Joystiq Xbox presents to you the fantabulous Halo Wars Limited Edition unboxing video. Gasp as you see the iron-on patch unveiled. Scream as you eye the coveted Mythic Map Pack DLC redemption card. Shriek as you peer at naked Elite flesh in the graphic novel (no, seriously).

If none of that works for you, you could always just watch the video in thoughtful silence. You should definitely watch it, though.

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This week, XBLA in Brief takes a look at Exit 2. In short, it's a lot like the original Exit. In short, Exit 2 isn't especially EXciting, if you get our drift. It's not bad, per se. In fact, some people will probably love it, but we imagine a lot of gamers will be put off by its slow pacing. Check out our thoughts on the trial version in the video above.

Download the trial version of Exit 2

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In a very special edition of Points > Life, we outline the location of each of the three new skulls hidden on the upcoming Mythic Maps for Halo 3: Assembly; Orbital and Sandbox. If you plan on skull hunting when you pick up the maps (via Halo Wars CE or XBLM this Spring) you should remember, the skulls -- and subsequent achievements -- can only be obtained in Halo 3's Forge Mode.

Assembly and Orbital have easy to obtain skulls but Sandbox can be quite a pain in the (Mark VI-plated) butt. The Sandbox Skull is hidden beyond the boundaries of the map so expect the large (Guardian protected) light towers surrounding the area to decimate any player who attempts to leave the area. Fortunately, with the help of a trusty teleporter, we were able to snag yet another Halo 3 Skull. A detailed description of how to grab the Sandbox skull can be found after the break.

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This week on XBLA in Brief, we take a look at R-Type Dimensions, a new compilation of R-Type and R-Type 2 in one fancy Arcade package. You want 2D graphics? You got 'em. Remixed 3D graphics? Those are in there too. Crazy 2D and 3D camera options? Oh yeah. About the only thing it doesn't have is an attractive price: It's 1200 points. Still, hardcore shooter fans should take notice.

Download the trial version of R-Type Dimensions

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Today at X3F we're happy to help reveal a brand new circuit for SimBin's upcoming RACE Pro, exclusively to our readers. The Porto track in Portugal, known as Circuito da Boavista, is a street circuit with a history that reaches as far back as the late 1950's. Taking brave racers through tight alleys in between small homes and onto cobblestone streets, the Porto track was deemed too dangerous in 1960 and was closed. In 2005, the track was reopened and adjusted, adding to its length that now sits at 5.333km. Ladies and gentlemen, the final street circuit to be added to the World Touring Car Championship: the Porto track, Circuito da Boavista.

Let's face it, 2008's XBLA lineup did not go out with a bang. One week later, the first XBLA title brings in the new year with about the same level of excitement. Yes, Interpol brings all the excitement of hidden item searching to Xbox Live Arcade. We're not exactly sure we were really craving it in the first place, but it's here now whether we like it or not. Check out the latest episode of XBLA in Brief to see if spotting random objects is for you.

Download the trial version of Merv Griffrin's Crosswords from Marketplace.

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The last XBLA game we will receive in 2008 is Merv Griffin's Crosswords. We're not exactly sure what to make of that, honestly. Hopefully, you can figure out what to make of it by watching our latest installment of XBLA in Brief. Whatever you think of this week's offering, just remember that an entirely new year of Xbox Live Arcade goodness begins tomorrow. Here's hoping 2009 is even better.

Download the trial version of Merv Griffrin's Crosswords from Marketplace.

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There are lots and lots of puzzle games on Xbox Live Arcade, but this one, Puzzle Arcade, is a real puzzle game. That is to say you actually put together jigsaw puzzles. If you just can't piece that together, check out the latest episode of XBLA in Brief. We'll help you puzzle it out.

Download the trial version of Puzzle Arcade from Marketplace.

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This week on XBLA in Brief, we take Dash of Destruction for a spin. As you've no doubt heard by now, Dash of Destruction is available for free on Xbox Live Arcade. The reason: it's a sponsored game that was primarily created to help sell Doritos. No seriously, you can see the word Doritos right there on the title screen. So, how does Dash of Destruction stack up to that other free advertising game on XBLA? Watch the latest episode to find out.

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Points>Life (Points Greater Than Life) has returned and with it comes a request made in the comments of our recent Prince of Persia launch coverage, the achievement "Sword Master." This achievement asks players to nail the 14-hit combo in Ubisoft's Prince of Persia and it may seem way more complex than it should. Firstly, the achievement should be done early in the game. We recommend attempting the attack in your first encounter with the Concubine because later in the game enemies will block your attacks, ending your combo.

The specific combo players should use for this combo may seem complex but it's pretty simple, the trick to to watch the onscreen animations for visual cues to input each button combo. Also, make sure to draw the Concubine to the center of the area during the fight because knocking her to the edge will break the combo. If you mess up during the attempt make sure to keep eyes on your enemy's health, the combo will take off 1/3 of her total damage.

Prince of Persia 14-hit Combo

(then any one of the following to finish the combo)
or or

[Thanks to X360A.org for the Xbox button icons and tips]

We've got ourselves a twofer this week. On the one hand we have a new version of the formerly DS exclusive (and well received) puzzle game Meteos Wars. On the other, we have a new multi-directional shooter by the name of PowerUp Forever. Find out if either one is for you by watching the latest episode of XBLA in Brief above. We also have a brand new feature this week. Below you will find the Xbox Live Marketplace links to the trial versions of each game. So, if you decide you'd like to give one of them a go on your Xbox 360, you can queue it up for download without even leaving your computer. How sweet is that? (Answer: totally flipping sweet).

Download Meteos Wars trial game from Xbox Live Marketplace

Download PowerUp Forever trial game from Xbox Live Marketplace

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We've been playing the Resident Evil 5 demo all day and, because we love you, we've thrown together a video of our impressions. There is is, sitting at the top of this post, just for you. Watch, enjoy, learn about the solid gameplay and the somewhat frustrating inventory system. Do it for yourself, your friends, but definitely do not do it for the children. It's an M rated game, after all.

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We know what you're thinking. A bear? Teamed up with a bird? It sounds insane, we know. Somehow, though, somehow it works. Joining a bear with a bird seemingly creates the perfect platforming duo. Honestly though, is any stranger than an Italian plumber taking out his wrath on sadistic, sentient mushrooms? Now a bear riding a plumber, that would be weird. Find out why the bear / bird combo works very well in the latest episode of XBLA in Brief, in which we take a look at Banjo Kazooie.

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Movement in Prince of Persia has a particular flow. As players progress through the game it becomes easier to use all of the Prince's acrobatic moves to string together navigation as one fluid movement. There isn't much of rush to get from place-to-place but the game includes a few achievements that internally clocks movement time, so learning how to quickly navigate sections with simple button presses and minimal interruptions will be important to some players. Check out our video of some platform stringing to see what you have in store if you decide to pick up Ubisoft's Prince of Persia.

For more on this generation's Prince, check out our full Prince of Persia review.

This is it folks. After a long, long wait, Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix is finally here. If you've been waiting for the game to finally release, chances are that you don't really need this episode of XBLA in Brief to sway you one way or the other. Still, we've pledged ourselves to provide this service and, dang it, that's what we intend to do. Check out the latest episode and ponder with us just why (oh why) Capcom decided to remove any kind of CPU controlled opponents from the trial version.

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