It's sequel week in the musty old Xbox Live Arcade, with two classic arcade games making their relatively triumphant returns. First off we have Capcom's Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3, which features all of the scrolling, shooting, POW rescuing action of the original, along with online multiplay and a free beta version of Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, all for 800 Microsoft points.

Also coming this Wednesday is Frogger 2, which includes 15 levels of action, boss battles, two new online multiplayer modes, and no free beta version of Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, all for 800 Microsoft points.

I am sensing a clear winner here.

This week on Arcade: Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 and Frogger 2 [Xbox Live's Major Nelson]

So What Is Aces Of The Galaxy Anyway?

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One has gone gold and will be going on sale via digital distribution later this quarter, Hothead Games said today.

The Windows, Mac and Linux game will sell for $20 and the 360 arcade version will go for 1600 Microsoft Points.

Hit the jump for the full release.

This week's Xbox Live Arcade offerings are brought to you by the letter B! Something old and something we hope you'll really like are coming your way, in the form of the arcade classic Battlezone (400 Microsoft points) and Rocky & Bullwinkle (800 Microsoft points). One is a fast-paced collection of microgames featuring classic cartoon characters from ages past, and the other is vector tank combat with redone graphics and all-new Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, and Capture the Flag modes! Both utilize the Xbox Live Vision Camera for added functionality, so now it's up to you to figure out which is which. Good luck and godspeed!

This week on Arcade: Bullwinkle and Battlezone [Xbox Live's Major Nelson]

Microsoft Cutting Back On Arcade Ports?

It came straight from the horse's mouth. Well, almost. Famitsu reported that 5pb—a company working on LIVE ports of multiple titles, including some classic top-down shooters by Cave—is getting the cold shoulder from Microsoft. 5pb's Masaki Sakari explains:

Out initial plan was to port lots of good arcade titles to XBLA. We talked to IP holders of these titles, and persuaded them. We secured these licenses, and finally talked with Microsoft. There they rejected all of our proposals saying, 'We are going to cut down faithful arcade ports.' We felt so frustrated.

Shmupcrafters Warashi have updated their website to indicate that the arcade to Dreamcast to Xbox Live Arcade translation of Triggerheart Exelica will be hitting Xbox Live Arcade this Wednesday! Triggerheart is about humanoid weapons systems that just so happen to resemble cute anime girls, fighting to save humanity from the Ver'mith. You're good, they're bad, shoot them. Both ships have different weapons but both have the power to perform an anchor shot, snagging enemies to use as a weapon or shield. Not sure I am ready for this yet, as Omega Five is still kicking my ass on a regular basis, but I suppose when it comes to shmups, the more the merrier! The only problem? While it will definitely be out in Japan next Wednesday for 800 points, I am seeing now official word on other regions, though Xbox.com did just add a page for the game. Fingers crossed!

Triggerheart Exelica Main Page [Warashi - Thanks Jacob!]

For those of you not wanting to wait until April for the handheld versions of the tiny ninja game that has Crecente tearing out hunks of his long, flowing hair, get yourself to an Xbox 360 this Wednesday as the classic PC flash game N makes its way onto Xbox Live Arcade as N+. With 450 levels that are sure to test even the most serene ninja's patience, a built-in level editor for creating your own challenges, and online multiplayer in both co-op and competitive flavors, N+ is surely worth 800 of your hard-earned fictional units of Microsoft currency. Not convinced? Try the free PC game over at Metanet's downloads page for a taste of what's in store for you this Wednesday.

N+ on XBLA this Wednesday (the 20th)!! YES!!!!!!! [Metanet Blog - Thanks Michael!]

"We've been looking to move into Xbox LIVE Arcade titles and Load Inc. wanted to do something brand new with the racing genre. This really appealed to us," said Melanie Mroz, CEO of SouthPeak Games. "Competing with real life remote control cars is great fun, so why not do it in a videogame?

Merry Christmas, old-school soccer gaming fans! A post over at the Codemasters Community Forums has confirmed that the remake of the classic Amiga (now there's a machine) sports title, announced way back in September of 2006, will be hitting Xbox Live Arcade on the 19th of December, just in time for the long holiday. The game features both a classic mode as well as an enhanced, prettier version, along with online multiplayer that has fans of the original quietly doing unnatural things to themselves in anticipation. For me, SWOS marks the sweet spot of soccer video gaming, with just enough soccer to be recognizable without all the complicated bits from later footie games that confuse my poor American mind. In short, hooray!

SWOS on XBLA: 19th December *CONFIRMED* [Codemasters Community Forums via CVG]

Every time I write about Undertow I have to spend a good fifteen minutes giggling over the developer's name. Chair Entertainment (heehee!) has revealed that their Battlefield meets Geometry Wars, Unreal Engine 3 powered shooter is hitting Xbox Live Arcade on November 21st, the day before Thanksgiving. If the game turns out as fun as I hope, I'll spend Turkey Day playing my PSP while the annual familial fight breaks out, wishing I were at home drowning myself in the 15 single player levels or two different 16 player multiplayer modes of Undertow. Lucky for me the other Thanksgiving contest my family participates in is the 'Who can leave the fastest after dinner' competition. The key lies in parking at the curb.

Chair's Undertow Gets Launch Date On XBLA [Gamasutra]

Hudson continues to painfully tease my shmup hunger, releasing bits of information on the upcoming Xbox Live Arcade shooter Omega Five while I continuously refresh my Arcade downloads screen just in case they decide to release the game itself while no one is looking. This week we meet Ruby, the scantily clad vixen who brings sexy to the battlefield, along with a vulcan laser cannon, reflecting laser beam, and a lightning gun. I'll let you decide which of those four is the most important. Ruby also has an alternate attack that sends out a satellite that can latch onto larger enemies, dealing damage as well as providing a lock-on target for her normal attacks. Where she stores this satellite when not in use is not something I really want to think about. Lovely! Game please.

THQ Brings Four To XBLA

"We're excited to add one of our hottest properties to the Xbox LIVE Arcade line up of games," said Steve Youngwood, executive vice president of digital media, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group. "SpongeBob has been a top kids' video game franchise worldwide, making it the perfect property for Nickelodeon and THQ to bring to this downloadable platform."

Xbox 360 By The Numbers

Destructoid Makes Bomberman Live Appearance

"Not only is it an honor to have Destructoid represented in Bomberman Live, but it may also be the first time an online community has been immortalized in a popular gaming franchise," said Niero Gonzalez, Creator of Destructoid.com. "We're grateful that Hudson has extended our brand in this unique way, and invite all gamers to wreak havoc as the infamous Mr. Destructoid."