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]

A little while ago, we broke a story about the upcoming Natsume developed shooter Omega Five. And up until now, our only impression of the game was from a couple screens and some bad machine translation. Well that has all changed. We finally have a better picture of what Omega Five is all about thanks to a hands-on preview at Joystiq.

In the game you control a flying, gun-wielding ninja pitted against a massive army of robotic combatants. Don't think that this ninja's blade skills will go unused -- there will also be a way to execute sword attacks. If that doesn't sound bizarre enough for you, movement and aiming (which can move independently) are both controlled by a single thumbstick.

...how in the...?

Yup, both are controlled with a single thumbstick, but the controls are still being modified and tweaked. Zack Stern (of Joystiq) even admits that the controls were a little troublesome. Let's hope Natsume and Hudson iron those issues out before release. The game will follow Bomberman Live! as Hudson's next XBLA offering so don't expect it anytime very soon.

[via Joystiq]

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]

Looks like Hudson has more than just Bomberman Live! up their collective sleeves. Xbox Gazette broke a story (in French) on the upcoming Natsume (you know, the Harvest Moon devs) developed, Hudson published Omega Five.

There are a bunch of images of the game at the site so check 'em out. It seems to be a side-scrolling 2D style shooter but with 3D elements. Machine translation of the page is pretty rough, but apparently the hook of the game will be enemies emerging from the 3D background and not just from the top and bottom of the screen like most side-scrolling shooters.

Based on the images available it looks like the game is close to completion but we never can tell. (I said the same thing about Mutant Storm Empire six months ago...) The article states it will likely cost 800 MS Points.

[via Xbox Gazette]

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]

Another rumor smashed by a press release. And by smashed I mean totally confirmed.

Hudson Entertainment confirmed Bomberman will be hitting XBLA sometime this summer, sport a fresh HD coat of paint, and (most importantly) support 8 player online matches. If they know what's good for them they better have offline multiplayer too. Also present, 4 player local multiplayer (phew). You will also have full bomberman customization powers via downloadables. Let's hope they avoid nickle and diming us.

Backbone Entertainment is handling the development and the release should be sometime in June.

Check out the link on Kotaku to the Belgian site X-Power which sports tons of pretty pictures.

Choose your flavor: [via Joystiq] or [via Kotaku]

[Update]: Apparently, the Kotaku story was based on the info from X-Power and was posted a full 5 days ago (dunno how we missed that) but the Joystiq story alludes to an official Press Release which is more "official".

[Update 2]: I guess I should skim a little slower. 4 player local multiplayer is confirmed as well.