As our small way to helping to make your buying decision this week a little easier, we bring you a cornucopia of screens from Tempest. Some are fancy, some are old-school, but all should give you an idea of what's in store.

At the top we have 3 comparison shots demonstrating the differences between the original and the enhanced graphics. After the break, peek at as many screens as we could lay our hands on. Give everything a look, and let the commenting commence.

Comparison Shots: Enhanced version on the left (if that isn't obvious)

It's a holiday miracle! Sensible World of Soccer (previously announced for August) will finally arrive on XBLA this Wednesday, December 19th. We told you it would, but confirmation was necessary on this one after previous hopes were dashed. Is your enthusiasm dampened by the news that this classic will cost you 800MSP?

Also on tap this week is Tempest. This version of the Atari arcade classic will be the first "true" arcade port of the game (exciting those full of nostalgic quarter sucking memories) along with the typical "enhanced" mode. Retro standard pricing here with Tempest costing 400MSP.

Neither game will be available in Korea and Tempest has bowed out of a Japanese showing, but otherwise it's a worldwide celebration. Who's buying?

Press release where it belongs (aka after the break).

[via Gamerscoreblog]

It has been a whopping six months since Tempest landed on the ESRB; however, the achievements have finally been unveiled. The achievments will probably be exactly what you thought of when you heard Tempest was coming to XBLA.

Well it seems that the blabber mouths over at the ESRB have done it again. Continuing in a trend that must be giving Microsoft PR ulcers, they have rated three more XBLA titles. This time, all three of the titles, were already known about, but the fact that they are now rated means the titles should be released "soon"-ish. The titles are:

Fatal Fury Special

This Neo-Geo Classic Fighting game quickly became tops in many fighting genre fans lists, when it was rumored around E3 last year. The game that looked like it was going to be lost in a sea of red tape around the old 50MB limit, will be a welcome addition to almost everyone.

Tempest

Back in November, when Atari announced that it would be publishing titles for the XBLA service, they announced what the first six game would be. Tempest will be the second of these titles (behind Millipede/Centipede). As someone who has never played this game, I'll be interested to see how it is, as well as what influences it has on Jeff Minter's Space Giraffe.

Mutant Storm Empire

The winner of the longest time between being announced (we knew about this title before the 360 launched) is finally going to be available for us to play. Taking the existing formula adding scrolling levels, bosses, and online multiplayer, sure sounds like a winning idea to me.

 

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in, wow, I guess you guys really did want that send tips link :) ]

[UPDATE: JUDE1 pointed out, in my un-caffeinated state this morning, I missed one, thanks]

Streets of Rage 2

After the successful launch of the TMNT arcade game, their was little doubt that we'd end up seeing more and more side scrolling beat 'em ups coming to the service. Sega has heard the fans calls and will be releasing Streets of Rage 2 "soon". What makes this even more interesting is that the title has already been released on the Wii Virtual Console, in the usual unaltered manner. For those of you who own both systems, what reason (other than it's already out) would you have in getting the VC edition?

The press release for this one says it all, so I'll let it speak for itself:

[quote]

Speaking of classic arcade titles, Atari has announced that they'll be bringing six more of your favorites to Xbox Live Arcade, beginning in early 2007.

• Centipede/Millipede: defend your village against an onslaught of centipedes, spiders, army ants and more. In addition to the classic mode, the evolution mode offers high definition graphics and special effects like motion blur, trails and particle-based explosions to make the experience as enjoyable today as it was decades ago.
• Battlezone: the original tank vs. tank action classic has received an Xbox Live overhaul, adding in exciting new multiplayer modes including Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Capture the Flag. This updated version is truly a must-have for any fan of the original, which is also included. Additionally, players can use the Xbox Live Vision camera to watch live video of their opponents. Combine these features with new special effects for weapon firing, impacts and explosions and you have one killer classic as you’ve never experienced it before.
• Asteroids/Asteroids Deluxe: rotate, thrust, flip, fire and jump to hyperspace as you blast oncoming asteroids to smithereens just like in the 1979 original, but in updated, beautifully rendered, high definition graphics that complement the classic original.
• Missile Command: protecting your city from alien missile attacks has never looked better now that this classic has been overhauled with updated graphics and 3D rendered vistas. Choose from the evolved mode or the timeless original gameplay.
• Tempest: clear a web of enemies before time runs out and advance to the next stage, using an arsenal of weapons at your disposal. This evolved version features a graphics overhaul while maintaining the same addictive gameplay of the original.
• Warlords: a multiplayer classic that resurrects the competitive spirit of arcade games from years gone by. Knock out the other kings in their castles while keeping yourself protected at the same time. Up to four players can join the action with the game taking control of any vacant castles allowing for a variety of single- or multiplayer experiences. Gamers can also import their own pictures to their castles for an extra personalization.

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