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: Ikaruga, Mr. Driller Online

A bit late on this one - I was hoping more info would come out about fixing Mr. Driller's Online mode. Ah well.

Mr. Driller Online

Xbox360 @ IGN.com by Ryan Geddes - 2.8 / 10
Team Xbox review by David Chapman - 8.0 / 10
Giant Bomb review by Ryan Davis - 2 / 5
Gamespot review by Don Francis - 2.5 / 10

Ikaruga

Xbox360 @ IGN.com by Erik Brudvig - 9.0 / 10
Team Xbox review by David Chapman - 9.0 / 10
1UP.com review by Ray Barnholt - A

Source: IGN, Gamespot, 1UP, Giant Bomb

Ikaruga is up!

Developer: Treasure Co., Ltd.
Publisher: Treasure Co., Ltd.
Genre: Shooter
Price: 800 Microsoft Points
Availability: Everywhere

Click here for the Xbox.com page for Ikaruga

Click here for the official NeoGAF Forum topic.

Ikaruga is your game of the week! Plus new Poker Smash packs!

The Japanese arcade hit Ikaruga receives the full Xbox LIVE Arcade treatment and is poised to launch on the platform this Wednesday, April 9!

“Ikaruga” is a fast-paced scrolling shooter with a twist – players must constantly switch their ship’s polarity to maximize their damage output and avoid incoming enemy fire of the opposite polarity.

“Ikaruga” on Xbox LIVE Arcade features a two-player co-op mode both locally and over Xbox LIVE. Newcomers can also easily bring their skill up to speed by using the game’s slow motion training mode.

“Ikaruga” is a perfect combination of beautiful, manga-style storytelling and challenging arcade heroics, all brought to life in a gorgeous HD environment.

Gamers itching to obtain a moment of “Ikaruga” glory will be wise to master the chaining system that detects when enemies of the same polarity are destroyed consecutively. Doing so will reward players with huge score bonuses, which will be key to topping “Ikaruga’s” leaderboards.

The ability to relive a particularly harrowing battle is also possible thanks to the game’s record and replay function, which is new to the Xbox LIVE Arcade version of the game.

The game is prices at 800 Microsoft Points, I'm sure there are a lot of fans happy to finally get this game.

In addition to this, Poker Smash will be releasing some enticing add-on packs this week!

The new content includes two Action Mode Environments in the Environment Pack and an additional 15 Puzzles in the Puzzle Pack, giving “Poker Smash” players a total of 13 immersive environments and 70 mind bending puzzles. The “Poker Smash” Environment Pack and Puzzle Pack will each be available for 100 Microsoft Points.

Source: Gamerscoreblog

Whoops! Ikaruga release date accidentally announced!

Edit: It appears they've taken down their Xbox.com website now!

Japanese website Xbox-News.com has had a watchful eye on the Japanese Xbox.com pages, and it appears the Ikaruga page went up a little early, and with a release date!

April 9th here we come! Check out the Xbox.com page here. Thanks to Rmk106 for bringing this to my attention :)

Source: Xbox-news.com - Xbox LIVE アーケードタイトル斑鳩が4月9日に配信？