Microsoft brought out the big guns today as they wrapped up their traditional pre-E3 press conference. Microsoft´s Live Arcade service didn´t miss out on the spotlight at Hollywood landmark Grauman´s Chinese Theatre, as Peter Moore confirmed these upcoming Live Arcade titles.
Konami intends to revive slumbering franchises including Frogger, Contra and Super Contra, Track & Field, Time Pilot, and Scramble – promising updated graphics and Xbox Live support.
Namco Bandai intends to cater to the nostalgics with the re-release of such coin-op classics as Pac-Man, Galaga, Dig Dug and Rally-X – each including familiar Xbox Live features such as leaderboards and achievements.
Midway´s pockets are also bulging with upcoming classic franchises including Defender, Paperboy, Root Beer Tapper and Ultimate Mortal Kombat® 3 – each sporting fresh facelifts and online multiplayer.
SEGA is also eagerly waiting to revive some old friends, including the world´s fastest hedgehog in a title called Sonic The Hedgehog High Speed.
Xbox Live Arcade has frequently been praised for helping indie developer´s into our living rooms. An entourage of indie titles include: PopCap Games´ action shooter debut ”Heavy Weapon”, ”Cloning Clyde” by Wahoo Studios/Ninja Bee, ”Roboblitz” by Naked Sky Entertainment and ”Mutant Storm Empire” by PomPom.
Last, but certainly not least, comes a fresh installment for Q Entertainment´s critically acclaimed ”Lumines” series. ”Lumines Live!” will debut exclusively on the 360, the game will feature a new puzzle mode, full multiplayer support, an exclusive duel-mode and downloadable content over the Live Marketplace.
Earlier this year Microsoft told us that 3 million Live Arcade titles had been downloaded, and that up to 60 % of Live users were taking advantage of the service.