Wednesdays are becoming less about new releases and more about extending the value of the games already out there. We got Tetris Splash today, but even that has a load of premium downloadable content right out of the gate. So let's do a full rundown of our weekly haul.

XBLA Game: Tetris Splash

DLC: Carcassonne, Soltrio Solitaire, Tetris Splash

Trailer: 3D Ultra Minigolf

All of that content for Tetris Splash sure makes it seem a bit dubious (especially considering it arrives alongside the game). Soltrio Solitaire keeps coming back to delivery more every two weeks -- why would anyone be surprised by this arrival? And finally, how does everyone feel about paying 300MSP for 7 tiles in Carcassonne?

Full details for each and every piece of content after the break.

[via Major Nelson]

Tetris not your cup of tea? How about Speedball? That more your style? If so, put your speculation caps on, grab your mountain of salt, and let's discuss tomorrow.

A poster under the moniker "Stevie D 1969" over at the Xbox360Leagues.net forums has declared that Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe will release this week (aka tomorrow) next to Tetris Splash. How does he know? Probably because of xbox.com which is listing the game's release as 10/3/2007.

But we all know how this goes. Until there is an official announcement, don't get your hopes up too much. Yet. Don't want to get burned.

[Update]: The folks from Gamerscoreblog have confirmed Speedball 2 is not coming this week. The xbox.com page has already been updated. Remember, never trust anything release date related from xbox.com and don't take candy from strangers. The more you know.

[via xbox.com, thanks Joao]

Recently, upon scanning the ESRB ratings I stumbled upon two oldies: Bejeweled 2 and Zuma. Totally boring, right?

Wrong.

Why? Because they appeared right near the top of the list. Now, in my experience, games are added to that list in chronological order based on when they were rated. So, what are the ancient Bejelewed 2 and Zuma doing on the list? Why would they need to be re-rated?

My wager: Bejeweled 2 and Zuma will be headlining the Live Anywhere launch of PC XBLA games alongside first-party titles like UNO from Carbonated Games. I think the picture above (showing Zuma as part of Live Anywhere) corroborates this theory nicely. And Microsoft promised to roll this service out before the end of 2007, so we should find out soon. I'll take those odds.

(Picture from this Engadget story.)

[via ESRB]

We already heard that E4 won't be coming to the US until Q1 2008. Now, Kotaku has confirmed that Rez HD, and Ikaruga will be joining the fray (in the US) around the same time (Q1 2008).

On one hand, I am disappointed that I won't get my hands on these games before the end of the year. On the other hand, I am already so backlogged with games that the thought of adding more to my plate is scary. Oh yeah, and there's a certain game that I might be playing quite a bit of very soon.

Luckily, we can take comfort that Ikaruga's new visual bar is "head and shoulders above the original." I guess that's a good reason to be patient. Then again, January would be much better than March.

[via Kotaku]

A preview for Every Extend Extra Extreme (aka E4) has popped up on 1UP. It seems music can be streamed off your HDD which will be automatically beat-mapped for your extending and extreming pleasure. There will also be a more geo-wars-addict-friendly mode that actually involves shooting as opposed to blowing yourself up.

While that all sounds good it's not the truly newsworthy tidbit. Here is what they say about a release day for E4:

Japan is first to throw down the E4 beat, but the game should be stateside by Q1 next year.

Could this be the first region specific XBLA launch? To my knowledge, no game has been rolled out successively in different regions like this. And why do this to a game with little to no text to translate? Is this a sign of things to come? I certainly hope not. I need more Miz in my life. And soon.

[via 1UP]

After a couple weeks of advance notice, we were left in the dark this week. (Maybe Major's absence has something to do with it.) Speculation ranged from Screwjumper! to War World (at least in my head it did). But now, we know.

Just off the wire, GEON: Emotions (800MSP) will be this week's release.

Does that upset you? Or thrill you? Good, because both feelings should be useful while you roll your cubes (how does that work exactly?) around the psyhedelic environments of GEON.

Need help making a decision about this game? Have it explained to you or check out the achievements. Or maybe screenshots are helpful.

Press Release and details after the break.

[via Gamerscoreblog, thanks Wasabi]

We've just received word that this week will be another to spin by -- Sonic The Hedgehog 2 will be released at the usual time this Wednesday. I anticipate the retro-standard price point of 400 MSP. And the xbox.com page backs me up on this.

SEGA continues adding to their SEGA Vintage Collection by giving us what many consider to be the best Sonic game ever (I think I'm in this camp). Do you still have love for good ol' 2D Sonic? Or did the load times on the retail 360 Sonic game sour you completely on the spunky hedgehog (whether in 2D or 3D)?

In addition to Sonic 2, we'll also be getting some new DLC for Bomberman Live! and Band of Bugs. No details yet on what we're getting but we'll let you know when we know.

E-mail after the break.

[via Gamerscore News, xbox.com page here]

[Update]: Added a screenshot (click for high-res) which seems to show a massive amount of smoothing graphically. (For comparison, here's an original screen at MobyGames.) Any purists out there upset by this?

Gotta love marketing. I just received the September Xbox Flash in my inbox, entitled "Halo 3 Screen Shots, PGR 4 and BioShock Demo". Typically, these emails are made entirely from information I already know. This time however, I noticed something of interest. The "Family Game of the Month" for September is Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

Just in case you don't get these emails, I'm posting a screenshot segment of the email in question.

Sonic 2 in September, eh? Seems reasonable, but it is not official yet. And we know what happens when we get unofficial confirmation.

[via my email inbox]

After all the gnashing of teeth over War World (the "confirmation" was apparently solely based on the Hot August press release and we know how reliable those can be) Microsoft has thrown us a bone. And by bone, I mean a bare-knuckled straight-right to the kisser.

Our surprise guest for the festivities this Wednesday is the SEGA Genesis brawler Streets of Rage 2 (400 MSP).

Why must everything be about fighting these days? Even the puzzle games. Sigh.

You buying or are you still bitter about War World?

[via Major Nelson, thanks to everyone that sent this in]

Gamerscoreblog has just confirmed the arrival of Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix this wednesday. It might just be the most confirmed game ever. Conspicuously absent from the latest post is any info on price or the inclusion of War World in this Wednesday's fun. Were we deceived? Hopefully we find out soon.

That's old news though. The interesting bit is this: Besides SPFIITHDR (and hopefully War World), XBLA will also see the release of two DLC packs this Wednesday. First, Bomberman Live! will be getting the Bomb-Up Pack 1. Second, Eets: Chowdown will also be getting some DLC. We already knew that though. No pricing details yet, nor any info on the specific contents of these packs.

Gotta love the advance notice though. Makes budgeting for this week that much easier (or harder as the case may be). Do you think Silver Creek with try to sneak another pack for Soltrio Solitaire in there just to avoid feeling left out?

[Update]: Chris Paladino of Gamerscoreblog has responded to concern about War World not making it this week with the following at the link below:

"War World is not release [sic] this week according to all of the internal folks I've asked...

Sometimes there are many bowling pins being juggled, and developers can get their signals crossed - which is why until you see the press release for the week - nothing is official. "

Looks like I might be breaking out the ol' strikeout tool...

At least they confirmed the price of SPFIITHDR will be 800 MSP.