Streets of Rage 2

Action "Beat-Em-Up" 2D

[Xbox Live Arcade] The classic arcade fighting game Streets of Rage 2 comes to XBLA. Play as Blaze, Skate, Max, or Axel as you attempt to save Adam from the evil clutches of Dr. X. Special fighting moves for characters and unique weapons add to the excitement as you fight your way to the Syndicate's stronghold. Classic arcade fighting action: Each character has special abilities. Learn to use their moves to defeat the enemies and the bosses. Unique weapons: Katanas, shuriken, knives, and more are available for the player. Weapons can even be thrown for ranged damage. Stellar soundtrack: The music for the arcade version of Streets of Rage 2 by Yuzo Koshiro is widely considered as some of the finest music ever made for an arcade game. All new achievements to master and improve your Gamerscore. [Microsoft]

Triggerheart Exelica

Action Shooter Scrolling "Shoot-Em-Up" Vertical

[Xbox Live Arcade] Mankind's newest and best weapon is the Triggerheart, a humanoid weapons system with a human-like personality. When the Ver'mith attack, only the Triggerhearts Exelica and Crueltear have the power to destroy the enemy. In the classic vertically-scrolling Japanese arcade shooter Triggerheart Exelica, each weapon has a different combat style, but both can perform unique anchor shots. Anchor an enemy ship, capture it to use as a shield, or throw it back into the fray to cause massive damage. With five levels, three difficulty settings, and all the usual Xbox LIVE leaderboards and achievements, Triggerheart Exelica is a fast-paced, full-featured arcade shooter. Unique anchor shot element: The Triggerhearts can anchor enemies, capture them to use as a shield, or toss them back into the field of battle to cause havoc. V.B.A.S. (Variable Boss Attack System): The game dynamically reacts to your skill level. If you have a low score, the bosses will be slightly easier to defeat. Carry a higher score, and the bosses become more challenging. High-def graphics: Fully compatible with HDTVs, the graphics bring the top-down shooter genre to a new level of intensity. New background music willl have you grooving to the rhythm as you destroy the Ver'mith. [Warashi]

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Action Platformer 2D

[Xbox Live Arcade] With his new Super Spin Dash and "Tails" the Fox, Sonic is back and better than ever in Sonic The Hedgehog 2. Defy gravity in hair-raising loop-de-loops, bounce like a pinball and race like lightning. Play against friends at home or against others over Xbox Live in this classic game. Enhanced graphics and sound: The game stays true to the original, but takes full advantage of high-definition graphics, with enhanced sound effects. Achievements and leaderboards: Take on the challenge of new achievements to conquer, and use the leaderboards to compare scores among friends and the rest of the Xbox LIVE world. Play with a friend at home, or go online and play Sonic and Tails with the world at large. [Sega]

Ninja Gaiden II

Action Adventure Fantasy General

(Also known as "Ninja Gaiden 2") In Ninja Gaiden II, gamers must guide Ryu Hayabusa on a mission to avenge his clan and prevent the destruction of the human race. Armed with an assortment of ninja weaponry, players must help Ryu skillfully maneuver through a world fraught with peril and danger. Ninja Gaiden II features an all-new gameplay engine, a new auto-health regeneration system, levels, adventures, enemies and thrilling combat with an extensive assortment of ninja weaponry, representing a true evolution of the highly popular franchise. Assuming the role of a ninja warrior, players experience an all-new combat system that requires skill and mastery of their full arsenal of weapons, including Obliteration Techniques that allow players to quickly and stylishly finish off an opponent. In addition to the variety of brutal new primary weapons and enhanced versions of previous favorites, Ninja Gaiden II features unique acrobatic combat and attacks used not only by Ryu Hayabusa but also by his formidable enemies. The new auto-healing system in Ninja Gaiden II, featuring semi-permanent damage restored at save points, is the natural evolution of the franchise's distinctive gameplay and introduces a new twist to managing health. With a newly implemented auto-healing functionality and save-point system, as well as an extensive story mode and multiple difficulty levels available from the start of the game, the gameplay of Ninja Gaiden II is both accessible to more casual players and challenging to even the most demanding gamers. [Team Ninja]