DailyTech - Microsoft to Release 80's Games for XBOX 360

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Software Microsoft to Release 80's Games for XBOX 360
Tuan Nguyen (Blog) - July 12, 2006 10:49 AM

15 comment(s) - last by shamgar03.. on Jul 15 at 1:49 AM

A classic release game every Wednesday

Microsoft announced today that due to the popularity of its downloading service for the XBOX 360, it will release one game from the 1980's era every Wednesday for the next five weeks. Available for subscribers through XBOX Live Arcade, the games will be updated versions of classic arcade games such as Pac-Man and Frogger. The going price will range from $5 to $15 per game.

Currently, trial games are available through the Live Arcade service. Greg Canessa, Microsoft's group manager for XBOX Live Arcade says that so far, roughly 5 million free game trials have been downloaded by users and 21.7% of those ended up purchasing full versions of the trials.

Microsoft will test out the "retro" program for five weeks, and if successful, will continue the program for the rest of the year. Canessa told reporters that Microsoft already has 20 games lined up for release and hopes to have another 50 available by the end of this year. How successful this program is will be determined on how gamers feel about the cost of these classics.

Nintendo recently announced that it too will make classic games available to Wii owners. However, the program will not only extend to all previous generations of Nintendo consoles, but will also encompass games for Sega's systems such as the Genesis, and NEC's TurboGrafx 16 console. Nintendo has not released any details as to what kind of pricing structure will be setup for the classics.

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Ahh, the TurboGrafx-16

By cenobite9 on 7/12/2006 11:27:16 AM , Rating: 2

I had one of those... I miss it sometimes. It was THE platform for horizontal and vertical scrolling shooters.

RE: Ahh, the TurboGrafx-16

By segagenesis on 7/12/2006 11:29:13 AM , Rating: 5

Do I even need to say it?

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RE: Ahh, the TurboGrafx-16

By MercenaryForHire on 7/12/2006 1:08:14 PM , Rating: 1

Blazing Lazers, Raiden, Lords of Thunder ... Nothing like shmups for brainless button-mashing gameplay! :)

And yes, segagenesis, I'm aware that your screen-name console has quite a collection as well. *cough* Gunstar Heroes *cough*

- M4H

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RE: Ahh, the TurboGrafx-16

By AlexWade on 7/12/2006 4:57:54 PM , Rating: 1

This is true, I've been playing Military Madness on the TG-16 lately. My TG-16 CD drive broke, so I can't play Ys. That was a great game.

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RE: Ahh, the TurboGrafx-16

By Assimilator87 on 7/13/2006 12:16:49 AM , Rating: 2

Although not as old school as the TG16, I think they should start releasing Saturn games too. Lots of great shmups, not to mention the most praised one of all time.

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How much is too much?

By on 7/12/2006 12:35:15 PM , Rating: 1

While I applaud Microsoft's efforts on the Live service, it seems like this retro content is overpriced. They say $5- to- $15 for each game thru Xbox-Live, but already for under $20 we've been able to buy entire retro collections (Capcom Classics, Midway Arcade Treasures, Taito Legends) on disc for PS2 and the original Xbox.

I suppose worth or value is relative to different people, but $5 for something like Frogger these days just seems ridiculous.

RE: How much is too much?

By Wolfpup on 7/12/2006 1:10:01 PM , Rating: 1

I think it's overpriced too, plus it's too tied to a 360/the Live service (so that I'd prefer a physical disk that dosen't need any of that), plus the downloads are oddly gigantic, plus the 360's D-pad stinks.

And plus...I don't care about any of the games they've announced so far. I might play Frogger or Pac Man for a couple of minutes, but they're just mini-games by todays standards...or even by the standards set by the NES.

..Which is why I'm potentially a lot more interested in the Wii's virtual console. There are tons of great NES games I missed, or rented and would like to play again. Ditto for the Turbographix 16, Genny, SNES, etc.
But I may have some of the same issues with it. I won't buy games that are tied to a single console or stuff like that.

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RE: How much is too much?

By AncientPC on 7/12/2006 1:18:43 PM , Rating: 2

Spontaneity convenience.

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RE: How much is too much?

By One43637 on 7/12/2006 5:16:10 PM , Rating: 2

agreed. while bringing back classics is a good thing, the price range on that is absurd for retro games.

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What happened to Contra?

By Deathspawner on 7/12/2006 1:15:14 PM , Rating: 2

It was mentioned at E3 that Contra would also be released on XBL, but it's never been talked about again. I was looking forward to that one..

RE: What happened to Contra?

By desiplaya4life on 7/12/2006 3:35:34 PM , Rating: 2

i wouldnt pay more than $5 for those games. i just rather d/l them online and play on pc. or well just hack it in to xbox hd somehow.

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RE: What happened to Contra?

By tuteja1986 on 7/13/2006 2:44:21 AM , Rating: 2

Contra is coming dude ;( don't worry. They are having weekly releases now and classic games like street fighter 2 , Mortal combat 3 ect are coming too. Also people that complain about price should think about how much money do they spend on crappy food at fast food places like MacDonald or watch crappy movies at cinema.

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