Microsoft Launches a Second Summer of Arcade

Last year, Microsoft launched its first Summer of Arcade initiative for Xbox Live in an effort to attract more players to the Arcade section of the Xbox 360 service with better games and special prices. It seems that the initiative was a big success, with Xbox Live seeing an increase in revenue of about 67% and with gamers getting to play titles like Castle Crashers and Braid, which have had a big impact on the gaming world.

The software giant is planning to do it all again this year, announcing the line up of titles that will make up the second Summer of Arcade, which is set to debut on July 22 (so it will be more like a month and ten days of summer).

The first game to arrive will be Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-shelled, which will cost 1,200 Microsoft Points, or about 15 dollars, and is basically a remake in 3D of the game initially released in the arcades.

Marvel vs. Capcom 2, a remake as well, will be released on July 29, complete with HD graphics and online multiplayer. The retail price will also be 1200 Microsoft Points. On August 5, players will get a chance to play Splosion Man, which was developed by The Maw creators Twisted Pixel. The game is a platformer featuring around 50 levels and will sell for 800 Microsoft Points.

The final releases of this Summer of Arcade will be Trials HD from RedLynx, a motorcycle simulation that can be frustrating but also charming, while on August 19, players will be able to get Shadow Complex, which was created by Chair Entertainment and Epic Games.

The games themselves all sound interesting but it remains to be seen whether Microsoft will be able to replicate last year’s success and bring even more gamers to Xbox Live and Arcade.