Diner Dash makes a mad rush to Xbox Live Arcade

Hudson Entertainment’s Diner Dash is now on Xbox LIVE Arcade for a mere 800 MS points. The game features updated HD graphics and 8-person multiplayer mode. Like the casual games on which it is based, this XBLA version of Diner Dash lets players take direct control of Flo as she runs around like a crazy person to seat patrons, take orders, deliver food, receive payment and bus tables as efficiently as possible within the time limit allowed. Players can also team up with up to seven other players in multiplayer across four diners in Team Dash or go 1 on 1 in head-to-head mode.

For more information on this new game, visit www.hudsonent.com/dinerdash/ or hop on Xbox Live and grab the trial version.

Gyromancer now on Xbox Live Arcade, Steam

Square Enix and PopCap Games have released their first collaborative game development effort, Gyromancer, on XBLA for 1200 points and on Steam for $14.99. Gyromancer is a strategic puzzle RPG that offers a deep storyline, a multifaceted leveling system and 50 monsters to call upon during battle.

Players assume the role of Rivel, a summoner who ventures through the enchanted Aldemona Wood. Each stage contains its own objectives, from defeating beasts that block the player’s way, to solving puzzles before time runs out. Rivel can learn to summon dozens of the beasts he encounters, bending their power to his will and commanding them in battle. Hidden within each stage are a number of rewards earned for completing feats great and small.

Look for the game on Steam and Xbox Live Arcade today.

Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space this Wednesday

Telltale’s Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space will launch on Xbox Live Arcade this Wednesday. All five episodes of the series’ second season will be bundled together and sell for 1600 Microsoft Points (320 points each). Like Sam & Max Save the World, the XBLA version of Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space will include achievements, HD graphic support, localized subtitles for German, French, Italian and Spanish, and a custom control scheme adapted specifically for the Xbox 360. A second Sam & Max Xbox picture pack will release on Wednesday.

Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space pits the Freelance Police against a demon-possessed Santa Claus, gigantic robots, and an emo vampire amassing an army of rave-loving zombies. Mariachis will sing, dead goldfish will prophesize, and Hell just might freeze over, and when friends are caught in the crossfire, Sam & Max risk their very souls to set things right. With an overarching story told throughout five action-packed episodes, the second season of Sam & Max is brimming with puzzles, exotic environments and the humor fans have come to expect from Telltale.

For more information, visit www.telltalegames.com.

Atlus reveals Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition

Atlus U.S.A. will bring the indie action game Zeno Clash to Xbox LIVE Arcade in a vastly enhanced version of the game called Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition. Ultimate Edition promises new modes including the all-new online cooperative mode for the Tower Challenges (a special survival mode that offers additional replayability beyond the single-player campaign), new features (including combat rebalancing, interface enhancements, improved animations, new modes), and added content. Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition for Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 is scheduled to release in Spring 2010.

Visit the official game website (www.zenoclash.com) for more information regarding what’s new and improved in Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition.

The Zombie Apocalypse is dated for late Sept.

Konami Digital Entertainment has announced the release date and pricing for its downloadable zombie themed action game, Zombie Apocalypse. Coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360 on September 23 for 800 MS Points and the PlayStation Network on September 24 for $9.99 USD.

Zombie Apocalypse drops players in a battle of survival between the dead and the living. Equipped with some heavy duty artillery, your shooting skills will be put to the test in this arcade style shooter that throws copious amounts of zombies at you. Gamers can choose from up to 11 weapons including assault rifles, flamethrowers and teddy bears filled with C4 explosives. A chainsaw is also available to players who want an up close and personal encounter with the roaming dead. Players can also take advantage of their surroundings as they utilize environmental hazards to destroy massive hordes of zombies.
The goal is to stave of the zombie attacks for 55 days without joining their ranks. Good luck! But you do not have to face the evil masses alone as multiplayer allow up to four shooters to take on the zombies locally or co-operatively online.

Sounds like fun. Look for the game at the end of this month.

Peggle Nights expansion coming to XBLA this fall

PopCap Games announced that upcoming Peggle Nights is coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade this fall. PopCap promises that this casual puzzler will be fine tuned specifically for XBLA players, and will include all the levels and challenges from the PC and Mac versions of Peggle Nights, along with the ability to play all the new Nights content in the exclusive multiplayer modes found only on XBLA. The Peggle Nights expansion pack will be available for download exclusively on Xbox LIVE this Autumn.

Features in the Peggle Nights expansion pack for XBLA will include 60 new Peggle Nights levels for multiplayer over Xbox LIVE and all single player/local modes, Peggle Nights Adventure mode (60 levels) -including the Nights story, 60 new Peggle Nights Challenges, a new Peggle Master named Marina, a Peggle Nights trophy room, all the Peggle Nights adventure statistics you can handle, new style shots from Peggle Nights PC (available as title upgrade for all Peggle XBLA players) and three new Xbox 360 achievements worth a total of 50 gamerscore - bringing Peggle up to a total of 250 gamerscore.

Call of Duty World and Shadow Complex top Xbox Live

Call of Duty World at War, Shadow Complex, Halo 2 and I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES!!!1 were the top games according to Major Nelson’s weekly Xbox Live Activity Lists for the week of August 17, 2009. Shadow Complex and Trials HD share the distinction of showing up on both the Top Live Games and Top Arcades Titles list for the week. For games played online, it was all World at War, followed by Halo 3, Call of Duty 4, Gears of War 2 and Madden NFL.

Shadow Complex and Trials HD were the top selling Arcade games, with Battlefield 1943 and Marvel vs. Capcom 2 following closely. Surprisingly, Castle Crashers is still in the top after almost a year of being available. Amazing. Ska Studios’ (makers of The Dishwasher) I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES!!!1 topped the indie charts, while Halo 2 is still being enjoyed on Xbox Live.

The full set of lists after the jump!

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