Trials HD is a full-featured, physics-based motorcycle racing game with over 50 mind-boggling tracks in two unique game modes. Race Mode emphasizes balance, skill, and control as you tackle indoor obstacle tracks. Skill Mode features extreme stunt tracks in which explosions, crashes, and injuries cannot be avoided. A level editor enables players to create, share and download an unlimited number of free tracks. The game features stunning full HD graphics, rider customization, unlockable bikes, global rankings, all new in-game friend scores, and many other fun features. Can you handle the bruises and broken bones—and take part in a truly unique racing experience?

“Trials HD” starts it’s engines on August 12th at 9 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PDT).

Published by Microsoft and developed by RedLynx, “Trials HD” will be available for 1200 Microsoft Points everywhere and is rated T for Teen by the ESRB. For more details on “Trials HD” you can visit: http://www.xbox.com/games/t/trialshdxboxlivearcade/

Recently, XBLArcade.com had a chance to do some question and answers with Twisted Pixel Games CCO / Director Josh Bear about the Xbox LIVE Arcade title ‘Splosion Man. Tough questions were asked, serious answers were given, and luckily nothing went ‘splode! 

Q:  Before we get to ‘Splosion Man, can you fill us in on the history of Twisted Pixel Games?
A:  Sure!  We started Twisted Pixel a little over three years ago with the intention of creating the coolest downloadable titles for consoles.  We started with 3 people then grew to 8 when we started work on our first title The Maw, then grew even more for Splosion Man.  The company had its start in my hometown of Madison, Indiana.  We have re-located the company to Austin, Texas and the team consists of 15 talented people.

Q:  What sort of challenges is there being an relatively new independent studio?
A:  At first it was really trying to prove to publishers that we could make games.  After they felt comfortable with that, it was proving that people would want to play the games we wanted to make, lol.  The beauty of digital distribution is that you can get away with more "out there" ideas I think, for whatever reason.  I doubt Splosion Man would have been greenlit as a multi-million dollar retail game.  But for download, it wasn't as tough to win that battle. 

Q:  Will you be expanding the company’s reach into other consoles such as the PS3 or Wii?
A:  We have an interest in all of the consoles.  Each one of them has strengths that I think Twisted Pixel could take advantage of.  It really just depends on the idea and where it fits best.

Penny Arcade's Mike "Gabe" Krahulik announced that he and Penny Arcade Adventure co-creator Jerry "Tycho" Holkins will be special guests on Xbox LIVE's 1 vs 100 this coming Friday evening. During the live show, which is set to begin at 7pm PT / 10pm ET on August 8th, Gabe and Tycho will be hosting with the 1 vs 100’s usual host Chris Cashman. Mike "Gabe" Krahulik notes that the show will include some Penny Arcade related questions and players will be able to call in with questions for the webcomic creators. One also has to wonder, due to the timing, if there will be some talk about the upcoming Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) in Seattle, WA on September 4th-6th at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center.

Everyone's favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™ game is back with a brand new look in Turtles in Time Re-Shelled for Xbox LIVE® Arcade. The arcade classic has been revamped with all new 3-D graphics, but with the same classic beat-'em-up gameplay. Take on the Foot and bosses alone or in a team of four. Cowabunga, dudes!

“TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled” go’s kung fu fighting on August 5th at 9 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PDT).

Published and developed by Ubisoft, “TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled” will be available for 800 Microsoft Points everywhere except in Japan and Korea and is rated E10 for Everyone 10+ by the ESRB. For more details on “TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled” you can visit: http://www.xbox.com/games/t/tmnttitrsxboxlivearcade/

So, here's an interesting promotion. A press release from Microsoft claims that any Xbox LIVE Gold Subscriber who has a US account and buys all of the Xbox Live Summer of Arcade titles will be treated to 800 Microsoft Points, also known as $10 in Microsoft's funny money. This calls for copy and paste!

Fans asked, and Capcom listened! One of the most popular fighting games of all time arrives on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. MARVEL™ VS. CAPCOM® 2 brings legendary characters from throughout Marvel and Capcom history to duke it out in an insane tag-team fighting experience. From Ryu to Wolverine, pit your favorite heroes in dream match-ups thanks to an unprecedented 56-character roster. With all new online play, take the fight across the globe and decide who really has the best "dream team." Widescreen support, enhanced HD graphics, and a robust leaderboard makes one of the best fighting games even better!

“MARVEL VS CAPCOM 2” begins the fight on July 29th at 9 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PDT).

Published by Capcom and developed by Backbone Entertainment, “MARVEL VS CAPCOM 2” will be available for 1200 Microsoft Points everywhere and is rated T for Teen by the ESRB. For more details on “MARVEL VS CAPCOM 2” you can visit: http://www.xbox.com/games/m/marvelvscapcom2xboxlivearcade/

Fools they were, to tread where knowledge should stay forbidden. For what emerged was not a man—it was Splosion Man™. "And all who saw him were 'sploded, for he was the fire and they were but meat." Able to 'splode himself at will, Splosion Man launches his way through levels, an uncontainable force. From Twisted Pixel Games, developer of the award-winning The Maw, comes a single- or co-op multiplayer experience that 'splodes like no other.

“Splosion Man” blows stuff up on July 22nd at 9 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PDT).

Published by Xbox LIVE Arcade and developed by Twisted Pixel Games, “Splosion Man” will be available for 800 Microsoft Points everywhere and is rated E10 for Everyone 10+ by the ESRB. For more details on “Splosion Man” you can visit: http://www.xbox.com/games/s/splosionmanxboxlivearcade/

Pirates! Adventure! Monkeys! Relive the hilarious swashbuckling misadventures of the wannabe pirate Guybrush Threepwood as he attempts to become the most infamous pirate in the Caribbean! Back by popular demand, The Secret of Monkey Island™: Special Edition faithfully re-imagines the internationally-acclaimed classic pirate adventure game from LucasArts in gorgeous HD detail. Featuring an all new re-imagined contemporary art style, hand-drawn and presented in 1080p, complete voice over by members of the original Monkey Island™ franchise cast, a re-mastered musical score using live instruments, plus scene-for scene-hot swap to seamlessly transition between Special Edition and Classic modes at anytime.

“The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition” goes adventuring on July 15th at 9 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PDT).

Published and developed by LucasArts, “The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition” will be available for 800 Microsoft Points everywhere, except Japan and Korea and is rated E10 for Everyone 10+ by the ESRB. For more details on “The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition” you can visit: http://www.xbox.com/games/s/secretofmonkeyislandxbla/

July 15: The Secret Of Monkey Island: Special Edition - 800 Microsoft Points
(LucasArts/LucasArts): A completely re-imagined version of the first game in the series that adds updated high definition graphics, a re-mastered musical score, and full voiceover to the classic adventure game originally launched in 1990. The enhanced remake of the original PC title, Secret of Monkey Island, features new character art, environments, and supports up to 1080i widescreen resolution. It features a fancy new re-recorded and re-mastered score, a streamlined interface, as well as all-new voice work. Although this title isn’t actually part of the Summer of Arcade promotion, it is coming out next week!

With new added Avatar support starting Wednesday, July 8th that will allow gamers the option of replacing the original story’s hero, Maal, with their custom Avatar as they play through the main story mode, and the addition of The Tales of Kaloki DLC, based on NinjaBee’s first Xbox LIVE Arcade game, Outpost Kaloki X for Band of Bugs, NinjaBee has been kind enough to give us one redemption code for Band of Bugs to giveaway for one lucky person to win!

With the new Avatar support, players will also be able to engage in hand-to-hand combat and spell casting in eight-player Spider Hunter mode. Spider Hunter, one of several multiplayer modes, allows players to battle with or against their friends over Xbox LIVE to survive an onslaught of deadly spiders, mosquitoes, centipedes and more. The Tales of Kaloki DLC is set in space and uses the basic mechanics of Band of Bugs but adds a new tile set, new characters, new story, new skills, new strategy, new attacks and new abilities.

Single Player, Xbox LIVE Multiplayer 2-8, 5.1 Surround Sound, HD (High Definition). Band of Bugs is a fast-paced, accessible, tactics and strategy game designed specifically for Xbox LIVE Arcade. Play the tutorial to get a taste of the mischief these critters can get up to. Download the trial version now.