Microsoft dates Summer of Arcade lineup

One of the many announcements Microsoft made during the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo was that it would be returning with its Summer of Arcade promotion for Xbox Live. Set to kick off this month, Summer of Arcade will usher in the arrival of Hydro Thunder Hurricane, Lara Croft and the Guardian of the Light, Limbo, Monday Night Combat, and Castlevania Harmony of Despair.

Today, Microsoft attached a release order to this year's Summer of Arcade titles, saying Playdead's Limbo will lead things off on July 21. The black-and-white puzzle platformer picked up a handful of wins at the Independent Game Festival Awards in March. Vector Unit's high-speed wave racer Hydro Thunder Hurricane will follow on July 28.

On August 4, Castlevania Harmony of Despair will be available, with Konami sending out a separate announcement to say the game will cost 1,200 Microsoft points ($15). Designed by noted Castlevania producer Koji Igarashi, Harmony of Despair will be a 2D side-scrolling action adventure with a new six-player multiplayer mode featuring "fan favorite vampire hunters."

Monday Night Combat, from Uber Entertainment, follows on August 11. The futuristic gladiatorial combat game features third-person shooter action, with players able to select among six different classes. Closing out the Summer of Arcade will be Square Enix's Lara Croft and the Guardian of the Light on August 18. Though downloadable, Guardian of the Light marks the fame tomb raider's first foray into co-op play in story mode.

Save for Castlevania Harmony of Despair, pricing information on the Summer of Arcade titles was not revealed. However, Microsoft did outline an incentive for gamers to snatch up multiple Summer of Arcade games. Xbox Live gamers who purchase at least three of the Summer of Arcade titles by August 31 will receive 400 MSP ($5) free. Those who buy all five titles before the end of next month will have 1,200 MSP ($15) credited to their accounts.