XBLA getting Sensible Dec. 19

It's nearly impossible to mention Xbox Live without soccer hooligans crawling out from under the bleachers to cry foul over the lack of a Sensible World of Soccer update. Since first being teased at Microsoft's X06 event two years ago in Barcelona, Spain, Codemasters has been cagey on a firm release date of its downloadable Xbox 360 and Windows Vista remake of Sensible Software's classic franchise. The soccer devout were given especial cause to take up their blackjacks when the game slipped past its projected summer 2007 release window.

However, Codemasters and Microsoft have at long last fingered December 19 as the day when Xbox 360 gamers, at least, will be able to take to the pitch in Sensible World of Soccer over Xbox Live. Codemasters made no mention of the Vista-enabled version of the game, and had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

As detailed in GameSpot's previous coverage, Codemasters will pull data from the '96/'97 season of the game, often considered to be the best in the series. Like other redux Xbox Live Arcade games, SWOS will feature both a true-to-the-original version of the game as well as a revamped edition that includes updated visuals, retuned audio, and new gameplay features. Both versions of the game will feature online play and leaderboards.

Sensible World of Soccer for Xbox Live Arcade has not yet been priced.