Xbox Live Arcade News

Spelunky is hitting Xbox Live Arcade on July 4 for $15 (1200 MSP), Microsoft announced today.

Given how popular Angry Birds is, it's surprising that there aren't more attempts to build the idea into a more complex game. Zen Studios is stepping up to the plate with CastleStorm, announced today, which combines catapultery with TD and RTS elements.

Minecraft XBLA is getting a small update (1.7.3) for pistons, and then developer 4J is moving into the ambitious Adventure update. It calls this "the most difficult update due to the sheer amount of changes."

Do you have some friends? Do you like video games? Like, say Scource: Outbreak, a downloadable co-op shooter coming this summer to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and, er, Mac?

Though Serious Sam 3 launched on PC last November, Croteam was curiously silent about its crazy FPS's promised console editions until yesterday. It'll arrive on XBLA this fall alongside a revamped Serious Sam Double D, but there's no word on PS3 releases.

Though Tony Hawk Pro Skater HD is an attempt to recapture and rework the glory of the first two in the skate 'em up series, Activision has confirmed that a few levels from Pro Skater 3 will sneak in as downloadable content, with fans having a say.

I can't be the only one who gets the urge to kick faces as summer warms up in June, so how clever of Sega to tap into this market with Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown. The downloadble revamp of VF5 will hit PS3 on June 5 then Xbox 360 on June 6, priced at $15.

Split-screen co-op is one of the big features Minecraft XBLA boasts over the PC original, but some disappointed players are finding it unexpectedly unavailable to them. It turns out, and is not explained before you buy it, that split-screen is only for HD displays.

A look at the simplified but still fun Xbox 360 Edition of Minecraft.

RedLynx managing director Tero Virtala talks about why the physics system and punishing difficulty of Trials Evolution is what makes it so rewarding for players.

This week, I check out The Splatters, developer SpikySnail's recent XBLA downloadable about defusing bombs with the innards of cheerful, liquid-filled blob-creatures.

Trials Evolution has broken the one-day sales record for XBLA, according to an announcement by Microsoft.

This week, I get lost in Polytron's Fez, the best game ever named after a hat.

A new Trials Evolution trailer shows off the track editor tools, and developer RedLynx is releasing several tutorials before the game's launch next week.

Reverse-tower defense Anomaly: Warzone Earth has already invaded PC, Mac, iOS and Android, and now a date has been set for the commencement of its Xbox 360 campaign: April 6, almost exactly a year after its first strike. It'll launch at 800 MSP ($10).