Casual Games for Windows Vista

Microsoft announced a new lineup of casual games optimized for Windows Vista. By default, Vista offers casual game players a set of titles that includes the updated versions of games that have established themselves as classic aspects of the Windows operating system: "Minesweeper," "FreeCell" and "Solitaire." Along with the traditional casual games that have become and integer part of Windows, Microsoft is also delivering "Chess Titans," "Mahjong Titans" and "Purble Place". The Redmond Company has also introduced the Windows Vista Games Explorer to facilitate the gamers' access to their favorite titles.

In addition to the titles that will ship with Vista, Microsoft will also debut MSN Games for Windows Vista. According to the Redmond Company, the casual games that will be housed on MSN will be made available concomitantly with Vista's customer release on January 19, 2007.

"Puzzle-playing, fun-loving casual game players also will benefit from Windows Vista-optimized gameplay, with new titles available on MSN Games. Bringing realistically detailed graphics and enriched gameplay features to casual players, the downloadable Windows Vista-based titles will be launched in conjunction with the new operating system in late January," informed Microsoft.

All the casual games that will be offered via MSN Games will be optimized for Windows Vista. Updated variants of "7 Wonders of the Ancient World for Windows Vista" (Mumbo Jumbo) and "Luxor 2 for Windows Vista" (Mumbo Jumbo) will deliver intricate puzzles, "Bliss Island for Windows Vista" (Codemasters) will offer new adventures, "Crystal Quest for Windows Vista" (Codemasters) will enable users to collect crystals, "Spinword for Windows Vista" (Slam Games) will provide word puzzles to complement the gem matching puzzle of "Jewel Quest 2" (iWin) and the action adventure title "Darwinia for Windows Vista" (Introversion).

"In addition, the ever popular "Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved" (Bizarre Creations) will be making its debut on the PC. Requiring fast thinking and an even faster trigger finger, the PC version of this retro-inspired title will, along with most Windows Vista-optimized titles, support gameplay with both the keyboard and the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows," stated Microsoft.