I had zero luck in the forum, unless I wanted Robotron or UNO. So now I have a 1200 point game point gathering virtual dust. Oh well.

Stick with it. There aren't that many game promo codes for Live games except Uno and Robotron. Someone probably has some for the games that came with the Mad Catz arcade stick (Time Pilot, Astropop, Frogger). Besides that, I don't know too many other ones. There used to be a code for the Billiards game with the Live Bundle, but that (supposedly) expired in June.

Anyone else try Tempest? Good news : I love the "Evolved" graphics. True to the name, they bear a big debt to Geometry Wars, which is a good thing, indeed. Bad news : I don't like the way the game controls at all. The analog stick just isn't very responsive, at least not enough for me in this game. The demo is super-short, but I found myself frustrated with the controls (and yeah, I know I suck with every game, but this really felt off). Any other opinions?

They sell a handful of game codes now, so maybe he'll get lucky with trading after Christmas. Personally I've seen, Worms, Mortal Kombat, Geo. Wars, and Uno available for purchase, so you never know.

I wouldn't however expect an even trade since there are only 3(?) games worth 1200 points including PQ. Roboblitz and Billiards being the others.

Huge Tempest fan here (I own a Jaguar just for Tempest 2000) and you're right, the controls are not the least bit responsive. Truly regret buyin this one.

I felt exactly the same. Downloaded the demo last night. Never was a Tempest fan anyway but the controls just weren't very responsive. It seemed to stick a lot. I will definitely take a pass.

I don't care about getting an even trade, just something fun to play that I don't have. Worms would be awesome, so would Bomberman. Hell even Mortal Kombat probably, at this point.

Is there a way to contact microsoft with a suggestion? I was thinking with the holidays and all it'd be cool if microsoft had a way to let you buy live points for someone and send it to them on their account if you had that persons gamertag. They could even have it sent with an e-card greeting. This would also be cool for birthadays too.

Go to Xboxlive.com. They have contact info there.

That is a good idea. It would also work well if you were doing a trade. Game for points, or a code for points, etc.

I'm pretty sure you can already send someone points if you like. Some loser sent me a friend invite after racing him in TDU and then repeatedly hit me up for points (which I didn't have and wouldn't have given regardless).

The fourth title in the “Metal Slug” series joins the Xbox LIVE Arcade library as “Metal Slug 3” arrives this Wednesday, January 2 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PST).

An update of the original arcade version, "Metal Slug 3" is a run-and-gun video game updated with HD graphics and now features co-op multiplayer over Xbox LIVE. “Metal Slug 3” provides gamers with various route selections within each stage enabling players to play over and over. Join Marco, Tarma, Eri and Fio, the four veterans in the “Metal Slug” series, as they hit the battlefield to stop General Morden from disturbing the order and peace that has begun to return to the world. Throughout the game, various vehicles called “Slugs” are made available to help players in battle and to complete the mission. The game features co-op gameplay for up to two players over Xbox LIVE. Developed by SNK Playmore, “Metal Slug 3” will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.

They did do this over the holidays.

https://points.microsoft.com/instantbuy/

Two things. You have to know their Live ID (the email they use for Live), and you can't move points from one account to another, only buy new ones.

Tossed some shots of MS3 up on VGT for those interested.

I can't access the site at work, but let me guess.. their "HD Graphics" bullet point means taking meticulously designed 2D pixel artwork and applying it through an auto-filter making the game look either blurry or like melted plastic, window-boxed over high resolution wallpaper, right? Jump in!

It's window-boxed over some crappy camo wallpaper. The graphics look about like they did on the arcade version, although they might actually be blurred a little bit. I still see jaggies on the backgrounds and stuff, so maybe they weren't actually cleaned up. They definitely weren't re-done though.

I love Metal Slug as much as the next guy, but I've played it sooooooo many times over the years, and this is just 1 game, not even the entire collection or anything. I cant see myself spending $10 one this short of a game. Plus, the achievements are nearly impossible!

The graphics are filtered, the melted plastic type.

The website says "The classic graphics are faithfully reproduced for your gaming enjoyment."

Happy to see Sensible World of Soccer on XBLA and glad i had enough points handy to get it

As far as kiddie, licensed games go, the new Spongebob game on Arcade isn't too bad. It looks nice and I think my daughter would actually enjoy playing this with me. Not sure I want to actually spend 800 points on this, but when compared to some of the crappy kids games that are 2-3X the price on actual physical media, this isn't so bad. No reviews of the game anywhere online, afaik.

The game isn't bad at all. Its SNES level stuff, but less content. There is some built in replay value to collect the medals on each level, plus the achievements. I think its worth 800 points for fans of the show.

Added some screenshots of the two new games this week up on VGT: Omega Five & Tron

As someone who owns the arcade game Tron, I couldn't imagine playing the game with nothing other than the arcade controllers. I'd be much more excited if they put up Discs of Tron instead.

Both Tron games were reviewed in OXM like six months ago, so I'd assume the other one is still coming. Off hand I can't remember the gist of the reviews, but I think they liked Discs of Tron more.

I agree with you but man, I can't wait to try. I haven't played this game since I was a kid...and I put a lot of quarters into it at the time.

So what is Tron going to cost us points-wise?

I'm looking forward to Omega 5. Looks cool from the video I saw.