Zune HD Update Brings Six Free Games: Audiosurf, Project Gotham Racing, Checkers and More

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To celebrate the Zune HD's newfound support for 3D gaming, delivered via the recent v4.3 firmware, Microsoft has released six free games for its portable media device.

Among the touch and/or motion-controlled offerings are Project Gotham Racing and a specialized version of Dylan Fitterer's Audiosurf, in which players tilt the Zune HD to navigate the twists and turns of the track generated by their own music.

"As with the other games offered for Zune, these games are available for free to Zune HD users and feature a short ad at start-up," explained Microsoft.

All six are now available for download through the Zune Marketplace, with details on each, from Checkers and Bowling to Piano and Pool Service, following below:

PGR: Ferrari Edition
Tear through the streets of London, Tokyo, and New York using intuitive tilt and touch controls. Choose from 12 Ferrari cars and test your skill in 33 events in Career Mode. Go head-to-head against three other players in a wireless network race. Share your records with your friends and race their ghost cars in Time Trial mode. Earn kudos for racing with style--it's not just winning, but how you win that counts.

Audiosurf Tilt
Ride your music! Choose any song from your music collection and watch Audiosurf Tilt turn it into a unique roller coaster track for you to ride. The song you choose determines the shape, the speed, and the mood of each track. Tilt your Zune like a steering wheel to collect colored blocks and avoid speedbumps. Unlock more than 30 designs, each with its own special theme and color palette.

Lucky Lanes Bowling
Bowl in three different game modes: exhibition, blackjack, or golf. Play in five different bowling alleys with unique themes. Choose from 20 bowlers and 22 ball styles. You can play against the computer or play with up to four friends.

Vans Sk8: Pool Service
Whether it's the swanky rooftop of the Admiral, or the old abandoned rec center pool, Bucky Lasek and Omar Hassan know a good bowl when they see one. Hit the pools and put these Vans skaters to the test with all the tricks in their bag. Achieve hero status once you unlock their pro model skateboards. Compete in 10 different events with 20 different board designs, including skaters' official boards from Black Label and Element.

Piano
Play your own tune, or play along with your favorite music on this electronic piano that includes 88 keys, plus a dampen and sustain pedal. Choose standard mode, or choose learning mode in which the keys are labeled with each note.

Checkers
The classic board game can now be played on the go. Play against the computer on your Zune HD or against a friend through a wireless connection. The game features the ability to undo as many moves as you want, different colored pieces, and a beautiful outdoor park setting for the menus and game board.

Chris Faylor was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    November 12, 2009 9:10 AM

    Audiosurf on an MP3 player? Brilliant! Need an iPhone version now!

    • reply
      November 12, 2009 9:18 AM

      ya I can't believe that doest already exist.

    • reply
      November 12, 2009 9:27 AM

      I don't believe iPhone apps are allowed raw access to the data of the music. Which is kind of necessary for Audiosurf's level generation. I wonder if Zune apps are allowed that access or if this is a special case.

    • reply
      November 12, 2009 9:28 AM

      [deleted]

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