GamePro Arcade

Polar opposites on the downloadable game front. Wii gamers can pick up arcade classic "Space Invaders" (800pts) today. Other Wii offerings this week include "Forgotten Worlds" (800pts), "Target Toss Pro: Bags" (700pts), and "Strong Bad 4: Dangeresque 3" (1,000pts, look for the review later tonight).

While Wii owners go old school with "Space Invaders", Xbox 360 gamers get to put the new Xbox Experience to the test on its launch day (this Wednesday) with "A Kingdom for Keflings". Hit the jump for all the details on all of this week's releases.

With less than a week until the launch of the New Xbox Experience, Microsoft decided not to release a new arcade title for the first time in months. Instead, they have lowered the price of three previously released arcade games. Feeding Frenzy, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 and Worms to only 400 Points ($5).

Click below for complete details and links to related stories.

Back in 1998 Vigilante 8 graced the PS1 with its vehicular combat mayhem and fun gameplay. Activision has revised this title for Xbox Live Arcade and is calling it Vigilante 8: Arcade.

Much like the original, in Vigilante 8 gamers pick a vehicle and use it to destroy other vehicles as quick as possible. Strewn about the map are power ups to help aid you in this destructive quest. These range from weapon upgrades to shield/health packs. Working your way through level after level you reach a boss in which need to destroy. Though similar to fighting games, beating this game isn't what's fun - it's the overall experience.

A picture of Homer Simpson stuffing his face would have been a much more appropriate picture considering the title of this post but since receiving multiple emails from Matt Groening threatening to sue me if I don't "cease and desist using his intellectual property without permission", I thought I'd put up a pic of an actual game instead.

Not that you can really blame me for the crazy title. When one of the games available for download this week is "Yummy Yummy Cooking Jam" (1,000 Wii Points) and you've seen every episode of The Simpsons, you just can't help yourself. What else can Wii owners pick up today? "Brain Challenge" (1,000 points) and "Mega Man 3" (500 points).

Normally this is the place where I'd tell you about the XBLA game/s of the week but my MS contact has been surprisingly tight lipped. I do have some information but she swore me to secrecy, and if I tell you what I know without permission she'll shave my eyebrows off.

Look for a post on what new content you can expect to see on XBLA as soon as my virtual hands have been virtually unhandcuffed. In the meantime, hit the jump for all the details on the Wii downloadables.

Microsoft isn't wasting any time finding gamers something to do with their new avatars when the New Xbox Experience launches later this month. Starting November 19, Xbox 360 owners can download "A Kingdom of Kefflings" for 800MS points from XBLA. In the game, a players own personal avatar acts as a Paul Bunyun sized urban planner, helping the shrimp sized Keflings build their growing city. Think Sim City but with Apache Chief from the Super Friends walking around, barking orders.

The new title sounds pretty interesting and looks very kid friendly. I just hope it offers gamers a chance to unleash their inner Godzilla too. Hit the jump for all the details.

Tired of obeying the rules of the road but can't vent your pent up rage without some kind of ridiculous "legal" ramification? Well, you're in luck. This week gamers can pick up PS1 classic Vigilante 8 on XBLA this week to fill that vehicular combat void.

If that's not your style, maybe Space Harrier (500 points), Home Sweet Home (1,000 points) or Alien Crush Returns (800 points) for the Wii are more your speed. And for PS3 gamers we have the usual, nothing. The good news is, there are a couple of interesting games coming up soon for PSN fans. Look for previews on some upcoming downloadable PS3 games coming next week.

As for this week's releases, hit the jump for all the details.

If you enjoyed Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, you will love Episode Two. The story continues where Episode One left off with the similar enjoyable gameplay, plus some minor improvements. This edition features several new additions including extra difficulty modes and the ability to transfer over characters from Episode One.

For those who missed out on the original, the story takes place in a 1920s universe, in which Penny Arcade creators Gabe and Tyco are mystery solvers alongside your created character. You can head right into this edition, though, as the storyline does not continue from the original. Gameplay is a combination of a comic book woven together with aspects of a traditional Japanese role playing game.

Combat remains similar to the first game, with each character possessing his own special attack.

There's an interesting mix of games available for download this week. "Penny Arcade Adventures 2" (1200MS points) and episode three of "Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People" (Baddest of the Bands for 1,000Wii points, look for the review later today) are the highlights. But don't forget about "Earthworm Jim" (800Wii points) and "Art Style: ROTOHEX" (600Wii points) and "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader: Make the Grade" (1200MS points, redneck humor included).

Hit the jump for all the details, which also includes info on "Marble Blast" DLC for XBLA gamers. If putting marbles in Sucret's boxes is your kind of thing.

Since Command and Conquer 3 came to the XBOX 360 in March 2007, developers have been looking to perfect the transition of RTS games from the PC to the console. Age of Booty, a new downloadable title on the XBOX Live Arcade, goes back to the basics with its controls. The simple controls consist of directing your ship with the left analog stick and pressing the A button to move.

Age of Booty does not really have a story but delivers the pirate theme down to a tee. The single player mode consists of 21 challenges, in which the main objective remains the same, to capture more towns than your opponents. Simple upgrades become available by destroying ships on the map not involved in the conflict at hand.

Action never becomes overly chaotic but for hardcore RTS fans, Age of Booty will likely become boring because of the lack of options in its gameplay compared to a traditional RTS like StarCraft. Also, your AI teammates often do not perform the actions that they should and there is no way to tell them where to go, which becomes frustrating in the challenges.

You already know that Portal is going to be available on XBLA on Wednesday, but that doesn't mean there aren't any other games you shouldn't take a look at. Available for the Wii right now is "Tetris Party" (1200 Wii points), "The Incredible Maze" (500pts), "Digital Champ Battle Boxing" (700pts) and "Gradius II Gofer No Yabou" (whatever that means) for 900 points.

So what about PS3 gamers? As usual, you won't be getting much. But at least you can get some DLC for Mega Man 9. What is it? Something to make the game EVEN HARDER. Just what MM9 fans needed, kind of like pouring lemon juice on a papercut. Hit the jump for all details.