This Tuesday: Arcade Hits
by James Ransom-Wiley 
on Dec 3rd 2007 3:28PM
Major Nelson has
confirmed that this week's Xbox Live Arcade addition will be the launch of
Arcade Hits tomorrow, temporarily replacing the usual new game(s) release on Wednesdays. The initiative kicks off with cost reductions of four aging XBLA games, along with the now permanent price cut of
Lumines Live:
- Bankshot Billiards 2 (reduced from 1200 to 800 MS Points; $10) - Billiards ... with a gamepad.
- Lumines LIVE! (still reduced from 1200 to 800 MS Points; $10) - The same great "core" gameplay of the superb PSP puzzler; additional DLC comes at a premium.
- Marble Blast Ultra (reduced from 800 to 400 MS Points; $5) - Guide a lonely marble across irritatingly unstable terrain -- or race your friends.
- Small Arms (reduced from 800 to 400 MS Points; $5) - Is "poor man's Smash Bros." too cliché?
- Zuma Deluxe (reduced from 800 to 400 MS Points; $5) - Wait, they were charging $10 for this...?
No doubt anticipating a chorus of moans from dedicated consumers, Microsoft has also
name-dropped key new XBLA titles scheduled to arrive during the next few months when the regularly-scheduled Wednesday releases resume. The absence of a new game may tick off some fanboys, but it's clear that Microsoft wants to use this week to focus promotion on the re-branding of older content. Let's hope the discounts keep coming (along with some
greater "hits").
