Another twofer this week, as XBLA adds a fighting game and a turn-based strategy game to its ever-growing ranks. From SNK's huge library of fighting games, we have King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match. The XBLA version includes online play and will set you back 800 ($10). Meanwhile, Team17 has dropped the sequel to the XBLA version of Worms, which is titled, appropriately enough, Worms 2: Armageddon. The game brings lots of new features to the table -- as well as some old favorites -- and also costs 800 ($10).

Watch the latest episode of XBLA in Brief and see which one is screaming for your hard-earned cash.

Download the trial version of King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match
Download the trial version of Worms 2: Armageddon

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Just shy of its official release on Xbox Live Arcade, Team17 has dropped plenty of details and a big ol' pile of screens for Worms 2 Armageddon, out tomorrow for 800 ($10). First up, there are lots of new weapons in Worms 2, some of them are brand new, while others are returning favorites from other installments in the series. Fans will be happy to know that the Concrete Donkey is back (as is his nemesis, the Buffalo of Lies[?]). The game also includes bunker buster bombs which, true to their name, are used to take out cowardly worms that have burrowed deep, deep out of harm's way.

As we've mentioned before, the game also brings persistent fire, which is utilized in weapons like napalm and the petrol bomb. The game includes a handful of new modes too, such as Fort Mode -- which sets each team's worms in opposing bases instead of placing them randomly -- and Rope Race Mode. Another addition that might not sound too sexy but, trust us, it's important: Host migration for network play. The game also introduces vertical levels, which are tall and narrow, as opposed to the traditional wide levels.

All in all, it sounds like Worms 2 Armageddon is packing plenty of punch. Check out new screens in the gallery below and two trailers after the break.

Looks like our glowing preview of ZEN Pinball paid off for Zen Studios. The first (and only) pinball game on the PlayStation Network met an incredible debut, taking the top spot in May. Perhaps the free demo, which showcased the game's solid physics engine and graphics, convinced gamers to go for the full version?

According to GamerBytes, Zen Studios' Pinball FX did "similarly well" on Xbox Live Arcade. That game went on to sell 250,000 units over time -- perhaps ZEN Pinball can meet an equally favorable fate? In addition to ZEN, the rest of the top 5 included many PSN mainstays:

1. ZEN Pinball
2. Worms
3. Mortal Kombat II
4. Wheel of Fortune
5. Flower

For the rest of the top 10, and more analysis of PSN sales, check out GamerBytes.

A video posted over at Pocket Gamer seems to show off a very early build of Worms for the iPhone. The video is pretty brief, though it still manages to impress us through some slick visuals and competent controls. Whether or not this is real, know that we want it to be real.

We've put in word to both Team17 and EA's mobile division (which was rumored to have acquired the license). EA got back to us to say that the company "does not comment on rumor and speculation." While we wait on Team17, you can head past the break and watch poor Harlequin catch a rocket to the face.

Update: We've spoken with a source at Team17 that has confirmed the video past the break is authentic and something the team produced in-house, choosing to sneakily unload it onto the 'nets, rather than send Joystiq a press release. Our contact said that Team17 has actually moved to self-publish games in the digital distribution space, so it no longer needs to rely on partners get its products out there. So, in short: Worms on the iPhone is real, Team17 is doing everything, and there isn't any planned release date as of right now.

One might usually think of bunnies or egg hunts when it comes to Easter; however, this year you'll be thinking of Worms. We're talking about the turn-based combat title from Team17 Software. Worms will be heading over to European PSN stores on Easter Sunday (April 12).

The game is already out in the US and can be bought for $12.99. The European version will be similarly priced at £7.99/€9.99.

Mobile Entertainment reports it has documentation that "suggests" EA will become the exclusive global distributor of Worms on mobile platforms starting June 1. THQ Wireless currently holds the license, but given the publisher's shakeup in its mobile division earlier this year, this license transfer revelation sounds probable.

EA knows what it's doing in the mobile space, and given its affection for the iPhone, we have some high hopes and expectations if the mega-publisher does indeed take over the license.

[Via Edge]

They may not have spines, but they do have grenade launchers. Worms is coming to the PlayStation Network!

Team 17 has revealed on its Facebook page some images and details about its double-barrel offering of Worms on PSN and XBLA. With the OFLC outing both games last week, the studio didn't see the harm in showing off avatar support and vertical levels for the XBLA version, which is now apparently being called Worms 2: Armageddon.

The PSN edition of Worms -- which is an "expanded" port of the original XBLA game -- features "vastly" improved physics and displays in 1080p. We should have hands-on time with both titles at GDC and hopefully get a release window by then.

[Thanks, Benvio]

A listing appearing on the Australian Classification Office website has revealed that another Team 17 Worms title, Worms Armageddon Decade, may eventually inch its way to the Xbox Live Arcade.

The Armageddon Decade rating appears to have been applied for by Microsoft, which probably means this Worms edition will be an exclusive XBLA release and is a different project than the PSN's upcoming Worms. If the awesomeness that is Worms Armageddon is anything to go by, the XBLA's special Decades edition should be one of the most enjoyable Worms titles to date. That is, if Team 17 doesn't skimp on the weapon selection.

Update: Team 17 just informed us about the differences between the upcoming Worms games. The PSN edition will be an enhanced version of the XBLA release, including more weapons, additional levels, new audio and 1080p support.

The XBLA release of Worms Armageddon Decade (which we're told is subject to a name change) will be a "vastly expanded edition" of the original XBLA Worms, that will include weapons and features from Worms Armageddon as well as other brand new content. More details to come.

[Via GamerBytes; Thanks Ryan!]

The Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (or USK, for those who are terrified of lengthy, foreign words), Germany's game rating organization, isn't traditionally known for bringing us the hottest scoops. However, a recent listing on their site perked up our ever-attentive ears -- they recently stamped a Freigegeben ab 6 Jahren gemäß § 14 JuSchG (restricted for those below the age of six) rating to a PS3 version of Worms. Given that the genre of said listing is "Arcade", we think it's safe to assume that they're referring to a PSN port of the XBLA title.

This isn't a particularly surprising turn of events -- Worms has sold over half a million on the XBLA, and its done so over the course of about two years. However, Team 17, the game's developer, hasn't formally announced the PSNified title. Assuming the USK hasn't got its wires crossed, we should be hearing more about the port fairly soon.

As expected, a trio of new, er, old games has joined the Arcade Hits lineup as part of this week's Xbox Live Arcade update: Worms (something burrowed), Feeding Frenzy (something blue) and Ultimate MK3 (something, well, old). Each game has been discounted to 400 ($5).

And, as you may have gathered from the headline (if you made it to the end), there are no new releases on XBLA this week, ending a 26-week release streak that began on May 7th (according to our stat boy's research*). Perhaps the hiatus is intended to build anticipation for ... something big?

(Our best guess: We're in store for "something giant," as in the Giant Avatar game, A Kingdom for Keflings -- NXE is just one week away!)


Update: CarpeD1em500 brings up a good point. If you pre-ordered Nuts & Bolts you may have received a download code for Banjo-Kazooie on XBLA, which is available to you now. The game should be released to the public on or around November 26th. And, oh! We almost forgot: The Street Fighter "table" is also available for Pinball FX today!

After no announcement earlier this week and the discovery of three new titles on the Arcade Hits page on Xbox.com, we were fairly certain there would be no new Xbox Live Arcade title this week. After checking the Marketplace this morning, our suspicions have been confirmed. There is no new title, but Worms, Feeding Frenzy, and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 have all had their prices slashed to 400 Microsoft Points. So, we've got a hardcore fighter, a casual fish eating simulator and one of the best party games around all for only five bucks each. It's not new, but it's not bad if you've ever thought about picking one of these up.

Although it isn't official yet, it appears Microsoft has dropped the price of three more titles in its XBLA Hits program. Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Feeding Frenzy and party favorite Worms should all cost 400 ($5) in the near future. We just checked the marketplace and all the titles are still listed at the current 800 price.

We're currently checking with MS, but barring someone flipping an internet switch way too early, we expect this info to become official in the next 24 hours anyway. We'll update if it does.

[Thanks, Chris]

Microsoft has yet to make any official announcements, but it looks like some new Xbox Live Arcade Hits are headed to our favorite download service. Three new titles have appeared on the official Xbox.com Arcade Hits page: Feeding Frenzy, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, and Worms. All of them are listed at a new price of 400 Microsoft Points ($5), half of their original 800 Point price. We checked Xbox Live Marketplace and all three titles are still listed at their original price, so right now all we're really waiting for is an announcement from Microsoft. Given that Wednesday is the day that Xbox Live Arcade announcements are made, we wouldn't be suprirsed if these new discounts are announced today or tomorrow. We'll update this post when we have new information.

After all, Worms + Friends = Party.