Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged detailed

By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpotPosted Jun 26, 2006 1:12 pm PT

Geometry Wars to headline Microsoft's first retail compilation of downloadable 360 games.

Last month, a product listing for an Xbox 360 game called Arcade Unplugged showed up on the Web site of retailer EBgames. The page didn't give any details about the game, but it did list Microsoft Game Studios as the title's publisher. It was a short leap of faith to conclude this was a retail collection of Xbox Live Arcade games so that those without Internet connections could enjoy the service's offerings.

Xbox Live Arcarde Unplugged...live!

That appears to be exactly the case, as box art for the game has surfaced on a distributor Web site from which retailers pull art for upcoming games. A tagline proclaims that the package "includes the hit game Geometry Wars and a one-month subscription to Xbox Live Gold." A number of screenshots on the cover indicate that the compilation also includes Bejeweled 2 Deluxe, Wik: Fable of Souls, Hardwood Backgammon, Outpost Kaloki X, and the as-yet unreleased Texas Hold 'Em Poker.

It should be noted that the lineup of games could change, as this cover art isn't final. There is a ratings tag on it saying the games included run from E for Everyone to T for Teen, which is the North American system utilized by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board. However, the format designation in the top corner lists it as a PAL game. In PAL territories, games are either rated with the Pan European Game Information system, or the British Board of Film Classification system.

84 Comments

  • JSharpe_187

    Posted Apr 30, 2007 3:57 pm PT

    "There is a ratings tag on it saying the games included run from E for Everyone to T for Teen, which is the North American system utilized by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board. However, the format designation in the top corner lists it as a PAL game. In PAL territories, games are either rated with the Pan European Game Information system, or the British Board of Film Classification system." from the article

    The plot thickens...

  • Kaintae1134

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 7:05 pm PT

    Yeah it's cool and all. But I don't feel comfortable with having them on the disc and in to play, when I could leave in whatever game I'm playing and get it from the harddrive.

  • peeweeshift

    Posted Aug 25, 2006 10:08 am PT

    yeah its another article

  • DarkMalediction

    Posted Aug 17, 2006 9:28 pm PT

    It's going to cost $39.99.

  • Sagacious_Tien

    Posted Aug 12, 2006 5:56 am PT

    Wendon5391:

    It's not a rip-off, as you concur, when you have been able to play the games for many months. This is the LIVE Arcade version of going platinum. It also would help those on the fence about such titles to go ahead and get them. I would expect nothing less from M$ - who have been really pushing the idea of LIVE Arcade. This is just another incentive, and also helps create awareness for these titles.

  • worldfinest

    Posted Aug 6, 2006 7:52 pm PT

    I guess it is pointless for me to waste my money on buying Arcade games if these are going to be available for cheaper.

  • Wendon5391

    Posted Jul 31, 2006 8:37 pm PT

    wow, if they sell this for $20, that's a rip-off for us Gold members who bought games from the arcade, which i bought 4 of them , which could easily equal, $20

  • Vulpis

    Posted Jul 1, 2006 1:27 pm PT

    Not an Xbox-er myself, but I'm seeing a couple of very good reasons for this collection--one is for the people who for whatever reason don't have broadband (and, true, for them the Xbox Gold thing is pointless). The other is for the avid retro/retro-oid players who have filled up their HD with these, as well as whatever's required for their Xbox games. Remember that unlike, say, a PC with an emulator and ROMs, you can't just burn the ROMS off onto a CD/DVD and get them off your drive. I'd presume that this doesn't copy the games off of the media at *all* (other than maybe small score-table and similar persistant files), requiring the disc to be in when playing the games (that's how I'd do it, anyway). As for the price--I'm not that surprised, between Bejeweled being on there along with the trial Gold membership--keep in mind that PopCap charges $20 for the full PC version of Bejeweled by itself, last I checked...

    Also, not being an Xbox-er myself, I don't know how long it takes to select and download these games--simply being able to slap in a disc, make a menu selection, and immediately start playing may be a time-saver for some.

  • Ghost_Warrior

    Posted Jul 1, 2006 11:37 am PT

    Sweet?

  • i_love_my_ds

    Posted Jun 30, 2006 5:52 pm PT

    why would they give away a one month suscription to XBL? if theyre buying this game then they probably dont have internet!

  • AtomicEdge

    Posted Jun 28, 2006 6:31 am PT

    There are people without XBL?

  • BigDawg22088

    Posted Jun 27, 2006 4:17 pm PT

    why the american rating on the box and PAL region code on the box?

  • jdbthexboxgamr

    Posted Jun 27, 2006 10:06 am PT

    YES!,I do not have Live so this is some of the best news I have heard yet!

  • skitzocyko

    Posted Jun 27, 2006 9:45 am PT

    ok

  • rokkuman09

    Posted Jun 27, 2006 9:44 am PT

    i have kaloki x and geo wars but i still might get it depending on price

  • jraziel1019

    Posted Jun 27, 2006 9:35 am PT

    I own a 360, and I'm happy with my Silver Live status. I have no intention of playing against people online, and that's all that's different between Silver and Gold anyway. All I use Live for is downloads anyway, so no reason for me to upgrade.

  • juvinwo1

    Posted Jun 27, 2006 9:19 am PT

    good idea for people who dont have XBL, but I think that if you own a 360, you should really have a gold membership, if not you are REALLY missing out.

  • Rumstocker

    Posted Jun 27, 2006 8:10 am PT

    its going to be 40 bucks

  • iwannamilkbone

    Posted Jun 27, 2006 7:52 am PT

    People woule be better off just getting XBL and dowloading all the games they want. Im perfectly fine with just playing the DEMOS!

  • shibbay41

    Posted Jun 27, 2006 5:35 am PT

    For ppl w/out Live this is a great idea, but for others it's just stupid not to download these games

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