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US Xbox Live Arcade Weekly: Sho Nuff!
Posted by Michael McWhertor at 8:40 AM on September 9, 2008
This week sees another triple shot of new game content coming to Xbox Live Arcade, one that is sho' to satisfy fans of classic gaming. First up is, Rocketbowl. As you might expect, Rocketbowl is a bowling game with a twist, as the balls are rocket powered. It's like bowling, but appropriately extreme, and will set you back 800 Microsoft Points.
SNK's classic 2D arcade fighter Samurai Shodown 2 also makes an appearance this Wednesday. If you want to take a look at Samurai Shodown 2's loading screen, Microsoft has been kind enough to upload that to Flickr. The official release prices it at 400 MSP, but the official game page reads 800 MSP.
Samurai Shodown 2 is not listed as having online multiplayer, but we're checking in to see if that's accurate.
Finally, Shotest Shogi will also hit XBLA this Wednesday. Microsoft describes it as "chess inspired" and has priced it at 800 Microsoft Points. Who's gettin' what?
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
nitromic
Posted 9:29 AM 9/9/08
@peacefuloutrage: Damn that is crazy and one of the reason why my buddies haven't played the game. I had a buddy with a Jaguar, now that was an expensive paper-weight.
nitromic
peacefuloutrage
Posted 9:24 AM 9/9/08
@nitromic: I remember in high school one of the guys had a Neo Geo and 2 games (which considering the system was $600 and games were $300, was a lot). We played the hell out of this game, as well as a lot of others.
peacefuloutrage
Twoflower
Posted 9:22 AM 9/9/08
Awww, man! I just got this on the Wii (where it eats up a disgusting amount of memory space) when I could've had it on my 360. Nuts.
Twoflower
kidko
Posted 9:16 AM 9/9/08
If there's no online, I may as well get it on Wii
kidko
Linuxfox00
Posted 9:15 AM 9/9/08
nice to bad though cause im getting a mvs cab tommarow xD.
Linuxfox00
nitromic
Posted 9:13 AM 9/9/08
Nice Samurai Showdown is a good one to add. Too bad about no online though, since none of my friends have even played the game. I guess I am too hardcore of a fighting game fan.
nitromic
dae_giovanni
Posted 9:08 AM 9/9/08
@AokiShinya: I will award you partial credit, for this awesome reference.
Oh, who am I kidding! Full Credit! Great work! :-D
dae_giovanni
UltimatePancakeSensation
Posted 9:02 AM 9/9/08
YES! I wasn't sure if they were going to release Shotest Shogi in the states or not; I'm so happy!!!
Shogi is kind of like chess, but it's a lot more complex mainly because you can use your opponent's defeated pieces. It'll be nice to be able to play this game on Xbox Live. Definite buy if you're into that kind of thing. :)
UltimatePancakeSensation
AokiShinya
Posted 9:01 AM 9/9/08
Am I the meanest?
Am I the prettiest?
Am I the baddest mo-fo, low-down, around this town?
AokiShinya
Does Not Equal (ダズノット)
Posted 9:01 AM 9/9/08
I wouldn't mind learning Shogi, but I'm not sure I want to spend ten bucks on a game that might not be good (and I have no frame of reference to tell).
Does Not Equal (ダズノット)
chuffhoncho
Posted 9:01 AM 9/9/08
@okenny :) ...building bridges (to hide under): Someone was really complaining about that? On the heels of the Bionic Commando, Braid and Castle Crashers reviews? Weird.
On topic, I'm not buying any of these. Just not my cup of tea.
chuffhoncho
dae_giovanni
Posted 9:00 AM 9/9/08
Meh. Ever since I heard about the Samurai Showdown collection coming out on Wii later this year... I'm SO all over that! The series started getting REALLY good at part III...
dae_giovanni
DigitalHero
Posted 9:00 AM 9/9/08
Sold on Samurai Shodown 2.
DigitalHero
okenny :) ...building bridges (to hide under)
Posted 8:59 AM 9/9/08
Isn't Shogi considered Japanese chess? Chess inspired?
okenny :) ...building bridges (to hide under)
Dinoczar
Posted 8:59 AM 9/9/08
thank god Samurai showdown two is the best of the SS series idk why its been out of the spotlight in recent years
Dinoczar
excel_excel
Posted 8:55 AM 9/9/08
Shotest Shogi!!!!!!.......whats Shotest Shogi?
excel_excel
okenny :) ...building bridges (to hide under)
Posted 8:54 AM 9/9/08
Earlier today, someone was complaining that Kotaku doesn't cover XBL content. They cover XBLA and here it is; enjoy :3
...
Three games again... either MS is blowing it's load in a maddening fit of insanity or they may be introducing better ways to search and browse. I'M LOOKING AT YOU NXBE!
okenny :) ...building bridges (to hide under)
theuglyteradon
Posted 8:53 AM 9/9/08
I mean... Samurai Shodown II because I really don't care about the other two games.
theuglyteradon
theuglyteradon
Posted 8:53 AM 9/9/08
FINALLY!
theuglyteradon
SonicNirvana
Posted 9:54 AM 9/9/08
@Witzbold: I'm inclined to believe that the game featured in 90201 is perhaps one of the best fighting games ever. I'll save my Microsoft Points when that head-eating gem hits the Xbox Live Arcade.
SonicNirvana
Kenofthedead
Posted 9:50 AM 9/9/08
@okenny :) ...building bridges (to hide under): Shogi is called Japanese Chess by some.
Shogi and Chess are both games that originated from Chaturanga, so there is quite a lot that is similar to them in basic idea.
Some of the diffrences between them.
In Shogi, you can use the pieces you captured from your opponent. In Chess they just leave the game
Diffrent board size, 9x9 as opposed to 8x8 in Chess.
Shogi has a few more peices to use, but has no "Queen"
You almost never stalemate in Shogi, can often do so in Chess.
The PC version of Shotest Shogi is decent enough, so this should be as well.
Though if you have a DS, I would recomend 42 All-Time Classics/ Clubhouse Games on the DS for a decent Shogi game to try out and play.
Now for a biased opinion, Go is the best board game ever made. Someone really needs to put Go on Arcade.
Kenofthedead
Witzbold
Posted 9:49 AM 9/9/08
SS2 was one of the best fighting games ever. Seriously need an arcade stick for this one.
Witzbold
Orionsaint
Posted 9:48 AM 9/9/08
@Twoflower:
with leaderboards!
Orionsaint
wrecks
Posted 9:35 AM 9/9/08
Played the Rocketbowl XNA demo = weaktastic. ss2 = dope.
wrecks
Naia
Posted 10:14 AM 9/9/08
I'm so used to seeing it in English that it looks kind of funny in Chinese. =)
Naia
kftgr
Posted 10:07 AM 9/9/08
@Kenofthedead:
Go would be awesome, esp. with the online. But the problem of varying rulesets, life/death, ko's and super-ko's, and scoring would be a pain without a ref.
Will give this shogi game a try -- hopefully it has an online mode.
kftgr
TheIrishNinja
Posted 10:44 AM 9/9/08
so what was the final say on SS2, online or no?
TheIrishNinja
Kruder
Posted 10:43 AM 9/9/08
Whoo Shogi!
I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys chess type games. Simply being able to drop your opponents captured pieces back into play adds an extra layer of depth over chess.
Leave me a message if you want to swap tags and do a few games!
Kruder
balls187 upside yo head
Posted 10:35 AM 9/9/08
@AokiShinya: Love that you're going by Aoki with a Saku avatar.
Nice tights, btw ;)
balls187 upside yo head
MetalGearMax
Posted 10:30 AM 9/9/08
Fatal Fury was 400pts on release, come on SNK! Make Samurai Showdown the same!
MetalGearMax
Pombar
Posted 11:05 AM 9/9/08
Gahhh this finally comes out but I leave the country for a year starting Saturday (and can't take the 360 with me)! I have 1000 points lying around, and since I can't use the space money for anything else, I'm tempted to go for it just for the last 3 days.
Pombar
MetalGearMax
Posted 10:58 AM 9/9/08
BTW, the game has online achievements...so I'd say it would be pretty broken if it wasn't actually online.
[www.achieve360points.com]
Achieve 5 straight victories in online ranked matches.
20 points
Achieve 10 straight victories in online ranked matches
35 points
Achieve 10 victories in online ranked matches.
10 points
Achieve 50 victories in online ranked matches.
20 points
Achieve 100 victories in online ranked matches.
35 points
MetalGearMax
twinturbo2
Posted 10:51 AM 9/9/08
@dae_giovanni: I agree with you, I'm getting the Anthology for Wii, but mainly because the Atomiswave SamSho title is good, from what I heard. I'll skip SamSho II XBLA and get the Anthology instead.
twinturbo2
Witzbold
Posted 11:34 AM 9/9/08
@TheCleaningGuy: Those dont really have proper online play.
Witzbold
TheCleaningGuy
Posted 11:22 AM 9/9/08
People might want to wait on Samurai Showdown 2 until Samurai Showdown Anthology comes out on PS2 Wii and PSP. I think its supposed to be this fall.
TheCleaningGuy
DigitalHero
Posted 11:53 AM 9/9/08
@SonicNirvana:
You mean 90210. Hehe
DigitalHero
I am ERROR
Posted 11:43 AM 9/9/08
Wait for the retail collection?
Aside from SS2, are any of the other SamSho's any good? Or, rather, worth playing?
I am ERROR
maraxusofk
Posted 11:42 AM 9/9/08
YES online!!! insta buy. i heart fighting games.
maraxusofk
banana_ridah
Posted 12:04 PM 9/9/08
No online? What's the point? Might as well get the Anthology for PS2/Wii when it hits.
If it does have GOOD online, then I will think about it.
@I am ERROR: You missed all of them except 2? VI is pretty good, because of the gigantic roster. Other than that, III-VI are pretty similar. Bottom line: For only $20, you're getting your money's worth with SS2, provided the emulation's good (which I've heard it is).
banana_ridah
Knoxximus (360/PSN)
Posted 12:04 PM 9/9/08
@I am ERROR: That's what I'm saying. SamSho2 is the best of the lot and, IMHO, the only one really worth playing.
I got it for the Wii with those Hori Wii Fighting Sticks (2), so I'm golden! ^_^
Knoxximus (360/PSN)
twinturbo2
Posted 12:36 PM 9/9/08
@I am ERROR: Like I said, Sam Sho 6 for the Atomiswave is good, from what I hear.
twinturbo2
TitillatedOcelot
Posted 1:12 PM 9/9/08
ARTH-a-coo-ake-uhhhh!
TitillatedOcelot
Netnavi
Posted 1:02 PM 9/9/08
@MetalGearMax: They won't because MS got used to the idiots buying everything up for 800 points that really should have been 400 or less.
It will be extremely rare to get another 400 point game anymore.
Netnavi
sandal-hat17
Posted 1:28 PM 9/9/08
@sandal-hat17: "I know who can beat you."
"Who!?"
"Bruce Leeroy!"
sandal-hat17
sandal-hat17
Posted 1:27 PM 9/9/08
@AokiShinya: SHO NUFF!!!
sandal-hat17
arstal
Posted 2:21 PM 9/9/08
If there's no online, I'll stick with 2df. (no one plays it on GGPO)
SNK needs to learn that there's no point in selling fighting games that have already been emulated, unless you include quality netplay.
@Knoxximus (360/PSN):
Sam Sho 5 Special is a worthy competitor to Samsho2, but has never been console released. Supposed to be on PS2 version.
arstal
SAB-CA
Posted 2:21 PM 9/9/08
.... Look at the Samurai Showdown product page.
[www.xbox.com]
See that orange block that has "2 Players" in it.
That box means the game offers 2 players over a network.
See the Fatal Fury Special Page? Look here:
[www.xbox.com]
See the orange box that says "2 to 4 players" That meant we had online play with 2 people, and 2 others could watch in the games lobby.
Also, you may Want to update this post. The 400 MS points is now confirmed on the page.
Not to mention that if you look at the (very japanese) screenshots, you'll notice that there is an option for "Xbox Live" on the main menu.
So, yeah, I'm pretty sure this game has online. What I hope, is that the net code is better than Fatal Fury Specials. Even if not, I'll still greatly enjoy this, and at 400 points, it's quite a steal.
SAB-CA
crackp1pe
Posted 2:49 PM 9/9/08
This reminds me... when does the super fugly green 360 controller with the unbroken d-pad come out? I prefer playing fighters on d-pads to joysticks but as we all know the 360 d-pad is total garbage.
crackp1pe
SonicNirvana
Posted 2:39 PM 9/9/08
@DigitalHero: Gosh darn it! What's even sadder is that I live within half an hour of Beverly Hills.
SonicNirvana
eastx
Posted 2:36 PM 9/9/08
$5 is a great price for Samurai Shodown 2. I look forward to playing it on the 360 with an arcade stick.
eastx
arstal
Posted 3:11 PM 9/9/08
@crackp1pe: I know when SF4 comes out there will be a fighting game pad made for it.
arstal
Eville1 says SKUse me a sec.
Posted 3:00 PM 9/9/08
Rip Julius Carry. Kiss my Converse!
Eville1 says SKUse me a sec.
lordargent
Posted 4:02 PM 9/9/08
Good old samshow 2.
/now all I need is last blade 2
lordargent
supercrap
Posted 4:12 PM 9/9/08
Best Neogeo game, and you know that's saying a LOT.
supercrap
darthdarthy
Posted 5:43 PM 9/9/08
Where the hell is Duke Nukem 3D?!?
darthdarthy
JustOneFix
Posted 5:41 PM 9/9/08
SAM SHO II!!!!!!!!! awesome!
JustOneFix
matterask
Posted 5:40 PM 9/9/08
Crap! I've allready got it on the wii and now it's gonna sport achievements on the 360 :(
matterask
duckncover
Posted 6:47 PM 9/9/08
Samurai Showdown II?!
I might have to buy a 360 for this. Played this game to death at college and upset some people in the process.
duckncover
Humpski
Posted 9:19 PM 9/9/08
YEESSSS!
Sam Sho 2!
Please have multiplater, please have multiplayer!
Humpski
Billkwando
Posted 9:36 PM 9/9/08
FUCKING FINALLY!!!
I think they released it this week to save the emabarrassment of having to announce it at 2 different TGSes.
I'm gonna get this Wednesday....I'll see y'all online! (GT Billkwando)
Billkwando
XbhaskarX
Posted 11:38 PM 9/9/08
@Kenofthedead:
Seriously, somebody please release Go on XBLA.
XbhaskarX
Null-Python
Posted 11:32 PM 9/9/08
@dae_giovanni:
Either you're being sarcastic or you REALLY don't know the series well enough. 3 was the shittiest in all.
Null-Python
XbhaskarX
Posted 11:29 PM 9/9/08
@Does Not Equal (ダズノット):
Do people still not understand that *every* XBLA game has a free trial version?
XbhaskarX
Wizzard
Posted 11:59 PM 9/9/08
VICTOLY!
Wizzard
DugDawg
Posted 12:32 AM 10/9/08
Oh yes! I loved playing Samurai Showdown in the arcade back in the day. Will definitely have to pick that one up.
DugDawg
JUBEI21
Posted 5:32 PM 11/9/08
Online Play OH YEAH! Yagyu Jubei ftw.
JUBEI21