Penguins & Friends - Hey! That's My Fish!

Wii Points: 800
Game Type: Interactive Board Game
Control Type: Wii Remote
Players: 1-4
Publisher: Gammick Entertainment

"The penguins are hungry and need your help. Catch all the fish you can before someone steals them from you. Strategy is fundamental in this exciting game. Keep moving ahead of the other penguins so you don't get trapped, and try to get to the ice floes that hold more fish. One to four players can play Penguins & Friends at the same time, provided they can handle the polar cold. The board is made up of ice blocks with a set number of fish under them. The ice blocks are hexagonal and form a structure like a beehive. The starting position of the ice blocks can change, creating different game boards."

Click here for new screenshots of Penguins & Friends

Tower Toppler
Format: Commodore 64
Wii Points: 500
Game Type: Platformer
Publisher: Commodore Gaming

"Weird things are happening on Planet Nebulus. Someone or something has begun building huge towers on the sea floor without a construction license. Your mission is to ascend each of the eight cylindrical towers, passing various obstacles along the way, and to trigger the tower's destruction mechanism to demolish the evil threat. Praised upon its original 1987 release for its graphical innovation, this is considered to be the most outstanding game from Hewson. Don't miss out on this classic favorite."

With the startling announcement of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles In Time for XBLA just a few days ago, a few people were doubting the authenticity of the screenshot. doubt no more.

GamerVision.com have been able to grab the first video of the game in action. Not a lot can be seen but it looks like it's taking the classic approach to side scrolling beat-em-ups and not messing with the formula a whole lot - which can only be a good thing.

Source: gamervision.com - First Footage of Turtles in Time Remake

It's been a while since we've heard anything from Rocket Riot, the up and coming multiplayer shooter involving flying, legless men. But do not worry - a new trailer has been released to the Xbox marketplace, and is now viewable via Youtube.

A big week this week - we're getting two titles from the same publisher in one week, something which does not generally happen, and tends to be a bit detrimental really. Still, 3 quality titles this week.

"Space Invaders Extreme is a total reinvention of the classic Space Invaders, offering a true high-definition experience with upbeat electronic tracks, and dazzling new graphics and gameplay. Multiplayer features are now expanded with four-player versus and co-op multiplayer modes for even more Xbox LIVE fun.

There's something here for fans and new players alike. Space Invaders Extreme stays true to the simple, yet highly addictive core gameplay of the classic Space Invaders arcade game and its 2-D aesthetics, while introducing innovative new features, faster gameplay, and new modes for an even more fun and intense game."

Click here for the official Xbox.com splash page

"The classic ARKANOID comes back to life … in HD! Destroy every block on screen in ARKANOID Live! by bouncing an Energy Ball against them with your Vaus! It's the all-time classic arcade game now with achievements and multiplayer co-op play over Xbox LIVE."

Click here for the official Xbox.com splash pafe

"Be very, very quiet ... we're wrangling Zombies! Save the city of Potters Field from an infestation of zany zombies in the quirky and comical Zombie Wranglers. Armed with a trustworthy Wrangler-Pack and your own unique special abilities, play as one of the four gallant apprentice Wranglers and rescue your neighborhood before it's too late."

Click here for the official Xbox.com splash page.

It's no secret that Xbox Live Community Games haven't been selling too well. A lot of it has to do with the lack of advertising of the games on the Xbox Dashboard and gaming websites generally ignoring them, but it also has a lot to do with the games themselves. A lot of the games aren't very good, but there are some which are so close to greatness, but end up dropping the ball in one way or another.

To help developers we've collected 5 different ways they can help make their game better and sell better. They may appear to be simple and a little bit obvious but you'll be surprised at how many people don't realize how a little extra effort will go a long way.

Twisted Pixel have released the first trailer for their upcoming 'Splosion Man for Xbox Live Arcade - a sidescrolling 2D platformer where you use explosions to jump to great heights.

It's looking great, and appears to keep with The Maw's kind of silent humor. Hopefully we'll see even more in the upcoming weeks to E3.

Space Invaders Extreme

Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Taito Corporation
Genre: Shooter
Price: 800MSP
Availability: Not available in India or Korea

Click here for the official Xbox.com splash page.

Click here to download the trial via Xbox web marketplace.


ARKANOID™ Live!

Developer: Taito Corporation
Publisher: Taito Corporation
Genre: Action
Price: 800MSP
Availability: Not available in Australia or New Zealand

Click here for the official Xbox.com splash page.

Click here to download the trial via Xbox web marketplace.


Zombie Wranglers

Developer: Frozen Codebase
Publisher: Sierra Online
Genre: Action
Price: 800MSP
Availibility: Worldwide

Click here for the official Xbox.com splash page.

Click here to download the trial via Xbox web marketplace.

It's been a busy couple of weeks. Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 finally announced, a remake of TMNT: Turtles In Time coming out, a first look at PixelJunk 1-4, leaks left and right, it's all fun stuff.

There have been a ton of new releases for all consoles. Virtual On, Banjo Tooie, Sorry!, Space Invaders Extreme, Arkanoid Live and Zombie Wranglers are now all available on the Xbox Live Arcade. PSN owners can now check out the Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 demo and WiWare enthusiasts can play Cocoto Platform Jumper and Penguins & Friends.

GamerBytes Originals

GamerBytes Opinion: 5 Ways To Make Your XBL Community Game Better
Ways you can publicize, succeed on Xbox Live Community Games.

Xbox Live Arcade

Space Invaders Extreme, Arkanoid Live And Zombie Wranglers Now Available On XBLA
Three picks for Xbox Live Arcade this week, two from the same firm.

Banjo Tooie, Virtual On, Sorry! And Maw DLC Now Up On XBLA
The previous week's highlights include EA board game additions and Sega's classic mech fighter.

The first of Microsoft's Xbox Live Primetime applications, 1 Vs. 100, will begin to be in Open Beta starting Friday, but only in Canada. Canadians will be able to participate in this free Xbox Live Gold only game where you can earn real prizes for answering questions correctly.

You can download the application through Xbox Marketplace right now, and it will go live Friday. Through some likely unauthorized methods, people in the United States will also be able to participate through sneaky workarounds.

For the latest updates on Canadian 1 Vs. 100, check out the official site here.

Savage Moon
Savage Moon Trial Version

Full Version Also Available: £6.29 / €7,99 / $12.95AU

"Savage Moon sees you protecting a remote off-world mining facility from waves of ravenous space bugs, looking to consume everything in their path. Armed with a fearsome array of defensive weapons, your mission is to take your choice of the finest armaments known to humankind and keep the facility safe by strategically placing these guns which then automatically fire at their targets.

"Will you select the dependable rapid-fire machine gun? The intimidating Chaos Tower? Or opt for another item taken from the range of destructive weaponry at your disposal? Choose carefully, as each one has to be manually positioned for the greatest effectiveness in destroying the increasing waves of monstrous insects. "

Click here for the official Savage Moon webpage.

Puzzle Quest: Galactrix
Puzzle Quest Galactrix Full Game

Category: Puzzle
Publisher: D3 Publisher
Players: 1-2
Price: $19.99

"The best-selling puzzle franchise returns with an addictive addition to the Puzzle RPG hybrid genre with an extraordinary cast of characters and a sci-fi universe setting."

Savage Moon
Savage Moon Trial Version

Full Version Also Available: $9.99

"Savage Moon sees you protecting a remote off-world mining facility from waves of ravenous space bugs, looking to consume everything in their path. Armed with a fearsome array of defensive weapons, your mission is to take your choice of the finest armaments known to humankind and keep the facility safe by strategically placing these guns which then automatically fire at their targets.

"Will you select the dependable rapid-fire machine gun? The intimidating Chaos Tower? Or opt for another item taken from the range of destructive weaponry at your disposal? Choose carefully, as each one has to be manually positioned for the greatest effectiveness in destroying the increasing waves of monstrous insects. "

Click here for the official Savage Moon webpage.

SIREN: Blood Curse
2-Week Price Drop

"Think you can survive the horror of the “vanished village?” Siren Blood: Curse is now on sale for a limited time to celebrate the launch of the new Home space. Get the game now for $29.99 (reg. price: $39.99), with bundles priced at $10.99 each (reg. price: $14.99 each). But hurry, these prices only last for two weeks!"


PSOne Classics
Bowling
Price: $5.99
"Take to the lanes for an exciting game of ten-pins! Watch the gutters, nail the strikes, and do your best to bowl a perfect game in this classic title!"

R-Type Delta
Price: $5.99
"The classic R-Type franchise returns! Alien hordes have descened on our helpless home world and only you and your prototype Delta-class ship stand in their way. Do you have the skills to defeat the aliens and save mankind from certain destruction?"

Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage!
Price: $5.99

"Things are heating up! Spyro, the feisty, fire-breathing dragon is back and he’s ready to take on a whole new adventure in this sequel to the original Spyro! You must save the worlds of Avalar by defeating the dinosaur-riding Ripto and his evil minions."

Rainbow Islands: The Towering Adventure

Wii Points: 800
Game Type: Puzzle Action
Control Type: Wii Remote
Players: 1-2
Publisher: Taito Corp.

"Bub and Bob are back in this brand new WiiWare update to the classic arcade game! Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure! includes a Story Mode, a Ranked Mode and Time Attack Mode"


Fantasy Zone II

Wii Points: 500
Game Type: Action
Players: 1
Format: SEGA Master System

The Xbox.com splash pages are now being added earlier and earlier with 4 new additions this week.

Gel: Set & Match, from Gastronaut Software has been added as of today. Droplitz from Atlus, which is also coming to the PlayStation Network has also been added.

Along with the additions of Altered Beast and Comix Zone last comes Gunstar Heroes and Shinobi. The only games missing now that we know of are Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles. Both of these titles are also coming to the PlayStation Network.

There is no set release for any of these games at this time, but with their addition to the Xbox.com web page they should be coming quite soon.

Konami have revealed, in a surprise announcement, that Contra Rebirth is coming to WiiWare, and in fact will be released next week in Japan.

The few screenshots released, which you can check out at the official website, show the game appear to keep with the graphical styling of Contra III will far less obvious gradients in the background.

It doesn't look too bad, but considering the previous Rebirth title was Gradius and wasn't received all that well. Contra got its first officially numbered title in years on the DS just two years ago and was very well received, it seems almost silly to go half-cocked with another Contra.

Who knows, it might actually be good. The WiiWare mantra of announcing games days before released in Japan is just so bizarre, but they continue to do it so I guess it must work for them.This title is also clearly a part of the Konami Japan agenda, as it was not shown at the recent Konami event showcasing Zombie Apocalypse, Driift and Vandal Hearts.

While there has been no official announcement for America it will certainly come out here - but it might take a while. Gradius Rebirth was released in September last year and only made it to the USA 6 months later in March of this year.

Source: 魂斗羅ReBirth

Halfbrick have announced a new competition for their upcoming Raskulls title for the Xbox Live Arcade - where you can design your very own Raskull.

Simply go to their website, download the design template and then enter in your design, just like the one above. Of course, that one certainly won't win considering the patent issues.

First prize will have their winner's entry put into the game with design credit, as well as a free copy of the game, a figure of The King Raskull and a Halfbrick T-Shirt. Second and third prize winners will receive the goods, but won't have their design in the game.

The design competition will close on June 17th, so get cracking.

In other Halfbrick news, Halfbrick Echoes has now been released onto XBL Community Games for a mere 200MSP - check out the demo.

Source: Halfbrick - Design A Raskull!

In this round-up, we highlight some of the notable jobs posted in big sister site Gamasutra's industry-leading game jobs section this week, including positions from Microsoft Game Studios, Ubisoft, NetDevil and more.

Each position posted by employers will appear on the main Gamasutra job board, and appear in the site's daily and weekly newsletters, reaching our readers directly.

It will also be cross-posted for free across its network of submarket sites, which includes content sites focused on online worlds, cellphone games, 'serious games', independent games and more.

Some of the notable jobs posted in each market area this week include:

On this episode of XNA Roundup they check out the Peggle like community game, Orbyx : Mystic Orbs of Chaos, a fun new pachinko style game available on Xbox Live Community Games for 400 points.

Click here to add the trail version of the game to your download cue.

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