Xboxist

Summer of Arcade 2009 Game Prices

Ah, summer. The time of year when we nerds peel off our Dorito-encrusted clothes and stretch our arms towards the sun, in preparation of trips to the beach, family barbecues, and pool parties at the playboy mansion. Wait, no it isn't. Summer is when we take advantage of sweet deals on Xbox Live Arcade games. That's right, the Summer of Arcade is back, and we have the first crop of titles that will go on sale starting this July 22. See? That still gives you time to work on your tan. The prices this year are pretty good, although Turtles in Time might be a bit steep considering the short length of the title.

July 22: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-shelled | 1200 Microsoft Points

(Ubisoft Singapore/Ubisoft): Cowabunga! Marking the franchise's 25 anniversary, everyone's favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game is back with a brand new look in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled". The arcade classic has been revamped with all new 3D graphics, but retains the classic beat 'em up gameplay that made it so popular.

July 29: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 | 1200 Microsoft Points

(Backbone Entertainment/Capcom): One of the most popular fighting games of all time, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, arrives worldwide on Xbox LIVE Arcade! Choose from 56 legendary characters from Marvel Comics and Capcom history, including legendary warriors such as Ryu and Wolverine. With online multiplayer over Xbox LIVE and enhanced HD graphics, choose your own perfect squad and do battle in the ultimate tag-team fighting experience.

August 5: Splosion Man | 800 Microsoft Points

(Twisted Pixel Games/Microsoft): Fools they were, to tread where knowledge should stay forbidden. For what emerged was not a man - it was a Splosion Man™."And all who saw him were 'sploded, for he was the fire and they were but meat."Able to 'splode himself at will, the Splosion Man launches his way through the game with an uncontainable force. From Twisted Pixel Games, developer of the award winning The Maw™, Splosion Man will keep you on your toes as you play through more than 50 single-player levels and 50 multiplayer levels. Nominated by GameSpy, Gamespot, IGN, and 411mania, this meat-riddled 'splosion-fest took several Best of E3 awards including Best Platformer and Best Downloadable Game.

August 12: Trials HD | 1200 Microsoft Points

(RedLynx/Microsoft): Nominated for GameSpy's Best Downloadable Game of E3 award, "Trials HD" is guaranteed to get your heart racing! Put on your helmet, grab your bike and rev your way through a full-featured, physics-based motorcycle racing platformer with stunning HD graphics. Tear up more than 50 tracks and test your mettle in two unique game modes: Race and Skill. Create, share and download an unlimited number of free tracks with the level editor, and customize your rider to fit your personality.

August 19: Shadow Complex | 1200 Microsoft Points

(Chair Entertainment and Epic Games/Microsoft): Winner of numerous Best of E3 awards including Best Downloadable Game from 1UP, IGN, GameTrailers and G4TV, "Shadow Complex" is the next evolution in downloadable games, marrying the quality and depth of a full retail game with classic side-scrolling gameplay and the stunning visuals of Epic Games' industry-leading Unreal Engine 3. Set in the world of Orson Scott Card's best-selling novel, "Empire," Shadow Complex provides more than 10 hours of in-depth gameplay and introduces a compelling universe in which you collect items and power-ups, and evolve your character into a force of destruction.