Castlevania: Harmony of Despair ComiCon Images and Details

Alucard returns on August 4th (right around the bend!) along with some other fan favorite's for a return to the 2D splendor of the past before we plunge into the 3D (and absolutely amazing looking) world of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. That game coming this fall for the Xbox 360 and PS3.

But before we go there, we go here: an old school romp with a twist - four simultaneous players - and one awesome zoom-out feature! With the zoom, you can get a complete look at the area you're in and see all players on the board, as well as all the baddies.

It's a really unique feature to the series and adds a nice little hook to the title. Not that it really needs one, I'm pretty sure all you have to do to ensure a download is mention Castlevania and 2D in the same sentence.

Anyway, Castlevania: HoD will be available on LIVE August 4th as a part of the annual 'Summer of Arcade' promotion for 1200mspts.

Immediate purchase? Yeah I think so.

The Summer of Arcade has arrived

Major Nelson just posted up a list of this years games that'll be part of the awesome 'Summer of Arcade' promotion on Xbox LIVE.


July 22: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™: Turtles in Time Re-shelled 1200 Microsoft Points
(Ubisoft Singapore®/Ubisoft®): Cowabunga dude! Marking the franchise’s 25 anniversary, everyone's favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game is back with a brand new look in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled.” The arcade classic has been revamped with all new 3D graphics, but the same classic beat 'em up gameplay.


July 29: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 1200 Microsoft Points
(Backbone Entertainment/Capcom): One of the most popular fighting games of all time, “Marvel vs. Capcom 2,” arrives worldwide on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Choose from 56 legendary characters from Marvel Comics and Capcom history, including Ryu and Wolverine. With online multiplayer over Xbox LIVE and enhanced HD graphics, decide your own dream team in the ultimate tag-team fighting experience.


August 5: Splosion Man™ 800 Microsoft Points
(Twisted Pixel Games/Microsoft): Fools they were, to tread where knowledge should stay forbidden. For what emerged was not a man - it was a Splosion Man. "And all who saw him were sploded, for he was the fire and they were but meat." Able to splode himself at will, the Splosion Man launches his way through levels as an uncontainable force. From Twisted Pixel Games, developer of the award winning The Maw™, Splosion Man will keep you on your toes as you play through more than 50 single-player levels and 50 multiplayer levels. Nominated by GameSpy, Gamespot, IGN, and 411mania, this meat-riddled splosion-fest took several Best of E3 awards including Best Platformer and Best Downloadable Game.

August 12: Trials HD 1200 Microsoft Points
(RedLynx/Microsoft): Nominated for GameSpy’s Best Downloadable Game of E3 award, “Trials HD” is guaranteed to get our heart racing.” Put on your helmet, and rev your way through “Trials HD,” a full-featured, physics-based motorcycle racing platformer in stunning HD graphics. Tear up more than 50 tracks and test your metal in two unique game modes: Race and Skill. Create, share and download an unlimited number of free tracks with the level editor, and customize your rider to fit your personality.


August 19: Shadow Complex 1200 Microsoft Points
(Chair Entertainment and Epic Games/Microsoft): Winner of numerous Best of E3 awards including Best Downloadable Game from 1UP, IGN, GameTrailers and G4TV, “Shadow Complex” is the next evolution in downloadable games. “Shadow Complex” marries the quality and depth of a full retail title with the stunning visuals of Epic Games’ industry-leading Unreal Engine 3, and a classic side-scroller. Set in the world of Orson Scott Card’s best-selling novel, “Empire,” Shadow Complex provides more than 10 hours of in-depth gameplay and introduces a compelling universe.


There are some real winners in there, TMNT and Shadow Complex first and foremost. I'm wondering why Battlefield 1943 isn't grouped in with them. Not that it's needed, it just seems... off.