Update: Microsoft has since "corrected" Lode Runner's price on the Xbox Live Marketplace, bringing it to the originally announced cost of 1200 MS Points ($15).

As promised, Tozai and SouthEnd's downloadable update of pit-digging classic Lode Runner hit the Xbox Live Marketplace today, but at a lower price than was announced.

Instead of 1200 Microsoft Points ($15), it's currently selling at 800 MS Points ($10). No word if the lower price will actually last, but Joystiq points out that Amazon.com is selling the download (via its Xbox Live Store) at the game's original $15 price.

Tozai and SouthEnd's downloadable update of pit-digging classic Lode Runner is due to hit Xbox 360 this Wednesday, April 22, pubisher Microsoft has announced.

Priced at 1200 Microsoft Points ($15), the modern-day revamp sports 220 levels, online and offline multiplayer in competitive and cooperative forms, and a custom level creator.

Microsoft today announced the "Days of Arcade," a promotion that will deliver these seven downloadable Xbox 360 games across the six weeks beginning March 18:

• The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai / James Silva
• Flock / Proper Games
• Hasbro Family Game Night / Electronic Arts
• Lode Runner / Tozai Games
• Outrun Online Arcade / Sumo Digital
• Puzzle Quest: Galactrix / Infinite Interactive
• UNO Rush / Microsoft

Only two of those games have specific release dates at this time: EA's Hasbro Family Game Night arrives March 18, packing Connect Four, Battleship, Yahtzee, Boggle, Sorry! and Sorry! Sliders, and Proper Games' animal-herding game Flock follows April 8.

As part of a press release celebrating Xbox Live Arcade's record-breaking year, Microsoft today listed the following downloadable Xbox 360 games as examples of Xbox Live Arcade releases that will help "ring in the new year:"

• Lode Runner / Tozai Games
• The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai / James Silva
• South Park / doublesix games
• Puzzle Quest: Galactrix / Infinite Interactive
• R-Type Dimensions / Tozai Games

No specific price points or release dates were provided.

In all, gamers have earned nearly 100 million Achievements from Xbox Live Arcade games, a feat that, according to Microsoft, amounts to 1.25 billion gamerpoints. Oh, and 110 million free trials have been downloaded since the service launched in 2005.

"Xbox Live Arcade has really become the top destination for premium downloadable games," said Microsoft director of digitally distributed games Scott Austin. "And we've got a long list of games coming out in 2009 that we think will be just as incredible as what we already have on the service."

Update: Microsoft has provided numerous screenshots along with a piece of promotional art.

Original Story: At this week's Consumer Electronics Show, developer Tozai Games pulled back the curtain on its Xbox Live Arcade reimagining of Douglas E. Smith's classic pit-digger Lode Runner.

Tozai, which is said to consist of several of the original Lode Runner designers, told Joystiq that the game's polygonal 2D appearance is still at an extremely early stage, though a 2008 release is expected.

Thus far, the game is known to include the series' traditional puzzle-action gameplay, several new multiplayer modes for two to four players, and a history of the Lode Runner franchise. It is currently unknown if it will feature a custom level editor, as past editions of the game have.

To learn more about the Lode Runner and its magical grave-producing wand, check out my review of the NES Virtual Console edition.