Did he play single-player, multi-player, or both? Hopefully, single-player will be great as that's all I care about.

Also, is there any word on a GoW demo for Marketplace? With a game this hyped up, there better be a demo.

The developers have stated that there wasn't going to be any demo prior to launch, and no word on IF there will be a demo at all. It doesn't matter if there is or isn't one to me as I plan to buy the game no matter what.

I'd guess both considering he had to head over to another guys place to try it out

So, is the HD-DVD shipping this week? Still seems vague....why is MS like this? You would think they would try tp push this to compete.

I know Bestbuy.com says it will ship NEXT week. EB/Amazon say this week.

I'm sure it's this week. My shipping estimate is 11/7. Delivery estimate 11/8. Not that I need 2 HD players, but this one has gotten good reviews at AVS from a couple of members.

Anyone picked up F.E.A.R. yet? I tried playing the demo on my PC way back when and it ran like a slideshow.

I finished Interval 3 of F.E.A.R. yesterday. Great game so far even though my weapons suck. I can't wait till I get the crazy sniper rifle.

I loved the PC version of FEAR. The 360 version is sitting on my desk; waiting patiently while I squeze all the gamerscore out of PSU. Those F.E.A.R. achievements look brutal.

How in the bloody hell do you improve at Lumines? There's got to be something that I just don't get yet. My averate score isn't but right around 17,000 or so!

I'm to to abouit 100k in Lumines .. but how the heck to you complete the "base" mode to get the achievement? Seems like the color changes never stop .. and don't get me started on the funky brown/dark orange reggae music part.

I just got 45,823.

I suck.

Practice - when I first started playing I struggled to get 25k. Now I'm usually over 100k - peaked at 140k. I think there are something like 20 skins that need to be beat in Base mode - and I just got the advanced pack - and there are some sweet skins in that one too.

I found the hippy brown/green one to be ultra tough at first, but now I usually get killed at the paw prints one. Stupid dogs.

Yes, the hippy brown/green one is a bitch right now for me. When I got 45,823 earlier I was screwed by that one to end my game. I did notice that you get more used to it as you go, so hopefully I'll stick with it and improve. I'm glad I bought Lumines on XBLA, even if I didn't like the high price.

Thank God for that Best Buy Microsoft Points deal.

I'm still torn on the way to go here.

I ruled out the trade-in deal at EB because I should get more than $80 for my original xbox on ebay.

I was going to do Wal-Mart for the free Burnout, but I think I've decided on Costco.

Two main reasons: First is price protection. If a year or more from now Microsoft drops the price, I can return my system and get all my original $ back, right?

Second is warranty. No need for extended warranty w/ Costco, right?

(sorry for the slight repost, but I didn't get a response in the other thread and wanted some affirmation before I spent my $, possibly later today)

yeah, we all know what that means now don't we.

Early on, try to get only one color on the screen or even better clear all of the blocks. You get large bonuses for those. Try to set up color chains so that when the special blocks come you can knock out huge numbers of blocks at once.

**cough cough** cheater **cough cough**

That would be tough considering that entire community is flailing around like a panicked fish out of water right now.

But the horrific single player game in PSU made me wish for those days.

Arcade news - Contra this Wed:
* Players can opt to play the original arcade game or play in the enhanced mode with improved graphics and sounds
* Xbox Live Multiplayer: Battle all 8 levels together over Xbox Live, or locally on the same console
* Xbox Live features: Players can see how they rank against their friends with worldwide leaderboards and achievements
* 12 achievements: “Contra” offers achievements which range from straightforward to challenging for players of all skill levels
* New visuals: Enjoy enhanced artwork including rendered new bullet effects and explosions




More:
Beginning in January 2007, Atari will release six titles on Xbox Live Arcade throughout the year. Both classic and evolved versions will be available for each of the following titles:

Centipede®/Millipede®: defend your village against an onslaught of centipedes, spiders, army ants and more. In addition to the classic mode, the evolution mode offers high definition graphics and special effects like motion blur, trails and particle-based explosions to make the experience as enjoyable today as it was decades ago.

Battlezone®: the original tank vs. tank action classic has received an Xbox Live overhaul, adding in exciting new multiplayer modes including Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Capture the Flag. This updated version is truly a must-have for any fan of the original, which is also included. Additionally, players can use the Xbox Live Vision camera to watch live video of their opponents. Combine these features with new special effects for weapon firing, impacts and explosions and you have one killer classic as you’ve never experienced it before.

Asteroids®/Asteroids Deluxe™: rotate, thrust, flip, fire and jump to hyperspace as you blast oncoming asteroids to smithereens just like in the 1979 original, but in updated, beautifully rendered, high definition graphics that complement the classic original.

Missile Command™: protecting your city from alien missile attacks has never looked better now that this classic has been overhauled with updated graphics and 3D rendered vistas. Choose from the evolved mode or the timeless original gameplay.

Tempest™: clear a web of enemies before time runs out and advance to the next stage, using an arsenal of weapons at your disposal. This evolved version features a graphics overhaul while maintaining the same addictive gameplay of the original.

Warlords®: a multiplayer classic that resurrects the competitive spirit of arcade games from years gone by. Knock out the other kings in their castles while keeping yourself protected at the same time. Up to four players can join the action with the game taking control of any vacant castles allowing for a variety of single- or multiplayer experiences. Gamers can also import their own pictures to their castles for an extra personalization.

Wow awesome news!

Nice news....also, I believe there are some FREE Family Guy pics and Theme up in the Marketplace. I'll check eventually.

Contra! Yes! what was the famous infinite lives code? up, down, up, down, left, right, left, right, b,a,b,a start?

F.E.A.R., NFS: Carbon, FIFA 07, Gears, and now Contra to play this week. November will be the death of me.

it was up up down down left right left right B A

OMG, I will buy all of those.