After seeing the 3D Realms E3 video, I was convinced that nothing could ever top the power of the dancing logo. I was wrong. Take one part dancing logo, smash together with a heavy metal soundtrack, add a huge pile of new features to classic Duke, and then pimp its nearly imminent release for download. If that sounds like the gates to happy kingdom you better get some points right quick. Duke Nukem 3D will release on September 24th. You've got a week to prepare yourself for classic Duke on steroids. (Is that redundant?)

8-player Xbox Live multiplayer, death prevention through time manipulation, user clip sharing...I might actually have to purchase this game. Anyone else?

[via 3D Realms, thanks sumhydroponic and internets]

[Update]: It appears Duke is going solo this week and comes in at 800 MSP.

I just got my very own shiny copy of Official Xbox Magazine (October 2008) this afternoon.  On the cover -- "Finally! The Return of Duke Nukem on Live Arcade!"

Like many of you, I become extremely dubious of anything Duke Nukem related I see these days.  Duke Nukem Forever is still vaporware as far as I am concerned (despite word otherwise from 3D Realms) and the possibility of an XBLA version of the original Duke 3D seems just as undependable.  We've heard rumors about this game for too long without some sort of confirmation so when I saw the headline I prepped my mammoth sized grain of salt.

Apparently, I was wrong to doubt them this time.  Find details of the "confirmation" after the break.

[via OXM October 2008]

IGN has a feature up about NinjaBee's upcoming XBLA game A Kingdom for Keflings.  All we've heard or seen of the game so far was this teaser video.  Course, for me, knowing it's a NinjaBee game is enough to want it.

Go ahead and check out the new trailer (here or there), screenshots, and the interview with Steve Taylor (president of NinjaBee).  Then, come on back here because we'll soon have our own exclusive Keflings coverage in the coming days.

Any up for some 4-player cooperative kingdom building later this fall?

[via IGN]

Jonesing to play Lode Runner, Castle Crashers, Galaga Legions, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, or Braid? Have I got some great news for you. The wait will soon be over.

One of Microsoft's many XBLA evangelists was live on E3 Live on Gamespot (thanks to being on the road with glitchy internet, I missed his name) talking up the "best content lineup" on XBLA ever and told the world that all these games would be out "by the end of the summer." And more specifically he said, "in the next two months."

If all goes as planned I'll likely be at least 4000 MSP poorer in two months time (though no price points have been announced).

After the break I'll hit on a couple of points that were covered about each of those games.

Perhaps with all the talk (and crazy videos) surrounding Ninja Gaiden 2, you have forgotten that the pirate following should not be taken lightly.  Sure ninjas move faster than you can see but who wants to pick a fight with a peg leg, a hook, and a nasty set of teeth?  Not me.  But, I digress.

Pirates and real-time strategy get a mashup in Plunder, the Pirate-themed RTS game from Certain Affinity and Capcom.  (See what I did there?)  To dig deeper you can head over to IGN for a preview, but before you go check out the gameplay footage below.

Many days and weeks have passed since last mentioning Schizoid (that color-coded co-op crashfest being developed by Torpex Games). Many wondered if the game would ever see the light of XBLA. A strange thought, considering the game's status as XNA poster child. Despite what the naysayers are saying (and naying), the game lives and even has some sparkling new screens courtesy of Xbox360Fanboy's loving interest.

Peep here, read there. Getting excited for this again?

Previous coverage (to jog everyone's rusty memories).

[via X3F]

Are you tired of looking at pixelated japanese men while slavishly performing mental gymnastics? If so, XBLA's Brain Challenge will be right up your alley. Xbox360Fanboy's got a bunch of screens of the upcoming Brain Training Age Challenge so go see 'em.

Then, come back here and tell me if your "interest" in blonde doctors with glasses is satisfied enough to make this game a purchase.

[via X3F]

Last week we told you about Asteroid Cowboys the game that received a grant from the Nordic Games Program. Details were scarce at that point but Digital Out has finally released a few more details about the game and even some images. Now, I don't speak Danish (despite my favorite author being Danish) but luckily we've got a reader that does. Cue Lars Soerensen.

Digital Out says:

Når spillet er færdigt, vil op til fire spillere kunne dyste samtidig enten alle-mod-alle eller i hold. Og her kan alle være med, for den realistiske simulering af lassokast og asteroidernes flyvebaner giver et unikt og umiddelbart medrivende gameplay, der passer perfekt til et uhøjtideligt casual-game – små enkle, hurtige og overskuelige spil, der i øjeblikket stormer frem på verdensplan.

Lars roughly translates this as:

When the game is done, you will have 4-player deathmatch and team deathmatch. Realistic simulation of lasso-throw and asteroid trajectory gives unique and exciting gameplay. Perfect for casual gaming.

Realistic lasso throwing and 4-player deathmatch, huh? I can see potential here but there is still little to go on. You've got me intrigued Digital Out, don't blow it.

If you are still not sold, take a peek at these concept images.

[via Digital Out, HUGE thanks to Lars. Who knew Danish to English machine translation was so hard to find.]

Axiom: Overdrive maintains a high level of mystery as of yet. Luckily, Reflexive Entertainment has been kind enough to give us some new screens of the game. Then I realized that I had asked Russell Carroll (Director of Marketing, Reflexive Entertainment, Inc.) some brief questions about the game back in October that I never had the chance to post. Between the screens and the mini-interview we might just be able to piece together what this game is all about.

So, enjoy the screens now and (intentionally cryptic and vague) answers to my questions after the break. Then, let me know what you think about this game's potential in the comments.

Here's the official trailer for Pirates vs. Ninjas: Dodgeball from Blazing Lizard and Gamecock. It's coming "Early 2008". Watch and enjoy (or complain if that's your style).

Oh, and G4 has more about the game's characters too.

[via GameTrailers/XBLAInsider/X3F, thanks to YourExWife]