XBox Live Arcade Wednesdays Confirmed *UPDATE*

[bapenguin]

I just received the official press release from Microsoft on XBLA Wednesdays. Just like we reported yesterday (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14873) every Wed from today till August 12th will see the release of a new Live Arcade title. Up first? Frogger.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
Release List: July 12 – Frogger (400 points - $5)
July 19 – Cloning Clyde (800 points - $10)
July 26 – Galaga (400 points - $5)
August 2 – Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting (800 points - $10)
August 9 – Pac-Man (400 points - $5)


Full press release Inside (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?p=339901#post339901).

Awesome. I'll reiterate what I said yesterday. A schedule like this should
have been out a LONG time ago.

Update: Added Prices for games thanks to Joystiq (http://www.joystiq.com).

[bapenguin]

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

Today, Xbox Live unveils Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays, a new program that will provide a regular launch schedule of new Xbox Live Arcade titles on the Xbox 360. Starting today, Xbox Live Arcade games will now go live worldwide*[1] 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/NinjaBees (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 July 26

– ‘Street Fighter II’ Hyper Fighting’ takes the best from classic arcade gaming and brings it online, combining the signature features of Xbox 360 and Xbox Live to create the greatest ‘Street Fighter’ experience to date on August 2

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.

[Heretic Machine]

I'm all for this idea... but it doens't look like I'll be buying any of them until Street Fighter. I have no interest in Frogger, and Cloning Clyde is overpriced. But again: scheduling is great! Lets hope they keep it up after Summer as well.

[Dr Quincy]

Awesome. I'll reiterate what I said yesterday. A schedule like this should have been out a LONG time ago.

Christ, man - the console's only been out six months!

[bapenguin]

Christ, man - the console's only been out six months!

Well...a long time as in, this shit should have been planned from the beginning.

[Norse]

Good news indeed, if only I could get my ass on Live.

Has anyone tried Frogger yet?

[KamaItachi]

Just downloaded Frogger. It was a great "oooh OOOH I remember making a frog cross a road when I was a kid!" nostalgic blast. Then I remembered it was just Frogger. It's nice to have something new out on XBL but I think I'll be happy holding onto my points for Clyde and SF2.

What I would like to see is some good campaigns like this. Summer is usually dry, so having a new game a week is a good way to pass the time until Dead Rising is out. Hope they do something liek this on a bigger/better scale for the holidays. maybe we'll see UMK.

[Morratut]

I can't wait to kick all your asses on Street Fighter ;)

[Lon Lon Rabbit]

When do we get Lumines 8(

Also, Morratut, NEVER post again.

[phantomhitman]

did anyone get frogger?

[bone_matrix]

I'll probably break down and get Frogger, but only if its 500 points. I'm a little miffed that SF2 isn't out sooner though.

[bapenguin]

I'll probably break down and get Frogger, but only if its 500 points. I'm a little miffed that SF2 isn't out sooner though.

Major Nelson mentioned it's 400 points.

[Paranoia]

Microsoft also used the San Francisco event to answer another question in the front of gamers' minds--how much will the latest wave of Xbox Live games cost? As expected, Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting will be pricier than its brethren, weighing in at 800 Marketplace points, or around $10. Cloning Clyde will bear the same price point, most likely due to the fact that it is a brand-new title.

However, old-school gamers present at the event breathed a sigh of relief when they heard the other three Xbox Live Arcade games in the summer's first wave of releases--Galaga, Frogger, and Pac-Man--will cost just 400 Marketplace points (approximately $5).


http://www.gamespot.com/news/6153857.html

[DigitalFirefly]

I got Frogger, it's addicting. I have a 42" tv and the playing area seems kinda small though. However, after I got my first achievement I was unable to resume a game after pausing.

[MSUStud911]

I got Frogger right away. It was the retro game I was most looking forward to by far.

[Wyrm]

I got my xbox two days ago and downloaded Uno, Geometry Wars, and Smash TV. I dont think I've had more fun playing retro games in a long ass time. Smash TV is fun as fuck, and the online multiplayer seems like it wont ever get old. I never actually got to play it but one time in the arcade, so it's great to get it for five bucks w/ co-op, achievements, and leaderboards. Geometry Wars also pwns.

From this set, Galaga is my all time favorite arcade game, so I'm really psyched about that. Cannot wait to see it with a little graphical retouch and some other features. SF2? Maybe. I dont really like the 360 controller for an oldschool fighter, but we'll see.

[Morratut]

Also, Morratut, NEVER post again.

I challenge you sir to a game of Street Fighter 2 when the game is out. :p

Will you take up the challenge? :D

[bone_matrix]

Yeah Bap, I meant to type 400 points (I think the 5 from 5 bucks messed with me when I did the conversion in my head).

Anyway, bought Frogger. If you like Frogger, buy it. You will like it. Haven't tried co-op yet though. First thing you need to do though, is go to options, and make your sreen bigger. When I started up a game first time, it was about 10% of my Widescreen. Way too small. After enlarging it, it was a lot better.

[phantomhitman]

800 for street figher...sheesh

[Kefkataran]

Fuck yes. I've been waiting for this news. I'll probably buy Frogger tonight just for the heck of it, but I'm really looking forward to Cloning Clyde, Galaga, and frickin' PAC-MAN.

[Wyrm]

Have we heard anything else about Lumines? I really want it really really really bad.

[Watership]

I have serious concerns about Street Fighter II. I know the game will be arcade perfect locally. That's not my concern at all. Its Online. Capcom is the reason this game was held back for so long, and I think it was due to the Online problems. Did they fix it? If this thing is released with crappy online play, being delayed as it was, and breaking the 400 MS point retro mold.. I'm going to be pissed.

[snubber]

Galaga! YAy.

[agentgray]

$5?!?!?

That is the perfect pricepoint.

[AniAko]

I can't wait to kick all your asses on Street Fighter ;)

I'm sure you will, once I retire from the throne... ;)

[Kefkataran]

Nat, you gonna join me and bap for some Frogger action tonight? ;);)

[Achilles]

Everything's either $5 or $10, yay. I heard some nasty rumors that all the content was going to go up to $15-$20. Apparently not true, as we figured.

[Orosco]

Is the trial version supposed to be "un-pauseable" or something? After I pause it for like 3 seconds, it switches to another screen where my only options are unlocking the game or quiting to menu.

[JudasGoat]

I'll join you, Kef. My frog will totally rock your frog's face. That will learn you who wants the lillypad more!
I hope they put up some gamerpics for these classic games.

[Kefkataran]

You Son Of A Bitch, Judas. You Rocked My Frog! Why God Why

[EGO]

Can't wait for to get home and try out this new Frogger and most definetly can't wait for some SF2!

You will all taste the might of my Balrog bytchez! :D

[JudasGoat]

My frizzle has more where that came from.

[Lon Lon Rabbit]

I challenge you sir to a game of Street Fighter 2 when the game is out. :p

Will you take up the challenge? :D


I was actually referring to the fact that your post count at that stage was at 1337.

I'm no good at SF 8(

[dena miscreant]

Can't wait for to get home and try out this new Frogger and most definetly can't wait for some SF2!

You will all taste the might of my Balrog bytchez! :D

Dhalsim will own you all.

YOGA FLAME!


As for Frogger, I'm diggin' it.

Wyrm! You have the same XBLA games that I do (except for Frogger)

Uno is probably my least favorite game of my collection.