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X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Perfect Dark

by David Hinkle { Mar 17th 2010 at 1:45PM }

It's been a long time coming, and today Perfect Dark is finally available for download on XBLA. Sporting some new Xbox Live functionality and a sparkly new coat of paint, we'd be hard-pressed to come up with a better way to drop 800

($10) on the Xbox Live Marketplace. The game is a classic and the closest you'll get to having GoldenEye on Xbox Live. Check it out in the latest episode of XBLA in Brief above!

Shortcut: Download the trial version of Perfect Dark [via Xbox.com]

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Gallery: Perfect Dark (XBLA)

X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Scrap Metal

by David Hinkle { Mar 10th 2010 at 12:15PM }

Your usual host is off gallivanting around San Francisco at GDC right now, so you'll have to make do with me for the latest XBLA in Brief episode. Today, we take a look at Scrap Metal, a title that instantly recalls the simple fun of the SNES classic Rock N' Roll Racing.

With a hefty price tag of 1200

($15), Scrap Metal better have a lot to offer, right? Well, there's variety, there's some tight gameplay and there's certainly lots of rocking, rolling and racing. In short: it's not a bad game at all! Check it out for yourself in the video above.

Shortcut: Download the trial version of Scrap Metal [via Xbox.com]

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Gallery: Scrap Metal (XBLA)

X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Toy Soldiers

by Richard Mitchell { Mar 3rd 2010 at 3:15PM }

Tower defense fans, rejoice, for Toy Soldiers has arrived. Take note, however, because Toy Soldiers adds a few twists to the standard tower defense formula. First and foremost, players can take direct control of the various towers, turrets and vehicles that are placed on the map. Whether it's sniping army men from the sniper tower or dogfighting enemy planes, there's plenty of variety. The game even packs Facebook integration (note: stay away from the Facebook app if you value productivity). Watch the latest XBLA in Brief and decide if Toy Soldiers is worth 1200

($15).

Shortcut: Download the trial version of Toy Soldiers [via Xbox.com]

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X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Greed Corp, Lazy Raiders, Fret Nice

by Richard Mitchell { Feb 24th 2010 at 3:15PM }

Three very different games on Xbox Live Arcade this week, gang. We've got the turn-based strategy of Greed Corp (800

/ $10), the reverse platforming of Lazy Raiders (800

/ $10) and the ... guitar-controlled platforming of Fret Nice (1200

/ $15). Okay, so both Lazy Raiders and Fret Nice are basically platformers, but they're definitely different. Watch all the games in action in today's XBLA in Brief.

Shortcut: Download the trial version of Greed Corp [via Xbox.com]
Shortcut: Download the trial version of Lazy Raiders [via Xbox.com]
Shortcut: Download the trial version of Fret Nice [via Xbox.com]

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X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom

by Richard Mitchell { Feb 17th 2010 at 2:15PM }

Puzzle-platforming fans, rejoice, for The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom is here. The game employs simple platforming skills combined with time control mechanics, great music and a very unique art style. See it all in action in the latest episode of XBLA in Brief. Should you wish to take the plunge into the world of time-bending pie theft, the full version is 800

($10).

Shortcut: Download the trial version of P.B. Winterbottom [via Xbox.com]

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X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Darwinia+

by Richard Mitchell { Feb 10th 2010 at 3:45PM }

This week on Xbox Live Arcade, Darwinia+ finally, finally makes its way onto Microsoft's download service. It's been a very long time coming, but now it's here for everyone to enjoy. There's plenty to enjoy, too, as the game contains both the original Darwinia and the multiplayer version, Multiwinia. See what all the hubbub is about in the latest XBLA in Brief, then decide if you want to plunk down the 1200

($15) entrance fee.

Shortcut: Download the trial version of Darwinia+ [via Xbox.com]

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X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Chime

by Richard Mitchell { Feb 3rd 2010 at 1:30PM }

There's something rather unique on XBLA this week: Coming from non-profit publisher OneBigGame and developer Zoë Mode, Chime is actually a game that benefits children's charities. It's a musical puzzle game reminiscent of Lumines, featuring music from several well-known artists including Moby, Paul Hartnoll of Orbital and Philip Glass. At least 60 percent of the game's 400

($5) price will go to charity, so you can feel good about picking it up. You can also feel good because Chime is actually a pretty good game. Check it out in the latest XBLA in Brief.

Shortcut: Download the trial version of Chime [via Xbox.com]

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X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: KrissX

by Richard Mitchell { Jan 27th 2010 at 12:30PM }

XBLA eschews strategic and cube-borne violence this week in favor of some simple, peaceful wordplay. Specifically, the only game to hit Xbox Live Arcade this week is KrissX, which, despite our secret hopes and dreams, has nothing to do with the greatest hip-hop duo of all time. No, instead, it's a crossword puzzle game that tasks players with swapping letters and spelling words. It's also surprisingly delightful. Check out the latest episode of XBLA in Brief and see if KrissX deserves your 800

($10).

Shortcut: Download the trial version of KrissX [via Xbox.com]

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X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Vandal Hearts, Death By Cube

by Richard Mitchell { Jan 20th 2010 at 3:55PM }

This week on XBLA in Brief, we take a brief look (geddit?) at Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment and Death By Cube. The two games are about as different as can be, with Vandal Hearts being a strategy RPG -- a rarity on XBLA -- and Death By Cube offering a frantic twin-stick shooter. Both games seem good at what they do, though Death By Cube may just have a little magic in its simple, hectic formula. Check out the latest XBLA in Brief episode above and see if either Vandal Hearts (1200

/ $15) or Death By Cube (800

/ $10) strike your fancy.

Shortcut: Download the trial version of Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment [via Xbox.com]
Shortcut: Download the trial version of Death By Cube [via Xbox.com]

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X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter

by Richard Mitchell { Jan 13th 2010 at 3:25PM }

Are you tired of first-person shooters that make you think? Do you long for enemies that simply charge directly toward you, showing no concern for personal safety, let alone tactics? Have you been looking for a game that throws strategy out the window in favor of massive amounts of baddies all swarming you, some of them exploding on contact? If so, Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter is probably for you.

No recharging health, no cover system, no perks, just relentless, punishing action. All of it can be yours for 1200

($15). Watch the latest XBLA in Brief and find out just what you're getting into.

Shortcut: Download the trial version of Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter [via Xbox.com]

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X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Matt Hazard: Blood Bath and Beyond

by Richard Mitchell { Jan 6th 2010 at 11:46AM }

This week on XBLA, we've got Matt Hazard: Blood Bath and Beyond. Like its retail predecessor, Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard, Blood Bath and Beyond is an action game that parodies other video games. Thankfully, the gameplay seems to hold up its end of the bargain this time, offering a decent hardcore shooter experience, though the 1200

($15) seems a bit steep. Check out the latest XBLA in Brief and see if Blood Bath and Beyond is for you.

Shortcut: Download the trial version of Matt Hazard: Blood Bath and Beyond [via Xbox.com]

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XBLA in Brief: Polar Panic, 0 day Attack on Earth

by Richard Mitchell { Dec 23rd 2009 at 3:15PM }

We're not going to say that the two games released on Xbox Live Arcade this week -- this week being Christmas -- were released as afterthoughts. However, they probably aren't games you've been dying to play. You can choose between block-pushing puzzle goodness or alien-blasting action in Polar Panic or 0 day Attack on Earth, respectively. Polar Panic will set you back 800

($10), while 0 day Attack on Earth expects 1200 of your hard earned points ($15). Watch the latest XBLA in Brief and see if either demands your attention.

Shortcut: Download the trial version of Polar Panic [Via Xbox.com]
Shortcut: Download the trial version of 0 day Attack on Earth [Via Xbox.com]

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X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Puzzlegeddon, Alien Breed Evolution

by Richard Mitchell { Dec 16th 2009 at 3:30PM }

What's it going to be on XBLA this week, an alien onslaught or a puzzle apocalypse? The choice is yours, whether it be Tecmo's Puzzlegeddon or Team17's Alien Breed Evolution. Either game will set you back 800 Microsoft Space Bucks (ten earth dollars), so it boils down to preference. Frankly, we've always been fans of mowing down waves of alien scum, but destroying your friends via brightly colored blocks has its charms too. Check out the latest XBLA in Brief and see which one speaks to you.

Shortcut: Download the trial version of Puzzlegeddon [Via Xbox.com]
Shortcut: Download the trial version of Alien Breed Evolution [Via Xbox.com]

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X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Qix++

by David Hinkle { Dec 9th 2009 at 5:45PM }

Taito's unleashed a new puzzle game on Xbox Live Arcade this week: Qix++ for $10 (800

). The demo version of the game only offers two levels to try out, but the full game sports 16 different stages and a multiplayer mode. So, without further ado, check out the video above to see what the game is all about.

Shortcut: Download the trial version of Qix++ [Via Xbox.com]

X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Call of Duty Classic

by Richard Mitchell { Dec 2nd 2009 at 2:14PM }

If you've played any of the recent Call of Duty games -- and chances are good that you have -- then you'll be right at home with Call of Duty Classic, the latest release on Xbox Live Arcade. Of course, there's also a good chance that you're still knee-deep in Modern Warfare 2. So, the question you have to ask is how much do you want to take in some gaming history? If that desire is equal to or greater than $15 (1200

), then go right ahead.

Shortcut: Download the trial version of Call of Duty Classic [Via Xbox.com]

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