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]

As a big slap to the face of gaming pundits everywhere XBLA throws more and more games at the apparent misconception that games aren't released in the summer time. Week after week the list of potential summer releases gets longer and longer. I say, bring it on. I'm ready. Well, actually that is patently false as I'm just now finishing up Mass Effect and have about 10 XBLA demos to catch up on. But more is always better, right? Right?!?

Before I go completely bonkers trying to play catch up, here's the latest achievement additions:

• RocketBowl (Win 25 times in a row on Xbox Live...seriously?!?)
• Gin Rummy (Well rounded if possibly a bit uninspired.)
• Pirates vs Ninjas: Dodgeball (Pure awesome!)

And yes, I realize I just made a seperate Geo Wars 2 achievement post. But don't you think it deserves it?

Pointless pontification after the break as per usual.

[via A360P]

• TeamXbox: N+ Hands On Preview
• TeamXbox: Rez HD Hands On Preview
• TeamXbox: Rocket Bowl Hands On Preview
• TeamXbox: Chessmaster Live! Hands On Preview
• TeamXbox: Poker Smash Hands On Preview
• TeamXbox: Rocket Riot Screenshots
• IGN: Lode Runner Preview
• 1up: Pocker Smash Preview
• Gamespot: Brain Challenge Hands On Preview
• Gamespot: Brain Challenge Movie 1, Movie 2, Movie 3
• Gamspot: XBLA Interview

Wow, it's a busy XBLA weekend with not only a pile of Rez HD media but also the first screenshots and detailed info on Rocket Bowl. Without further ado here is all of the XBLA media that has been released this weekend:

• Rez HD - System Shutdown Movie
• Rez HD - Beat Blasting Movie
• Rez HD - Polygon Pounding Movie
• Rez HD - Security Breach Movie
• Rez HD - Screenshots
• RocketBowl - Preview + Screenshots

In a press release this morning, D3Publisher of America announced that they will be publishing three titles for the XBLA service. While we already knew about (and are eagerly awaiting) Mad Tracks, the other two are new announcements for the service. RocketBowl is described as Miniature golf meets Bowling, While Puzzle Quest is a game that needs no explanation to casual game fans everywhere.

While Mad Tracks and Puzzle Quests are on my day one purchase list, RocketBowl sounds quite interesting and, if done correctly, has the potential to be the sleeper hit of the three.

Click read more for the PR...

[via Mygamertag.net]