Kotaku
In this week's XBLA update, we've finally gotten official confirmation that Ikaruga, the classic Japanese shoot 'em up (sorry, I despise the term "shmup") is coming to the platform this Wednesday, April 9th. Now in HD, players can enjoy standard leaderboards as well as online co-op and replay/save video support. It'll set you back 800 points.
In addition, the highly regarded newb Poker Smash will be offering two expansions. The Environment Pack (with two new action mode environments) and the Puzzle Pack (with 15 new puzzles) will each be available for 100 points.
All in all, it's a nice week of updates on XBLA. For the full, gruesome details, hit the jump.
The Japanese arcade hit "Ikaruga" receives the full Xbox LIVE Arcade treatment and is poised to launch on the platform this Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (1:00 a.m. PDT)."Ikaruga" is a fast-paced scrolling shooter with a twist - players must constantly switch their ship's polarity to maximize their damage output and avoid incoming enemy fire of the opposite polarity.
"Ikaruga" on Xbox LIVE Arcade features a two-player co-op mode both locally and over Xbox LIVE. Newcomers can also easily bring their skill up to speed by using the game's slow motion training mode.
"Ikaruga" is a perfect combination of beautiful, manga-style storytelling and challenging arcade heroics, all brought to life in a gorgeous HD environment.
Gamers itching to obtain a moment of "Ikaruga" glory will be wise to master the chaining system that detects when enemies of the same polarity are destroyed consecutively. Doing so will reward players with huge score bonuses, which will be key to topping "Ikaruga's" leaderboards.
The ability to relive a particularly harrowing battle is also possible thanks to the game's record and replay function, which is new to the Xbox LIVE Arcade version of the game.
From the Japanese developer Treasure, "Ikaruga" will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.
Independent developer Void Star Creations unveils two new downloadable content packs for their hit Xbox LIVE Arcade title, "Poker Smash" this Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (1:00 a.m. PDT). The new content includes two Action Mode Environments in the Environment Pack and an additional 15 Puzzles in the Puzzle Pack, giving "Poker Smash" players a total of 13 immersive environments and 70 mind bending puzzles. The "Poker Smash" Environment Pack and Puzzle Pack will each be available for 100 Microsoft Points.
Comments
*faints*
Huzzah.
I am excited for ikaruga. very much so. I am however, curious how it's going to fix on my screen now that it's 16:9.
I'd almost rather buy it for GC. If I can find it, that is. I'm just not sure about buying things from the xbla...
grats to you 360 owners. ikaruga is one fine game. i hope you ppl enjoy how amazingly difficult and intense it can get.
I too despise the term shump.I also despise the terms force multipliers,skus,projected growth,customer base and fudge ems cookies.
I'll probably try the demo and see what it about. I'm still just waiting on Bionic Commando.
YES!!!
You know, I was looking for the GameCube version of this on Amazon earlier today.
Good job I didn't buy it, eh?
Great job!
I have the GC version and I can't get past level 3 >_> Watching the someone play level 4 is... a nightmare for me :(
@Puzzle: Yeah, I hear it's insanely hard to find a GameCube copy.
I'm going to have to line my room in bubble wrap.
800 points is a bargain for the sound track alone, IMO.
About fucking time! :D
This is a tough one. I have the Dreamcast version and I can't decide if I should get this one.
@Len Bias Cocaine Surplus: LOL!!
I know, this game is @#$@$ HARD.
It sucks that it's going to be in HD ... now I can't complain that I didn't see the shot ^_^;
I'm glad it has a demo I'm curious if I can even get past the first level.
I've been playing it recently using a dreamcast emulator... looking forward to getting it on XBLA.
Hopefully it'll have an option to change the screen orientation and I can lie down on my side to play...
...yeah, I'm cool...
I had this on GC ages ago and sold it out of frustration at the difficulty (I was young and stupid...now I'm old and stupid). It fetched quite a bit! I Wonder how the XBLA release might affect the price for a hard copy?
...so awesome.
Nabbing it first day.
@Kickinstuff13: LOL! well you can keep on being skeptical while the rest of the internet gets their download on ;)
I used to be afraid of XBL downloading but Shivering Ilse was the drug that pushed me past that fear and I haven't looked back since. Do it... it's like jumping into a cold pool :)
A release of Gunstar Heroes with online co-op would make my year. Of all the Treasure games out there, thats the one I most want to see released on XBLA. That said, I'll check this one out as I never played it on DC.
I haven't purchased an XBLA in a long time, nothing this year yet. I want more games along the line of Castlevania: SotN, that is hands down the best possible XBLA game to have. It was a standard disc game over a decade ago, I want more!
I'm stoked. Now i just need SFII:TurboHD Remix to come out and im set!
I don't like "shmup" either. That's why I say "STG" (pronounced 'shooting game')
And there was much rejoicing! The greatest shoot-em-up ever is making a TRIUMPHANT return.
This is required gaming.
I hope they at least offer some KY before they stick it to you.
Make this 400 points and I'll see. I already own two copies of this rather overrated game; I'm not paying more than $5 for a third.
Though I must admit that online leaderboards and coop are very cool.
I'm terrible at shoot 'em ups, but I think I might get this anyway because people always talk about how great it is. Though I'll probably wait until I'm back at home with my HDTV that can't fit into my dorm room...
When did we stop calling them "shooters?" It used to be split between "horizontal shooter" and "vertical shooter" to me.
Either way. I'm pumped for this. The $10 price tag is reasonable and the achievements may add some new challenges and goals.
What's wrong with "shmup"?
no, NO. NO! I don't care about anything on XBLA!! I just want Nintendo to release Super Smash Bros. 64 for the VC!!! Ahhhh! ... and maybe some mega man and earthbound while they are at it ^.^ ... Besides VC owns XBLA anyways, XB doesn't even have enough classic games for it.
"(sorry, I despise the term "shmup")"
So it's not just me that thinks that term is retarded?
And incidentally, the fact that the first time I heard that I had to actually have someone explain to me what the heck it stood for is proof enough that it's stupid. Especially when "Horizontal/Vertical Shooter" (or even "Space Shooter" if it's a spaceship which it usually is) works just fine.
@K-Squad! (Badass Edition): LOL, you're trying to hard. Tone the fanboy down some.
@Kickinstuff13: Yeah, I hear it's insanely hard to find a GameCube copy.
It's actually pretty easy. Just go to Amazon Used & New and add Cash money. Mix and you get Ikaruga.
Getting Ikaruga at less than it's original MSRP is difficult, though.
Part of me wants an X360 for stuff like this but with the failure rate is just so bad. I wonder how it plays on there. HD + a real joystick (the Hori model) would make for an interesting combo so maybe someday ...
@Shandy706:
I'm sorry. Your right, This pain is mine to bear alone. v.v
can finally use some of my 3000 points! Thanks microsoft!
Seldom as a PS3 and Wii owner have I been truly envious of what 360 has to offer but this game has made me so.
I love Ikaruga on Gamecube (sadly don't have it on DC) but to play it in HD makes me so jealous...
Woot! Didn't they mention that there's an option that you can rotate the screen so it goes horizontally? It'd be awesome to rotate my WS monitor for a more genuine vertical format!
I thought I was all alone in the world, a relic of times gone by when shoot 'em ups were shoot 'em ups.
Though I'm not actually a huge fan of the genre, so I don't know if I'll get this, it's good to see it arrive for those who are into such things.
@Dresarius: I remember seeing on a preview months ago that you can play vertically (classic style) or flip it horizontally for a larger view on widescreens.
I'd really like to try both; it should provide an interesting twist on some of my favorite shooter genre gameplay.
This is a definite purchase ASAP for me.
Hell yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YES
Finally! A XBLA title worth my points! After this, the horizon looks rather bleak for me, until Duke Nukem 3D and Final Doom hit.
"sorry, I despise the term "shmup"
You're my hero Mark. I want to claw my eyes out whenever I see someone use that term.
Yet I do like the idea of shoot 'em up aficionados being called shmuppets.
When did the term "shmup" come into general use? I feel like I took a few years "off" from gaming (more accurately, following gaming news closely) and when I came back in 2003-4 everybody was using it and even occasionally getting down on me for not using it.
So yes, I agree its a crappy term, and I hope it can be extinguished at some point, the way things are going 2008 should be a banner year for vertical and horizontal shooters, now might be the perfect time to fight against terminology we all can't stand ;)
Oh and Ikaruga is the shit, honestly 800 points is a huge bargain for the privilege to play this in HD.
only 800 points to purchase ikaruga for the third time!!!
sorry for double-posting, but ive got to say that was a weak jk because im really happy such a great title is still kickin and expanding to more platforms.