyes*
I love my 360, but XBLA is definitely NOT a reason that I enjoy it.
Regardless if it's not "indie" I'd rather play GOOD games, and not "5 minute long indie" games... just because they're indie.
Blah blah blah about the emulator line. Grats, I'm glad you can download a game and play it on your keyboard. Most usb controllers don't feel the same way if you're playing them on your computer. And I'd rather play them on my big screen TV.
Je2037 @ Jan 30th 2007 4:03PM
@ 11, its all they've got! Seriously though, its all about the games - consoles are just machines people..relax. All this 'fanboy' crap is pent up aggression being released in the most pointless way I can think of. Pound some clay and just chill damnit.
ZenGaijin @ Jan 30th 2007 4:08PM
I dunno the VC is ok but its lack of demos and then titles that we've seen a billion times over again. Seriously, $5 for super mario bros with no duck hunt? You can't even begin to set the VC against the Live arcade. No online co-op leaderboards or anything online for that matter. It's the same games you can for free with an emulator. Seriously, I can't wait till OoT comes again with no added content, so you sheep will be tripping over yourselves to purchase the same game. For however much Nintendo will convince you its worth.
I have Mario 64 and Link to the Past for VC and no other game to me seems worth downloading. The games I want are only available in japan Shadow Dancer/Streets of Rage (I'd perfer 2 or 3 though and on Live arcade (online co-op))
It's not even close with no updates to the game at all Live arcade stands as the best of this whole downloadable games front.
dantebk @ Jan 30th 2007 4:10PM
My work gives out Best Buy giftcards for good jobs so I have several XBLA titles but haven't paid for any myself.
Of this list I'm most interested in Mini Golf and Alien Hominid, but (except for Luxor) I want to at least trial them ALL. Any of these could be great buys. I love Paperboy and my girlfriend loves Tapper. Hopefully none will be more than 800 points.
baby sea tuna @ Jan 30th 2007 4:12PM
#15
Eat a bag, Uno effin rules.
ScreamingSkull @ Jan 30th 2007 5:44PM
@15, I've heard there are these video cards out now, that you can, get this, plug a DVI to HDMI cable into! It's like the future is already here or something and it's playing games from the 80s!
TwilightKnight @ Jan 30th 2007 7:01PM
The difference between XBLA and VC are simple.
XBLA - online but nothing worth paying for.
VC - Has some of the best selling AAA titles on the planet but no online.
Also remember that if you get a Wii over a Xbox 360 you are saving 150 dollars, which is 15,000 Wiipoints, which is either 15 N64 game downloads or 18 SNES games or 30 NES games.
The VC is better just by the sheer amount of quality games available. Period. Online gameplay is pointless if the only high point of it is UNO.
I also don't want to hear about you pirating games as a excuse. Anybody who pirates games is a low life son of a bitch gamer that doesn't deserve respect by any fellow gamer.
Jake @ Jan 30th 2007 4:27PM
The VC has no original content, no online, typically costs the same for games as XBLA, has no free demos, but is vastly superior. Have you Nintendo fanboys gone completely mental?
Honestly, while a lot of the Nintendo VC games are great classics, they are old. We've played them already. I buy games like Lumines, Geometry Wars, and Assault Heroes. I don't get Joust, Contra, and SFII. Playing new games is what I do. I don't buy old crap that I played out long ago.
All Nintendo is doing is releasing the games with no improvements, no online, no free demos, nothing. Just a straight emulation that people give away on the internet just for fun. And you fools are not only paying serious dough for it, you are actually convinced it is better than buying new games, ala XBLA. Wow you're dull. You are just as dull as people that think MS Pac Man on 360 is sweet. People did what Nintendo is doing now years ago and released their work for free. It is just proof that Nintendo fanboys are living in the past.
Who here hasn't ever played an emulated Nintendo game? If you have a dreamcast, I know how you can burn every NES game ever made onto a single disc. Takers? I'll throw in nearly every SNES game ever. Some Sega? Atari? You name it, I got it. Obviously, you can do this on the computer as well, but it is funner to play them on a dreamcast.
Ken @ Jan 30th 2007 4:27PM
Right. I have UNO in card form in my attic. I bought it about 7 years ago.
I'd much rather play games with my friends around me. I find that much more enjoyable.
Now I know not all of us have friends but... You should try it out sometime.
Ken @ Jan 30th 2007 4:32PM
My problem with the dreamcast emulator (I have the exact one you're talking about) is that the + pad on the controller is... well, not nearly as good. I'll explain.
Every friday I host "game night" at my house. I get about 15-30 people a week to come over and we drink beer and play video games all night. One main game we play is Contra for the NES. Alas, none of us have the cartridge and a working NES, so we use the Dreamcast emulator.
On Contra, if you hold down, sometimes it doesn't stay down, but reads down and right (or down and left, depending). You have to press the D pad down exactly perfect each time for it to stay ducking. Which is a nuisance in Contra (especially after drinking).
Also, while playing Punch Out on the Dreamcast emulator, there's some lag to it. So no one is able to beat Mike Tyson... but they're able to do it on an emulator.
Just a few examples. I'll know tonight if the classic controller (or the Wii controller) works enough for Contra III. I sure hope so... I hate dying on Contra because of a damn controller.
Jake @ Jan 30th 2007 4:35PM
^^^For the record, I have not bought Assault Heroes yet and Lumines is my gf's favorite so I got it. Uno is sweet. I am not a big fan of these arcade titles because I think they are overpriced. I would be willing to pay more for a unique title like assault heroes than something old like Jackyl (NES, similar to Assault Heroes only not as good). The sad thing is if all the games were half priced, I'd buy 3 times as many.
I do love playing the demo's, though, for a few minutes.
AoE @ Jan 30th 2007 4:38PM
Virtual Console fans, please explain a few things to me: 1 - Why do you feel threatened by Xbox Live Arcade? It's not like XBLA/VC are competing, The catalogs are entirely different. 2 - If VC and XBLA are in competition please name for me a single new game on VC? How about a game from VC with online multiplayer? Scoreboards? I ask because I've already dropped a grip of money on XBLA and... *shock* *amaze* I bought a bunch of games that were NEW. Not ports from the 8/16 bit days, but brand-spanking-new games. And you know what? When I can spend $10 on a game like small arms that is hella fun, has multiplayer, online multiplayer, online scoreboards, etc... $8 on a direct port of Sonic the Hedgehog just doesn't sound like a good value proposition. VC defenders, care to explain to me how it is?
Ken @ Jan 30th 2007 4:39PM
Jake,
Yeah, you're right. The demo option is nice, so you don't get stuck playing a game you'll regret purchasing.
If Ninty would adopt the idea of demos, that would make it 100x better.
Ken @ Jan 30th 2007 4:43PM
AoE,
Before the VC was launched, Nintendo stated that they would not be adding anything to the games. They said it would be a direct port. So if the game didn't have multiplayer when it was released, it wouldn't be in the VC with it.
People who forget that, and complain that there is no "online" feature... Need to relax.
VC is all about nostalgia. At least, to me it is. Games that get released on there are for those who want to go back and play the old classics, or for those who missed out on certain SNES/NES/N64/SEGA/Turbo Grafix(sp?) games.
The XBLA is all about indie, new games. There's a difference. I didn't say that XBLA is crap, I'm saying that I never found a game that's worth of a purchase until they release Symphony of the Night.
JodyAnthony @ Jan 30th 2007 4:57PM
AoE, you ask why people are 'afraid' of XBLA, then go on listing all your reasons as to why live arcade is better, why?
Here's a thought for everyone:
I work hard for my money (so hard for it, honey) and SURPRISE, I use my entertainment money on something that is going to be entertaining for me. What difference does it make to anyone in the entire world other than myself if I spend my $10 on Super Mario 64 on the Wii virtual console, or if I spend my $10 on Doom on XBLA? Does it really affect your life in any possible way?
Nate @ Jan 30th 2007 5:32PM
There are plenty of XBLA games worth a purchase: Assault Heroes, Geometry Wars, Marble Blast Ultra (my favorite XBLA arcade game of all-time), Mutant Storm Reloaded, Cloning Clyde, Lumines Live!, etc. etc.
XBLA is one of the great things about 360....can't wait for the new games (SotN - Never played it before, Band Of Bugs, Ultra Minigolf, etc.).
AoE @ Jan 30th 2007 5:07PM
@Ken,
You're right, Nintendo DID state that these games would be direct ports, I don't think anyone's shocked about that, are they? My point, stated simply is this: the value proposition is WAY out of line on the VC. I like nostalgic gaming too, but look at it this way. Sonic the Hedgehog on VC = NOTHING new, right? But it's $8... I can go to ebay and buy the cart for the genesis for about $3. That would be, if I didn't have my original cart from when the game was new, or the PC version I picked up a few years later (with FOUR sonic games, for $20, just over the price of two sega VC titles)... Dude, the games may be great on VC, but the pricing is screwed up beyond belief. THAT is my issue, not the lack of online multiplayer. I only point those (mostly standard) features out because they're part of the value proposition, especially when it's a new game.
Honestly though, do you REALLY find the VC to be a good price when it's cheaper to buy an original cart for the original system? If you do... then perhaps you should evaluate how far your nose is stuck up Nintendo's ass...
Jake @ Jan 30th 2007 5:09PM
Ken, by saying not a single XBLA game is worthy of a purchase you essentially called it crap. I am slightly doubting you own a 360. And what 8 games on VC do you have that are so much better than everything on XBLA? I won't argue against your right to only like nostalgic games to remember past times or whatever over getting an indie game. But these games are not indie just to be indie, many are actually very good. Much better than free flash games, that's for sure. I just doubt you could have given some of these games time based on your reactions to them.
You also argue Nintendo doesn't add online multiplayer to their games because of nostalgia while XBLA games from the past have the addition of online multiplayer (granted the original had multiplayer).
The reason for no Multiplayer in VC games is that Nintendo has no multiplayer to speak of in anything. You can argue that the addition of multiplayer wouldn't improve the value of the game, but many who have seen the light won't agree with you.
Is it funner to play the game with your bud in the room? Of course. Is it funner to play a game by yourself than with people online? Of course not.
Once the VC gets some online multiplayer and some good original content, I guarantee you and others will change your attitude, even if you have to pay, gasp, $4 per month for it.
AoE @ Jan 30th 2007 5:12PM
@JodyAnthony,
Because the joystiq comments section tends to often take on a conversational form, and since we seem to be debating VC vs XBLA, I thought perhaps I should weigh in with the reasons why I prefer the service I do rather than just lob a few questions at the other side. Does this meet with your approval?
And no, obviously it DOESN'T affect anyone's life here in any way... In case you missed it though, you're on a blog with a bunch of rabid gamers, the reason we're here is to debate crap that ultimately affects us in no perceptible way. If you're not down with that, quit reading the comments ;)
Vidikron @ Jan 30th 2007 5:16PM
Damn... you Nintendo fanboys are coming off like ingnorant pricks in these comments. Why all the ignorant hate for XBLA? Yes, Nintendo has a great library of classics, good for them. But XBLA is about more than old classics. It features updated classics mixed with new original titles. It's not even the same approach.
Jake @ Jan 30th 2007 5:21PM
JodyAnthony,
Way to pick the best VC game value and put it against the worst XBLA game value to make your point. I would personally rather play Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved than Pinball.
Ironhide @ Jan 30th 2007 5:29PM
Let's see. Compare some hand crafted games made exclusively for Xbox Live Arcade, and put them up a metric crap load of old nes, snes, genesis, n64m and tg16 games that are already made. Wow! That's so fair! Nintendo just has to fart and a game will pop up on the VC. Great comparison.
JodyAnthony @ Jan 30th 2007 5:40PM
Jake, don't be an idiot. The only reason I picked those is because I knew they were both ten dollars.
And for the record, I have Doom, but not Mario 64. Why? I think mario 64 is too hard, it frustrated me on 64 and I'm sure it would frustrate me on the virtual console, so I didn't buy it. I DID buy Doom because I was actually able to beat it when I was a kid and I wanted to play it again. The only reason I said who cares if I bought mario 64 instead of doom is because i was trying to make a point that it doesnt matter if i buy a game on the virtual console instead of live arcade, because either way it is my own money to spend how I want.
but fine, "who cares if I buy NES Tennis instead of Geometry Wars?" Is that better for you? It doesn't matter which games I said. the only point I was trying to make was that I have the right to spend the money I earn on the product that I want. You make it sound the point I was trying to make was that the virtual console was better than xbox live arcade, when I did no such thing.
Mr Khan @ Jan 30th 2007 5:38PM
Someone needs to ban MS KING, now
as for the rest
I still say that VC is not about re-buying what you once had (although Nintendo wouldn't object if you have bought Super Mario Bros in 4 different incarnations, NES, SNES, GBC, and VC) its about buying that which you had no chance to buy(in my case, everything before the N64/Saturn Generation), which is contrary to the purpose of XBLA, where they intend to re-release "enhanced" classics, to those who want to play a better version of the same game
Alien Hominid Rocks :)
OmahaGTP @ Apr 15th 2007 9:00PM
Why is it either or with you guys?
They both suck. I have about the same amount of XBLA games as I do Wii VC games, and I've now put a stop to buying them, except in rare cases.
XBLA titles are rarely any good, but when they are, they are worth the money (HD, co-op, leaderboards, achievements, multiplayer). But there are so few good XBLA titles, it's hard to call this a winner.
Whereas with the Wii, you get good titles, that you've played before, and even if you haven't, in most cases you could buy the physical game for less than Nintendo's asking price. With no upgrades of any kind. And if you haven't played it before, there is no demo. So where does that leave someone who wants to try before they buy? Suddenly they download a rom, and of those that do, I would wager 1/10 actually purchase the game after they have it for free.
So, in my opinion, they both suck.
That is all. :p
Vidikron @ Jan 30th 2007 6:27PM
@40
You point is worthless. How is Nintendo's service better? Have you even been reading people's comments?? It takes MS longer to get games out on XBLA because half of them are new original titles and the other half (the old classics) have enhancements (updated graphics, leaderboards, achievements, online play). Nintendo is just popping out 10+ year old games with no improvements and playing them on emulators that run on the Wii. That's easy... I can do that on my PC.
I'm not saying the VC is bad, it might be great for people who haven't played the games before and want something that is actually 100% legal (as opposed to emulators). But what they are doing is easy, what MS is doing takes more effort.
Ironhide @ Jan 30th 2007 6:34PM
Simple answer:
You CAN'T compare the two. Nintendo is taking games that are already made, made a slight adjustment in coding to run on VC, and Xbox Live Arcade is taking old classics and revamping them (better or worse not an issue) or taking newer ips and trying them on a new and enterpising platform that works very well for virtual distribution for small companies.
Don't be a blind ass. VC has more games. 99% of them have been played many, many times and arguably classics. I'll get a few myself for sure, but only games I don't own in cart form. But to compare directly to XLA is assinine.
ZenGaijin @ Jan 30th 2007 6:35PM
I still don't see how people can argue that VC is a better console. Thats like saying my SNES emulator is better that a online co-op experience with new games.
I don't see how the same people can continue to praise Nintendo for the same BS moves they've been pulling since the dawn of time.
Wehn OoT come out I know millions of idiots are going to download it and argue that it makes VC superior. Despite the fact that you can just buy the gamecube version and pop it into your Wii for a cheaper experience.
When Nintendo decides to charge 15 or 20 bucks for OoT I will do what I am doing now. Continue waiting on Metroid. Because, all this VC shit is just to distract you from the fact that you won't be playing a A+ first party nintendo game till fall.
I have owned a Wii since launch day, and I was promised no down time like with the cube but here it is just about Feb and all I get is Wii play. No thanks, I'll stick with my 360.
generaldane @ Jan 30th 2007 7:14PM
You people do realize that if you never played a vc game before it would be new to you right? So claiming the Vc doesn't provide a new experience is just plain and simple bullshit everyone shit themselves when softn is announce yet people shouldn't be excited about Zelda
Gdiguy @ Jan 31st 2007 5:15AM
@45, that's the entire point - for $150, I could probably buy a N64 and 15 games, or for $0, I could go online and download most of the same emulated games (in pretty much the same state as sold on the VC)
Ultimately, there's two different services competing here - I think everyone can easily agree that the VC has a far better set of old, classic games, and that XBLive has a far better set of new and/or updated for online multiplayer games. It's just a question of whether you want to be able to buy old classics, or new (cheapish) arcade-style games.
joe smith @ Jan 30th 2007 8:11PM
If all I wanted to do was dump a ton of tired old games onto teh market with ZERO updates, no on-line play, no gamerscore or achievements, NOTHING NEW AT ALL. Then I could just ship MAME and dump the ROMs --oh yea, that's what Nintendo is doing. Hell, of course they can ship a ton of games, they are shipping the same old stuff unchanged. Let's see how they do if they try to do anything new. I'm glad htere is a market for the VC games, and I like the Wii, but comparing VC to Arcade is apples to oranges.
I would also like to point out that MS is not developing any of the current crop of Arcade titles -- they are all coming from other companies so their ability to manage the schedules is going to be pretty light.