Jonesing to play Lode Runner, Castle Crashers, Galaga Legions, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, or Braid?  Have I got some great news for you.  The wait will soon be over. 

One of Microsoft's many XBLA evangelists was live on E3 Live on Gamespot (thanks to being on the road with glitchy internet, I missed his name) talking up the "best content lineup" on XBLA ever and told the world that all these games would be out "by the end of the summer."  And more specifically he said, "in the next two months."

If all goes as planned I'll likely be at least 4000 MSP poorer in two months time (though no price points have been announced).

After the break I'll hit on a couple of points that were covered about each of those games.

Perhaps with all the talk (and crazy videos) surrounding Ninja Gaiden 2, you have forgotten that the pirate following should not be taken lightly.  Sure ninjas move faster than you can see but who wants to pick a fight with a peg leg, a hook, and a nasty set of teeth?  Not me.  But, I digress.

Pirates and real-time strategy get a mashup in Plunder, the Pirate-themed RTS game from Certain Affinity and Capcom.  (See what I did there?)  To dig deeper you can head over to IGN for a preview, but before you go check out the gameplay footage below.

Many days and weeks have passed since last mentioning Schizoid (that color-coded co-op crashfest being developed by Torpex Games).  Many wondered if the game would ever see the light of XBLA.  A strange thought, considering the game's status as XNA poster child.  Despite what the naysayers are saying (and naying), the game lives and even has some sparkling new screens courtesy of Xbox360Fanboy's loving interest.

Peep here, read there.  Getting excited for this again?

Previous coverage (to jog everyone's rusty memories).

[via X3F]

Are you tired of looking at pixelated japanese men while slavishly performing mental gymnastics?  If so, XBLA's Brain Challenge will be right up your alley.  Xbox360Fanboy's got a bunch of screens of the upcoming Brain Training Age Challenge so go see 'em.

Then, come back here and tell me if your "interest" in blonde doctors with glasses is satisfied enough to make this game a purchase.

[via X3F]

Last week we told you about Asteroid Cowboys the game that received a grant from the Nordic Games Program. Details were scarce at that point but Digital Out has finally released a few more details about the game and even some images. Now, I don't speak Danish (despite my favorite author being Danish) but luckily we've got a reader that does. Cue Lars Soerensen.

Digital Out says:

Når spillet er færdigt, vil op til fire spillere kunne dyste samtidig enten alle-mod-alle eller i hold. Og her kan alle være med, for den realistiske simulering af lassokast og asteroidernes flyvebaner giver et unikt og umiddelbart medrivende gameplay, der passer perfekt til et uhøjtideligt casual-game – små enkle, hurtige og overskuelige spil, der i øjeblikket stormer frem på verdensplan.

Lars roughly translates this as:

When the game is done, you will have 4-player deathmatch and team deathmatch. Realistic simulation of lasso-throw and asteroid trajectory gives unique and exciting gameplay. Perfect for casual gaming.

Realistic lasso throwing and 4-player deathmatch, huh? I can see potential here but there is still little to go on. You've got me intrigued Digital Out, don't blow it.

If you are still not sold, take a peek at these concept images.

[via Digital Out, HUGE thanks to Lars. Who knew Danish to English machine translation was so hard to find.]

Axiom: Overdrive maintains a high level of mystery as of yet.  Luckily, Reflexive Entertainment has been kind enough to give us some new screens of the game.  Then I realized that I had asked Russell Carroll (Director of Marketing, Reflexive Entertainment, Inc.) some brief questions about the game back in October that I never had the chance to post.  Between the screens and the mini-interview we might just be able to piece together what this game is all about. 

So, enjoy the screens now and (intentionally cryptic and vague) answers to my questions after the break.  Then, let me know what you think about this game's potential in the comments.

Here's the official trailer for Pirates vs. Ninjas: Dodgeball from Blazing Lizard and Gamecock.  It's coming "Early 2008".  Watch and enjoy (or complain if that's your style).

Oh, and G4 has more about the game's characters too.

[via GameTrailers/XBLAInsider/X3F, thanks to YourExWife]

A game whose main characters only goal is to blow up the hard work of an evil empire? Mixing free-falling with explosions? The chance of getting the game for free? What's not to love?

With Screwjumper! coming out on Wednesday, our friends at Frozen Codebase have been kind enough to set us up with two free codes for the game. Leave a comment on this post between now and Monday night at 8pm (Eastern Time) to be entered into a random draw for one of the codes.

Before anyone asks, no this does not mean that you get the game before it comes out to the public.

Not only were Frozen Codebase nice enough to send us the codes, but they've also sent the very first screen shots showing off some sweet split-screen action!

A short time ago we broke the story that Reflexive Entertainment (Wik: Fable of Souls)was hard at work on their latest XBLA game.  That game, Axiom: Overdrive, now has a fully functioning site (as promised before) and gives us a better look at the game.  Go check it out and sign up for the sweepstakes too.  Dunno what you might win, but free stuff is always a good thing.  Or if you'd prefer to work for what you get, apply for a job (hope you have mining experience).

And in case you didn't believe us when we announced the game, the official announcement of the game's existence is after the break.

[via AxiomOverdrive.com, thanks Russell]

One part Dishwasher, all parts violent orgy, The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai has a vicious style all its own.  One of the most stylish games to come out of the Dream-Build-Play competition (and one of the winners, for that matter) The Dishwasher has been chugging along, preparing for a final release on XBLA.

Along the way we have been granted various glimpses into the world of this dishwashing rampage (read: delicious gorefest).  And perhaps those earlier videos left you wanting more?  If so a new trailer has just arrived that features more blood, more insane massive damage combos, and more...guitar?  This new trailer displays a feature that is certainly new to me -- button-matching guitar solos.  Think Boom Boom Rocket-style shredding.  It's like...oh just watch the video to see.

Oh, and in case all that slashing makes you lonely -- co-op play is included as well.

[via GameTrailers, thanks James!]