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Perfect Dark, Alan Wake items now in Avatar Marketplace
"Elvis" you can see above, but there's also a flare, some pages of a manuscript or even an Alan Wake book. Like, a book that says Alan Wake on it that your Avatar looks at. Head into the Avatar Marketplace to see all of the new stuff.
Source -- Perfect Dark Avatar gear on Xbox Live [Xbox.com]
Source -- Alan Wake Avatar gear on Xbox Live [Xbox.com]
[Via Destructoid]
X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Perfect Dark
It's been a long time coming, and today Perfect Dark is finally available for download on XBLA. Sporting some new Xbox Live functionality and a sparkly new coat of paint, we'd be hard-pressed to come up with a better way to drop 800
($10) on the Xbox Live Marketplace. The game is a classic and the closest you'll get to having GoldenEye on Xbox Live. Check it out in the latest episode of XBLA in Brief above!Shortcut: Download the trial version of Perfect Dark [via Xbox.com]
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Gallery: Perfect Dark (XBLA)
Review: Perfect Dark (XBLA)

Originally released in mid-2000, Perfect Dark arrived as I was staggering forth from my freshman year of college. I picked it up because, back in high school, we played GoldenEye until the sun came up. I never grew to worship Perfect Dark as I had Rare's acclaimed Bond shooter, but my memory recalls it as a "slightly superior" game (if not as personally beloved). As one of the more prominent entries on my "I woulda, coulda, shoulda played it more" list, I've been looking forward to this reunion -- a chance to get to know Perfect Dark better.
Gallery: Perfect Dark (XBLA)
This Wednesday: Perfect Dark KLOBBers XBLA
That's "This Wednesday," like, this Wednesday -- today. Sorry we waited so long to bring you this regular installment of "This Wednesday," it's just that we kind of figured this particular release would be a little hard to forget. But for those of you not paying attention, here it is: FPS classic Perfect Dark arrives on Xbox Live today for 800
($10). If you're on the fence, check out our full review of the game.
Now, if you'll excuse us, we're going to go buy some Surge and Tato Skins off eBay and hit Felicity for some King of the Bathroom.
($10). If you're on the fence, check out our full review of the game.Now, if you'll excuse us, we're going to go buy some Surge and Tato Skins off eBay and hit Felicity for some King of the Bathroom.
Gallery: Perfect Dark (XBLA)
Rare to build new studio in Birmingham, England

The announcement notes that Digbeth's proximity to "several universities and colleges" makes the new facility "ideally placed for recruiting staff." We'd like to point out that Digbeth is also home to several pubs and bars, which should come in handy during crunch time.
Stadium Events sells for $41,300, becomes most expensive NES game ever
We're not sure which element of this story is the most newsworthy, so we'll lead with this: Some person, somewhere in the world, recently spent $41,300 on an extremely rare NES game. Someone was perusing the eBay auction block, saw Stadium Events (which Nintendo bought the rights to and retitled World Class Track Meet), and said, "you know what? That looks like the kind of thing I'd like to spend an American's median annual income on."
According to Video Game Price Charts, that auction has turned Stadium Events into the most expensive NES game ever sold. There are around 200 copies of the game still floating around out there -- which should be enough to send most of you rushing to your local pawn shop in a Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory-esque tizzy.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
According to Video Game Price Charts, that auction has turned Stadium Events into the most expensive NES game ever sold. There are around 200 copies of the game still floating around out there -- which should be enough to send most of you rushing to your local pawn shop in a Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory-esque tizzy.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Stay for the entire XBLA Block Party and receive parting gifts
Microsoft has announced more details about its Xbox Live Arcade "Block Party," which is ... right around the corner. Next month's lead-up to the launch of the Xbox Game Room will see a promotion similar to the one offered during last year's Summer of Arcade, and then some.
For Xbox Live Silver members that purchase all three Block Party titles released next month -- Toy Soldiers, Perfect Dark and Scrap Metal -- and then download the free Game Room "client," Microsoft will credit your account 400
($5). So, 3200
($40) spent on the participating XBLA titles will get you back five bucks. If you're a Gold member, though, the deal gets a little sweeter: Purchase the three titles, download Game Room, and you'll get the 400
refund and a free month of Xbox Live Gold service (worth $4 and change if you're an annual subscriber) credited to your account.
A free "everyone's a Gold member" (no, not that Goldmember) weekend is also scheduled, permitting Silver members to play the three Block Party releases online (but only the Block Party releases) from 12pm ET on Friday, March 26 through 12pm ET on Monday, March 29.
For Xbox Live Silver members that purchase all three Block Party titles released next month -- Toy Soldiers, Perfect Dark and Scrap Metal -- and then download the free Game Room "client," Microsoft will credit your account 400
($5). So, 3200
($40) spent on the participating XBLA titles will get you back five bucks. If you're a Gold member, though, the deal gets a little sweeter: Purchase the three titles, download Game Room, and you'll get the 400
refund and a free month of Xbox Live Gold service (worth $4 and change if you're an annual subscriber) credited to your account.A free "everyone's a Gold member" (no, not that Goldmember) weekend is also scheduled, permitting Silver members to play the three Block Party releases online (but only the Block Party releases) from 12pm ET on Friday, March 26 through 12pm ET on Monday, March 29.
Perfect Dark XBLA will keep GoldenEye maps
Of course, there really wasn't any reason to think they wouldn't be, but it's nice to hear all the same. So, if you've got the unlocking talent, you'll be mowing down your friends with a Klobb* in the Felicity, Temple and Complex maps in no time.
*Yes, GoldenEye fanboys, or the RCP-90.
X10: A perfect storm of Perfect Dark media
It's been a crazy 48 hours, thanks to all of the news coming out of X10. Attendees were greeted with various playable demos, a box full of mullets and, in the case of this post, the above trailer and gallery full of screenshots for Rare's upcoming XBLA port of Perfect Dark. Featuring graphics of up to 1080p and small grey alien sidekicks named Elvis, it's one of the more high-profile games coming to Xbox Live Arcade as part of the Block Party promotion.
Gallery: Perfect Dark XBLA (X10)
X10: Perfect Dark, Game Room, Scrap Metal, Toy Soldiers part of XBLA Block Party this March
Thanks to the Summer of Arcade, we've been conditioned to compulsively check Xbox Live Arcade during the hottest months of the year. But it would seem that March is the new summer, since that month now plays host to the XBLA Block Party announced during Microsoft's X10 event today.
So, what do you have to look forward to? Well, Toy Soldiers kicks things off on March 3. If that doesn't grab you, don't worry, it'll be followed throughout the month by Scrap Metal, Perfect Dark and classics hub Game Room. Also, if it's anything like every block party we've ever been to, cocktail weenies will also be served. So that's something.
So, what do you have to look forward to? Well, Toy Soldiers kicks things off on March 3. If that doesn't grab you, don't worry, it'll be followed throughout the month by Scrap Metal, Perfect Dark and classics hub Game Room. Also, if it's anything like every block party we've ever been to, cocktail weenies will also be served. So that's something.
Perfect Dark XBLA playable at X10, new screen
Rare has announced that its upcoming XBLA remake of Perfect Dark will be playable at the upcoming X10 event next week in San Francisco. In celebration of the announcement, Rare also released a single new screen from the game, featuring one Mr. Daniel Carrington. Click the image above for a nice, high resolution version.
With appearances expected from Fable III, Alan Wake, Halo: Reach, Final Fantasy XII, Splinter Cell Conviction, Crackdown 2 and the Microsoft Game Room, X10 is certainly shaping up to be quite an event. Rest assured, we'll be covering it from the get-go next week.
With appearances expected from Fable III, Alan Wake, Halo: Reach, Final Fantasy XII, Splinter Cell Conviction, Crackdown 2 and the Microsoft Game Room, X10 is certainly shaping up to be quite an event. Rest assured, we'll be covering it from the get-go next week.
Rare: 'No shortage of possibilities' for revisiting IP
Speaking to CVG about the upcoming XBLA re-release of Perfect Dark, Rare's Mark Betteridge hinted that more of the studio's old IPs might return in the future. Betteridge noted that Rare hasn't announced its next project after Perfect Dark, but added, "we've got over 25 years of IP to dip into so there's no shortage of possibilities." Just glancing at Rare's list of games -- which spans all the way back to 1983 -- it's easy to see Betteridge's point. The question is, then, what property should Rare pursue next?
What game would you like to see Rare resurrect? Cast your vote in the poll below, and feel free to name some other choices in the comments.
What game would you like to see Rare resurrect? Cast your vote in the poll below, and feel free to name some other choices in the comments.
Xbox 360 Platinum Hits lineup adds Halo Wars, Orange Box and others
Xbox.com has listed several new games as Platinum Hits, including Fable II (aka Game of the Year Edition), Halo Wars, Left 4 Dead, The Orange Box, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, Ninja Gaiden II, Kung-Fu Panda, Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, Sonic The Hedgehog, and Sonic Unleashed.
A Microsoft PR agent couldn't confirm the full list of new Platinum Hits (are we missing any above?), but said that if a game is listed as such on Xbox.com, it's a Platinum Hits title. The changes seem to have taken effect on major retailer sites, as GameStop and Amazon now reflect the discounted Platinum prices (if not always the the Platinum Hits branding), which range from $20–30.
With Orange Box requiring only one Jackson ($20), it's now literally a crime to not own it. Conversely, if you're dead-set on committing a crime, buy someone Sonic The Hedgehog or Sonic Unleashed at $20 each.
[Thanks, Stephen]
A Microsoft PR agent couldn't confirm the full list of new Platinum Hits (are we missing any above?), but said that if a game is listed as such on Xbox.com, it's a Platinum Hits title. The changes seem to have taken effect on major retailer sites, as GameStop and Amazon now reflect the discounted Platinum prices (if not always the the Platinum Hits branding), which range from $20–30.
With Orange Box requiring only one Jackson ($20), it's now literally a crime to not own it. Conversely, if you're dead-set on committing a crime, buy someone Sonic The Hedgehog or Sonic Unleashed at $20 each.
[Thanks, Stephen]
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts now on demand
Though we're on record as saying that a bear with a bird in his backpack is objectively a pretty stupid thing to make a game about, we're also able to admit that Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts is a gem that didn't get the credit it deserved. If you had been holding off because you were worried about the GameStop clerk looking at you like a weirdo, you'll be happy to hear you can now indulge your most taboo desires as the bird-backpack wearing bear has made his way to Games On Demand.
Go ahead ... your secret's safe with us.
Shortcut: Purchase and add Banjo-Kazooie: N&B to your Xbox 360 download queue [via Xbox.com; $19.99 in US]
Go ahead ... your secret's safe with us.
Shortcut: Purchase and add Banjo-Kazooie: N&B to your Xbox 360 download queue [via Xbox.com; $19.99 in US]
See screens and video from Perfect Dark on XBLA

Head past the break for video of Perfect Dark's Carrington Institute level or, if you're one who worries about a sudden outbreak of motion sickness, check out some stills from the game over on GTR's flickr page. Perfect Dark is currently scheduled for a "Winter 2010" release.
Source - Screens from Perfect Dark
Source - Carrington Institute level video


















