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Stare into a Dark Void demo this week

Should you decide you like strapping fire to your back and hanging with old pal Nikola Tesla, the retail Dark Void game will be released on January 19. Expect the DSiWare spinoff, Dark Void Zero, sometime in January, as well.
Gallery: Dark Void
Today only: Castle Crashers for $7 on XBLM
With only two days of daily holiday deals left, it looks like Microsoft decided to make today's a doozy. Like the headline says, today's deal is Castle Crashers for a mere 560
. That's sevenearth dollars and, more importantly, a substantial savings over the usual 1200
($15) price tag. If you haven't experienced the co-op glory, now is the time. Trust us, people like this game. They like it so much that they build costumes of their favorite characters.
If you don't have it yet, you need that kind of joy in your life.
Shortcut: Add Castle Crashers to your 360 download queue [Via Xbox.com]
. That's sevenearth dollars and, more importantly, a substantial savings over the usual 1200
($15) price tag. If you haven't experienced the co-op glory, now is the time. Trust us, people like this game. They like it so much that they build costumes of their favorite characters.If you don't have it yet, you need that kind of joy in your life.
Shortcut: Add Castle Crashers to your 360 download queue [Via Xbox.com]
Gears of War now available via Xbox Live Games on Demand
Put down that can of Imulsion energy drink, friend, 'cause we've got some good news for you (and we wouldn't want you to choke, you know). The original Gears of War has arrived on Xbox Live's Games on Demand service, making it that much easier to get ready for next year's big announcement from series creator Cliff Bleszinski (spoilers: it's probably Gears of War 3!).
For the usual $19.99, all 6GB of Marcus Fenix's Locust murder opus can be yours -- without all that pesky 'physical media' nonsense -- through the Xbox Live Marketplace (except in Japan, sorry!). We've linked it below of course, for your convenience.
Shortcut: Add Gears of War to your Xbox 360 download queue (via Xbox.com)
For the usual $19.99, all 6GB of Marcus Fenix's Locust murder opus can be yours -- without all that pesky 'physical media' nonsense -- through the Xbox Live Marketplace (except in Japan, sorry!). We've linked it below of course, for your convenience.
Shortcut: Add Gears of War to your Xbox 360 download queue (via Xbox.com)
New Arkedo Series game on XBLM: Pixel
You can snag the trial version through the link below and, should you enjoy it, the full game is 240
($3) or, as Arkedo puts it, "approximately the asking price for a nice latte."Shortcut: Add Arkedo Series - 03 Pixel to your 360 download queue [Via Xbox.com]
Gallery: Arkedo Series 003: Pixel!
Today's Xbox Live deal: 50% off Secret of Monkey Island: SE

Some readers reported having some difficulty obtaining yesterday's deal at the advertised price. If the reduced price doesn't reflect on the Xbox Live Marketplace yet, be sure to try again later today. And if you're the good sort that's already completed this classic bout of pirating, perhaps you should join us later today as we taste pies and assign numerical scores to them.
Add The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition to your Xbox 360 download queue
Gallery: Monkey Island Special Edition
Queue it up, Short Round! Lego Indiana Jones 2 demo on Xbox Live
Interested in revisiting the world of everyone's favorite action professor, minus all the live-action footage? Xbox Live has got you covered with a brand new demo of the recently released LEGO Indiana Jones 2. The LEGO-fied version of Indy's latest includes new levels from his original adventures, as well as hilarious antics from The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Sadly, the game does not include a "punch Shia LaBeouf endlessly for helping to ruin so much of our beloved past" mode.
We're hoping for that addition to come in the form of DLC.
Add the LEGO Indiana Jones 2 Demo to your Xbox 360 download queue
We're hoping for that addition to come in the form of DLC.
Add the LEGO Indiana Jones 2 Demo to your Xbox 360 download queue
XBLM holiday deal of the day: Marvel vs Capcom 2 for $7
Now this, this is a deal. This isn't Avatar glasses or an episode of Stargate (seriously, that was yesterday's deal). No, this is a very good game at a very good price. Today, and today only, you can pick up Marvel vs. Capcom 2 for only 560
, that's seven bucks. That's slightly more than fifty percent off the usual $15 price. So yeah, good luck resisting that.
Shortcut: Add Marvel vs Capcom 2 to your 360 download queue [Via Xbox.com]
[Via @majornelson]
, that's seven bucks. That's slightly more than fifty percent off the usual $15 price. So yeah, good luck resisting that.Shortcut: Add Marvel vs Capcom 2 to your 360 download queue [Via Xbox.com]
[Via @majornelson]
Namco announces digital distribution expansion plans for back catalog
We know, we know -- you've spent the better part of today searching the internet for all those Namco classics no longer playable on the futurebox of choice in your living room. Thankfully, Namco Bandai just this morning announced intentions to "increase its digital distribution presence," effectively eliminating your wasted time problem.
Aside from the news that two Katamari-based titles are headed to Xbox 360 and PlayStation Portable (Beautiful Katamari in "Q1 2010" and Me & My Katamari on December 22, respectively), today's communication did little for news on what else we can expect from the Japanese publisher on the digital front. That being said, the company specifically pointed out future titles heading to not just Xbox 360, but also a bolstering of titles in the PSone and PSP catalogs on the PlayStation Network. It appears as though we won't be hearing about other titles just yet, though, as the company said, "More titles to be announced in the coming months." But hey, at least you can stop all that internet scouring now, right?
Aside from the news that two Katamari-based titles are headed to Xbox 360 and PlayStation Portable (Beautiful Katamari in "Q1 2010" and Me & My Katamari on December 22, respectively), today's communication did little for news on what else we can expect from the Japanese publisher on the digital front. That being said, the company specifically pointed out future titles heading to not just Xbox 360, but also a bolstering of titles in the PSone and PSP catalogs on the PlayStation Network. It appears as though we won't be hearing about other titles just yet, though, as the company said, "More titles to be announced in the coming months." But hey, at least you can stop all that internet scouring now, right?
New Music Games store arriving on Xbox Live today
Microsoft has announced that it's rolling out the real Xbox Live Music Games stores. When the latest Dashboard Update rolled out earlier this year, this section was comprised solely of Xbox Live Marketplace entries for music game DLC, but now each game will be receiving its own themed store. So, if you want to pick up Rock Band or Guitar Hero tracks, you can open up the corresponding store and start browsing. Each store will also allow users to preview songs, so there's no need to fire up each game to see if you like a particular track.
The stores should be going live sometime today, so keep an eye on the Music Marketplace section of the Xbox 360 dashboard. The games that will feature their own stores include Rock Band, Rock Band 2, The Beatles: Rock Band, LEGO Rock Band, Guitar Hero 5, Guitar Hero: World Tour, Band Hero, Lips and Lips: Number One Hits. Check out images of the new storefronts in the gallery below.
The stores should be going live sometime today, so keep an eye on the Music Marketplace section of the Xbox 360 dashboard. The games that will feature their own stores include Rock Band, Rock Band 2, The Beatles: Rock Band, LEGO Rock Band, Guitar Hero 5, Guitar Hero: World Tour, Band Hero, Lips and Lips: Number One Hits. Check out images of the new storefronts in the gallery below.
Gallery: Xbox Live Music Games stores
Buyer's Guide: Xbox Live Marketplace

So, what do you spend those points on? With this handy guide, we give you some solid suggestions based on several categories and include everything from Xbox Live Arcade games to Indie Games to Avatar props. Just select from your favorite genres below. (Joytip: Click on a game title to see its Xbox.com listing; and check out our links to reviews and XBLA in Brief videos to help make crucial purchasing decisions.)
PSA: Worms 2: Armageddon is today's Xbox Live deal for $5
Worms 2: Armageddon here! Get your Worms 2: Armageddon here! Worms for sale! Worms, I say! Low, low prices -- one day only! 400 spacebucks or five Earth dollars, whichever comes first! Cutesy, creepy, blasty, explodey Worms here! Buy today and get the Buffalo of Lies with your order! If you can find a better deal, you're a magician! Get 'em while they're cheap! Tell your friends, and come back tomorrow for another Xbox Live deal. Only ten days left!
Gallery: Worms 2 Armageddon (XBLA)
Brutal Legend's 'Hammer of Infinite Fate' DLC arrives with trailer in tow
In celebration of the release, Double Fine has handed over a brand new trailer for the grab bag of multiplayer maps, skins for Eddie Riggs, and items with which to brutalize (as seen above). As we previously noted, the DLC also gives players the opportunity to endow Mt. Rockmore with Tim Schafer's beautiful face. If that doesn't sell you on it, we can't imagine what would.
Gallery: Brutal Legend
Hands-on: Borderlands' Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot

Gearbox's Randy Pitchford made a pretty bold claim when he said that the new Borderlands DLC, "Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot," would comprise more than just new levels, but an entirely new mode as well. After an hour or so spent battling it out in Moxxi's tournament, we're happy to report that, though it doesn't feel like a brand new game, it provides a welcome shake-up of the main story's quest-based structure.
Read on to see if Mad Moxxi's going to be worth your ten bucks when it arrives on December 28 on Xbox 360 and January 7 on PS3.
Read on to see if Mad Moxxi's going to be worth your ten bucks when it arrives on December 28 on Xbox 360 and January 7 on PS3.
Xbox Live Faux Pas of the Day: Free '2010 Glasses'
Your Avatar can celebrate the next dance around the sun by putting on some hideous 2010 glasses, now available in the Avatar Marketplace for free. Wearing the glasses will have your virtual representation come dangerously close to committing the high crime of fashion: socks and sandals (which is, sadly, also available on the marketplace).
However, if you think your Avatar can rock the look, by all means, have them go for it. If you regret getting these, just remember that hindsight is 2010.
Shortcut: Download "2010 Glasses" to Xbox 360 [via Xbox.com]
However, if you think your Avatar can rock the look, by all means, have them go for it. If you regret getting these, just remember that hindsight is 2010.
Shortcut: Download "2010 Glasses" to Xbox 360 [via Xbox.com]
XBL Indie shooter Leave Home requires that you don't
Check out the trailer above and some screens in the gallery below. If it strikes your fancy, snag the demo and give it a try. The full version is 240
($3).Shortcut: Add the trial version of Leave Home to your 360 download queue [Via Xbox.com]

















