If you thought that Microsoft had an intent on slowing things down after the "summer of Xbox Live Arcade" promotion had finished you were dead wrong.  Last week saw the release of Shred Nebula, Gin Rummy, Pirates Vs. Ninjas: Dodgeball, and some new content for Poker Smash.  This week sees that bid and raises with even more DLC.  Here's what to expect:

• RocketBowl (800 MSP) is all about you and your rocket-propelled bowling ball.  The Dude would be proud.
• Samurai Shodown 2 (400 MSP) brings back the old-school 2D arcade fighter and plops it right on your home console only a mere 14 years after its original release (and a full year after the announce).  Now who's gonna get me the special Leipzig 360 controller with the good d-pad so I won't suck so much at this?
• Shotest Shogi (800 MSP) was already released in Japan (and some of us managed to find it here as well) and contains extensive tutorials for those not familiar with the classic board game.
• More Buku Sudoku puzzles (1200 more for 200 MSP)
• More N+ goodness, including 150 "harder" single player levels, 50 multiplayer races and 25 mulitplayer survival maps (200 MSP)

So what's worth getting people?

[via Gamerscoreblog]

All those Shogi fans out there got an interesting surprise this Saturday when Shotest Shogi appeared on the Japanese XBLA list.  The game offers the usual free demo version and the full version runs a typical 800 MSP. 

No word on any possible North American or European release.  The game already has full English language support (see photo on the right) so a North American release certainly seems likely.

And for those out there with no knowledge of Shogi at all, there is an extensive tutorial built into the game.

Here are two more shots confirming this mysterious weekend appearance.

[thanks sacra]

Xbox.com updated their Xbox Live Arcade section with details about 5 new upcoming titles, Rocky and Bullwinkle (mini-games), Shotest Shogi (shogi, japanese chess), TiQal (puzzle game), Wits & Wagers (party/trivia) and Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 (action/adventure):

• “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!
• “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.
• "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.
• “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.
• “Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3” (Capcom Entertainment Inc.). Xbox LIVE Arcade’s “Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3” revives one of the most popular arcade shooters with an all-new adventure. Battle solo or recruit two other specialized commandos to conquer the evil tyrant, General Ratiev. Players can play as Codename Wolf, Coyote or Fox to take on waves of soldiers, rescue POWs and blow up armored vehicles through a variety of dangerous battlefields.

These updates usually mean that these titles will hit XBLA very soon, which is good news on a week without any new game. Are you interested in any of these games?

Shotest Shogi has been a confusing title for the past month as it popped up on the ESRB website almost a month ago with little fanfare since that time; however, this is the first that we have heard of Basement Pool. Rubicon Development is working on these two new titles for Xbox Live Arcade. Both titles are rather self explanatory with more information (and screenshots) available on the official Shotest Shogi webpage and Basement Pool website. I wasn't aware that we needed more than one pool game on Xbox Live Arcade but wow... looking good.