MAMEUI .123.6 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.123.6, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.123u6, is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.

As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for your CPU.

• MameUI – Official website

MAME V.123U6 RELEASED

The week just wouldn't feel right without a MAME update! The MAME development team has made version .123u6 of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator available for download. As with the previous release, this update mainly focuses on background fixes and polishing from previous releases.

As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAMEUI .123.5 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.123.5, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.123u5, is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.

As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for your CPU.

• MameUI – Official website

MAME V.123U5 RELEASED

Just when you thought it was safe to go back on the internet….  another MAME update! The MAME development team has made version .123u5 of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator available for download. As with the previous release, this update mainly focuses on background fixes and polishing from previous releases.

As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAMEUI .123.4 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.123.4, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.123u4, is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.

As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for your CPU.

• MameUI – Official website

MAME V.123U4 RELEASED

Yes, it's that time again… "What time is it?" you ask? Well, it's time for another MAME update! The MAME development team has made version .123u4 of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator available for download. Once again, this update mainly focuses on background fixes and polishing from previous releases.

As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAMEUI .123.3 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.123.3, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.123u3, is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.

As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for your CPU.

• MameUI – Official website

MAME V.123U3 RELEASED

Another weekend, another MAME update! The MAME development team has made version .123u3 of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator available for download. As with the last one, this update mainly focuses on background fixes and polishing from previous releases.

As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAMEUI .123.2 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.123.2, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.123u2, is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.

As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for your CPU.

• MameUI – Official website

MAME V.123U2 RELEASED

The weekend is almost here, and you know what that means… yes, it's time for another MAME update! The MAME development team has made version .123u2 of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator available for download. As with the last one, this update mainly focuses on background fixes and polishing from previous releases.

As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAMEUI .123.1 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.123.1, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.123u1, is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.

As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for your CPU.

• MameUI – Official website

MAME V.123U1 RELEASED

Hey gang, it's time for another MAME update! The MAME development team has made version .123u1 of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator available for download. This update is another one that mainly focuses on background fixes and polishing from previous releases.

As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAMEUI .123 RELEASED

MameUI, the Windows GUI port of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, has now made the jump to v.123, incorporating all of the changes seen in the most recent build of it’s command line based parent. Please note: this is the same emulator previously known as MAME32, however it's name has been changed as the builds now come in both 32bit and 64bit flavors.

Check out the official MameUI page here for more details and the download links.

• MameUI – Official home of MameUI

MAME V.123 RELEASED

The latest version of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator is now available. Version 1.23 incorporates all of the changes made over the last series of interim updates. If you were having problems with anything in v.122, this new version may be the one for you.

The updated files can be found at the official MAME page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this release.

• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team
• MAME v.123 “What’s New” File – MAMEDev

MAMEUI .122.8 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.122.8, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.122u8, is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.

As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for your CPU.

• MameUI – Official website

MAME V.122U8 RELEASED

Another weekend, another MAME update. According to the MAME development team, version .122u8 of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator should be the last update before version .123 is released. This update is another one that mainly focuses on bug fixes from the previous release.

As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAMEUI .122.7 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.122.7, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.122u7, is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.

As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for your CPU.

• MameUI – Official website

MAME V.122U7 RELEASED

The MAME development team strikes again as version .122u7 of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator is now available for download. This update is another one that mainly focuses on bug fixes from the previous release.

As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAMEUI .122.6 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.122.6, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.122u6, is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.

As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for your CPU.

• MameUI – Official website

MAME V.122U6 RELEASED

No doubt about it, the MAME development team is working overtime of late. There's yet another update available for the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .122u6 is now available for download. This update is another one that mainly focuses on bug fixes from the previous release.

As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAMEUI .122.5 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.122.5, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.122u5, is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.

As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for your CPU.

• MameUI – Official website

MAME V.122U5 RELEASED

Yes, there's yet another update available for the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .122u5 is now available for download. This update is another one that mainly focuses on bug fixes for the previous release.

As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

TWO MORE CLASSIC EXIDY ROMS FOR MAME RELEASED

If you remember, awhile back H.R. Kaufmann, the president of Xidy (formerly known as Exidy), began making all the titles in the company's classic arcade lineup freely available for use with MAME via the official site of the MAME development team.

Although it's been awhile since the last set of ROM releases, it appears that Mr. Kaufmann is still following through on his generous gift to classic game enthusiasts everywhere, as the ROMs for both 1980's Spectar and Targ can now legally be obtained via MAMEDev's ROM page.

Once again, I'd like to extend a huge thank you to Mr. Kaufmann for his generosity.

• New ROMS from Exidy – MAMEDev.org
• Spectar – Information page at KLOV.com
• Targ -Information page at KLOV.com

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – TRON & OMEGA FIVE

Xbox Live Arcade returns to it's familiar two-a-week format this time around with the release of both an arcade classic and original title make their way to the Xbox Live Marketplace. That's right, we've got the best of both worlds in the form of 1982's Tron as well as Hudson's new shmup Omega Five.

As indicated above, Tron made it's debut in arcades back in 1982, following the release of the Disney film of the same name, and quickly won over gamers with both it's mix of mini-games and replication of the film's iconic light cycle scene. While I do (once again) question how well the game will control with the 360 control pad, this is still a title that I can see myself picking up even if only for reasons of nostalgia.

Title: Tron
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Disney Interactive Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 1/09/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E – (Everyone) Mild Fantasy Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"The arcade classic is back! And Tron is even better this time around with enhanced graphics, CD-quality sound and two-person multiplayer.

Battle as mighty video warrior Tron against the insidious Master Control Program and his ruthless right-hand man, Sark. Tron offers a retro-futuristic test of gaming ability. Race life cycles, demolish tanks, dodge grid bugs, and even face off against the MCP himself to find out who truly rules the computer world!

• Enhanced original: Tron is a perfect recreation of the classic arcade game based on the pioneering computer animated Disney film. Authentic graphics, gameplay and audio have all been upgraded to take advantage of the high-definition graphics and CD bit rate quality of Xbox 360™.
• Light cycles rule: Now you can be a part of the most famous scene from the movie. Ride your blue cycle and battle the enemy yellow cycles in a gridline battle royale.
• Great gameplay elements: Exterminate the Grid Bugs and escape into the I/O Tower before time runs out. Demolish all enemy tanks and Recognizers to clear the board. Smash the blocks and move your character into the MCP cone to clear the level. A bonus is awarded if you destroy all the blocks.
• Multiplayer capability: The original arcade game was single player only. Now, Xbox LIVE® Arcade brings you the first version of the game with two-person multiplayer functionality.
• Multiplayer modes: Split screen and online, co-op and versus, there are lots of ways to play Tron. In Versus mode, the players race to achieve the highest score. Try Versus Speed mode, where the first player to reach a host-defined score wins. In Co-op, both players' scores are added together to achieve a high score. And beware the Pressure Cooker where players race to achieve the highest score, but taking the lead after a sub-stage causes the other player's game speed to increase." – Xbox.com

Next up, we have Omega Five – a new shoot-em-up from Hudson. I haven't seen much of the title so far, but the little that I have seen has been encouraging. O5 seems to be a character driven, side-scrolling shooter with a high-def coat of paint on top of it – and that's certainly not a bad thing to be. The game rings in at 800 points ($10), so be sure to try the demo before committing to buy.

Title: Omega Five
Developer: Natsume
Publisher: Hudson Entertainment
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 1/09/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 – (Everyone 10+) Fantasy Violence & Mild Suggestive Themes
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"Omega Five is a true next-gen, high-definition shooter, with the most awe-inspiring graphics around. Fly through dangerous 3-D environments in this side-scroller as enemies come at you from all sides, even the background. Grab an extra controller, choose your merc, and engage in two-player local co-op play for more action.

• Unbelievable visuals: This side-scrolling shooter is set in a gorgeous 3-D environment.
• Challenging gameplay: If you're a hardcore player, try your hand at the ultra-challenging ++ Mode, where you're only allowed one hit!
• Local co-op: Grab an extra controller and demolish enemies with a friend by your side.
• Dangerous environments: Enemies come at you from all sides, even from the background.
• Merc variety: Fight as Ruby, Tempest, or other characters, each of whom has three unique main weapons and special attacks.
• Unlockable extras: Discover new characters, game modes, and options.
• Intuitive controls: The modern control scheme uses the right analog stick to aim and fire." – Xbox.com

As for last week's Live Arcade title, I have to say that I didn't experience any of the problems many reported with Metal Slug 3 – or at least the demo version of it. What I did come to realize is that Metal Slug 3 has never been my favorite of the series, and with my recent purchase of Metal Slug Anthology for the Wii, there really was no
reason to pay a premium price for the game.

MAMEUI .122.4 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.122.4, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.122u4, is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.

As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for your CPU.

• MameUI – Official website

MAME V.122U4 RELEASED

It's been a busy week for MAME as this is the third interim update that's been released within the last seven days. Yes, the work continues on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .122u4 is now available for download. This update focuses on quite a few driver updates and fixes, as well as adding support for Dangerous Curves and Big Fight.

As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, or own the boards for the added games, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update. It should be noted that the U4 update is contained in two parts, so be sure to download and apply both.

• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAMEUI .122.3 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.122.3, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.122u2, is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.

As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for your CPU.

• MameUI – Official website

MAME V.122U3 RELEASED

Sounding much like our last MAME update (and with good reason), the work continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .122u3 is now available for download. This update focuses on quite a few driver updates and fixes, but doesn't appear to add anything overly exciting to the mix.

As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – METAL SLUG 3

Okay, so it's two weeks in a row I've been late with the Xbox Live Arcade post – sue me. So this post is a day late, sue me. It was New Years, I was having a good time, things like this are to be expected.

This week, I'm guessing Microsoft's plan was to start the new year off with a bang by bringing SNK's classic Metal Slug series to the Live Arcade. As such, Metal Slug 3 was told to put on it's best outfit and wow everyone with it's pure arcade goodness. While I have yet to get the chance to try even the demo of the game (and it's not because I don't love the Metal Slug series, I do), there's been a lot of negative feedback on this one already. Complaints have ranged from graphical glitches to slowdown when the action on screen gets to heavy.

Further complicating the matter is that the game is priced at 800 points ($10) – while Metal Slug 3 is certainly a great game, the fact that it's available in other consoles packaged with all the other games in the series for just a little more money may lead you to decide that you'd rather pick this one up elsewhere even if it does mean sacrificing online co-op.

What I'm saying here is that regardless of your feelings for Metal Slug, be sure to download the demo before you buy it so you know what you're in for.

Title: Metal Slug 3
Developer: SNK Playmore
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 1/02/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: T (Teen) – Animated Blood & Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"Marco, Tarma, Eri, and Fio, the four veterans of the elite Sparrows Unit now come to Xbox LIVE® in METAL SLUG 3™! The popular action shooting series is in all of its original arcade glory, with gorgeous graphics and all the run-and-gun action you can handle. There is no time for indecision. General Morden is on the warpath and you must prevent him from creating the New World Order. Stop the Rebel Army!

• Multiple routes: Different routes through the stages allow for extended replayability.
• Different metal slugs: Various slugs are available for help in battle. Handle all the different slugs to learn their capabilities and complete the mission.
• Individual enemies: Different enemies appear depending on which route the player takes, and each enemy has its own unique characteristics.
• Classic arcade graphics: The classic graphics are faithfully reproduced for your gaming enjoyment." – Xbox.com

As for last week's Live Arcade titles, I had no intention of playing Spongebob Squarepants Underpants Slam!, so I have nothing to report to you on that end. If you want to know about it, go download the demo and try it for yourself.

MAMEUI .122.2 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.122.2, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.122u2, is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.

As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for you CPU.

• MameUI – Official website

MAME V.122U2 RELEASED

The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .122u2 is now available for download. This update focuses on quite a few driver updates and fixes, but doesn't appear to add anything overly exciting to the mix.

As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAMEUI .122.1 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.122.1, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.121u4 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.

As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for you CPU.

• MameUI – Official website

MAME V.122U1 RELEASED

The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .122u1 is now available for download. This update focuses on a few driver fixes that have eliminated the issues with a good number of previously non-working games. The games promoted from non-working status are;

• Invasion
• Buggy Boy Junior (Upright version)
• Speed Buggy (Upright verison)
• Task Force Harrier
• US AAF Mustang
• Black Heart
• Red Hawk
• Stagger I
• Sen Jin
• Spectrum 2000
• Fire Hawk

As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, or have the boards for one of the newly supported games, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAMEUI .122 RELEASED

MameUI, the Windows GUI port of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, has now made the jump to v.122, incorporating all of the changes seen in the most recent build of it’s command line based parent. Please note: this is the same emulator previously known as MAME32, however it's name has been changed as the builds now come in both 32bit and 64bit flavors.

Check out the official MameUI page here for more details and the download links.

• MameUI – Official home of MameUI

MAME V.122 RELEASED

The latest version of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator is now available. Version 1.22 incorporates all of the changes made over the last series of interim updates. If you were having problems with anything in v.121, this new version may be the one for you.

The updated files can be found at the official MAME page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this release.

• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team
• MAME v.122 “What’s New” File – MAMEDev

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – TEMPEST & SENSIBLE WORLD OF SOCCER

Xbox Live Arcade swings for the fences this week as two highly anticipated titles make their way to the Xbox Live Marketplace. It's a double feature of epic proportions as both Tempest and Sensible World of Soccer prepare to thrill (and possibly disappoint) gamers around the world.

First up, we'll talk about Atari's Tempest. If I recall correctly, Tempest was born of a nightmare designer David Theurer had one night and turned out to be a dream come true for arcade players everywhere. The game's premise is fairly simple – you control a ship that travels along the edge of various segmented 3D geometric configurations. Enemies appear at the far end of each configuration and travel towards your ship at the top – naturally, your job is to stop them before they get there or avoid them. As with most games from the era, you also have a limited supply of smart bombs for when things get a little too hectic.

Fast, addictive gameplay is what Tempest is all about – and I really hope that Stainless Games doesn't do their usual botch job on the "enhanced version" of this one. Tempest deserves better – as do most of the classic Atari XBLA games.

Title: Tempest
Developer: Stainless Games
Publisher: Atari
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 12/19/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E – (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"Tempest® is one of the most well-known arcade games of all time, a true classic in the realm of video games. This intense shooter requires lots of skill and lightning-quick reflexes. Use unlimited firepower to shoot and destroy enemies in a large geometric battlefield.

Download the full version to play this classic arcade game in its original form and completely re-stylized versions featuring evolved graphics and newly introduced Throttle Monkey™ mode.

• Next-gen presentation: The game supports 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, including HDTV, with full-screen anti-aliasing and Dolby Digital surround sound.
• Arcade integration: Check top scores on the Leaderboards and master 12 challenging Achievements." – Xbox.com

Of course, our friends from across the ocean are a bit more thrilled about the second of this week's Live Arcade releases – Sensible World of Soccer. Now while I certainly wonder how it is that gamers from countries where soccer is known as football (something that seems to be a bit of a sore point too, mind you) would embrace a game that called itself soccer, there really doesn't seem to be any question that swos has a serious following. I don't doubt that Xbox Live Director of Programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb is thrilled to be getting this one into the Arcade so he can stop hearing about it from fans in the comments section of every new XBLA announcement.

Needless to say, this one is a soccer game (that's right – it's soccer!) – and supposedly a really good classic version of it. I've never played swos and It may not be for everyone, but it's reputation alone says you should at least give the demo a try.

Title: Sensible World of Soccer
Developer: Kuju Sheffield
Publisher: Codemasters Online
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 12/19/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E – (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"Sensible World of Soccer™ is the classic nineties soccer game reborn with enhanced graphics! Play against your friends online in this fantastic pick up and play soccer extravaganza. Experience all the excitement of a full season or enter into a quick game against your friends.

Want to be more hands-on? Manage your team over a full season with a fully immersive tactics editor to put yourself in control on the way to the title.

• Online play: Take on your friends online in this fun, fast-paced soccer game.
• Updated for Xbox LIVE Arcade: Play a fully updated Arcade version of this classic game.
• Classic and Enhanced modes: Play online with the graphics you remember, or with the new enhanced HD visuals.
• Retro experience: Utilizing the original '96/'97 code, widely recognized to be the best incarnation of the SWOS series, we are able to deliver an authentic, retro playing experience.
• Influential game: SWOS is one of the ten most influential games of all time. Play the only version that lets you experience both classic SWOS and modern enhanced SWOS." – Xbox.com

As for last week's Live Arcade titles, there's not much to say. I expected big things from Arkadian Warriors, but the game (or at least the demo) just never seemed to deliver. While Arkadian Warriors does indeed play quite a bit like Diablo, it never really captures the same feel. I don't know if it's the cutesy characters, the easy battles or just the way the game presents itself (it often comes across with a very generic RPG vibe), but the game never truly grabbed my attention. I certainly wouldn't call it a bad game, and much like Exit, I do plan on going back and seeing if maybe I'd like it a little more if I was in a different mood. Arkadian Warriors is certainly one you'll need to try for yourself.

The other new Xbox Live Arcade en
trant last week was GripShift, a game that I still have not had the opportunity to really sit down and play – probably because of the fact that I wasn't exactly thrilled with I tried it for the PlayStation 3. I'm going to suggest you try this one first as well – and really, that is always the best advice for Xbox Live Arcade titles – that's why the demos are there.

MAMEUI .121.4 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.121.4, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.121u4 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.

As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for you CPU.

• MameUI – Official website

MAME V.121U4 RELEASED

The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .121u4 is now available for download. This update focuses on initial working emulation for some rarer Namco System 12 Games and Mortal Kombat 4, as well as a few fixes to Atari's Star Wars.

As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAMEUI .121.3 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.121.3, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.121u3 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.

As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for you CPU.

• MameUI – Official website

MAME V.121U3 RELEASED

Okay gang, looks like things are back to normal over at MAMEDev, as their server move is now complete. While apparently v.121u2 of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator was never formally announced, version .121u3 is now available for download. This update focuses on a large number of fixes to the drivers for Donkey Kong, along with several other background fixes.

As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAMEUI .121.2 RELEASED

MameUI, the Windows GUI port of MAME, has now been updated to version .121.2. Normally, this post would follow an announcement regarding the launch of MAME v.121u2 which would include a brief synopsis of what was changed in the update. Unfortunately, at present, the official site of the MAME development team is being moved to a new server, so I don't have that information readily available.

As such, I would advise against upgrading to the latest version until MAMEDEV.org is back online and the latest information can be obtained.

As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for you CPU.

• MameUI – Official website

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – ASTEROIDS / ASTEROIDS DELUXE

Hey, you! Straighten up that tie and tuck your shirt in – you're in the presence of royalty today. Two more all-time classic arcade games come to the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade as both Atari's Asteroids and Asteroids Deluxe make their way to the marketplace in one neat package. That's right, you get both games for 400 ($5) points.

Now I won't lie – given the way Missile Command turned out, I am a bit concerned for Atari's dynamic duo. There are quite a few ways his one could be screwed up, and as always, the thought of the 360's controller and classic games makes me cringe. Microsoft, I implore you – release an arcade style controller already – It really is tiring dragging out all the equipment I need to make my customized X-Arcade stick work with the 360.

There's not much else to say about these two, as I'm sure just about everyone reading knows what they are all about. Give the demo a try and decide if the games are worth the five bucks for yourself. (and if you're a PlayStation 3 owner and feeling a bit left out at the moment, I will advise you that I think Super Stardust HD (available via the PlayStation Store) is a worthy modern day successor to the genre and a steal at $7.99.)

Title: Asteroids / Asteroids Deluxe
Developer: Stainless Games
Publisher: Atari
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 11/28/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Fantasy Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"Two of the all-time classic arcade games come to Xbox LIVE® Arcade in Asteroids©, Asteroids Deluxe©, a combo of intense action where players must save earth from a deadly bombardment of asteroids. The full historic game is available in its original form, along with a completely re-stylized version featuring evolved graphics.

• The original Asteroids: Released in 1979 by Atari, the simple black and white game was a masterpiece of vector graphics game design, and had millions of arcadegoers entranced by its simple mechanic of controlling a spaceship firing at and destroying asteroids.
• The release of Asteroids Deluxe: The sequel to the original, released in 1980, Asteroids Deluxe featured the same classic gameplay but added a new shield feature and dangerous satellite enemies. Play both the original and its sequel in all of its classic old-school style.
• Next-gen evolution: But now, both games have evolved. Support is provided for both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, including HDTV. Full-screen anti-aliasing and Dolby Digital surround sound complete the gaming experience.
• Throttle Monkey mode: Both game versions come with a high-speed version known as Throttle Monkey. Can you survive?
• Achievements and leaderboards: Twelve new achievements for you to earn, and new leaderboards to conquer. Show your friends who is the master at Asteroids and Asteroids Deluxe." – Xbox.com

As for last week's Live Arcade release, Undertow just wasn't everything I hoped it would be. As I mentioned in last week's post, I was hoping for a side scrolling, twin-stick shooter and instead found myself playing a side scrolling team based shooter with serious gameplay issues.

MAMEUI .121.1 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.121.1, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.121u1 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.

As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for you CPU.

• MameUI – Official website 

MAME V.121U1 RELEASED

The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .121u1 is now available for download. This update focuses on fixing a few bugs introduced in v.121, but contains no major new features.

As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAME – Official website
• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAMEUI .121 RELEASED

MameUI, the Windows GUI port of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, has now made the jump to v.121, incorporating all of the changes seen in the most recent build of it’s command line based parent. Please note: this is the same emulator previously known as MAME32, however it's name has been changed as the builds now come in both 32bit and 64bit flavors.

Check out the official MameUI page here for more details and the download links.

• MameUI – Official home of MameUI

MAME V.121 RELEASED

The latest version of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator is now available. Version 1.21 incorporates all of the changes made over the last series of interim updates. If you were having problems with anything in v.120, this new version may be the one for you.

The updated files can be found at the official MAME page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this release.

• MAME – Official website
• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team
• MAME v.121 “What’s New” File – MAMEDev

MAME32 RENAMED – MAMEUI .120.4 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.120.4, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.120u4 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.

As you may have noticed in this post's text, there's been a slight change to MAME32. The emulator has now been renamed MameUI and is available in both 32 and 64 bit flavors (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively), so be sure to download the correct version for you CPU. 

Check out the official MameUI page here for more details and the download links.

MAME V.120U4 RELEASED

The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .120u4 is now available for download. This update features a decent number of small background updates, but contains no major changes to the emulator's code.

As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAME – Official website
• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAME32 .120.3 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MAME32 v.120.3, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.120u3 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MAME32 as well.

Check out the official MAME32 page here for more details and the download links.

• MAME32 – Official home of MAME32

MAME V.120U3 RELEASED

The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .120u3 is now available for download. This update continues the recent focus on background improvements such as the emulator's polygon rendering system.

As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAME – Official website
• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAME32 .120.2 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MAME32 v.120.2, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.120u2 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MAME32 as well.

Check out the official MAME32 page here for more details and the download links.

• MAME32 – Official home of MAME32

MAME V.120U2 RELEASED

The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .120u2 is now available for download. This update focuses on several background improvements, including an overhaul to the drivers for Mad Alien.

As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAME – Official website
• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – MUTANT STORM EMPIRE

While one might assume that today's Xbox Live Arcade release would have a somewhat spooky flavor to it in honor of Halloween, that just isn't the case. What we do get is Mutant Storm Empire, the sequel to one of the Live Arcade's earliest titles Mutant Storm Reloaded.

While I haven't had a chance to try Empire yet, according to the product description and most of the previews I've read, Pom Pom Games has done away with my biggest complaint about it's predecessor – namely, the "level-based" nature of the game. Mutant Storm Empire promises to play all sixteen of it's levels as one continuous experience. If you're like me and prefer that your arcade games to ramp up the difficulty without any kind of break in the action, this could well be a major selling point for you. There is also one other new option worthy of note here – the game will now support two-player co-op action, which should certainly add a whole new flavor to the game.

Ultimately, I think my purchasing decision for Mutant Storm Empire will be based less on it's price tag (800 points – $10), and more on just how long each of said levels are. Mutant Storm Reloaded was a game where each level seemed to end just as it was becoming exciting, and while Empire may remove the delay between levels, if each level is still overly short, those sixteen levels could go by far too quickly. Call it a personal preference, but I feel the best arcade-style shooters are the ones that have that never-ending feeling. Mind you, they don't have to actually be never ending, just make the game long enough that it will take a good while to attain the necessary skill to reach that end. As an example, while it wasn't a shooter, I think many (including myself) felt cheated every time that timer ran out in Pac-Man Championship Edition. (Do you hear me Namco? I'm more than willing to pay again for a version of the game with no timers!) Without a doubt, one of the great features of some of the earliest arcade games was their ability to be played forever on a single coin.

My lecture on arcade game design done, it's time to take a look at the particulars surrounding Mutant Storm Empire;

Title: Mutant Storm Empire
Developer: Pom Pom Games
Publisher: Pom Pom Games
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/31/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 (Everyone 10+) – Fantasy Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"There's this evil emperor, see, and … well, he's evil. Now someone has decided to put a stop to the whole evilness thing, and that someone is you. It's the right thing to do! Besides, in Mutant Storm Empire, it'll be fun. Battle through line after line of the emperor's minion horde, destroying absolutely everything you can! Blast through bunches of robots, crush colonies of aquatic monsters, smash swarms of UFOs, and demolish devastating bosses. It's a continuous adventure through four immense, strikingly vibrant worlds, and you can fight alone or join forces with a friend in two-player cooperative mode. Enjoy the frenzy!

• The art of blasting: Practice the way of "Blastikkidoo" or the art of blasting, as you plow through the different worlds in Mutant Storm Empire. This all-new sequel to Mutant Storm Reloaded ratchets up the competitive challenge!
• Numerous levels: The four different worlds feature sixteen challenging levels, all in gorgeous high-def 3-D graphics.
• Multiplayer modes: Play co-op offline with a friend, or head into Xbox LIVE® territory and go multiplayer for up to 2 people.
• Achievements: Twelve new achievements to master ranging from easy, such as getting a single combo of beasties, to difficult, such as completing the game on the Black Belt level." – Xbox.com

As for last week's Live Arcade releases, I stand by my comments on each – Battlestar Galactica is still trash and Exit is a game that has a bit of potential for those who enjoy puzzle solving platformers. While I may never even look at BSG again, I'll certainly be revisiting Exit at some point in the future.

MAME32 .120.1 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MAME32 v.120.1, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.120u1 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MAME32 as well.

Check out the official MAME32 page here for more details and the download links.

• MAME32 – Official home of MAME32

MAME V.120U1 RELEASED

The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .120u1 is now available for download. This update focuses on improvements to Namco System 21 emulation as well as the addition of a new generic polygon rendering system for multi-core processors.

Because of these changes, unless you’ve been having a problem with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. As always, those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAME – Official website
• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAME32 .120 RELEASED

MAME32, the Windows GUI port of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, has now made the jump to v.120, incorporating all of the changes seen in the most recent build of it’s command line based parent.

Check out the official MAME32 page here for more details and the download links.

• MAME32 – Official home of MAME32

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – EVERY EXTEND EXTRA EXTREME & SPEEDBALL 2: BRUTAL DELUXE

Welcome to another edition of Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays. This week, Microsoft is giving Xbox 360 owners another double dose of action with the releases of Every Extend Extra Extreme and Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, so let’s get right to it and take a look at our two contestants…

Every Extend Extra Extreme is the latest iteration in the Every Extend series, and promises to provide players with more of the music-based, chain-blasting action fans of the previous games have come to expect. One perk found in the Xbox 360 version will be the ability to stream your own music to the 360 for use in the game, which should add a great deal of variety depending on what kind of music you choose to use.

For those of you who are completely lost at this point, let me explain… Every Extend Extra Extreme is a game where the actual frequency of enemies and the timing of the combos players can make is controlled by the music being played in the game. The premise is simple – players sacrifice their onscreen avatar by crashing into the enemies on screen, thereby setting off a chain reaction of explosions that generate their score. Naturally, the longer and more complex the chain reaction is, the more points the player scores.

If you’re still confused, my advice is to try the demo available in the Xbox Live Marketplace or download Every Extend, the original freeware game, for your PC to see if this is a game worth your 800 points ($10).

Title: Every Extend Extra Extreme
Developer: Q Entertainment Inc.
Publisher: Q Entertainment Inc.
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/17/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Not available
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"The latest creation by Q Entertainment, EVERY EXTEND EXTRA EXTREME (E4) is a unique action-packed shooter. Time your self-destruction perfectly, create chain reactions by exploding enemies, and extend the game life. Enjoy a trippy, trancey clubbing experience through the combination of highly addictive gameplay, music, and sharp visuals. E4 features five exciting game modes as you collect bonus items and detonate your craft to the beat to multiply your scores.

• Wildly fun gameplay: Unique, fun, addictive gameplay mixed with hip and cool original music offers a club-like experience in the living room.
• Next-gen challenge and graphics: Outrageous visuals and high-quality sound add to the richness of the gameplay. There are a hundred times more enemies, a hundred times more chain reactions, and a stylish collection of newly designed visualizers all exploding in high definition with 5.1 surround sound support.
• Multiple game modes: Play E4 The Game Unlimited, a reverse action-shooter where the goal is to self-destruct, create large chain reactions of explosions by defeating enemies, and extend the life of the game by collecting the items they leave behind. Other game modes include E4 The Game Limited, that challenges with a Time Attack version of the main mode. Take on R4 The Revenge, a genuine shooter with up to 100 stages. And go head to head in H4 Versus Live, against other players on Xbox LIVE®.
• Your own music: Add your own music in the S4 Wiz Ur Muzik mode. Enjoy a customized E4 gameplay experience by adding your own tracks and playing to your favorite music." – Xbox.com

If Every Extend Extra Extreme didn’t sound like your kind of game, then perhaps Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, a remake of the 1991 game of the same name, will be more to your liking.

Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe is a futuristic sports game where players in an enclosed arena attempt to score by throwing a ball into their opponent’s goal. Those are the entire set of rules – how your team does that is entirely up to them, meaning that violence is sure to ensue. I don’t have much first-hand knowledge of this game, so I’m going to highly recommend that you try the demo before shelling out the required 800 points ($10) to purchase this one.

Title: Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe
Developer: The Bitmap Brothers
Publisher: Empire Interactive, LTD.
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/17/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone) Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"In the year 2326, rival gangs form an ultra-violent streetsports league called Speedball to settle their deadly disputes. Get your steel ball into the opponent’s goal. That’s it, there are no other rules, and anything goes. The sport becomes quite popular, but it is also extremely dangerous. Ten years later, Speedball becomes the national sport with sponsors, professional teams, and insanely brutal action.

Now, the Bitmap Brothers and Empire Interactive bring you the legendary futuristic sports game Speedball™ 2: Brutal Deluxe completely remastered for Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Play the fast-paced and utterly brutal game with its classic 2-D graphics, or go full on with the new super-enhanced high definition 3-D visuals. Smash your way to the top of the league in the solo game or go head to head locally or on Xbox LIVE. The game features 32 teams, 4 leagues, cup and knockout competitions, team enhancements, management and training options, and Ranked Preset or Ranked Career games.

• Updated classic: Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe brings you both the original version with its violently fast action and 2-D graphics, and the exciting new high-def enhanced 3-D graphics for players and arenas.
• Multiplayer mode: Win as many professional matches as you can, join the upper leagues, and unlock new content in the online store. Play locally or on Xbox LIVE. Compete head to head in friendly or ranked matches.
• Expanded gameplay: The solo game includes 32 teams, league championship, cup and knockout competitions.
• Management options: Use your management skills to train your players or buy star players as you mount your challenge for the championship." – Xbox.com

As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, I can sum it up pretty shortly with the following statements… If you don’t already own Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords for another system, you really owe it to yourself to pick it up for the Live Arcade – it’s every bit as addictive as it’s handheld cousins. As for Yaris, it’s a very rare thing for me to say that a free game isn’t worth the time to download, but Yaris accomplishes that feat quite well. It just isn’t even worth the hard drive space it occupies.

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – EVERY EXTEND EXTRA EXTREME & SPEEDBALL 2: BRUTAL DELUXE

Welcome to another edition of Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays. This week, Microsoft is giving Xbox 360 owners another double dose of action with the releases of Every Extend Extra Extreme and Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, so let’s get right to it and take a look at our two contestants…

Every Extend Extra Extreme is the latest iteration in the Every Extend series, and promises to provide players with more of the music-based, chain-blasting action fans of the previous games have come to expect. One perk found in the Xbox 360 version will be the ability to stream your own music to the 360 for use in the game, which should add a great deal of variety depending on what kind of music you choose to use.

For those of you who are completely lost at this point, let me explain… Every Extend Extra Extreme is a game where the actual frequency of enemies and the timing of the combos players can make is controlled by the music being played in the game. The premise is simple – players sacrifice their onscreen avatar by crashing into the enemies on screen, thereby setting off a chain reaction of explosions that generate their score. Naturally, the longer and more complex the chain reaction is, the more points the player scores.

If you’re still confused, my advice is to try the demo available in the Xbox Live Marketplace or download Every Extend, the original freeware game, for your PC to see if this is a game worth your 800 points ($10).

Title: Every Extend Extra Extreme
Developer: Q Entertainment Inc.
Publisher: Q Entertainment Inc.
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/17/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Not available
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"The latest creation by Q Entertainment, EVERY EXTEND EXTRA EXTREME (E4) is a unique action-packed shooter. Time your self-destruction perfectly, create chain reactions by exploding enemies, and extend the game life. Enjoy a trippy, trancey clubbing experience through the combination of highly addictive gameplay, music, and sharp visuals. E4 features five exciting game modes as you collect bonus items and detonate your craft to the beat to multiply your scores.

• Wildly fun gameplay: Unique, fun, addictive gameplay mixed with hip and cool original music offers a club-like experience in the living room.
• Next-gen challenge and graphics: Outrageous visuals and high-quality sound add to the richness of the gameplay. There are a hundred times more enemies, a hundred times more chain reactions, and a stylish collection of newly designed visualizers all exploding in high definition with 5.1 surround sound support.
• Multiple game modes: Play E4 The Game Unlimited, a reverse action-shooter where the goal is to self-destruct, create large chain reactions of explosions by defeating enemies, and extend the life of the game by collecting the items they leave behind. Other game modes include E4 The Game Limited, that challenges with a Time Attack version of the main mode. Take on R4 The Revenge, a genuine shooter with up to 100 stages. And go head to head in H4 Versus Live, against other players on Xbox LIVE®.
• Your own music: Add your own music in the S4 Wiz Ur Muzik mode. Enjoy a customized E4 gameplay experience by adding your own tracks and playing to your favorite music." – Xbox.com

If Every Extend Extra Extreme didn’t sound like your kind of game, then perhaps Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, a remake of the 1991 game of the same name, will be more to your liking.

Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe is a futuristic sports game where players in an enclosed arena attempt to score by throwing a ball into their opponent’s goal. Those are the entire set of rules – how your team does that is entirely up to them, meaning that violence is sure to ensue. I don’t have much first-hand knowledge of this game, so I’m going to highly recommend that you try the demo before shelling out the required 800 points ($10) to purchase this one.

Title: Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe
Developer: The Bitmap Brothers
Publisher: Empire Interactive, LTD.
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/17/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone) Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"In the year 2326, rival gangs form an ultra-violent streetsports league called Speedball to settle their deadly disputes. Get your steel ball into the opponent’s goal. That’s it, there are no other rules, and anything goes. The sport becomes quite popular, but it is also extremely dangerous. Ten years later, Speedball becomes the national sport with sponsors, professional teams, and insanely brutal action.

Now, the Bitmap Brothers and Empire Interactive bring you the legendary futuristic sports game Speedball™ 2: Brutal Deluxe completely remastered for Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Play the fast-paced and utterly brutal game with its classic 2-D graphics, or go full on with the new super-enhanced high definition 3-D visuals. Smash your way to the top of the league in the solo game or go head to head locally or on Xbox LIVE. The game features 32 teams, 4 leagues, cup and knockout competitions, team enhancements, management and training options, and Ranked Preset or Ranked Career games.

• Updated classic: Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe brings you both the original version with its violently fast action and 2-D graphics, and the exciting new high-def enhanced 3-D graphics for players and arenas.
• Multiplayer mode: Win as many professional matches as you can, join the upper leagues, and unlock new content in the online store. Play locally or on Xbox LIVE. Compete head to head in friendly or ranked matches.
• Expanded gameplay: The solo game includes 32 teams, league championship, cup and knockout competitions.
• Management options: Use your management skills to train your players or buy star players as you mount your challenge for the championship." – Xbox.com

As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, I can sum it up pretty shortly with the following statements… If you don’t already own Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords for another system, you really owe it to yourself to pick it up for the Live Arcade – it’s every bit as addictive as it’s handheld cousins. As for Yaris, it’s a very rare thing for me to say that a free game isn’t worth the time to download, but Yaris accomplishes that feat quite well. It just isn’t even worth the hard drive space it occupies.

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – EVERY EXTEND EXTRA EXTREME & SPEEDBALL 2: BRUTAL DELUXE

Welcome to another edition of Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays. This week, Microsoft is giving Xbox 360 owners another double dose of action with the releases of Every Extend Extra Extreme and Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, so let’s get right to it and take a look at our two contestants…

Every Extend Extra Extreme is the latest iteration in the Every Extend series, and promises to provide players with more of the music-based, chain-blasting action fans of the previous games have come to expect. One perk found in the Xbox 360 version will be the ability to stream your own music to the 360 for use in the game, which should add a great deal of variety depending on what kind of music you choose to use.

For those of you who are completely lost at this point, let me explain… Every Extend Extra Extreme is a game where the actual frequency of enemies and the timing of the combos players can make is controlled by the music being played in the game. The premise is simple – players sacrifice their onscreen avatar by crashing into the enemies on screen, thereby setting off a chain reaction of explosions that generate their score. Naturally, the longer and more complex the chain reaction is, the more points the player scores.

If you’re still confused, my advice is to try the demo available in the Xbox Live Marketplace or download Every Extend, the original freeware game, for your PC to see if this is a game worth your 800 points ($10).

Title: Every Extend Extra Extreme
Developer: Q Entertainment Inc.
Publisher: Q Entertainment Inc.
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/17/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Not available
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"The latest creation by Q Entertainment, EVERY EXTEND EXTRA EXTREME (E4) is a unique action-packed shooter. Time your self-destruction perfectly, create chain reactions by exploding enemies, and extend the game life. Enjoy a trippy, trancey clubbing experience through the combination of highly addictive gameplay, music, and sharp visuals. E4 features five exciting game modes as you collect bonus items and detonate your craft to the beat to multiply your scores.

• Wildly fun gameplay: Unique, fun, addictive gameplay mixed with hip and cool original music offers a club-like experience in the living room.
• Next-gen challenge and graphics: Outrageous visuals and high-quality sound add to the richness of the gameplay. There are a hundred times more enemies, a hundred times more chain reactions, and a stylish collection of newly designed visualizers all exploding in high definition with 5.1 surround sound support.
• Multiple game modes: Play E4 The Game Unlimited, a reverse action-shooter where the goal is to self-destruct, create large chain reactions of explosions by defeating enemies, and extend the life of the game by collecting the items they leave behind. Other game modes include E4 The Game Limited, that challenges with a Time Attack version of the main mode. Take on R4 The Revenge, a genuine shooter with up to 100 stages. And go head to head in H4 Versus Live, against other players on Xbox LIVE®.
• Your own music: Add your own music in the S4 Wiz Ur Muzik mode. Enjoy a customized E4 gameplay experience by adding your own tracks and playing to your favorite music." – Xbox.com

If Every Extend Extra Extreme didn’t sound like your kind of game, then perhaps Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, a remake of the 1991 game of the same name, will be more to your liking.

Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe is a futuristic sports game where players in an enclosed arena attempt to score by throwing a ball into their opponent’s goal. Those are the entire set of rules – how your team does that is entirely up to them, meaning that violence is sure to ensue. I don’t have much first-hand knowledge of this game, so I’m going to highly recommend that you try the demo before shelling out the required 800 points ($10) to purchase this one.

Title: Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe
Developer: The Bitmap Brothers
Publisher: Empire Interactive, LTD.
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/17/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone) Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"In the year 2326, rival gangs form an ultra-violent streetsports league called Speedball to settle their deadly disputes. Get your steel ball into the opponent’s goal. That’s it, there are no other rules, and anything goes. The sport becomes quite popular, but it is also extremely dangerous. Ten years later, Speedball becomes the national sport with sponsors, professional teams, and insanely brutal action.

Now, the Bitmap Brothers and Empire Interactive bring you the legendary futuristic sports game Speedball™ 2: Brutal Deluxe completely remastered for Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Play the fast-paced and utterly brutal game with its classic 2-D graphics, or go full on with the new super-enhanced high definition 3-D visuals. Smash your way to the top of the league in the solo game or go head to head locally or on Xbox LIVE. The game features 32 teams, 4 leagues, cup and knockout competitions, team enhancements, management and training options, and Ranked Preset or Ranked Career games.

• Updated classic: Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe brings you both the original version with its violently fast action and 2-D graphics, and the exciting new high-def enhanced 3-D graphics for players and arenas.
• Multiplayer mode: Win as many professional matches as you can, join the upper leagues, and unlock new content in the online store. Play locally or on Xbox LIVE. Compete head to head in friendly or ranked matches.
• Expanded gameplay: The solo game includes 32 teams, league championship, cup and knockout competitions.
• Management options: Use your management skills to train your players or buy star players as you mount your challenge for the championship." – Xbox.com

As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, I can sum it up pretty shortly with the following statements… If you don’t already own Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords for another system, you really owe it to yourself to pick it up for the Live Arcade – it’s every bit as addictive as it’s handheld cousins. As for Yaris, it’s a very rare thing for me to say that a free game isn’t worth the time to download, but Yaris accomplishes that feat quite well. It just isn’t even worth the hard drive space it occupies.

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – EVERY EXTEND EXTRA EXTREME & SPEEDBALL 2: BRUTAL DELUXE

Welcome to another edition of Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays. This week, Microsoft is giving Xbox 360 owners another double dose of action with the releases of Every Extend Extra Extreme and Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, so let’s get right to it and take a look at our two contestants…

Every Extend Extra Extreme is the latest iteration in the Every Extend series, and promises to provide players with more of the music-based, chain-blasting action fans of the previous games have come to expect. One perk found in the Xbox 360 version will be the ability to stream your own music to the 360 for use in the game, which should add a great deal of variety depending on what kind of music you choose to use.

For those of you who are completely lost at this point, let me explain… Every Extend Extra Extreme is a game where the actual frequency of enemies and the timing of the combos players can make is controlled by the music being played in the game. The premise is simple – players sacrifice their onscreen avatar by crashing into the enemies on screen, thereby setting off a chain reaction of explosions that generate their score. Naturally, the longer and more complex the chain reaction is, the more points the player scores.

If you’re still confused, my advice is to try the demo available in the Xbox Live Marketplace or download Every Extend, the original freeware game, for your PC to see if this is a game worth your 800 points ($10).

Title: Every Extend Extra Extreme
Developer: Q Entertainment Inc.
Publisher: Q Entertainment Inc.
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/17/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Not available
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"The latest creation by Q Entertainment, EVERY EXTEND EXTRA EXTREME (E4) is a unique action-packed shooter. Time your self-destruction perfectly, create chain reactions by exploding enemies, and extend the game life. Enjoy a trippy, trancey clubbing experience through the combination of highly addictive gameplay, music, and sharp visuals. E4 features five exciting game modes as you collect bonus items and detonate your craft to the beat to multiply your scores.

• Wildly fun gameplay: Unique, fun, addictive gameplay mixed with hip and cool original music offers a club-like experience in the living room.
• Next-gen challenge and graphics: Outrageous visuals and high-quality sound add to the richness of the gameplay. There are a hundred times more enemies, a hundred times more chain reactions, and a stylish collection of newly designed visualizers all exploding in high definition with 5.1 surround sound support.
• Multiple game modes: Play E4 The Game Unlimited, a reverse action-shooter where the goal is to self-destruct, create large chain reactions of explosions by defeating enemies, and extend the life of the game by collecting the items they leave behind. Other game modes include E4 The Game Limited, that challenges with a Time Attack version of the main mode. Take on R4 The Revenge, a genuine shooter with up to 100 stages. And go head to head in H4 Versus Live, against other players on Xbox LIVE®.
• Your own music: Add your own music in the S4 Wiz Ur Muzik mode. Enjoy a customized E4 gameplay experience by adding your own tracks and playing to your favorite music." – Xbox.com

If Every Extend Extra Extreme didn’t sound like your kind of game, then perhaps Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, a remake of the 1991 game of the same name, will be more to your liking.

Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe is a futuristic sports game where players in an enclosed arena attempt to score by throwing a ball into their opponent’s goal. Those are the entire set of rules – how your team does that is entirely up to them, meaning that violence is sure to ensue. I don’t have much first-hand knowledge of this game, so I’m going to highly recommend that you try the demo before shelling out the required 800 points ($10) to purchase this one.

Title: Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe
Developer: The Bitmap Brothers
Publisher: Empire Interactive, LTD.
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/17/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone) Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"In the year 2326, rival gangs form an ultra-violent streetsports league called Speedball to settle their deadly disputes. Get your steel ball into the opponent’s goal. That’s it, there are no other rules, and anything goes. The sport becomes quite popular, but it is also extremely dangerous. Ten years later, Speedball becomes the national sport with sponsors, professional teams, and insanely brutal action.

Now, the Bitmap Brothers and Empire Interactive bring you the legendary futuristic sports game Speedball™ 2: Brutal Deluxe completely remastered for Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Play the fast-paced and utterly brutal game with its classic 2-D graphics, or go full on with the new super-enhanced high definition 3-D visuals. Smash your way to the top of the league in the solo game or go head to head locally or on Xbox LIVE. The game features 32 teams, 4 leagues, cup and knockout competitions, team enhancements, management and training options, and Ranked Preset or Ranked Career games.

• Updated classic: Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe brings you both the original version with its violently fast action and 2-D graphics, and the exciting new high-def enhanced 3-D graphics for players and arenas.
• Multiplayer mode: Win as many professional matches as you can, join the upper leagues, and unlock new content in the online store. Play locally or on Xbox LIVE. Compete head to head in friendly or ranked matches.
• Expanded gameplay: The solo game includes 32 teams, league championship, cup and knockout competitions.
• Management options: Use your management skills to train your players or buy star players as you mount your challenge for the championship." – Xbox.com

As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, I can sum it up pretty shortly with the following statements… If you don’t already own Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords for another system, you really owe it to yourself to pick it up for the Live Arcade – it’s every bit as addictive as it’s handheld cousins. As for Yaris, it’s a very rare thing for me to say that a free game isn’t worth the time to download, but Yaris accomplishes that feat quite well. It just isn’t even worth the hard drive space it occupies.

MAME V.120 RELEASED

The latest version of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator is now available. Version 1.20 incorporates all of the changes made in the last series of interim updates. If you were having problems with anything in v.119, this new version may be the one for you.

The updated files can be found at the official MAME page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this release.

• MAME – Official website
• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team
• MAME v.120 “What’s New” File – MAMEDev

MAME32 .119.4 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MAME32 v.119.4, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.119u4 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MAME32 as well.

Check out the official MAME32 page here for more details and the download links.

• MAME32 – Official home of MAME32

MAME V.119U4 RELEASED

The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .119u4 is now available for download. This update adds a few new Japanese arcade titles as well as some driver updates for multithreaded 3dfx support.

Because theres really not all that much new in this update,  I’d recommend holding off on upgrading your installation until the next full release. However, If you’re one of those valiant souls who wants to test this build for the dev team, download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAME – Official website
• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

PLAYSTATION STORE: EVERYDAY SHOOTER

This week’s PlayStation Store update brings Jonathan Mak’s critically acclaimed game Everyday Shooter to the PlayStation 3. The game is a stage-based shooter that plays a lot like Bizarre Creations’ twin-stick shooter Geometry Wars, with the added twist that the player must collect particles created by the destruction of your enemies in order to chain together scoring combos.

One of the game’s coolest touches is that it’s in-game audio effects become part of it’s soundtrack, meaning that every shot and every explosion will create a soundtrack that differs with each play through.

“Developed solely by Jonathan Mak, Everyday Shooter won three awards at the Independent Gaming Festival at the 2007 Game Developers Conference. Unlike traditional arcade shooters, the sound effects in Everyday Shooter play in musical harmony with the game’s background music. Throughout Everyday Shooter’s album of games, typical arcade sounds of destruction are replaced with guitar riffs harmonizing over an all-guitar soundtrack.

KEY FEATURES

• Album of Shooter Games – Each of the 8 ‘songs’ or levels has a completely different visual vibe and chain system.
• Vector-Based Graphics – Graphics are created from mathematical equations celebrating the beauty of geometry.
• Stunning, Evolving Synaethesia – Every shot, hit, or explosion creates a visual and musical inspiration that produces a note, chord or riff that harmonizes into the song for each level.
• Full HD at 1080p – In addition to the fluid music, enjoy the brilliant colors and stylized visuals.” PlayStation Store

Based on the trailers I’ve seen of Everyday Shooter, as well as the praise the game has drawn from numerous reviewers who have had a chance to try it, I’d probably feel safe in saying that if you’ve got a PlayStation 3, don’t mind stage-based shooters and are a fan of arcade style games, this one is probably going to be a good buy for you.

It’s in that statement that the bad news surrounding Everyday Shooter can be found… I say “probably”, because as with most of Sony’s other PlayStation Store offerings, no demo is available for you to try before you make a purchasing decision. While the game certainly looks fun, it only has a limited number of stages, and without getting a feel for how long each lasts, there’s a question as to whether or not this one is really worth the $9.99 price Sony is asking for it.

• Everyday Shooter – PlayStation Store

MAME32 .119.3 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MAME32 v.119.3, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.119u3 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MAME32 as well.

Check out the official MAME32 page here for more details and the download links.

• MAME32 – Official home of MAME32

MAME V.119U3 RELEASED

The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .119u3 is now available for download. This update contains more changes to Sega Model 2 emulation as well as some changes to support 3dfx Voodoo emulation on multi-cpu systems.

The development team has stated that this update should be viewed as a work in porgress and that there will most likely be a few glitches in the code. Because of that warning, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading your installation until the next full release. However, If you’re one of those valiant souls who wants to test this build for the dev team, download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAME – Official website
• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAME32 .119.2 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MAME32 v.119.2, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.119u2 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MAME32 as well.

Check out the official MAME32 page here for more details and the download links.

• MAME32 – Official home of MAME32

MAME V.119U2 RELEASED

The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .119u2 is now available for download. This update contains more changes to Sega Model 2 and Model 3 sound emulation in addition to the usual bug fixes. As always, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading your installation until the next full release unless you’ve got a specific reason to do so. For those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team, download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAME – Official website
• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAME32 .119.1 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MAME32 v.119.1, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.119u1 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MAME32 as well.

Check out the official MAME32 page here for more details and the download links.

• MAME32 – Official home of MAME32

MAME V.119U1 RELEASED

The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .119u1 is now available for download. This update contains major changes to both Sega Model 2 and Namco System 21 emulation in addition to the usual bug fixes. Because of these changes, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading your installation until the next full release unless you’ve got a specific reason to do so. As always, those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAME – Official website
• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAME32 .119 RELEASED

MAME32, the Windows GUI port of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, has now made the jump to v.119, incorporating all of the changes seen in the most recent build of it’s command line based parent.

Check out the official MAME32 page here for more details and the download links.

• MAME32 – Official home of MAME32

MAME V.119 RELEASED

The latest version of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator is now available. Version 1.19 incorporates all of the changes made in the last series of interim updates. If you were having problems with anything in v.118, this new version may be the one for you.

The updated files can be found at the official MAME page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAME – Official website
• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team
• MAME v.119 "What’s New" File – MAMEDev

MAME32 .118.6 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MAME32 v.118.6, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.118u6 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MAME32 as well.

Check out the official MAME32 page here for more details and the download links.

• MAME32 – Official home of MAME32

MAME V.118U6 RELEASED

Unfortunately, it appears that there were a few bugs in the last interim update of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, so version .118u6 is now available for download. This update makes a few fixes to the emulator as well as adding a few new clones as well as Mega Man – The Power Battle to the list of supported titles.

As version .119 should be right around the corner, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading your installation until the next full release. As always, those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAME – Official website
• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

MAME32 .118.5 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MAME32 v.118.5, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.118u5 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MAME32 as well.

Check out the official MAME32 page here for more details and the download links.

• MAME32 – Official home of MAME32

MAME V.118U5 RELEASED

The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .118u5 is now available for download. This update continues the work previously started on the CD32 drivers, makes some driver fixes for Mappy and adds a new parameter (-refreshspeed) which will adjust the emulator’s speed to match your monitor’s refresh settings.

While none of that will probably screw up anything in the emulator, the average user still really has no reason to upgrade to this version – especially given that this should be the last update before the release of v.119. I’d recommend holding off on upgrading your installation until the next full release. As always, those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAME – Official website
• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL

It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.

What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)

Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.

When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?

By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.

Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.

• Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
• Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
• Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
• Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
• Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com

If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.

Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.

Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?

• Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
• Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
• Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
• Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com

As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL

It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.

What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)

Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.

When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?

By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.

Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.

• Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
• Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
• Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
• Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
• Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com

If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.

Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.

Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?

• Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
• Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
• Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
• Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com

As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL

It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.

What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)

Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.

When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?

By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.

Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.

• Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
• Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
• Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
• Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
• Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com

If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.

Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.

Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?

• Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
• Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
• Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
• Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com

As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL

It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.

What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)

Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.

When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?

By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.

Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.

• Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
• Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
• Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
• Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
• Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com

If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.

Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.

Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?

• Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
• Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
• Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
• Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com

As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL

It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.

What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)

Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.

When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?

By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.

Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.

• Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
• Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
• Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
• Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
• Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com

If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.

Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.

Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?

• Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
• Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
• Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
• Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com

As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL

It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.

What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)

Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.

When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?

By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.

Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.

• Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
• Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
• Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
• Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
• Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com

If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.

Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.

Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?

• Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
• Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
• Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
• Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com

As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL

It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.

What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)

Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.

When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?

By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.

Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.

• Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
• Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
• Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
• Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
• Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com

If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.

Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.

Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?

• Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
• Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
• Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
• Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com

As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.

MAME32 .118.4 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MAME32 v.118.4, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.118u4 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MAME32 as well.

Check out the official MAME32 page here for more details and the download links.

• MAME32 – Official home of MAME32

MAME V.118U4 RELEASED

The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .118u4 is now available for download. This update makes a few background changes to the emulator, including more improvements to the way DIP switches are handled and better support for Amiga system emulation.

While none of that will probably screw up anything in the emulator, the average user still really has no reason to upgrade to this version. I’d recommend holding off on upgrading your installation until the next full release. As always, those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAME – Official website
• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

PLAYSTATION STORE: SUPER PUZZLE FIGHTER II TURBO HD REMIX

Yesterday’s PlayStation Store update saw the addition of Capcom’s Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix for the PlayStation 3 to the service.

"One of the most popular puzzle games of all time is back with HD graphics, dazzling elemental effects and a new re-balanced X mode! Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix brings together the worlds of Street Fighter, Darkstalkers and other Capcom characters to provide extremely addictive puzzle mayhem. Enjoy single player, local versus mode or just watch other players duke it out online!" – PlayStation Store

The game is priced at $9.99 and a demo version is available to assist in your purchase decision.

XBOX LIVE ARCADE TWO DAY SALE COMING SEPT 2ND & 3RD

Major Nelson has announced that Microsoft has decided to have a little bit of a Labor Day sale on four of the older Xbox Live Arcade titles. Starting on Sunday, September 2nd and ending on Monday, September 3rd, Dig Dug, Gauntlet, Small Arms and Zuma Deluxe will all be offered for half price.

• Dig Dug – 200 points ($2.50)
• Gauntlet – 200 points ($2.50)
• Small Arms – 400 points ($5.00)
• Zuma Deluxe – 400 points ($5.00)

Hopefully sales for these four titles during the promotion will increase dramatically enough to convince Microsoft to offer price reductions on many of the other older Arcade titles – even if only on a temporary basis.

• Limited Time Xbox LIVE Arcade Price Drop – Major Nelson

XBOX LIVE ARCADE TWO DAY SALE COMING SEPT 2ND & 3RD

Major Nelson has announced that Microsoft has decided to have a little bit of a Labor Day sale on four of the older Xbox Live Arcade titles. Starting on Sunday, September 2nd and ending on Monday, September 3rd, Dig Dug, Gauntlet, Small Arms and Zuma Deluxe will all be offered for half price.

• Dig Dug – 200 points ($2.50)
• Gauntlet – 200 points ($2.50)
• Small Arms – 400 points ($5.00)
• Zuma Deluxe – 400 points ($5.00)

Hopefully sales for these four titles during the promotion will increase dramatically enough to convince Microsoft to offer price reductions on many of the other older Arcade titles – even if only on a temporary basis.

• Limited Time Xbox LIVE Arcade Price Drop – Major Nelson

XBOX LIVE ARCADE TWO DAY SALE COMING SEPT 2ND & 3RD

Major Nelson has announced that Microsoft has decided to have a little bit of a Labor Day sale on four of the older Xbox Live Arcade titles. Starting on Sunday, September 2nd and ending on Monday, September 3rd, Dig Dug, Gauntlet, Small Arms and Zuma Deluxe will all be offered for half price.

• Dig Dug – 200 points ($2.50)
• Gauntlet – 200 points ($2.50)
• Small Arms – 400 points ($5.00)
• Zuma Deluxe – 400 points ($5.00)

Hopefully sales for these four titles during the promotion will increase dramatically enough to convince Microsoft to offer price reductions on many of the other older Arcade titles – even if only on a temporary basis.

• Limited Time Xbox LIVE Arcade Price Drop – Major Nelson

XBOX LIVE ARCADE TWO DAY SALE COMING SEPT 2ND & 3RD

Major Nelson has announced that Microsoft has decided to have a little bit of a Labor Day sale on four of the older Xbox Live Arcade titles. Starting on Sunday, September 2nd and ending on Monday, September 3rd, Dig Dug, Gauntlet, Small Arms and Zuma Deluxe will all be offered for half price.

• Dig Dug – 200 points ($2.50)
• Gauntlet – 200 points ($2.50)
• Small Arms – 400 points ($5.00)
• Zuma Deluxe – 400 points ($5.00)

Hopefully sales for these four titles during the promotion will increase dramatically enough to convince Microsoft to offer price reductions on many of the other older Arcade titles – even if only on a temporary basis.

• Limited Time Xbox LIVE Arcade Price Drop – Major Nelson

XBOX LIVE ARCADE TWO DAY SALE COMING SEPT 2ND & 3RD

Major Nelson has announced that Microsoft has decided to have a little bit of a Labor Day sale on four of the older Xbox Live Arcade titles. Starting on Sunday, September 2nd and ending on Monday, September 3rd, Dig Dug, Gauntlet, Small Arms and Zuma Deluxe will all be offered for half price.

• Dig Dug – 200 points ($2.50)
• Gauntlet – 200 points ($2.50)
• Small Arms – 400 points ($5.00)
• Zuma Deluxe – 400 points ($5.00)

Hopefully sales for these four titles during the promotion will increase dramatically enough to convince Microsoft to offer price reductions on many of the other older Arcade titles – even if only on a temporary basis.

• Limited Time Xbox LIVE Arcade Price Drop – Major Nelson

XBOX LIVE ARCADE TWO DAY SALE COMING SEPT 2ND & 3RD

Major Nelson has announced that Microsoft has decided to have a little bit of a Labor Day sale on four of the older Xbox Live Arcade titles. Starting on Sunday, September 2nd and ending on Monday, September 3rd, Dig Dug, Gauntlet, Small Arms and Zuma Deluxe will all be offered for half price.

• Dig Dug – 200 points ($2.50)
• Gauntlet – 200 points ($2.50)
• Small Arms – 400 points ($5.00)
• Zuma Deluxe – 400 points ($5.00)

Hopefully sales for these four titles during the promotion will increase dramatically enough to convince Microsoft to offer price reductions on many of the other older Arcade titles – even if only on a temporary basis.

• Limited Time Xbox LIVE Arcade Price Drop – Major Nelson

XBOX LIVE ARCADE TWO DAY SALE COMING SEPT 2ND & 3RD

Major Nelson has announced that Microsoft has decided to have a little bit of a Labor Day sale on four of the older Xbox Live Arcade titles. Starting on Sunday, September 2nd and ending on Monday, September 3rd, Dig Dug, Gauntlet, Small Arms and Zuma Deluxe will all be offered for half price.

• Dig Dug – 200 points ($2.50)
• Gauntlet – 200 points ($2.50)
• Small Arms – 400 points ($5.00)
• Zuma Deluxe – 400 points ($5.00)

Hopefully sales for these four titles during the promotion will increase dramatically enough to convince Microsoft to offer price reductions on many of the other older Arcade titles – even if only on a temporary basis.

• Limited Time Xbox LIVE Arcade Price Drop – Major Nelson

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SUPER PUZZLE FIGHTER II TURBO REMIX HD

This week only sees one Xbox Live Arcade release, but it’s one of the games that many people have been waiting for – Capcom’s Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo Remix HD has arrived in the Xbox Live Arcade with several new features to set it apart from it’s predecessors and an 800 Microsoft point ($10) price tag.

I’ve never been a fan of the Puzzle Fighter series, so I really don’t have much enthusiasm for this release, but I’m sure the series has enough fans who are willing to shell out ten dollars for the game. For those unfamiliar with the series, it’s a cross between a puzzle game and a fighter. Players use different combinations of gems to perform attack moves against their opponents. It’s by far more interesting than your standard puzzler, but it’s no Puzzle Quest if that’s they type of experience you’re expecting.

Title: Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/29/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"One of the most popular puzzle games of all time is back with high-definition graphics, dazzling elemental effects and a new rebalanced X’ game mode! Super Puzzle Fighter™ II Turbo HD Remix brings together Capcom’s coolest fighting characters to provide extremely addictive puzzle mayhem. Enjoy single-player, local and online versus play, and spectator modes!

• Classic arcade play: The game features all the classic elements from the original arcade game, including traditional X Mode. Think fast on your feet as gems fall into your character’s playfield. Don’t let the stack get too high.
• New X’ Mode: The new X’ Mode has been rebalanced with adjusted drop patterns and damage to level the playing field.
• Y and Z Modes: Y Mode challenges players to connect three or more gems horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Z Mode has you group four adjacent gems and rotate them to join to other same-colored gems.
• Stunning new graphics: Beautifully detailed high-definition backgrounds and character art come from the talented artists of Udon Comics.
• New elemental effects: Gems and Crash Gems interact with dazzling new effects.
• Hidden characters: There’s Akuma, Dan, and more.
• Online play: Get online with Xbox LIVE® and challenge other players to Ranked and Player Matches. Follow your progress on the leaderboards, and try to score the twelve all-new achievements!" – Xbox.com

While I passed on Street Trace: NYC last week, I did pick up Space Giraffe. The best way to look at Space Giraffe is to consider it an advanced version of Tempest mixed with some form of hallucinogen. It’s the type of game you definitely need to play a few times to get a feel for and I’d highly suggest you try the demo to see whether it’s going to be the kind of game you’ll enjoy.

The biggest criticism I have of the title is that the backgrounds tend to be a bit too over the top and detract from the gameplay experience a bit. It would have been a nice addition to the title if the ability to turn off or tone down the backgrounds had been included. Regardless, odds are that if you’re a huge Tempest fan, you’ll get a real kick out of Space Giraffe.

MAME32 .118.3 RELEASED

Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MAME32 v.118.3, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.118u3 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MAME32 as well.

Check out the official MAME32 page here for more details and the download links.

• MAME32 – Official home of MAME32

MAME V.118U3 RELEASED

The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .118u3 is now available for download. This update makes a bunch of background changes including more DIP switch adjustments, enhancements to CD-ROM emulation in the CPS3 driver and a few changes to make V30 and I8086 CPU cores run on actual 16-bit busses.

What that means to the average user is that there are a lot of things that could go wrong and nothing earth-shatteringly new in this build. The bottom line is that (say it with me now, gang) you may want to consider holding off on upgrading your installation until the next full release. As always, those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAME – Official website
• MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SPACE GIRAFFE & STREET TRACE: NYC

This week’s Xbox Live Arcade double feature brings two original games to the service as both the highly publicized Space Giraffe and far lesser known Street Trace: NYC make their debuts.

We’ll start off with Space Giraffe by Llamasoft. The game was designed by Jeff Minter, the brains behind the excellent Tempest 2000 – a release on Atari’s ill-fated Jaguar console. Space Giraffe does indeed seem to draw quite a bit from Tempest, and I really can’t wait to see just how the game tries to take that form of gameplay in a new direction. I would be lying if I didn’t mention that I am a bit concerned over how the game will control – I know it’s a fairly common theme for me to say that about Xbox Live Arcade releases, but I really do feel it’s something that Microsoft really needs to address.

A few things you should note regarding Space Giraffe. First and foremost, there seems to be some confusion over the pricing of the game. Jeff Minter has stated numerous times that the game is to be priced at 400 points ($5), however the product information page show the cost at 800 points ($10). Be sure to check the price before making any purchase so you aren’t surprised later. In addition, an ESRB rating for the game was not available at this time.

Title: Space Giraffe
Developer: Llamasoft
Publisher: Llamasoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)*
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“Space Giraffe features uniquely beautiful graphics and 100 levels of lovingly hand-crafted shoot-em-up action gameplay from the makers of Llamatronand Tempest 2000. Collect power-ups to activate Bonus Rounds and master the strategies necessary to maximize your score on every level!

• Extensive gameplay: Play through 100 levels of shooting and strategy.
• Level design: Enjoy the unique graphical appearance of each level due to the use of the Neon engine.
• Special features: Learn special moves to increase the Bonus Multiplier, and collect power-ups to gain access to the Bonus Round.
• Bonus challenges: Finish all 100 levels to unlock a hidden gameplay mode.” – Xbox.com

Next up, we have Street Trace: NYC. This game seemingly came from out of nowhere, so I’m not all that familiar with it. Based on the promotional video and screenshots I’ve seen of it, I’m guessing that Street Trace is a cross between the SSX and Twisted Metal series. My best advice is to approach this one with caution – be sure to pick up the demo before deciding on a purchase.

Title: Street Trace: NYC
Developer: Gaia Industries
Publisher: Gaia Industries
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“Street Trace:NYC™ is fast-paced street racing and arena combat set against a grim futuristic corporate-controlled environment. Choose one of nine hoverboard-riding street soldiers to carve a plasma trail as you battle and grind through six areas, including abandoned highways and war-torn arenas. Play all of the seven different games in tournaments or exhibition matches, and upgrade your hoverboard and weapons as you play. Master the trials of the Single Player Campaign or compete with up to four players split-screen or up to eight online via Xbox LIVE®.

• A different kind of racing: Race and battle your opponents on decked-out hoverboards in three different arenas and three different street circuits. Grind your hoverboard along metal rails to gain an advantage. Your board’s emissions give passing players a strategic speed boost, allowing those falling behind to rubber-band off the race leaders.
• Numerous game modes: Take on the single player campaign with 18 time trials and five champion tournaments, or go multiplayer with four-player split-screen or up to eight players on Xbox LIVE. Choose from four different arena game types, Flag, Hunter, Chaos, and Takedown, and from three different street game types, Screamer, Chaos, and Street Trace.
• Multiplayer join-in-progress: The Street Trace:NYC lobby shows how many people are playing online, allows players to join tournaments in progress, and to follow games as they progress.
• Decked-out hoverboards: Upgrade your board’s engine, boost, shields and jump capabilities, and use weapons such as lasers, mines, stampede, and rockets. Gotta love rockets.
• Game goals: Earn your spot on the Leaderboards, and gain twelve new Achievements to increase your Gamerscore.” – Xbox.com

That’s it for this week. I know normally I close the week’s XBLA release post with a one or two sentence review of the previous week’s titles, but to be perfectly honest, last week’s games didn’t interest me in the slightest, so I avoided them.

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SPACE GIRAFFE & STREET TRACE: NYC

This week’s Xbox Live Arcade double feature brings two original games to the service as both the highly publicized Space Giraffe and far lesser known Street Trace: NYC make their debuts.

We’ll start off with Space Giraffe by Llamasoft. The game was designed by Jeff Minter, the brains behind the excellent Tempest 2000 – a release on Atari’s ill-fated Jaguar console. Space Giraffe does indeed seem to draw quite a bit from Tempest, and I really can’t wait to see just how the game tries to take that form of gameplay in a new direction. I would be lying if I didn’t mention that I am a bit concerned over how the game will control – I know it’s a fairly common theme for me to say that about Xbox Live Arcade releases, but I really do feel it’s something that Microsoft really needs to address.

A few things you should note regarding Space Giraffe. First and foremost, there seems to be some confusion over the pricing of the game. Jeff Minter has stated numerous times that the game is to be priced at 400 points ($5), however the product information page show the cost at 800 points ($10). Be sure to check the price before making any purchase so you aren’t surprised later. In addition, an ESRB rating for the game was not available at this time.

Title: Space Giraffe
Developer: Llamasoft
Publisher: Llamasoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)*
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“Space Giraffe features uniquely beautiful graphics and 100 levels of lovingly hand-crafted shoot-em-up action gameplay from the makers of Llamatronand Tempest 2000. Collect power-ups to activate Bonus Rounds and master the strategies necessary to maximize your score on every level!

• Extensive gameplay: Play through 100 levels of shooting and strategy.
• Level design: Enjoy the unique graphical appearance of each level due to the use of the Neon engine.
• Special features: Learn special moves to increase the Bonus Multiplier, and collect power-ups to gain access to the Bonus Round.
• Bonus challenges: Finish all 100 levels to unlock a hidden gameplay mode.” – Xbox.com

Next up, we have Street Trace: NYC. This game seemingly came from out of nowhere, so I’m not all that familiar with it. Based on the promotional video and screenshots I’ve seen of it, I’m guessing that Street Trace is a cross between the SSX and Twisted Metal series. My best advice is to approach this one with caution – be sure to pick up the demo before deciding on a purchase.

Title: Street Trace: NYC
Developer: Gaia Industries
Publisher: Gaia Industries
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“Street Trace:NYC™ is fast-paced street racing and arena combat set against a grim futuristic corporate-controlled environment. Choose one of nine hoverboard-riding street soldiers to carve a plasma trail as you battle and grind through six areas, including abandoned highways and war-torn arenas. Play all of the seven different games in tournaments or exhibition matches, and upgrade your hoverboard and weapons as you play. Master the trials of the Single Player Campaign or compete with up to four players split-screen or up to eight online via Xbox LIVE®.

• A different kind of racing: Race and battle your opponents on decked-out hoverboards in three different arenas and three different street circuits. Grind your hoverboard along metal rails to gain an advantage. Your board’s emissions give passing players a strategic speed boost, allowing those falling behind to rubber-band off the race leaders.
• Numerous game modes: Take on the single player campaign with 18 time trials and five champion tournaments, or go multiplayer with four-player split-screen or up to eight players on Xbox LIVE. Choose from four different arena game types, Flag, Hunter, Chaos, and Takedown, and from three different street game types, Screamer, Chaos, and Street Trace.
• Multiplayer join-in-progress: The Street Trace:NYC lobby shows how many people are playing online, allows players to join tournaments in progress, and to follow games as they progress.
• Decked-out hoverboards: Upgrade your board’s engine, boost, shields and jump capabilities, and use weapons such as lasers, mines, stampede, and rockets. Gotta love rockets.
• Game goals: Earn your spot on the Leaderboards, and gain twelve new Achievements to increase your Gamerscore.” – Xbox.com

That’s it for this week. I know normally I close the week’s XBLA release post with a one or two sentence review of the previous week’s titles, but to be perfectly honest, last week’s games didn’t interest me in the slightest, so I avoided them.

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SPACE GIRAFFE & STREET TRACE: NYC

This week’s Xbox Live Arcade double feature brings two original games to the service as both the highly publicized Space Giraffe and far lesser known Street Trace: NYC make their debuts.

We’ll start off with Space Giraffe by Llamasoft. The game was designed by Jeff Minter, the brains behind the excellent Tempest 2000 – a release on Atari’s ill-fated Jaguar console. Space Giraffe does indeed seem to draw quite a bit from Tempest, and I really can’t wait to see just how the game tries to take that form of gameplay in a new direction. I would be lying if I didn’t mention that I am a bit concerned over how the game will control – I know it’s a fairly common theme for me to say that about Xbox Live Arcade releases, but I really do feel it’s something that Microsoft really needs to address.

A few things you should note regarding Space Giraffe. First and foremost, there seems to be some confusion over the pricing of the game. Jeff Minter has stated numerous times that the game is to be priced at 400 points ($5), however the product information page show the cost at 800 points ($10). Be sure to check the price before making any purchase so you aren’t surprised later. In addition, an ESRB rating for the game was not available at this time.

Title: Space Giraffe
Developer: Llamasoft
Publisher: Llamasoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)*
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“Space Giraffe features uniquely beautiful graphics and 100 levels of lovingly hand-crafted shoot-em-up action gameplay from the makers of Llamatronand Tempest 2000. Collect power-ups to activate Bonus Rounds and master the strategies necessary to maximize your score on every level!

• Extensive gameplay: Play through 100 levels of shooting and strategy.
• Level design: Enjoy the unique graphical appearance of each level due to the use of the Neon engine.
• Special features: Learn special moves to increase the Bonus Multiplier, and collect power-ups to gain access to the Bonus Round.
• Bonus challenges: Finish all 100 levels to unlock a hidden gameplay mode.” – Xbox.com

Next up, we have Street Trace: NYC. This game seemingly came from out of nowhere, so I’m not all that familiar with it. Based on the promotional video and screenshots I’ve seen of it, I’m guessing that Street Trace is a cross between the SSX and Twisted Metal series. My best advice is to approach this one with caution – be sure to pick up the demo before deciding on a purchase.

Title: Street Trace: NYC
Developer: Gaia Industries
Publisher: Gaia Industries
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“Street Trace:NYC™ is fast-paced street racing and arena combat set against a grim futuristic corporate-controlled environment. Choose one of nine hoverboard-riding street soldiers to carve a plasma trail as you battle and grind through six areas, including abandoned highways and war-torn arenas. Play all of the seven different games in tournaments or exhibition matches, and upgrade your hoverboard and weapons as you play. Master the trials of the Single Player Campaign or compete with up to four players split-screen or up to eight online via Xbox LIVE®.

• A different kind of racing: Race and battle your opponents on decked-out hoverboards in three different arenas and three different street circuits. Grind your hoverboard along metal rails to gain an advantage. Your board’s emissions give passing players a strategic speed boost, allowing those falling behind to rubber-band off the race leaders.
• Numerous game modes: Take on the single player campaign with 18 time trials and five champion tournaments, or go multiplayer with four-player split-screen or up to eight players on Xbox LIVE. Choose from four different arena game types, Flag, Hunter, Chaos, and Takedown, and from three different street game types, Screamer, Chaos, and Street Trace.
• Multiplayer join-in-progress: The Street Trace:NYC lobby shows how many people are playing online, allows players to join tournaments in progress, and to follow games as they progress.
• Decked-out hoverboards: Upgrade your board’s engine, boost, shields and jump capabilities, and use weapons such as lasers, mines, stampede, and rockets. Gotta love rockets.
• Game goals: Earn your spot on the Leaderboards, and gain twelve new Achievements to increase your Gamerscore.” – Xbox.com

That’s it for this week. I know normally I close the week’s XBLA release post with a one or two sentence review of the previous week’s titles, but to be perfectly honest, last week’s games didn’t interest me in the slightest, so I avoided them.

XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SPACE GIRAFFE & STREET TRACE: NYC

This week’s Xbox Live Arcade double feature brings two original games to the service as both the highly publicized Space Giraffe and far lesser known Street Trace: NYC make their debuts.

We’ll start off with Space Giraffe by Llamasoft. The game was designed by Jeff Minter, the brains behind the excellent Tempest 2000 – a release on Atari’s ill-fated Jaguar console. Space Giraffe does indeed seem to draw quite a bit from Tempest, and I really can’t wait to see just how the game tries to take that form of gameplay in a new direction. I would be lying if I didn’t mention that I am a bit concerned over how the game will control – I know it’s a fairly common theme for me to say that about Xbox Live Arcade releases, but I really do feel it’s something that Microsoft really needs to address.

A few things you should note regarding Space Giraffe. First and foremost, there seems to be some confusion over the pricing of the game. Jeff Minter has stated numerous times that the game is to be priced at 400 points ($5), however the product information page show the cost at 800 points ($10). Be sure to check the price before making any purchase so you aren’t surprised later. In addition, an ESRB rating for the game was not available at this time.

Title: Space Giraffe
Developer: Llamasoft
Publisher: Llamasoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)*
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“Space Giraffe features uniquely beautiful graphics and 100 levels of lovingly hand-crafted shoot-em-up action gameplay from the makers of Llamatronand Tempest 2000. Collect power-ups to activate Bonus Rounds and master the strategies necessary to maximize your score on every level!

• Extensive gameplay: Play through 100 levels of shooting and strategy.
• Level design: Enjoy the unique graphical appearance of each level due to the use of the Neon engine.
• Special features: Learn special moves to increase the Bonus Multiplier, and collect power-ups to gain access to the Bonus Round.
• Bonus challenges: Finish all 100 levels to unlock a hidden gameplay mode.” – Xbox.com

Next up, we have Street Trace: NYC. This game seemingly came from out of nowhere, so I’m not all that familiar with it. Based on the promotional video and screenshots I’ve seen of it, I’m guessing that Street Trace is a cross between the SSX and Twisted Metal series. My best advice is to approach this one with caution – be sure to pick up the demo before deciding on a purchase.

Title: Street Trace: NYC
Developer: Gaia Industries
Publisher: Gaia Industries
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

“Street Trace:NYC™ is fast-paced street racing and arena combat set against a grim futuristic corporate-controlled environment. Choose one of nine hoverboard-riding street soldiers to carve a plasma trail as you battle and grind through six areas, including abandoned highways and war-torn arenas. Play all of the seven different games in tournaments or exhibition matches, and upgrade your hoverboard and weapons as you play. Master the trials of the Single Player Campaign or compete with up to four players split-screen or up to eight online via Xbox LIVE®.

• A different kind of racing: Race and battle your opponents on decked-out hoverboards in three different arenas and three different street circuits. Grind your hoverboard along metal rails to gain an advantage. Your board’s emissions give passing players a strategic speed boost, allowing those falling behind to rubber-band off the race leaders.
• Numerous game modes: Take on the single player campaign with 18 time trials and five champion tournaments, or go multiplayer with four-player split-screen or up to eight players on Xbox LIVE. Choose from four different arena game types, Flag, Hunter, Chaos, and Takedown, and from three different street game types, Screamer, Chaos, and Street Trace.
• Multiplayer join-in-progress: The Street Trace:NYC lobby shows how many people are playing online, allows players to join tournaments in progress, and to follow games as they progress.
• Decked-out hoverboards: Upgrade your board’s engine, boost, shields and jump capabilities, and use weapons such as lasers, mines, stampede, and rockets. Gotta love rockets.
• Game goals: Earn your spot on the Leaderboards, and gain twelve new Achievements to increase your Gamerscore.” – Xbox.com

That’s it for this week. I know normally I close the week’s XBLA release post with a one or two sentence review of the previous week’s titles, but to be perfectly honest, last week’s games didn’t interest me in the slightest, so I avoided them.