Fire up the flat screen and crank up the volume for the biggest year in Xbox 360 gaming history. Today at X10, Microsoft Corp. proved to the world why 2010 will be a landmark year for gamers of all types, and it showcased a barrage of exclusive games that defy traditional genres and create new experiences filled with emotion, adrenaline and suspense. Heart-pounding action and rich storytelling encompass a massive line-up of Xbox LIVE Arcade exclusives announced today with things really picking up in March with the Xbox Live Arcade Block Party.

Microsoft revealed at X10 that the new promotion Xbox Live Arcade Block Party will begin on Wednesday, March 3rd with the release of Toy Soldiers, the Arcade game we first saw last year that places you in the shoes of an antique toy soldier battling it out in a World War I diorama. Microsoft will launch a "companion" Facebook game called Toy Soldiers: Match Defense where you'll be able to match items in order to win countries and conquer Europe.

“This is going to be an amazing year for Xbox 360 and for gamers worldwide. It’s our biggest and most breakthrough year yet, filled with games and entertainment that you won’t find on any other console,” said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios.

Gamers can grab their Xbox 360 controllers and envelop themselves in heroic tales of miniature soldiers, struggles to defeat cunning bosses, and action-packed stories of mystery and espionage, or simply have some nostalgic fun with family and friends across the globe on Xbox LIVE with the following games:

Toy Soldiers (Signal Studios). An intense action game kicking off the Xbox LIVE Arcade Block Party on March 3, “Toy Soldiers” casts players into a fantastic, miniature world where antique toy soldiers fight in vintage World War I dioramas. To celebrate the release of “Toy Soldiers” on Xbox LIVE Arcade, Microsoft is launching a companion Facebook experience on Feb. 12, “Toy Soldiers: Match Defense,” which will have you and your friends matching items to collectively win countries and conquer Europe. Toy Soldiers will cost 1200 Microsoft Points.

Game Room (Krome Studios Pty Ltd.). Launching this March as a part of the Xbox LIVE Arcade Block Party, “Game Room” lets gamers relive the glory days of classic arcade and console games in their original forms, as the player’s avatar takes part in the original sights, sounds and gameplay only on Xbox 360 and Windows-based PC. Game Room is free, but the individual games will come with varying costs.

Perfect Dark (4J Studios). Fire up your Farsight and prepare for assignment — the Dark returns this March as part of the Xbox LIVE Arcade Block Party. Agent Joanna Dark brings her epic tale of galactic conspiracies in future America to Xbox 360 with re-mastered visuals, LIVE-enabled multiplayer modes, leader boards, achievements and avatar awards. Perfect Dark will cost 800 Microsoft Points.

Scrap Metal (Slick Entertainment Inc.). Launching in March as a part of the Xbox LIVE Arcade Block Party, “Scrap Metal” lets gamers drift around corners with guns blazing and take out competitors in this fast-paced, top-down racer. Gamers fight their way through explosive, action-packed missions, defeat cunning bosses, or jump on Xbox LIVE to race against their friends, exclusively on Xbox 360. Scrap Metal will cost 1200 Microsoft Points.

Not since the console’s launch in 2005 has there been a better time to jump into Xbox LIVE. With the Xbox LIVE Arcade Block Party starting March 3rd that will feature the releases of Toy Soldiers, Game Room, Perfect Dark, and Scrap Metal over the following weeks, you might want to save up those Microsoft Points and schedule an early Spring Break vacation.

Stay tuned to XBLArcade.com as we unveil a bunch of new details about the games above, and a ton of new XBLA games that are coming soon!