Looks like our "Hot August" continues this week with another steaming hot two-fer just one game on tap. Apparently, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix will be all alone have some serious competition with the straightforwardly named War World also arriving this week.

I may have looked foolish last week when I predicted a double 800 MSP week only to be slapped down by Jeff Minter himself (well, his blog at least). But this week should be a lock, right? So I will predict that this week's titles will both arrive at a stout 800 MSP, an XBLA first. Please don't make me cry myself to sleep use the strikeout again, I'm begging you.

I ask the masses: Who needs some more multiplayer XBLA games? And will you be warring or puzzling this week? Or, dare I say it, both?

[Update]: Strikeout tool in full effect. War World not coming this week. I'll be crying myself to sleep again.

[via WarWorld.net, thanks JDUDE11]

Guess I was only off by a week. Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix will finally arrive next Wednesday (August 29th) for 800 MSP.

Is there anything else that I could say that I haven't already? How about, the Official Xbox Magazine gave it an 8.5/10. That's all I've got.

[via Joystiq, thanks Blue_Falcon]

[Update]: Just to clarify -- It was confirmed by Christian Svensson (Capcom Sr. Director of Strategic Planning & Research) on their message boards. [Thanks Wasabi]

Since I've been horribly backlogged with tips and other stories I thought I'd turn this into a regularly occurring feature. It's an easy way for me to catch up and also harness your collective tipster skillz.

So, here's what's been happening around the XBLA world that I haven't had the chance to share:

I was wrong. SPFIITHDR let me down. But in its place are two other highly sought after titles beginning with the letter "S". The long awaited and gritty Street Trace:NYC is joined by Jeff Minter's triptastic Space Giraffe. Both clock in at 800 MSP and They will be available at the usual time on this Wednesday, August 22nd.

This marks an XBLA first: two new IPs debuting on the same day for 800 MSP each. Street Trace:NYC will be available at 800 MSP. Apparently, Gamerscoreblog got a little confused with all the dancing lights in Space Giraffe and tried to price it a little high but Jeff Minter says 400 MSP. And there was much rejoicing. Yay...

Remember to check out my previous previews of Street Trace:NYC: Gameplay, Single Player, and Multiplayer.

Also, screens for Space Giraffe are here. Street Trace:NYC, here.

[via Gamerscoreblog]

[Update]: Pricing information corrected. Stupid mistake ruined my whole post...grr...

Is it really a mystery anymore what game we'll be getting next week? Okay, so maybe I'm jumping the gun again, but it seems like the evidence is mounting for Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix's imminent arrival.

Here's the rundown. It missed its July release. Capcom opened up the official site. IGN's ads pronounced that it was "available for download" nearly two weeks ago. We got the achievements. We even got some themes and gamerpics. Then, a bevy of tempting screenshots. And now, it has its own page up and running at Xbox.com. Can we just get the game already!

Who do they think they're kidding at this point? It's coming out next week.*

Do you think any of these other games will be its partner in Wednesday's crime?

*XBLArcade's wild speculation on the release of any XBLA game confers no guarantee or warranty against massive disappointment should the game not arrive as predicted.

[via Xbox.com, thanks El ViX]

Let those who worship the almighty two-fer rejoice! We're back in business.

This week brings us Hexic 2 in the new category (aka 800 MSP) and Ecco the Dolphin slotted as the retro release (aka 400 MSP).

Can the multiplayer of Hexic 2 (or maybe the achievements?) lure you back even though the first game was virtually free? And does the idea of being a dolphin excite you or disgust you? So many questions to answer before Wednesday...

Screenies can be found on the Gamerscoreblog Flickr: Ecco and Hexic 2

After the jump are the typical selling points of each game.

[via Gamerscoreblog]

[Update]: Adding pricing info.

Sad that this Wednesday lacks the current trend of two-fers? Getting another retro title this week left you cold? Don't despair. Prepare for things to "heat up" very soon. The games coming out soon are "sizzling". Or so Microsoft would have you think.

The good news:

• Ecco the Dolphin, Hexic 2, and War World all coming out this month.
• GEON: Emotions, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, Space Giraffe, Streets of Rage 2, and Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix all arriving "in the coming weeks".

The bad news:

• With three Wednesday's left in August and three games listed, kiss your two-fers goodbye.
• No word on Sensible World of Soccer, Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, Street Trace:NYC, and many other games starting with the letter "S".
• A personal note: Where is my Mutant Storm Empire?!?

Feel free to add your own angry, sad, or psychotic, "where is _____?!?!?!" comments below.

Full "Media Alert" (cough*press release*cough) after that clicking thing you do below.

[via Gamerscoreblog]

Technically, your actual shoes are optional, but you could definitely use a pair of rubber grips for your button mashing fingers (or as it says on Xbox.com -- "button-smashing").

Track & Field has the typical original flavor and super-duper-HD flavor. Does it really matter though? You'll likely have your eyes down as your furiously pound away at your poor controller.

Who's lacing 'em up this week?

(Typical deets after the break, but seriously, every arcade game has achievements...get over it.)

Screenshots galore at the Gamerscoreblog Flickr here.

[via Gamerscoreblog]

After much speculation that Marathon: Durandal was destined for E3 but missed the deadline, it is finally arriving. And alongside the alien slayage comes a much more peaceful and family friendly experience in Spyglass Board Games.

Marathon: Durandal comes in at 800 MSP and seeks to challenge Wing Commander: Arena and Bomberman Live! for the XBLA multiplayer crown.

Spyglass Board Games gives you Chess, Checkers, Mancala, and Reversi and features what appears to be the largest Vison Cam window ever. At just 400 MSP this is a total steal.

Full details at GamerscoreBlog here.

I've gotta be honest here. All this XBLA goodness is starting to hurt (primarily in the wallet region). I haven't even played games from a couple weeks ago.

Anyone else getting XBLA fatigue? Any remedies you know?

[via GamerscoreBlog]

PlayFirst, Inc., publishers of the popular Diner Dash series and critically adored Oasis, are teaming up with Hudson Entertainment to bring their stable of games to consoles in 2008. PlayFirst has been very successful creating platform agnostic casual games (read: PC, Online, and they even appreciate Macs) and this new venture will likely be just as successful. No specific games or platforms have been announced but something appearing on XBLA seems like a safe bet.

To get a good look at all the games that fall under the PlayFirst banner, check out their site. Diner Dash and Oasis appear to be merely the tip of the iceberg. And besides those games already released, you can only imagine what will come out of the imaginations of all their development partners.

With Hudson's copious amounts console development experience and the profusion of games from PlayFirst, this match is made in gamer heaven. Look at the quality of Bomberman Live! as an indictation to what we can expect and you cannot help but giggle like a schoolgirl. But only on the inside. Because you're totally hardcore. I mean...dude!

[via GamingTalkHQ, thanks Measure]