Real simple folks -- Destructoid is giving away 10 Bomberman Live! t-shirts.

Two ways to win: Photoshoppery or Kick [their] Asses online this Friday

What's it gonna be? Shopping or ass kicking?

[via Destructoid]

It's that time of month again that the OXM US review scores flow in and it's not looking good for our fine yellow friend. Tons of new never reviewed before games were included in this next month's issue. Don't get too excited though as this doesn't necessarily mean they are coming to us in July/August.

• Bomberman Live - 8.5
• Marathon: Durandal - 5.5
• Hexic 2 - 8.5
• Super Contra - 6.5
• Pac-Man Championship Edition - 6.5
• Yie Ar Kung-Fu - 2.0

It's good to see that Hexic 2 and Bomberman Live! did so well, but remember that Hexic 1 received a 9 from OXM.

[Via Thermite on NeoGaf]

At 57:30 in Major Nelson's latest podcast there is an interview with the Bomberman Live! Lead Producer Joel Bretton. The best part of the interview is finding out that Major Nelson obviously never played Bomberman in his life (Bomberman is turn based?). I think we all know that he is in for a pleasant surprise come Wednesday. Here's some great information from the podcast.

• First Bomberman game created in the United States
• The Bomberman Live! achievements
• Live! is the current "definitive" Bomberman incarnation (take that Sega Saturn)
• Hudson is working on several arcade titles (including the known Omega Five)

Not much in new information, but as always Major is entertaining.

In the midst of E3 2007, with the many announcements but few surprises, Microsoft has thrown in another announcement! Due this Wednesday, July 18th, we get the 'double whammy' with Hudson bringing us Bomberman Live!, and Konami delivering the classic, Yie Ar Kung Fu.

Bomberman Live! will support 4-player local multiplayer, and up to 8 over Live - Over 8 Arenas. Coming in at a very reasonable 800 Microsoft Point price.

Yie Ar Kung Fu will feature leaderboards, and enhanced graphics. Releasing at 400 Microsoft Points.

By the way, I wonder how many XBLA titles not included in the E3 2007 XBLA Montage will be releasing this year as well?

Via IGN

I took some time to finally look over the current state of achievement coverage for unreleased XBLA games over at xbox360achievements.org and here's a summary of what I found:

It's always good news when one of the most anticipated mainstream arcade games hits Xbox.com for the first time, and Bomberman Live's official page is no different. Keep in mind that these pages are sometimes set up weeks and even months before the game hits the marketplace, but it is a very good indication that it will be coming very soon. Especially since the community was told a June release for this title. Remember, if they were shooting for one of the last weekends in June and failed certification that would put them at least two weeks behind.

[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

This competition between the ESRB and the USK is finally heating up (sure it may all be in my head, but isn't it more fun to imagine it like a bloody cage match?). Not to be outdone by the regular, small updates at the USK, the ESRB has dropped their megaton. The following games have ratings at the ESRB:

• EXIT
• Sensible World of Soccer
• Hexic 2
• Bomberman Live
• Tetris Online (so, maybe not "Tetris Splash" afterall)

Okay, okay, we've seen most of those at the USK already. But add those to the already massive list of unreleased games that have ESRB ratings and you can't help but smile a little bit. The future seems very bright for XBLA.

The only one we have virtually no info on is Hexic 2. But if it's an improvement on Hexic in any way it will probably lure my attention away from Lumines Live for a while.

[via ESRB, thanks El ViX]

Xbox.com now has a page for Bomberman Live!. Seems like only yesterday that we got word of this game and yet it feels like the release is imminent. Let's hope so.

So, head on over to xbox.com, peep at some screenshots and join the masses pondering what "TBA" means for the release date (cough...early July...cough).

[via xbox.com, thanks JDUDE11]

IGN's latest Game Scoop! Podcast (Episode #38) has an interview with Joel Maximilian Breton and John Lee of Hudson Entertainment (aka the Bomberman people). While discussing what could become "the ultimate Bomberman game of all time"* they let slip a hopefully release date "first week in July" at a "typical" price point of 800 MS Points.

Also, under discussion is downloadable content. Bomberman Live! is built to allow DLC with new levels, characters, and even game modes. Look for the first pack around a month after the release with others coming based on the reception of the first set of DLC.

No complaints here. This game may finally get me (a hardcore Turbografx-16 Bomberman aficionado) back into Bomberman.

* That is a direct quote from the podcast and after reading up on the game I am inclined to believe. They are including every cool option and power-up from all previous iterations and allowing the players to decide which ones they want to turn on or off. I cannot think of a better way to make up for Bomberman: Act Zero.

[via IGN, thanks Kornicos]

"Because you demanded it! Bomberman has gone LIVE!"

Not a bad way for Hudson Entertainment to begin their Bomberman Live page. After the sour reception for Bomberman: Act Zero (I reserve complete judgment on that game as I've never played it myself) I am glad to see Hudson listening to the public outcry.

Give us classic Bomberman over Live, we said. Done, they said.

Give us local multiplayer too, we said. Done.

Give us more customizable outfits...uh, well someone must've said that. And Hudson said, done.

And with that everyone shook hands and parted ways with a new bounce in their steps. But, if knowing the story so far only leaves you wanting more, check out the site for all the latest and greatest updates. And make sure to check back "each week" for new info on the upcoming bomb-fest.

[Thanks, Wille Riche]