XBLA Activity for week of 4/14

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)
1 Ikaruga (-)
2 Battlezone (debut)
3 Brain Challenge (+1)
4 Rocky and Bullwinkle (debut)
5 DOOM (-2)
6 UNO (+3)
7 N+ (+1)
8 Worms (-1)
9 Bomberman LIVE (+1)
10 Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (v)

The above arcade list is based on full versions purchased.

From the previous week (which I've admittedly been skipping the past few weeks, too busy unfortunately) we can see that Ikaruga is still on top for the second week in a row. Mr. Driller Online, which last week was at No. 2 last week, has suddenly dropped off the map and out of the top 10. Surprising since it stayed quite high in its second week.

Dissapointing debuts for Battlezone and - more surprisingly - Rocky & Bullwinkle, since it was meant to appeal to a wider demographic. Poor reviews aside, I think Zen Studios were expecting big things from Bullwinkle.

Brain Challenge continues to sell well - and unlike Bullwinkle appears to have found it's niche and has done well for itself.

Source: Major Nelson - LIVE Activity for week of 4/14

Review wrap-up: R&B and Battlezone not doing so well

Both Rocky & Bullwinkle and Battlezone have done pretty poorly in reviews - blaming the cheap nature of R&B and some poorly designed micro games for it's poor reviews, and Battlezone for, essentially the same reasons other Stainless / Atari ports have gotten bad reviews - games haven't aged well, and the evolved versions not being particularly good.

Rocky & Bullwinkle

1UP.com review by Andrew Fitch - D-
Xbox @ IGN Review by Ryan Geddes - 3.0 / 10
Team Xbox review by David Chapman - 5.0 / 10
Eurogamer review by Dan Whitehead - 5 / 10

Battlezone

Xbox 360 @ IGN review by by Erik Brudvig - 6.0 / 10
Team Xbox review by Andy Eddy - 8.0 / 10
Eurogamer review by Dan Whitehead - 4 / 10

Rocky & Battlezone are up!

Rocky & Bullwinkle
Developer: ZEN Studios
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox LIVE Arcade
Price: 800 Microsoft Points
Availability: Everywhere

Click here for the official Xbox.com webpage

Developer: Stainless Games
Publisher: Atari
Genre: Shooter
Price: 400 Microsoft Points
Availability: Everywhere expect Japan and Korea

Click here for the official Xbox.com webpage

Rocky & Bullwinkle and Battlezone are your games of the week!

There’s a new addition to the family of party games available on Xbox 360! Rocky and Bullwinkle is available exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade, along with an enhanced version of the tank vs. tank action classic Battlezone this Wednesday, April 16, 2008!

Based on the popular cartoon series of the 1960s, Rocky and Bullwinkle on Xbox LIVE Arcade is a fast and fun party experience packed with more than 100 micro games. Eight playable characters from Frostbite Falls are back in the living room, including Rocky, Bullwinkle, Boris, Natasha, Dudley Do-Right and many more. Rocky and Bullwinkle features five difficulty settings, as well as support for up to 12 players in local hot-seat mode.

The game takes visual inspiration from the 1960s with a decidedly retro art style, but the fun is as modern as it gets. In fact, cool cats who want to get up and move will enjoy 25 micro games that work with the Xbox LIVE Vision Camera. By moving around and expressing gestures – like rowing a boat or throwing darts – players can control the action in the game!

Developed by Zen Studios, Rocky and Bullwinkle will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.

Click here for the official Xbox.com webpage

Battlezone on Xbox LIVE Arcade adds exciting new multiplayer modes for up to two players both locally and over Xbox LIVE, including Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Capture the Flag. Plus, players can use the Xbox LIVE Vision Cam to challenge opponents on the battle field. Combine these features with new special effects for weapon firing, impacts and explosions and this revamped version of Battlezone is a must-have classic that fans and newcomers will enjoy.

To score points in Battlezone, players must shoot and destroy the enemy’s brigade including a standard enemy tank, supertank and a flying saucer.

Created by Atari, an enhanced version and the original version of Battlezone will be available worldwide (with the exception of Korea and Japan) for 400 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.

Click here for the official Xbox.com webpage.

Source: Gamer Score Blog

New Rocky & Bullwinkle Trailer, Media

With Rocky & Bullwinkle supposedly coming out next week, it's becoming a bit more apparent with the release of some brand new media, which IGN have gotten a hold of. Included is the trailer you can watch above, as well as some new images of some of the 100's of minigames available in the game. Click the source for more!

Source: IGN.com -A classic cartoon brought to your game controller.

New Pinball FX table coming your way!

Zen studios have announced that a new board will be available soon for their game Pinball FX. The board will be based on their upcoming XBLA game - Rocky & Bullwinkle.

They've released a trailer too, click the video above to watch it!

Source: Game Trailers

New Media: Shotest Shogi, Wits & Wagers, TiQal and Bullwinkle!

Along with the news about the 400 Point DOOM and Assault Heroes (which are up right now! Go check them out!) They also released new images of 4 upcoming games - some which had not actually been announced yet (TiQal) and others that have had very minimal limelight (Wits & Wagers, Shotest Shogi). There are a huge amount of images - 20-80 images each! So check them out.

“Rocky and Bullwinkle” (Zen Studios Ltd.). And now, here’s something you’ll really like! Based on the highly popular cartoon series of the same name, “Rocky and Bullwinkle” on Xbox LIVE Arcade is a fast and fun party experience packed with over 100 micro-games and decked out in an authentic retro art style. All your favorite characters are coming straight out of Frostbite Falls and into your living room: Rocky, Bullwinkle, Boris, Natasha, Dudley Do-Right and many more. Plus, players with an Xbox LIVE Vision camera can control 25 of these games using fun gestures. Gee whiz, Rock!

Check out the new images of Rocky & Bullwinkle here!

“Shotest Shogi” (AI Factory Ltd. and Rubicon Development Ltd.). Experience a new kind of shogi, Japan’s top board game, which encourages complex tactical play and strategic sacrifices. Set in an elegant Japanese room, this beautifully rendered game features 16 challenging artificial intelligence opponents as well as an online multiplayer mode*. For beginners, “Shotest Shogi” on Xbox LIVE Arcade also offers an advanced tutorial that guides and tests players as they progress through the game.

Check out the new images of Shotest Shogi here!

“TiQal” (Slapdash Games). An addictive new puzzler, “TiQal” takes players on an epic journey to save an ancient Mayan village. Players demolish enemy block walls by matching squares of the same color and building them up to unleash massive combo points and mind-blowing power-ups. Partner with a friend over local or LIVE* co-op play to rescue the village, while enjoying sumptuous graphics, pulse-pounding sound effects and an awe-inspiring musical score.

Check out the new images of TiQal here!

“Wits & Wagers” (Hidden Path Entertainment LLC). Party and trivia fun! Even if trivia isn’t your thing, the first trivia and party game to hit Xbox LIVE Arcade is one in which players can win by making educated guesses, playing the odds or just knowing the interests of other players, whether they are local or online. Break out the Big Button Pad controllers or play couch vs. couch on Xbox LIVE for a trivia party extravaganza.

Check out the new images of Wits & Wagers here!