Xbox-Live-Marketplace posts (Subscribe to this feed)

Van Halen and Crash Time 3 demos hit XBL

by Richard Mitchell { Dec 8th 2009 at 7:15PM }

Major Nelson has revealed that two new demos are available on Xbox Live Marketplace. The first is Guitar Hero: Van Halen. It's like Guitar Hero, but with Van Halen in it. At this point, if you need more description than that we can't really help you. The demo is available in all regions.

The other demo is for Crash Time 3. Honestly, how that game ever made it past Crash Time 1 is a mystery we will never solve. The demo is available in European regions only. You can add either demo to your 360 download queue by clicking the links below.

Shortcut: Download the Guitar Hero: Van Helen demo [Via Xbox.com]
Shortcut: Download the Crash Time 3 demo (Europe only) [Via Xbox.com]

Games on Demand adds Bolt & Trivial Pursuit

by David Hinkle { Dec 8th 2009 at 6:15PM }

One of the more convenient (and pricey) methods for games acquisition -- Microsoft's Games on Demand service -- has just added a pair of new titles to its North American library: Disney's Bolt and EA's Trivial Pursuit. Each can be yours for $19.99, granted you have the respective 5GB and 2GB of space for each. Prices and availability vary by region, but the insatiable, shameless desire for Achievements that would drive you to actually purchase these games is universal.

Shortcut: Add Bolt to your download queue [via Xbox.com]
Shortcut: Add Trivial Pursuit to your download queue [via Xbox.com]

Fight Night Round 4 DLC pulled due to freezing issues

by Griffin McElroy { Dec 6th 2009 at 4:30PM }

Boxing fans who were hoping to enhance their sweet, sweet scientific exploits in Fight Night Round 4 for the Xbox 360 were recently stricken with disappointment -- the game's latest DLC, the "Champions Pack 2," hit the Xbox Live Marketplace with a fairly problematic issue which caused the system to freeze up while downloading the content. This is doubly troubling, because as we understand it, downloading is actually a pretty important step in the DLC process.

EA Sports commented on the error on its official forums, stating that the DLC has been pulled from the Marketplace until a non-glitched version can be rolled out, hopefully "before the Christmas holidays." People who managed to download the DLC without freezing can still play the game, but won't be able to access the pack's locked content until the revised DLC is released. People who managed to download half of the DLC pack before freezing can play as Evander Holyfield's torso.

PSA: Halo Legends delivers third free episode, titled 'The Package'

by Ben Gilbert { Dec 5th 2009 at 2:30AM }

Another Saturday has arrived, and with it another free episode of Halo Legends on the Xbox Live Marketplace. For 24 hours only (of course it won't be on the internet afterward!), you can catch an anime'd up Master Chief delivering "The Package" with four "specially selected Spartans."

Today's episode is the first half of a two-parter (concluding on December 12), so be sure to catch it or be left lonely and confused when next week arrives. Or you could always just wait until the whole shebang arrives on Blu-ray this February 9.

German Borderlands importers encounter incompatible DLC

by Griffin McElroy { Dec 2nd 2009 at 6:30PM }

German Borderlands players who just had to import the gory, uncensored version of the title from another region are getting their comeuppance. According to a lengthy thread on the Gearbox forums, players who purchase the Zombie Island of Doctor Ned expansion from the German Xbox Live Marketplace can't access the new content from their imported copies of the game.

We've contacted Gearbox to find out if anything is being done to refund the DLC's 800

cost to these depraved, violence-crazed importers. They certainly don't seem like the type of crowd you'd want to upset.

GRiD brings weird capitalization to Games on Demand

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 17th 2009 at 1:45PM }

Another Tuesday, another entry in the ever expanding Xbox Games on Demand library. This week, it's Race Driver: GRiD, the well-reviewed 2008 racer from Codemasters. The game is available everywhere except Japan, which gets Raiden Fighters Aces, a fact that fills us with jealous rage. Still, if you're a fan of the Codies school of racing, you might consider picking it up (be sure to try the demo first).

As usual, prices vary by region.

Add GRiD to your 360 download queue

[Via Major Nelson]

Band Hero clothing and accessories head to Xbox Live Marketplace

by Ben Gilbert { Nov 13th 2009 at 3:00PM }

We might normally scoff at the array of Xbox Live Avatar clothing being made available for Band Hero – a near ubiquitous occurrence with game releases for the Xbox 360 these days. Not today though, friends. Nope, today we have the opportunity to get our Avatar a totally rad, Say Anything style boombox. We know, we know – finally. For the low, low price of 240

($3), you too can be as cool as Lloyd Dobler (though there's no promise of landing a lady as fine as Diane Court with said item).

We suppose you could pick up the other stuff too, available for 80

($1) to 240

($3), if you're into that kinda thing. You could get a microphone or a shirt or a ... just get the boombox, alright? You don't wanna end up being given a pen and getting told how "valuable the friendship" is, do you? Hmm?

Automated Xbox Live Marketplace blog now available

by Justin McElroy { Nov 12th 2009 at 3:00PM }

We try to do our best to keep you updated as to all the interesting new content on Xbox Live Marketplace. But if you have a creepy level of interest in draping your Avatar in the very latest Marc Ecko gear before all your friends, you'll want to bookmark this new Microsoft blog that automagically posts whenever new content is added to the store.

Just think, if you had been following it already, you could have beaten us to this Cool Papa G coat. But instead, you have to live with being "that guy who stole Joystiq's taste in coats." It's kind of sad, now that we think about it. Here, you take the Cool Papa G coat. No, we insist.

DJ Hero and Assassin's Creed 2 Avatar items added to Marketplace

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 12th 2009 at 11:15AM }

You know what would make becoming the "chosen one" in your late night 1 vs. 100 bouts a whole lot easier? Just imagine: The camera pans up to your seat -- but you're nowhere to be found. You're a white-garbed shadow, slipping through the crowd, silently executing other would-be contestants. It's a beautiful dream that could be realized if you pick up one of the new Assassin's Creed 2 Avatar costumes -- a set which includes Ezio and Altair's respective get-ups (400

), Da Vinci's Flying Machine (240

) and a whole mess of other items that no hitman (or hitwoman) should go without.

Also, there's a whole slew of DJ Hero content, including a few turntables (240

), a "Ghetto Blaster" (160

) and some virtual vinyl (160

). While the DJ lifestyle isn't nearly as attractive as that of an assassin, we suppose these accouterments are still pretty sharp.

JBO: Joystiq Box Office, October 26 - October 30, Horror Edition!

by Kevin Kelly { Oct 30th 2009 at 9:00PM }

We can't be gaming all the time, despite our best efforts, and from time to time we'll actually take advantage of the movie-playing abilities on our gaming systems. JBO features our top picks for XBL, PSN, Netflix's Watch Instantly and Blu-ray each week.

Halloween looms right around the corner! In preparation for a spook-tacular weekend full of fun and frights, we present you with an all-horror edition of Joystiq Box Office. Although in all honesty, nothing tops Trick 'r Treat from a couple of weeks ago. You owe it to Halloween to check that out. Of course, being the geeks that we are, we'd also like to remind you that Battlestar Galactica: The Plan is now out on Blu-ray, DVD, PSN, and the Xbox Marketplace. It's not their best work, but hey ... it's more Battlestar Galactica!

Recommendation of the Week:

Monsturd (Netflix Watch Instantly)
Yes, this is seriously a movie. A fugitive on the run accidentally falls into a sewage tunnel, which is also where a chemical company has been dumping their toxic waste. As a result, he becomes Monsturd: half-man, half-poop. I kid you not. There have been poop monsters in movies before, like the transformed Chet in Weird Science and the Golgathan from Kevin Smith's Dogma, but nothing compares to Monsturd. It's actually not a bad send-up of the classic 50s frightfilms, and the tagline for the movie is "Don't get caught with your pants down!" How can you go wrong?

A lot of you have been asking about the pricing on certain Xbox releases. For instance Red Cliff is 800

($10) to rent in standard definition, as opposed to the normal rental price of 320

($4) for SD. The reason for this is that it has not yet been released in theaters, and is exclusive to the Xbox 360, Amazon, and certain VOD outlets. The film actually opens on November 18, so the added price is for the benefit of seeing it early.

As usual, we'll see you at the popcorn sta -- well, actually, we won't see you at all. But you catch our drift. Plus, be sure to tell us what you'll be watching, or what you've seen recently that bowled you over.

Continued →

Call of Duty 3, Rainbow Six Vegas 2 added to 'Games on Demand'

by Alexander Sliwinski { Oct 6th 2009 at 12:15PM }

Major Nelson brings word that the troops of Call of Duty 3 and the elite squad of Rainbow Six Vegas 2 have infiltrated Xbox Live's "Games on Demand." Both titles go for $30 each in the US, but check your respective region for pricing.

We should note that both titles cost $30 new from a store -- even less for those who find a used copy. Keep that in mind while you're trying to understand how price parity exists when there's no disc, box, shipping or manufacturing involved.

Add Call Of Duty 3 to your queue

Add Rainbow Six Vegas 2 to your queue

JBO: Joystiq Box Office, September 28 - October 2

by Kevin Kelly { Oct 2nd 2009 at 9:40PM }

Jim Henson Double Feature: Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal (PlayStation 3 - Blu-ray disc, $27.95 MSRP per movie, cheaper at most retailers)
Both of these classic Jim Henson movies have been released on DVD before, but this is their first time to Blu-ray, and the first time they've looked so good. Whether it's a magical world full of Skeksis, Gelflings and ultra-powerful crystals, or a magical world full of David Bowie, Bogs of Eternal Stenches and Jennifer Connelly (hubba hubba), the imagination that Jim Henson put into his movies was amazing, especially in a day and age before CGI. One interesting note is that when the Jim Henson Company sold the Muppets to Disney, they retained the rights to Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal, amongst other properties. They've been working on another Dark Crystal film, and I sure hope it comes to theaters one day.

As usual, we'll see you at the popcorn st -- well, actually, we won't see you at all. But you catch our drift. Plus, be sure to tell us what you'll be watching, or what you've seen recently that bowled you over.

Continued →

September brings The Postal Service, Rihanna DLC to Lips

by Xav de Matos { Sep 5th 2009 at 3:00PM }

Fall is coming and Microsoft has revealed September's list of Lips DLC to keep gamers away from the upcoming cold front. This month brings new tracks from Rihanna, The Postal Service, The Bravery and Panic At the Disco, among others. If September's list of DLC isn't enough, October brings the release of the new retail title, Lips: Number One Hits. If you're looking for a new tune to belt out during those cold nights, the Lips franchise has you covered. Wait ... that sounds weird.

Available on now:
"We Will Become Silhouettes" by The Postal Service
"Shut Up and Drive" by Rihanna

September 11:
"Everything About You" by Ugly Kid Joe
"Such Great Heights" by The Postal Service

September 18:
"Sometime Around Midnight" by The Airborne Toxic Event
"Nine In The Afternoon" by Panic! At The Disco

September 25:
"An Honest Mistake" by The Bravery
"You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" by Bachman Turner Overdrive

GRAW and Splinter Cell: Double Agent infiltrate Games on Demand

by Xav de Matos { Sep 3rd 2009 at 10:39AM }

Grab your night-vision goggles and strap on your Kevlar, Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter and Splinter Cell: Double Agent have been added to Xbox Live's Games on Demand service. While GRAW is available in nearly all Xbox Live regions, Splinter Cell: Double Agent is only available to (most) European Xbox Live users. Prices vary by region, but we're confident in saying that no matter where you live, the asking price is probably too high for games that launched in 2006.

Final Fantasy XIII might get DLC, no story expansions

by Griffin McElroy { Aug 31st 2009 at 3:35PM }

We know -- it's tiresome hearing about "DLC" when we're still waiting on "regular ol' C" -- still, our interest was piqued by the mention of possible downloadable content for Final Fantasy XIII in a recent RPG Site interview with Squeenix's Motomu Toriyama and Yoshinori Kitase. According to Kitase, the developer is "exploring the option of downloadable content, perhaps adding new areas, items or enemies." He went on to add that any DLC wouldn't expand the game's story -- that'll be completely contained within the core game.

Our hope is, as ever, that any potential expansion for the game will finally add that Final Fantasy kart racer mode we've been waiting on ever since -- wait, they already did one of those? Get out of town!

[Via VG247]