I made the mistake of mentioning to my wife that the Official XBOX Magazine had a blurb about Diner Dash coming to Live Arcade. She immediately perked up and asked if I would download it for her. I told her it was listed as a spring release and she got all ticked off like it was my fault. Now I just need to teach her how to boot up the system, fire up the title and log me off. I don't want everyone thinking I'm logging all those hours into the game.

Wrong. Lots of people like chess. They just play it on a real board or play for free over the internet. Paying 800 points for a chess game is pretty steep, especially with another chess game (along with three other board games) available for half that price.

The $10 were well worth it for me to have it go through Live. The other chess game doesn't have the same structure. I really like it and it was well worth it for me I can find games whenever I log on but I would just like more variety.

If I play against you and win, do I get the publishing rights to your next book?

You get the rights to pay me 90% of the profits and you assume all expenses.

Now I want to see you beat me.

Well, it seems like a high-quality chess game, so I'm glad you like it. It's just a little pricey for my tastes. I'm glad to see you dusted off the old 360, Deb!

Quick question...I just recently got Bejeweled with the Arcade Collection and while I like the game as a quick time waster, the automatic hints are driving me bananas. I can't seem to find a way to turn them off? Do they eventually stop after you have played a certain amount of time or get to a certain level?

Nothing is more irritating than sitting there for several seconds looking at the board and then that damn arrow pop up telling me one that will work. It hardly gives you anytime to scrutinize the board before it hurries you...and it's not even a timed game (unless you choose it to be).

That annoys the crap out of me as well. I have no idea how to turn it off.

I went away from XBOX gaming for a couple of months and had saved up 3 1600 cards. Just got Crimson Skies and a Pinball table, the rolling ball puzzle one, Chessmaster, and Poker Smash, so if you have any of those let's play

$15 for Crimson Skies is worth it to have it downloadable at any time and not have to deal with a disc.

So I have enough points for one more download. Going to wait a bit since none of the current games interests me right now (of the ones I don't have).

It'd be interesting to see how many CS matches I find. I'll find out soon.

I tried Poker Smash b/c of this board and loved it.

This week's news:

This week on Arcade: Brain Challenge and Bliss Island

This Wednesday we’ll see Brain Challenge for 800 points, while the colorful Bliss Island will be 400 points.


Now despite that above, I think Bliss Island is really 800 points, unfortunately. That game looks pretty lame, but as usual, I'll reserve judgement until I try the demo.
The Brain Age rip-off could be fun and certainly looks to be a bargain at 800 points. As huge a seller as those brain training games are for the DS, I'm surprised this took as long as it did to get to the 360. I wonder how the input will work without a touch screen. In any case, that one might be a purchase for me.

I think I'll pass on both this week, go with the Mass Effect DLC instead.

EDIT: Crimson Skies is a lot of fun, but it gets a bit repetitive by the end. I got it before it was DLC for about $8 shipped on Ebay, but it was worth it.

I have the exact same game as Brain Challenge on the Wii (Big Brain Academy) minus live... in this case it might not be enough to get me to get it.


I have auto-download on. Is there an easy way to see all XBLA purchases? As opposed to going into every game to see the checkmark under full version?

Okay...I tried the Hardwood Backgammon game and I couldn't even understand the tutorial. Granted I have never ever played Backgammon before but I still feel like a retard. Am I mentally challenged or does this game make no sense?

Yes.


But the game may not make much sense either.



But still yes.

My sisters played backgammon so I've known how to play since I was little. Love the game

Doesn't matter. The AI and computer assistance in that game is beyond cheap, even on easy. Not worth the five bones, IMO.

I agree with Corvin. I got the game with the XBLA Unplugged pack, and I understand how to play it, but I can barely beat the computer, it always seems to the roll the right number all the time.

I got it with the Unplugged pack as well so I was just trying it out. When I was going thru the tutorial it would roll a 12 but say it rolled a 10. Or roll a 9 and say it rolled a 6. Then it would just move the discs in what appeared to be no set pattern. I just couldn't grasp it and gave up quickly.

That game and Outpost Kaloki X seemed to be the most confusing games I have ever tried in regards to their tutorials.

Outpost Kaloki? What was confusing there? I actually bought that game and played much of it and don't remember anything being confusing.

It does sound like the tutorial for Backgammon sucks.

I don't know...I was confused.

Actually it just seemed like the tutorial would just tell you to buy stuff for no reason and didn't really tell you where to put it or why. I have to admit that I didn't spend much time with it but maybe it just wasn't my kind of game.

Now Bejeweled 2...love that game. That was worth the 5 bucks I paid for Unplugged alone. Just stop with the hints already!

Well, I'm interested in Brain Challenged. I'll try the demo and see if I like it. I've played those games in the DS and the Wii before, that's why I'm interested.

New 1942 game coming to XBLA!
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/858/858836p1.html

While definitely not bullet hell, the 1942 series has always been pretty fun. Have to keep my eye on this one.

The only thing confusing about it is that when you start a new level, it doesn't tell you which type of building the visitors want. That can be figured out by asking one of them/listening to their complaints, or looking at the supply demand meter on the right

Well, it has two things going VERY against it, but I'm willing to keep an eye on it as well.

The co-op component does look strong, which is usually an afterthought in the genre.

What two things?