Back at E3, when the game was first announced, this was probably the single retro game that I was most excited about. When it came out for the NES, I think I played Contra for about two months strait. Unfortunately, the game that is being released is the Arcade game and not the NES version. Add to that the fact that Konami has decided to keep the original arcade aspect ration and your left thoughts of what a fully redone copy would be like.

Maybe I was expecting too much initially, but visions of a widescreen version with updated graphics and maybe a new level or two would have made this game the one to get for me. And while you can do the usual screen stretching, the arcade aspect ratio is actually worse than the NES version, meaning if they had of ported the NES version; more of your new HDTV would have been used.

When it comes right down to it though, Contra was and is a great game, for many Contra was the pinnacle of the 2d side scrolling run-and-gun games and the basic game play is still there. Since it'll certainly only be 400 points, I'll certainly be buying it for what it is, not for what it could have been.

Anyways, the Achievements are:

• Armory
• Teamwork
• Untouchable
• Tunnel Runner 1
• Infiltration
• Tunnel Runner 2
• Well Equipped
• Tough Guy
• Proficient
• Partnership
• Bulletproof
• Full Assault

So Microsoft decided to share some of the X06 loving with those of us north of the boarder. Hosted in a downtown club, MS had tonnes of upcoming games showing off all the usual suspects. Viva Pinata, Forza 2, and Gears of War (which actually does look better in person than any of the media I've seen so far) were the headliners of the retail games and pretty much all of them were exciting. But seeings how this is XBLArcade.com the focus of the impression posts will be of the XBLA titles.

All in all there were seven unreleased XBLA titles available to try out. Since we were given about two hours in the event, and there was only one kiosk that had the unreleased titles (sorry for anyone there who wasn't able to get more time on it), I'll only be posting impressions for five of them.

I was able, however, to grab all of achievements for all of the unreleased games, and since I won't be posting impressions of Defender or Gyrus (I ran out of time), I'll post those ones here:

Defender

• Mutant
• One Wave
• Cooperation
• Competitive
• Nice Catch
  
• Getting Better
• Fifteen Grand
• Run!
• Bitter Bane
• Five Waves
• Twenty-Five Grand
  
• Protect all Humans

Gyrus

• Safty First (10 Points)
• Tough Guy
• Good Start
• Sharp Shooter
• Exploring Uranus
• Exploring Saturn
• Exploring Jupiter
• Mars Attack
• Mother Earth
• Partnership
• Teamwork
• Too Good
  

Expect the impressions posts to start popping up tomorrow. Thanks again to Microsoft for putting on this event (and the open bar :) ) as well as the guy who got me on the list (name withheld so that others don't bother him as much as I have in the last 36 hours).

That is correct!

Major Nelsonconfirms that tomorrow's arcade game is indeed, the very anticipated, long - awaited arrival of Lumines Live. Which will set you back a whoppin' 1200 Microsoft Points, and an optional 600 Points (for 22 new skins, and music scenes). So, to complete the 'package' you need 1800 Microsoft Points (About $21).

Will you be buying it?

Xboxic (one of the best independent xbox sites out there imho) has dug up a very interesting post on the Empire Interactive Forum, where a moderator had this to say:

The fact that they are talking about changing the game at all (the addition of online multiplayer) seems to rule out Nintendo's Virtual Console, but without official confirmation, it's anyone's guess.

So what classic Taito game would you like? For me I'd love to see online co-op enabled Bubble Bobble.

Everyone's favorite french indie developer Load Inc has been working hard to bring customers what they want. When Mad Tracks was first announce, it was not going to include any online multiplayer component. After many complaints, Load Inc decided to add the feature.

Over in the xboxic forums, Denis Bourdain, VP Business Dev at Load Inc, has stated that "we had a pretty good first overall review from the test team at Microsoft." and when pressed about the multiplayer component, he said: " Multiplayer is done and it's great, thanks."

Also at xboxic, are 5 new screenshots of the multiplayer menu interface.

With the game being so close to complete, here's hoping that we see a 2006 release.

ILoveXBLA noticed recently that the XBLA wiki page has been updated to include yet another upcoming title; Eternity's Child. While all that's known about this title so far is that it's based off the works of Luke Bernard, and that it's scheduled for release in Spring 2007, the artwork on the official page is certainly intriguing.

For those of you who speak french there's an interview with Luke Bernard here. For those who don't, there is always babelfish.

We'll post more as soon as the info becomes available.

Godfree and Pink Sage over at Gamertag Radio have done a great job of reporting a tonne of info from Digital Life in NYC. Along with their podcast with tonnes of impressions and info, Godfree has posted 3 new videos on YouTube (it's a bit of a shaky cam, but it'll certainly do).

They are:

• Assult Heroes
  
• Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
• Small Arms

With the slowdown of info lately, it's great to hear, and see, these games. You can check out the Gamertag Radio podcast here.

It seems like we'll be seeing more Id titles in the future for the XBLA service. According to an e-mail received by Firing Squad, id's CEO Todd Hollenshead had the following to say

Considering how DOOM topped this weeks top 10 XBLA titles, I'd say chances are pretty good. The second bit that he brings up is that of when the title got announced; What would you prefer, a specific in advance release date, or to be surprised?

Continuing along with their XBLA Wednesdays promotion, Microsoft and Namco have released the 1982 classic Dig Dug. Weighing in at just under 12MB it's the smallest XBLA title that I can remember, and those of you who like to pinch their MS points, will be happy with the 400 point price.

Thanks to Morgon and the whole MyGamercard.net team, XBLArcade.com now has a Gamer Score Leaderboard. I've taken the liberty of adding all the members of XBLArcade.com who have set up there gamertag as part of their profile. If you would like to be added or removed from this list, just let me know.

You can check out the leaderboard here.