Microsoft goes bigger in Arcade, memory units

Microsoft is a titan in the software industry--there's no denying that. In keeping with its gargantuan reputation, the company has announced that it is supersizing two of its products.

Xbox 360 owners will be able to carry more with a single memory unit, as a new 512MB version was revealed today. Previously, memory units were sized at 64MB. The new half-gig units will come preloaded with the Xbox Live Arcade title Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved (for a limited time) and retail for $49.99 when they arrive in stores on April 3. At that time, the price of the 64MB units will drop from $39.99 to $29.99.

The announcement comes in conjunction with the revelation that Microsoft has increased the size limit of Xbox Live Arcade titles from 50MB to 150MB, a move the company says will give developers "greater flexibility in game design and [expand] the opportunity to add advanced game features while still keeping games compact." Today's news is the official confirmation of the increase, which was previously given the thumbs up for the upcoming Castlevania: Symphony of Night.

Microsoft also formally confirmed the Xbox Live Arcade game Jetpac Refuelled from Rare Ltd. The game is a remake of the 1983 shooter Jetpac released on the UK ZX Spectrum computer. The XBLA version will feature enhanced graphics and more than 100 levels. Jetpac Refuelled will be shown off this week at GDC, along with the previously announced Pinball FX, Boom Boom Rocket, 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures, and Eets: Chowdown.